A Message from Fr. Gary
Recommitting to St. Stephen's Future
St. Stephen's seems to be on the upswing.
Some people look at the future through the lens of the old Blues song. "I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees. Asked the Lord above for mercy, save me if you please." I don't share the song's sense of loneliness and desperation, and I hope you don't either. Instead I think this crossroad is a great opportunity for St. Stephen's parishioners--an opportunity to make a deeper, more personal commitment to supporting each other's faith journeys.
It's easy to see St. Stephen's as an amazing building with amazing leaders. But more importantly, its lifeblood is the people who sat around us during worship. It's about the time, talent and yes, financial resources, they dedicate to and through St. Stephen's in response to God's boundless gifts. The 2015 Repair Appeal is dollars away from our $80,000 goal as of this writing, and our annual Stewardship drive is at $79,774 with 24 pledges. So far, 33% of the pledgers have increased their pledge and we have four new pledgers. They return God's abundance through serving our neighbors, preparing and performing high-quality music, caring for children's spiritual growth, ensuring our services and facilities are welcoming experiences for visitor, and much, much more.
Many members and people in the surrounding communities are constantly inspired by St. Stephen's generosity. As we can't imagine letting them down during a time of uncertainty, their offerings of time and talent make use of our financial pledge in ways we couldn't imagine. We can cheer each time we see their successes, knowing that our gifts play a small role.
This fall the Stewardship theme is "Sailing into the 12
th Decade, chaired by Roopali John. This effort gathers the talent, time and money for our future in this community. Instead of falling to our knees, we'll stand together and recommit ourselves to St. Stephen's mission. On Sunday, November 22
nd, we'll commit to sharing our time and talent to this parish's ministries and vitality in our 110 year history. We are asked to consider bolder giving so we can minister boldly to each other and the community.
I think St. Stephen's is feeling the mix of excitement and anxiety that starts any journey forward from a crossroad. It will take a while before we truly understand the power of our collective gifts, and how they help us fully participate in and express our faith. We'll likely challenge each other, and God will certainly continue to challenge us in the journey ahead.
My prayer is we remain humble and generous with each other as we learn the amazing grace of giving and receiving together, and of sharing/ building our congregation together. Building a bridge to the future and the next layer, our foundation this coming year in mission is RECOMMITTING TO ST. STEPHEN'S FUTURE.
In Faith,
Gary+
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Friendly Reminder: Daylight Savings ends on Saturday night, October 31st
Fall back one hour!
Don't miss church!
And...enjoy the extra hour of sleep. With the way the World Series is going, we're going to need it.
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"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few."
~ Matthew 9:34
And so it is at St. Stephen's. The benefits of working together to the glory of God and for His people are fellowship, a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that we are benefitting the community, ours and Port Washington's. There are many areas where we can labor and enjoy those benefits: Altar Guild, Buildings and Grounds, Ushering, Greeting, Lay Reading, and many, many more.
Want to feel like Midas? Join the Counters on Sunday, about one hour after the 10 o'clock service to count the collection and record it in our system. (Just look at your Stewardship packet, sent out October 5th, where the ministries are listed.) Pick just one to start and see where it leads. We guarantee you will enjoy your time spent with others from the church and will become a part of the fabric of St. Stephen's.
Heigh Ho Come to the Fair!
On that note, there is an urgent need for volunteers for The Fair, November 7th this year. Please contact Matt Bendix ( [email protected]) to man a booth for an hour or two or to contribute baked goods, hand-knit items, jams, candy, or work in the Petting Zoo or Children's Carnival. We guarantee you'll have fun and as your reward enjoy a home-cooked chili supper after the clean-up.
One last exhortation, helpers are urgently needed for the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Like to paint? Lower Hall painters needed this weekend! The Lower Hall is home to the Port Washington Children's Center after school and is the site of the Children's Carnival at the Fair.
Also needed are workers for the Fall Clean-up later in November; general yard maintenance on a weekly basis in season (can be shared); and general repairs, as needed, (for those who are mechanically gifted). Call Einar Haukeland or email
[email protected]
to volunteer.
Let's all join in the labors to secure a bountiful harvest for St. Stephen's and the Lord.
Thank you,
Einar and Donna
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Upcoming Events
Saturday, November 7th, 10 am to 4 pm:
Fall Fair
Sunday, November 8th, 10:00 am Service:
Celebration of the Daughters of the King, and Commissioning of Junior Lay Eucharistic Minister, Christian Athanasian
Wednesday, November 11th, Veterans Day:
The office will be open regular hours from 10:00 am -1:00 pm
November 13th - 15th:
Diocesan Convention
Sunday, November 15th, 10:00 am Service:
110th Anniversary Celebration
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The scheduule for the 4th Quarter for Acolytes, Lay Readers and Eucharistic Ministers can be found by clicking on the link.
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Stewardship: "Sailing into the 12th Decade of Service"
As of 10/25, we have pledges totaling approximately $79,724. So far, 33% of the pledgers have increased their pledge from last year. We have four NEW pledgers. We'd like to thank all of you who have already submitted your pledges.
The 2016 Pledge Letters were mailed several weeks ago. If you did not receive one in the mail there is a printable version
here. There are packets also available outside the Church Office.
Please mail of drop off your Pledges by Commitment Sunday, November 22nd when all our pledges will be lifted up and blessed. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us by calling the office:
516-767-0363.
God Bless,
Stewardship Committee
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Acolyte Training
Alan Dinn would like to encourage members of the Youth Group to volunteer to serve as Acolytes. You
must be in 5th Grade or above, baptized, active in Church/Sunday School, and willing to serve about once a month. Please contact Alan at [email protected] if you have a child who is interested and training class will be arranged. At least one parent must be able to stay during the class. Thank you!
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2015 Repair Projects Appeal Update
As of October 28th, we have
$79,825 in the Repair Projects Appeal Fund.
We are dollars away from our $80,000 goal!
We can do it,
together. No contribution is too small or too large--everything helps.
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The Scripture Readings
For Sunday, November 1
, All Saints Day, the appointed readings are:
For next Sunday, November 8,
the appointed readings are:
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For Our Prayers
For the sick: Dick & Jean, Virginia, Peter, Carol, Jo, Tom, Ann, Gerry, June, Nancy, Julia Motch, Monica, Carol, Darlene, Jeanne, Steve & Debbie, Dianne, Lucyanne, Valerie, Linda, Nancy, Frank, Edith, Sue, Christian, Nina, Shirlee, Steve and Susan.
For special concerns: Maria and Summer.
To have someone entered onto our Prayer List please send an e-mail with the person's name and the requester's name to: [email protected]. Your prayer request will be included for four weeks - please submit another request if you wish to have prayers continue after this time.
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Fall Fair 2015: Celebrating 110 years of Faith, Love and Service!
The fair is here! I hope everyone's already baking (see below.) I also hope you're all rummaging through your old things for good stuff for us to sell at the boutique and trash and treasure. We can't wait to see you all at the fair. It's guaranteed to be a great time for everyone. We have an urgent need for volunteers to help staff the booths. Please contact one of the chairs below, and get involved.
Christmas and crafts - Linda Jordan: 516-944-8040
CALLING ALL TO BAKE FOR THE FAIR!
The Fair is almost upon us and we know that everyone there -- whatever the weather -- is going to EAT. There are two ways for you to help: Bake for the Heavenly Cafe and/or the Altar Guild Bake Shop.
We are asking our wonderful crew of bakers to head to the kitchen and to create and bring in their specialties. Cakes, pies, cookies, scones, brownies, cupcakes, muffins - whatever you enjoy making, we will welcome it and be grateful. Every year we are amazed at the selection of goodies which appear on the morning of the Fair. We hope this year we will not disappoint our customers - so
PLEASE think what you can make for us and if possible LET US KNOW by sending an email to [email protected].
All donations should be brought to the Parish Hall preferably on the morning of the Fair (Nov 7th), or left in the kitchen on Friday Nov 6th-LABELLED with your name and a list ingredients. Also label the container if you wish it to be returned.
Not sure what to contribute? - Email or call for ideas of what sells.
Cafe:
Altar Guild Bake Booth:
THANK YOU ALL
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| Children & Youth Group Corner |
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The Youth Group Pumpkin Fair this past
Sunday
during coffee hour was a great success!!! We raised $232, one cookie and pumpkin at a time!
Thanks very much to the youth for their hard work and the teachers who helped put this together.
This Sunday, Nov. 1st is not only All Saints Day, it will also be a family service with an "All Saints" children's sermon, that all the children will participate in.
There will also be a chance to participate in the Thanksgiving Food Drive for Our Lady of Fatima.
Look Forward to Seeing You!
Happy Halloween and Be Safe
Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Youth Group will be handing out grocery bags after the Family Service on Sunday, November 1st to help with
Our Lady of Fatima's Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Please fill the bags with the list of food provided in the bag and return the bag to the basket outside the Church Office
by Sunday, November 22nd. Thank you!
2015 Children's Holiday Toy Drive of
St. John's Episcopal Hospital
Christmas is coming...sooner than you think!
The Sunday School and Youth Group are collecting
toys for St John's. Please bring in new, unwrapped toys and put them in the
big box located outside the Church Office.
Hurry there isn't much time-we will be delivering the toys
to EHS at the Diocesan Convention on Nov. 13th.
This is going to be a fun and exciting year! Please view the
calendar below Sunday School and Youth Group activities, quarterly Family Services and field trips.
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Please feel free to contact:
St. Stephen's Church Office Hours are: Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm |
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St. Stephen's Church
9 Carlton Avenue | Port Washington, New York 11050
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An Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Long Island
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