A family sharing God's love, transforming Christ's teachings into action,
and rejoicing in the Holy Spirit.
 
July 22, 2016
A Message from Fr. Gary

 

"Let go. Let God"

You have heard me say this several times in conversation and preaching.  It is pivotal to a spiritual journey and paramount in mine.

This from Forward Day By Day, 12 June 2016, by Jonathan Erdman, a writer and seminary graduate, offering his personal journey and writing attempt to whittle away at unnecessary complexity to appreciate and highlight the subtle nuances of the journey of faith.  He migrates between Alaska and California:

" Galatians 2:20b. 'And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me'.

You can trap a monkey by putting a banana into a jar with an opening just big enough to reach in and grab the bait, but not wide enough for the monkey to pull his hand out while clasped around the food.  This is a perfect metaphor for the human ego.

Paul uses the term in this very passage; in the Greek, the word "ego" is simply the word we translate as "I", the personal pronoun.  There is no problem with a healthy sense of self.  What leads to sin and suffering is when we cling to our ideas of ourselves like the monkey's hand on the bait.  Our ego--our sense of personal self--is like the bait.  There's nothing wrong as long as we can let go. 

Letting go is the work of a lifetime--learning to patiently and gently navigate our own hearts with the infinite love and healing grace of God. Letting go is the joy of the journey, the secret of the saints, and the essence of spiritual experience."

Enjoy summer in the many ways available to you and see you in church.  You may pick up a copy of Forward Day By Day as you enter the side door to the church office.

Letting go, 
 Gary+

Worship and Ministry

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 Bishop Provenzano and Bishop Wolf.


Ministry Schedule

The latest ministry schedule is 
here.



Keeping Pledges Current over the Summer

A friendly reminder to please send in your pledges throughout the summer even if your attendance is not weekly during these months. 

The church's operational budget needs do not change, even though we may be at the beach or in the mountains :). 

Of course, you can always set up autopay through your bank as well, or use the website.

Thank you! 

St. Stephen's Children & Youth Ministry
 
June is always bittersweet for the kids and teachers of Sunday School and Youth Group

Sunday June 19th, was Father's Day, as well as the last day of Sunday School..

Thanks to the Youth Group for handing out Father's Day gifts before the service. We hope all Fathers had a great day!!!

The kids did a wonderful job singing a version of "Go Down Moses" in church, 
                               They sounded awesome!!!
Many thanks to Jessica Griffin and Rachel Golder for their direction and music.

The kids showed their love for their daddies with a Father's Day arts and crafts project.
                                    
During coffee hour, for the Sunday School Celebration, there was fun decorating cupcakes with different color icing, sprinkles, and candy.   The cupcakes were beautiful!

Thanks very much to ALL the parents... we appreciate you, and the fact that you bring your children to church week after week, and of course  thanks to the kids for their attendance in Sunday School from Sept 2015-June 2016.   The attendance was quite consistent throughout the majority of the Sunday School year, which is awesome!!!

Sunday School would not happen without the continuous dedication of all the Sunday School and Youth Group teachers.  
MANY, MANY Thanks to Sue Massingill, Jennifer Pines, Kim Nauer, Steve Silvester, Jessica Griffin, Garrett John, RenĂ©e Peiser, Bob Peiser, Robin Schroeder, Diana Von Roeschlaub, Ruth Ann Sauter and Rachel Golder.  

Heartfelt special thanks to Steve Silvester, who due to work scheduling, will not be able to return to teaching in the fall.   We will miss you very much and wish you all the best!!!

Here is a look into the beginning of the "up and coming" Sunday School/Youth Group year:

We are looking forward to a very fun and blessed 2016-17 Sunday School Year!!!

The wonderful curriculum will again be provided by The Episcopal Digital Network.  
    
The theme for Sunday School will be "Rejoicing with Jesus"

We will experience great joy with Jesus throughout the year as we explore the Gospel Lesson Plan in the Liturgical calendar.

If interested, please visit their website at  www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/lessons

Here is a calendar of September Sunday School Events:
  • Sunday Sept 4th- Family Service- "Blessing of the Backpacks"
HOW COOL--  All the children will be blessed as they proudly wear their backpacks in church.
BUT Wouldn't it be great to bless and then donate!!
Please donate 1 or more school supplies, including backpacks which are greatly needed. 
There will be a box in the church that morning for your donations, anything will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance.  If you would like to donate before, please place donations in baskets at both entrances.

I will also need 4 children/youth readers for this service, please let me know if interested.
  • Sunday Sept 11th- 1st Day of Sunday School-10AM
Registration table outside(weather permitting)  9:45AM but please keep in mind you could register any time throughout the summer by filling out the registration forms below and mailing them or dropping them off to the church. 
Teachers workshop during coffee hour 11:30-12:30
  • Saturday Sept 17th- Welcome BBQ for Volunteers and Families of Sunday School and Youth Group in the Courtyard   6-730PM
                                 -Friends Welcome-
  • Sunday Sept 18th- Sunday School 10AM
  • Sunday Sept 25- Sunday School 10AM
  • Friday Sept 30th, 1st Youth Group meeting 6-7:30PM 
           Anyone in 5th grade and up is welcome!!!
           Dinner and snacks will be provided for this meeting
     
 We Have A Lot Of Fun, But We Also Do A Lot Of Outreach
 Look forward to seeing old group members as well as welcoming new ones!!!

Here is the link to the registration form: 

   
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER AND SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!

Rhonda Fay

  

Thank You from the Consignment Shop

The staff and volunteers gathered for an end-of-season appreciation luncheon in June after a very good season. We want to thank all the parishioners who've stopped in to shop, donate and consign. You are critical to our ability to deliver our mission to St. Stephen's. Please plan to make an appointment to consign, or stop by beginning right after Labor Day.

The Shop reopens on Tuesday, September 6th at 10am.

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

For Our Prayers +
 
For the sick
: Dick & Jean, Virginia, Ann, Gerry, Julia Motch, Carol, Darlene, Jeanne, Steve & Debbie, Dianne, Valerie, Nancy, Frank, Sue, Nina, Shirlee, Karen, Kevin, Ian, Richard, Donna V., Lisa F., Elizabeth, Kitty, Justin, Tony, Mary M., Ross, Sue, Hank, Ilse and Dick W.
 
For the departed:  Bishop Edmond Lee Browning, 24th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to include someone on the Parish prayer list.
 
Upcoming Events

 
Fr. Gary's Summer Vacation - August 11th-31st
There will be no Wednesday Services - Wednesday Service will resume on September 7th. 
The Parish Office will be open regular hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am - 1pm. 
For Pastoral emergencies, please contact the Wardens: Einar Haukeland at (C) 516-972-0312 or John Longmire at 516-944-8263.  Or contact the Office during regular hours.
 
Welcome Fr. Morrison
While Fr. Gary is away, please welcome back Fr. Morrison to St. Stephen's Church.  Fr. Morrison will preside at both the 8am and 10 am Services on Sundays August 14th, August 21st and August 28th. 

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!!
 
Red Cross Blood Drive is October 8
In the Parish Hall. Details in September Banner.

Fall Fair 2016 is Saturday, November 5th
Planning for the Fall Fair is well underway. 

Chairpersons are assigned to every booth and arrangements are being made to allow people to use credit cards to pay throughout the Fair.  

The next meeting will be in September - details to follow in the next Banner.
 
 
Parish Office Summer Schedule Changes
Sue Waiter, the Parish Administrator will be out on vacation:
-         Week of July 25th - the Office will be open regular hours, Monday through Wednesday (10am to 1pm) but closed on Thursday and Friday.
-         Week of August 29th - the Office will be closed Monday through Wednesday, but open regular hours on Thursday, September 1st.  

THE AUCTION OF PROMISES IS COMING! 
SATURDAY, MAY 13TH, 2017~ SAVE THE DATE!!
MaryAnn Sackman and Melissa Murphy have teamed up to form a committee to bring back the Auction of Promises next spring. It's always a great party, and a great fundraiser for St. Stephen's. If you would like to help, please contact masackman@gmail.com or murphyny2@gmail.com. We need you! More to come...

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.

 

The Scripture Readings

The Scripture readings for the month of July can be found  here.   August can be found  here

 

 
Please feel free to contact:    
Priest-in-Charge
Rev. Gary Parker
O: 516-767-0363
   
C: 917-817-4056*
 
Warden
John Longmire
516-695-3520
wardens@ststephenspw.org
Warden
Einar Haukeland
516-883-5249
wardens@ststephenspw.org
Music Director
Mark van Schenkhof
516-353-0738
Youth & Children
Rhonda Fay
516-944-5635
rhonda@ststephenspw.org 
Consignment Shop Supervisor
Caren Salkin
516-944-8829
shop@ststephenspw.org 
Parish Administrator
Sue Waiter
516-767-0363
office@ststephenspw.org
*Please Note: Father's Gary NEW cell phone number

 

Around the Diocese


For the latest news and events around the Diocese of Long Island, please visit  here .


St. Stephen's Church
9 Carlton Avenue | Port Washington, New York  11050



An Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Long Island