This Sunday we will honor Sally Wilson’s longtime ministry at St. Stephen’s with Sally’s Hymns Sunday. Sally has chosen a few of her favorite hymns, and we’ll shorten the lessons to maximize the singing! Father Jim+ is using one of the hymns as the theme for his sermon.
Sally is our organist and the Assistant Head of School and Director of Curriculum for All Saints.
The Lunch Bunch
Baptisms on May 18
Are you interested in being baptized?
Are you preparing to be a Godparent?
Would you like to know more about the meaning of baptism?
Bishop Jeff Fisher will be with us Pentecost Sunday, June 8!
Want to Join the Church through Confirmation or Reception?
What about Reaffirming your Faith or learning more about the Episcopal Church? If so, please contact Father Jim+
FROM FR. JIM’S DESK
Rector Search
Many of you have read and signed the “What We are Looking for in a Rector” poster that has been in the entryway. Keep praying for our next rector.
Imagine, however, that you are a priest looking for a new call. What would be on YOUR list? What would you want in a church, and are we that? If not, what might we do to appeal to our next rector?
How many people show up on Sunday? How does that compare to the number of members? Extent of generosity? Condition of the budget? Condition of the physical plant and campus? Children present? Any generations missing? What ministries are in place? What outreach is happening? What’s worship like? Is the community friendly to visitors? What evangelistic efforts are bringing in new worshipers? How many visitors come in a week? How many baptisms/confirmations/burials in the last year? Are there divisions or divisive issues present?
No church can cover all of the wants of a priest but it is worth taking inventory and addressing some critical areas. We know that there are way more openings than clergy. We want to present ourselves well. Like any love story, love is a two-way street. We have our wants. How are we responding to the wants of our next rector? The answer is important to our success in calling that person.
Jim+
BEWARE of Scammers
Father Jim+ will never email or text asking you to purchase gift cards or do any other special favor. Always be sure to look carefully at the email address--recently people have received emails with Jim’s+ name from email addresses [email protected] and [email protected]. Do not respond to these phishing emails! If something seems out of the ordinary, call the office to verify.
Due to recent generosity, St. Stephen’s has been able to make some much needed changes to the exterior of the church. Between the hard work of our Grounds Committee (Suzanne Lambremont, Kimberly Goodson, Connie Thompson, and Bruce Murphree), our Jr. Warden, Bruce Murphree, and Vestry Member, Ed Bloomfield our campus is looking right spiffy. Many thanks go out to them for their hard work!
Snack Drive
Many thanks to everyone who donated snacks and juice for the Ubi Caritas After School Program. The children will surely enjoy them!!
Thank you to Jeanne Murphree and Pam Senior for delivering them!
St. Stephen's
Cooks at Some Other Place
Wednesday, March 27
We prepare and serve a hot lunch with desserts, and drinks to the less fortunate in our city.
St. Stephen’s has been serving in this capacity for more than 30 years. Please contact Suzanne Lambremont if you have questions about this role.
4th Wednesdays at Some Other Place We cook & serve lunch at Some Other Place every fourth Wednesday, Volunteers always appreciated! Contact the office or (409) 892-4227.
