A family sharing God's love, transforming Christ's teachings into action,
and rejoicing in the Holy Spirit.
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A Message from Fr. Gary
Healing
A work dearly and deeply held within the heart of God is healing. But healing is needed on many different levels across the whole creation. We need physicians and counselors, but we also need those who are called to help heal cultures and societies. We need ecological healers so that we can learn to better care for the created world and maintain healthy and dynamic ecosystems.
Our economic systems are also in desperate need of healing, on a global and local level. Families need healing; systems need healing. The mind, body, and spirit need healing. We are all called to be healers, whatever our work, whatever our vocation. When we begin to see our work as the work of healing, then the texture of our tasks changes.
You are a healer. You are a healer in every context of your existence. See yourself in this way, and let that truth change you and transform our world.
Healing at St. Stephen's is vital for caring. Every Wednesday at noon we have a healing service. On Sundays after the 10am Eucharist, Dolores and Bob O'Brien, Order of St. Luke, the Physician, offer healing prayers and touch. Starting this month a team will be attending a two-year Congregation Development Institute course to vitalize our parish caring.
They will bring back quarterly opportunities from an overnight workshop to heal and strengthen our parish. We shall participate in the programs developed.
I believe God intends us to enjoy life's adventures including the dangerous, exciting, confusing and reassuring twists and turns of living. If it feels like you are sliding, my advice is to share the experience and enjoy the ride.
Sharing, letting go, caring and healing.
Gary+
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In 2016, the Vestry is setting in place more healing of our community by setting up some ways of leading, gathering members' skills and reaching out and in St. Stephen's.
In May, we invited the Rev. Elisabeth Tunny, DCDI coordinator and rector of St. Paul's Church, Patchogue. The Vestry said it is a sound tool for us in our current history and will start a two year course starting this month with Abby Chromy, Elisa Delaney, Roopali Gupta and myself as the team.
DCDI is a leadership training program focused on developing the spiritual community and organizational life of congregations.
For more, click here.
We desire to transform St. Stephen's by making it stronger, healthier, more deeply rooted in Anglican spirituality, more responsive to God, more effective in Port Washington.
What will we learn by participating in DCDI? Different ways to collect feedback from you. Learning from how other parishes address similar challenges and how to retire old ones. Improve the quality of decision making. Manage conflict. Developing new ministries.
This year we are turning in a new bend in our history. The team each year goes to four overnight workshops, bringing back tools and deciding how to use them that quarter with the members. Each quarter we are developing a useful value-added ministry, caring, sharing, loving, extending to our 110 year spiritual community--St. Stephen's.
Stay tuned for developing new tools.
Gary+
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St. Stephen's Children & Youth Ministry
HAPPY SEPTEMBER!
SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS SEPTEMBER 11th
PRE-K - 12th Grade
During the 10 AM Service
P
lease join us for another wonderful year:
"Rejoicing with Jesus"
The children will have a great time throughout the year with Chapel, Music, Class Time, Plays, Crafts and other great activities. Please see the full year
calendar here.
The registration table will be outside (weather permitting) at 9:45 AM, but you can register anytime. The registration form is
attached here.
We are always looking for new teachers and substitutes for the classroom and/or music. If you are interested in joining our great group, please contact Rhonda at
[email protected]
There will be a teacher's workshop after the service during coffee hour.
In addition to
Sunday
School, there is also a FUN Youth Group for 5th grade and up.
The
Youth Group
will meet on different Friday evenings every month (
see calendar here
) as well as doing very meaningful outreach projects throughout the year. This is a great chance to get together and bring the Bible to life through learning and social projects.
Hope to see new members this year !!!
The first Youth Group meeting will be in the St Cecilia room from 6-7:30 PM on Friday Sept. 30th. There will be food :)
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This Sunday, please join us for the Blessing of the Backpacks:
Please proudly wear your backpacks to church on Sunday, September 4 at the 10am service for a special blessing by Father Gary. We are also asking the parish to donate new school supplies to Long Island Cares for needy children. Baskets will be at each entrance of the church for this purpose. Please bring filler paper, notebooks, pens and pencils, highlighters, protractors, white out, composition notebooks and 3 ring binders. A complete list can be found
here.
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Acolyte Training
Alan Dinn will conduct a class for prospective Acolytes on
Saturday, September 24, at
9:30 AM in the church. All young persons, in 5th Grade or older, who are interested in sharing in our Altar ministry are encouraged to attend. Please contact Mr. Alan Dinn at
[email protected] if you'd like to come. Thank you.
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Music Notes
A big thank you from our congregation to Jonathan Bley, who was our talented summer accompanist. The Choir, under the direction of Mark van Schenkhof returns September 11th for another year of wonderful music. Welcome Back!
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Shop Re-Opens Tuesday, Sept. 6
The Consignment Shop has been thoroughly refreshed over the summer thanks to Erika and all the volunteers who helped clear out old merchandise at the end of last season.
On Thursday, September 1st, volunteers came in to re-stock the Shop with fabulous fall fashions, shoes, accessories, housewares, collectibles and furniture.
The Shop reopens for business on Tuesday, September 6th at 10am. Stop by and help us make this season the best ever.
Call for an appointment to consign or donate. And if you've got a few extra hours on Tues/Thurs/Sat from 10 to 4, we could use a few more friendly volunteers!
See you soon,
Caren Salkin
Shop Supervisor
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Asking for Our Prayers
Following the senseless killings in recent days, here is a message from Bishop Curry, including resources for our prayers.
Additionally, please see this message from
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St. Stephen's Lobster Beach Bake Party!
Where: Manhasset Bay Estates Beach (the usual place)
When: Sunday, September 25th @ 12 PM
Who: Our parish, friends and family
Please call Jonathan Shields (917) 612-0704 or Chris Shields (767-3047) to offer your help...The two of us really enjoy this event and organizing it for the whole parish but it's more fun when we get to work with you on the day of the party.
- Can you help set up 8:30AM - 10 Noon?
- Can you help cook 12 - 1?
- Can you help clean up 2-3pm?
- Can you take a bag or two of trash home with you at the end of our gathering?
- Can you help return the tables and cooking equipment to the church?
You can order from the 5 following meals:
#1 = Appetizer, Lobster, Hamburger, & Hot Dog ($39)
#2 = Appetizer & Lobster ($34)
#3 = Appetizer, Hamburger, & Hot Dog ($16)
#4 = Appetizer, Hamburger or Hot Dog ($6)
#5 = Lobster to take home ($19)
All selections include corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, butter, wings, chips, pretzels, cups, soda, ice tea, and beer.
***Please bring your own plates (platters or cake pans for lobsters), silverware (don't forget your lobster crackers), napkins, chairs, tables, or blankets.***
Chefs: Chris & Jon Shields
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St. Stephen's Blood Drive
Saturday, October 8, 2016
9:30am-2:00pm in
Parish Hall
Your donation will help to
save up to THREE lives. Our community hospitals need your help. Please share this lifesaving gift!
Eligibility Criteria:
- Minimum weight 110 lbs.
- Age 16 - 75 (16 year olds must have parental permission. Age 76 and over need doctor's note)
- Eat well (low fat) & drink fluids
- No tattoos for past 12 months
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call:
Dolores or Bob 516-944-9054
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Upcoming Events
Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, September 4th
10 am service- wear your backpacks for a blessing, and bring new school supplies to donate to Long Island Cares.
Sunday School Begins Sunday, September 11th
Registration at 9:45. Teacher workshop during coffee hour.
Farewell to the Sauters- Sunday, September 18th
3-6pm -
at the Haukelands home -19 Locust Ave, in Port. RSVP to office.
Beach Bake Sunday, Sept. 25th
Beach Bake 2016 will be held on Sunday, September 25, at 12pm at Manhasset Bay Estate Beach. Order forms will be handed out at church on September 11th & 18th. Please SAVE THE DATE!!
Blessing of the Animals- Sunday, October 2nd, 10am
Rain or shine
Save the Date...
and bring those furry ones for a blessing!
Blood Dri
ve is October 8
In the Parish Hall. See details in Banner.
Rector Emeritus Celebration, Sunday October 23rd -
SAVE THE DATE!
Fall Fair 2016 is Saturday, November 5th
Chairpersons are assigned to every booth and arrangements are being made to allow people to use credit cards to pay throughout the Fair.
Donations for the Fair can be brought to the Parish Hall stage starting on Tuesday, September 6th - weekdays 4-6pm and Saturday and Sunday during the day - only. Exceptions, by appointment - contact office
ANDY MURPHY IS BAAAACCKKK!
THE AUCTION OF PROMISES IS COMING!
SATURDAY, MAY 13TH, 2017~ SAVE THE DATE!!
Our longtime Grand Auctioneer Andy Murphy has graciously "volunteered," thanks to Lori :), to return as our auctioneer for this season's Auction of Promises. If you've never come before, this is the year to do it! It is absolutely the best party of the season, and is our most successful fundraiser and friend raiser. Mark you calendar now, and bring your friends, Moms, and neighbors, too.
MaryAnn Sackman and Melissa Murphy have teamed up and have started forming a committee. Kathy Forman is on board too. If you would like to help, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]. We need you! More to come...
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Ministry Schedule
The latest ministry schedule is
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Coffee Hour Schedule
For the latest schedule please click
here. If you are not available for your scheduled Sunday, please contact another parishioner to substitute or
Sue Massingill. Thank you.
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The Scripture Readings
The Scripture readings for the month of September can be found
here.
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Please feel free to contact:
*Please Note: Father's Gary NEW cell phone number
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For the latest news and events around the Diocese of Long Island, please visit
here
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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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