Special Events at St. Stephens
Rally Day – The traditional kickoff to the Academic year at church. Rally day is about rallying worship, energy, people, and involvement at St. Stephens. After the service, there is usually a buffet lunch and numerous games and activities for the congregation.
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The Blessing of the Pets – Each fall in honor of St. Francis, the Episcopal church offers a service for the blessing of our beloved pets. Keep an eye out for an announcement of the Blessing of the Pets Sunday, and bring your pets to the church to receive blessings. If you have a pet that would present challenges out of the ordinary, please call the church office to make arrangements.
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Christmas Bazaar – Contact ECW.
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Summer Soul Food – A once-a-month dinner and activity at St. Stephens during the summer. Past Summer Soul Foods have included speakers and a parish talent show.
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Special Events of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Cursillo – The Cursillo Movement prepares laity to be truly evangelistic in their work situations, their family and social lives, in leisure activities or within the institutional church. The movement guides Christians to a deeper relationship with God and helps them understand their individual callings to be Christian leaders. Dedication to continued prayer, study and apostolic action are taught so these leaders can more effectively do the work of evangelism. Weekends are held at Camp Allen.
Diocese of Texas Cursillo: http://www.epicenter.org/edot/Cursillo1.asp?SnID=42025620
National Cursillo: http://www.acswebnetworks.com/episcopalcursillo/
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Vocare - Vocare (vo-car-ee), Latin for “to call,” is a ministry for young adults in the Diocese of Texas that focuses on spiritual formation, renewal and vocational calling.
The mission of Vocare is to provide tools, community, support and guidance for young adults as they begin to explore their spirituality and spiritual calling in their adult lives.
Vocare was created in 1979 in the Diocese of Texas and has since become an international ministry with ministries across the United States, Canada and South Africa. Vocare weekends are facilitated by young adults in conjunction with spiritual directors and diocesan leadership.
Vocare strives to meet each young adult where their need is in the process of spiritual discovery and advancement through interactive workshops, group discussion, fellowship, personal reflection and worship.
Website: http://www.epicenter.org/edot/Issues_of_The_Day.asp?SnID=42025620
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Happening – For Youth in 10th-12th grades.
A Happening is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Through this experience the Happening encourages participation in one's own parish and youth group. Is Christianity relevant to youth today? Can it penetrate the many areas of school life? Can it transform the world and keep up with changing times? The Happening movement thinks so. It does not propose a new type of spirituality, but provides a method through which one's spirituality may be developed, nourished, lived and shared in fellowship with Christians willing to dedicate their lives to God in an ongoing manner. The Happening movement believes that Jesus Christ has and will continue to make a difference in the world and in individual lives. Those attending Happening listen to thought-provoking and challenging talks given by members of the staff and clergy. These talks are designed to help the Happeners get to know God. After each talk, the opportunity is given for questions and discussion in small groups.
Diocese of Texas Website: http://www.epicenter.org/edot/Happening1.asp?SnID=42025620 Texas Happening Website: http://www.happeningtexas.org/
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Y.E.S. – A Youth Encounter Spirit (Y.E.S.) weekend brings together members of the 7th-9th grade youth of the Diocese of Texas as a Christian community. The 7th-9th grade participants and adult sponsors from youth groups among the parishes and mission churches of our diocese become members of the Y.E.S. family. The focus of Y.E.S. is “on who Christ is”. Y.E.S. helps foster a clearer appreciation of self, richer relationships with others and a deeper experience with Jesus. Being part of the Y.E.S. family is fun. The weekend affords a loving environment in which to enjoy the warmth of a personal relationship with our Father and His unconditional love. Y.E.S. is one of the many ways God is equipping the youth (and adults) of this diocese for service in furtherance of His eternal purposes.
Diocese of Texas Y.E.S. Website: http://www.epicenter.org/edot/YouthEncounter_Spirit.asp?SnID=42025620