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
From the February Vestry retreat the Vestry raised outreach as the main task for 2016. The outreach is local, diocese and beyond. In our past, outreach has been vital in our mission. The church will develop and put in action a mission to take care of others, as in the past. "When you have done these things, you have done it onto me." The last two meetings we have had our local Councilwoman, Dina De Giorgio and Sr. Kathy, Our Lady of Fatima as our guests to explain the local scene's needs. On May 15th at 7pm, our local Episcopal parishes, including ours, will be at St. John's, Huntington supporting the Farmworkers 200 Mile March from Long Island to Albany, May 15-June 1. Our hope is to have Farmworkers receive the same benefits that other workers receive in New York. These include basic rights like overtime, the minimum wage and a day off each week.
What is the role and function of the church in addressing economic inequalities? What is St. Stephen's calling in creating a common good? We should not start with asking what can we do, but rather, what has God already done to create common good. For the work of creating common good equally among all is the work of a loving creator God, first and foremost. As Christians, we affirm God came to dwell among us in Jesus, fully human and fully divine. In Jesus' life, death and resurrection God has broken down the dividing walls that alienate us from God, each other and all creation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God empowers us in baptism to be about God's work--the mission of making all things new. In baptism we are commissioned to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ - the church's call to action. Like Jesus, the church works from the margins of our community. The church's call takes place when there is transformative power. The power is shared regardless of class, gender, race, cast, sexual orientation, religion. Everyone has voice and participation in decision-making at all levels. The church's call takes place in ecumenical and/or interfaith contexts, the church's call takes place within civil society. In our faith there is no separation of religion and working for justice in our entire world. Please join me and others from St. Stephen's at the Farmworkers rally on Sunday, May 15th. I have room for more in my car.
In Christ's care,
Gary +
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6 LED courtyard lamps?
On Saturday evening after the Easter Vigil Fr.
Gary was heading towards the rectory and he looked twice. There were 6 new lights lining the steps to the rectory. It has been hard in the dark for people to manage the steps, and here on Easter Eve was a "new" light in the darkness. He tried to find out who put them there, but no luck. He thanks the "unknown" giver very much and St. Stephen's gives thanks for the kindness.
Christ is Risen indeed,
Gary+
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Thank you to all our Spring Clean-up Volunteers
On Saturday and Sunday, April 23rd and 24th an enthusiastic group of weekend weed-whacking warriors spent hours trimming, clipping, sweeping, mowing, and bagging to bring our Church back to it's Spring-time glory.
In all, about 1000 lbs of trimmings and vegetation were taken to the dump, a quarter cord of wood was donated and about 30 bags were put out to the curb.
Thank you to the Day Family, Jennifer and Jamie Pines, Sue Dietz, Abby, Addison and Eleanor Chromy, Larry Shields, Rob Knapp, Barry Meade, John Longmire and Einar Haukeland.
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St. Stephen's Children & Youth Ministry
The month of April was a very fulfilling month for the kids in Sunday School and the Youth Group.
The Youth Group did a WONDERFUL job hosting the Pasta Night Fundraiser on April 9th. 
It was a HUGE success!! We are excited to announce we raised $5, 537.00 for a wonderful non-profit organization called General Needs, which supplies everyday necessities to about 5000 homeless US Veterans right here on Long Island. Special thanks to all of you and to The Dejana Family Foundation for the very generous donations. It was so nice to meet Katherine Gibson, and Lenny and Shelly Sherman, who were there to talk with us about their wonderful and meaningful organization.
Many thanks to Executive Chef Matt Blass for the delicious pasta, and to Erica and all the adults who helped.
Thanks Youth Group!!!
Sunday April 17th was a beautiful day for The Helen's Walk. Although a few adults and some kids from Sunday School and the Youth Group missed church that day, it was for a great cause. We donated $530.00 to The Helen Keller Foundation. Thanks to everyone who came out for the sunshine and the exercise. It was a lot of FUN!!!
April 24th was a busy Sunday morning. Sunday School started in church with the baptism of Matthew Acebedo. Everyone from St Stephens Sunday School welcomes him with open arms.
In honor of Earth Day, we also planted pretty flowers and a "purple plum" tree in the courtyard. The tree was dedicated to Christine Cutting during the service on May 8th.
We hope that you had a Happy Mother's Day. As you can see, the kids had been busy with their Mom's Day project. We decorated two garden stepping stones made out of cement. One stone was for our Moms and one was placed around the Earth Day tree we planted in the courtyard dedicated to Chris Cutting on Mother's Day.
A FEW IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Sat May 14th: First Holy Communion class from 2-3PM, in the St Cecilia Room.
Sun May 15th: First Holy Communion/Family Service and Pentecost - wear RED!
Sun May 22nd Girl Scout Sunday: Let's honor our favorite young ladies - they do such a great job!! Please confirm participation with Rhonda.
Also in May:
The Youth Group is extending "Collect Stuff for the Troops" through the month of May. Please look at the list below and consider putting a smile on a soldier's face. Place your items in the baskets located at both entrances of the church. THANKS SO MUCH.
Protein Powder and Protein Bars
K-cups for Keurig machines
Powder Drink Mix (Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, Ice-T)
Tuna and Chicken salad in ready to eat foil packages NO CANS
Beef Jerky/Slim Jims/Sunflower Seeds/Pumpkin Seeds
Hard pretzels/Chex Mix/Wheat Thins/Granola Bars/Cereal Bars
Fig Newtons/Oreos/Cheese and Crackers-individual snacks
Trail mix/Dried fruit/Fruit Roll-Ups
Peanuts/Mixed nuts-salted
Microwave food-Chef Boy R Dee, stews etc.
Little Debbie and Hostess cake products
Cereal-individual boxes
Lip Balm/Chap stick/Blistex
Body Wash/Liquid soap
Sunblock SPF 45/Bug Spray
Mouthwash-travel size
Breath mints/breath strips
Lozenges/cough drops
Feminine Hygiene products
Tylenol, Motrin, Advil- Packets only
Vitamins
Board Games, UNO
Yo-Yo's, Dominoes
Frisbees, Hacky Sack
Game Books-Crossword Puzzles, Word Search,Sudoku
Water Bottles, Travel Mugs, Thermoses
PLEASE HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE
YOUR DONATIONS ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!
Also, the Youth Group will be collecting YARN, any color, for General Needs. They have a committee that knits blankets for the homeless veterans in the winter and they are in need of yarn. Please, place your yarn in the baskets located at both entrances of the church. THANKS SO MUCH.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
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Memorial Day Picnic
The Parish Club invites you to continue our traditional Memorial Day celebration at St. Stephen's. The Memorial Day parade starts at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 30th in front of the Port Washington High School.
We have great curb side viewing positions in front of the St. Stephen's Rectory and parking lot. Kids and adults can watch and cheer their friends and relatives who are marching.
After the parade passes, we will move onto the lawn (around noon) to enjoy your picnic.
We will provide:
Hamburgers, veggie burgers, relish, ketchup and rolls
Hot dogs, mustard and rolls
Juices, beer, wine and water
Jello
Please bring if you can:
Yourselves and good fellowship
Your favorite appetizers, desserts and salads for sharing
Paper plates and utensils to keep the overhead low
Your own chairs
We need a few volunteers to help with:
Barbecue work on the grills for 1 hour shifts
Setting up the inflatable jumping castle and taking it down
Cleanup
Please RSVP to [email protected] with the number of adults and children coming to the picnic, so that we know how much to buy.
We're looking forward to celebrating Memorial Day with you and the other members of the St Stephen's Parish Club, which comprise the entire parish. Bring your friends and family.
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Welcome newly baptized Matthew William Acebedo on Sunday, April 24th!! Congratulations to Matthew, Mom and Dad Elizabeth & Anthony and big sister Ava.
God bless you all.
Called by name to be a child of God.
Congratulations to Graduating Senior ~ Andrew Adelhardt!
Andrew will be graduating from Schreiber High School in June and plans to attend the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University in the Fall.
Andrew has served St. Stephen's Church as an Acolyte since 5th Grade and has been serving as Crucifer for the past four years. He served for the last time as Crucifer this past weekend.
Thank you for your service to St. Stephen's.
Good luck and God Bless!
Congratulations to Graduating Senior ~ Christian Athanasian!
Christian will be graduating from Schreiber High School in June and plans to attend Harvard in the fall.
Christian has faithfully served as an Acolyte and and Crucifer.
He will serve as Crucifer for the last time at St. Stephen's on Sunday, May 22nd.
Thank you for your service, Christian. God Bless and good luck in Cambridge!
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What's going on at the
Consignment Shop?
This month, we said farewell to Virginia Corrigan, our Shop Supervisor and thanked her for her service to our shop and community.
We welcomed Caren Salkin as our new Shop Supervisor on April 20th.
Caren has worked in wholesale and retail fashion for over 30 years. She is originally from Port Washington, spent time in Connecticut and then New York City in the fashion business, and now lives once again in Port Washington. A Drexel graduate, she was a buyer, has managed departments at major department stores, and has had her own business selling fashion items for several years. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters, her granddaughter and her shih tzu Bailey. She appreciates the Shop's mission of doing good deals, and good works at the same time for our community. A welcome party and thank you to our volunteers is planned for June.
Please stop by and welcome Caren, and while you're there, pick up one of those good deals! We're running a special Spring Clearance Sale of 25% off!
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For Our Prayers +
For the sick:
Dick & Jean, Virginia, Peter, Carol, Jo, Tom, Ann, Gerry, June, Nancy, Julia Motch, Carol, Darlene, Jeanne, Steve & Debbie, Dianne, Lucyanne, Valerie, Linda, Nancy, Frank, Sue, Nina, Shirlee, Karen, Kevin, Ian, Richard, Donna V., Lisa F., Elizabeth, Brian, Kitty, Justin, Tony, Mary M., Sophie & family, Ross, Sue, Deacon Betty and Ubaldo.
Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to include someone on the Parish prayer list.
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Easter Season of Prayer
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has called for a season of prayer for regions of the Anglican Communion which are experiencing violence and civil strife.
"In this season of Resurrection, I call on everyone to pray for our brothers and sisters in areas where there is much burden and little hope," the Presiding Bishop said.
Beginning on April 3, the Second Sunday of Easter, and proceeding through Pentecost May 15, the Episcopal Church is asked to pray for a particular province or region:
- Burundi
- Central America
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Middle East
- Pakistan
- South Sudan
For more information go to:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/easter-season-prayer
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Upcoming Events
Sunday, May 15th, 10am Service:
First Holy Communion and Family Service
Sunday, May 15th, 7pm: Rally for Farmworker Justice, St. John's Episcopal Church, Huntington (on the corner of Main Street and Prospect Street, Huntington Village).
Tuesday, May 17, 8pm:
Vestry Meeting, St. Cecilia Room.
Wednesday, May 18th, Noon: Healing Service.
Sunday, May 22nd, 10am Service:
Girl Scout Sunday.
Wednesday, May 25th, Noon: Healing Service.
Friday, May 27th thru Saturday, June 4th: Fr. Gary is away on vacation. The Parish Office will be open regular days and hours during this time, except on Memorial Day. For pastoral emergencies, please contact the Wardens or the Parish Office.
Sunday, May 29th, 8am and 10am Services: Fr. Morrison officiating.
Monday, May 30th, Memorial Day Picnic, noon-ish: Rectory lawn.
Monday, May 30th, Memorial Day: Parish Office is closed.
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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 May can be found here.
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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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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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