A Message from Fr. Gary
Advent-Waiting
The Christian year is wrapping up this coming Sunday, Commitment Sunday. The last Sunday of the Christian year is Christ the King. The fall fair, 110th church anniversary, new flat roof on the church has happened in the last two weeks. You will have the updates on the final figures of the 2015 Repair Project Appeal, the gross income from the fair and the update of our stewardship pledge drive in this issue.
Soon, if not already, we are in a blur. Christmas lights, shopping, football, basketball, parties, food, the works. On November 29th is the First Sunday of Advent- the new Christian year. At this time, especially in December, it's as if some button gets pushed and the world receives a jolt of adrenaline speeding up everything. We have entered the "Holiday Frenzy".
I learned not to fight this. The frenzy is a cultural phenomenon and is so widespread, it's more tenacious than a wild vine. Instead, I have learned to name it so I don't confuse it with the holy season of Advent.
Advent is about quieting down instead of ramping up. It's about the Spirituality of Subtraction instead of Addition, and it's about focusing on God's promise instead of what we can put under the Christmas tree. Advent is when we step out of the frenzy and be still so we remember for what and for whom we are waiting. We are not waiting for Santa or for presents or for a Christmas buzz. We are waiting for the Savior of the world who will make the crooked ways straight and bring us from error into truth; from sin into righteousness and from death into life.
My Advent plan is: In the morning, before the buzz begins, I plan to be quiet a little longer than usual and to think of the crooked ways in this world. I plan on holding up the brokenness of our ways and especially those tragedies that are so embedded that we have learned to not think about them-- like the Paris attack, like pollution that is killing our planet, like the decline in investments in our schools, like human trafficking, like hunger, and the lack of medicine for so many.
And then to simply pray the prayer of Advent, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Come to us because we do not know the way to you. Come to us and make the crooked ways straight. Come to us so you might bring all your children- all your children-home.
I AM HOPING THAT SLICE OF Advent will uphold me when I enter the buzz. Happy Thanksgiving and travel mercies to you all. Eat well and enjoy relationship and love.
Gary+
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
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The Episcopal Church is entering a new and exciting era spearheaded by the election of our new Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. An era of "us" not "us and them". There is no them; only us. And, as this new era begins, Presiding Bishop Curry invites us to join "The Jesus Movement."
That means that each of us is called to play a part in the forward movement of the Episcopal Church in America.
At convention we learned of missional outreach in South Dakota and to Navajoland (parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah). We also were made aware of a new incentive in our Peconic Deanery of ministering to the migrant and farm workers on the East End of Long Island. St. Thomas, a seasonal church in Amagansett, will now be year-round to serve this population.
It all begins at the parish level and bubbles up and into our towns, counties, states and finally to the whole nation. We are heirs to a great family of traditions that shape our lives and our actions, and as such we are called to live the Gospel not only in our churches but in the world.
So sisters and brothers, let's remember to pledge this Sunday and commit ourselves to at least one of the areas of outreach (mission) listed in the information sheet enclosed with your Stewardship packet.
Good news to report on the 2015 Building Appeal. As of this writing, we have raised nearly $81,000, enabling us to undertake the most critical projects right away. Thank you all!
And, please consider whether you would be available to serve God on our Vestry. We will be electing three at-large members and one warden at our annual meeting the end of January. One must be a baptized Christian, a regular church attendee, and a pledging member of our parish. The Warden must also be a confirmed Episcopalian.
Thank you and God bless you and St. Stephen's Church.
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2015 Fair was a Big Success!
I am very pleased to announce that we had a very successful fair this year. The fair was a financial success grossing close to $11,000, and that's before the MINI FAIR which is happening on December 6th. It was a success in many other ways as well. It was great to see everyone working together as a parish and having a great time together. I owe thanks to so many people for their effort at the fair, before the fair and after the fair to clean up. Everyone who ran and worked at a booth did a fantastic job. The decorations were great. I had excellent help on publicity and planning. I thank everyone in the parish participated or supported the fair. We got lots of great pictures of people having a great time together that will really add to our website and become part of our memories. Thanks again to everyone.
Please note that we've announced that there will be a post fair debriefing meeting on November 22 after the 10 am service. We will gather in the parish hall to chat a bit about the fair and talk about fair plans for next year.
Matt Bendix
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149th Episcopal Diocese of Long Island Convention Report
Submitted by Roopali Gupta
I had the immense honor of attending and representing St. Stephen's at the 149th Episcopal Diocese of Long Island Convention along with Fr. Gary, our Warden Donna Blankman and our Youth Representative Colin Schroeder. My biggest takeaway from the two days of prayers, addresses, and sermons was the message of unity and equality under, as The Most Rev. Michael Curry our new Presiding Bishop has wonderfully said, The Jesus Movement.
Tithe Makes a Difference in South Dakota Diocese
On the first day we had the pleasure of hearing of the good use of our tithe to the diocese. We heard the address of Bishop John Tarrant of the Diocese of South Dakota, by far the poorest of all the dioceses in the nation. Fifty percent of all the Episcopalians in SD are Native Americans living in communities with a majority at or below poverty, high HS dropout rates of 70% , high suicide, substance abuse, domestic violence, gun violence, and poor health. During his first year at the Shawnee River mission they had 60 funerals; 2/3 of those were under the age of 50. Bishop Tarrant's strong message to the convention was, "Don't ever wonder if the Episcopal Church makes a difference. Our mission is to serve the poor, yet we are the poor." Our grant to the Diocese of South Dakota of $300,000 helped create an additional priest position in the Shawnee River mission and support their mission.
Helping The Navajo Become Self-Reliant
In a prior year, the Diocese of Long Island gave a $300,000 grant to the Mission Area of Navajoland led by Bishop David Bailey. The mission area of Navajoland faces similar economic and social problems as the diocese of SD. The Navajo and Episcopal Church have had a close working relationship since 1863 when the Navajo people were forced to take the "Long Walk" by the US Army. The 1st Hospital at Ft. Defiance was established by the Episcopal church. The Bishop spoke about struggling to find what were the hopes and expectations of the Navajo people today. They hope to be self dependent and sustainable. They have used the grant to enable them to be more self-reliant financially through four income generating projects: Aquaponic farm raising tilapia and microgreens to sell in local markets generating $100,000 annually; bee hive business generating $2000 annually; restoring local property to lease to a nursing school and housing whose trained nurses will then work in local hospitals and health centers; Soap- making business using local Navajo sage to sell nationally through internet/mail-order generating $15K-$30K annually. They expect to petition for dioceses status by 2021.
Equality, Mission and Outreach
Our second day began on a somber note as we were all processing the tragic events of the evening before in Paris. Bishop Provenzano in his address the convention said so eloquently that we cannot stop our work in the time of tragedy. "We have to work to do. We have to be the Church in the tragedy that surrounds us." In his address he has called us to take action with One Mission as One Diocese: Our mission is to tend the Lord's flock, "If you love me feed my sheep." Though we are 133 separate churches we are equal. There is no "them and us" in our diocese, our churches, as well as within our communities. "We cannot leave this convention maintaining any notion of 'them and us' regardless of whether 'them' is Garden City, or 'them' is the deanery, or 'them' is the parish down the street, or 'them' is one of our companion dioceses, or above ALL else, 'them' are the people in our neighborhoods and communities."
Bishop Provenzano presented a robust Ministry Plan in which over on half, or 53% of total expected revenue, is dedicated to Mission and Outreach. I have a more detailed Mission Plan if you'd like to look at all those programs. The ministry plan is constructed to be of support and encouragement and service to the people and churches of the diocese. The Diocese Plan of 53% compares to 20% of our St. Stephen's 2015 budget. It's a big difference. It was said by one of the speakers the health of church is determined by how much it spends on mission and outreach. Beginning with this convention the Bishop is requiring that if a parish is not going to tithe the full 10% to the diocese "the rector or priest-in-charge must under mutual responsibility and inter-dependence indicate the reasons and circumstances behind the choice in writing so as to facilitate the aid and support of the rest of the dioceses." We have One Mission as One Diocese.
"I was hungry...."
The Bishop has also issued all the parishes a challenge on the basis of 25th Chapter of Matthew's Gospel "...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." We are challenged to open our buildings, our kitchens, our churches to the homeless and most vulnerable in our community. There are many who think we donot have homeless in Port Washington. They are wrong. I have seen them rummaging through trash cans, sleeping in the park and in uninhabited houses, and trying to stay warm in the Train station offices. We can not ignore them. We are expected as a parish to answer the Bishop by the end of this year what in our ministry plan we are going to do to meet his challenge. IT IS IN THE GOSPEL "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
A Realization About Choices
Submitted by Colin Schroeder
As I was on my way to the convention, I thought how different from last year could this convention be? I knew that, a) I was acolyting, and, b) I had fellow members from St. Stephen's there with me. I was totally wrong. This year was incredibly different.
I first learned that we have a new assistant Bishop, and that serving as an acolyte at the morning service was not only a good feeling, but was such an honor to my fellow parishioners at the service.
When the youth broke away from the adults, we met in a room downstairs. The youth part of the convention started off the same. Matt Tees was there to talk about Camp De Wolfe, but unlike last year he had more than just camp to talk about. He told us that we had power if we just be ourselves and not let others change how we think or what actions we take.
Then we had a conversation with a police officer, Officer Mario. At the end of his talk, I had a great realization. I realized that adults in youth's lives are there to guide us and give us information to prepare ourselves, and it is up to us, the youth, to use the information in a positive manner. People aren't out there to do your work for you, at the end of every day, there is only our choices that truly develop our actions. We have the final decisions on all the choices we make in our life, no one can make choices for us. What really makes a person successful is that they make much more positive choices than negative ones in their life. So what I really took away from this convention was that as a youth member, still having most of my life to live, I must strive to make as many positive decisions as I can. I must let no one change the way I think because, for my life, I make my own decisions. At the end of each day, those decisions will have either helped me grow, or will have temporarily broken me down.
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| Colin at St. Stephen's Fair 2008 |
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St. Stephen's is a good place to grow up!
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| Colin as Torch Bearer Convention 2015 |
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Upcoming Events
Sunday, November 22nd, following the 10am Service:
There will be a post-Fall Fair Debrief Meeting to talk about this year's Fair and start discussing plans for next year - on November 5th, 2016!
Wednesday, November 25th at 8pm:
The Port Washington Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service will take place at United Methodist Church, 35 Middle Neck Road.
Thursday, November 26th, Thanksgiving Day
- The Office will be closed. The Consignment Shop will also be closed, however it will be open on Saturday, November 28th from 10 to 4.
Sunday, November 29th at 10am Service:
Dedication of new Paschal Candle and Stand given in memory of Kathy Pohl by her Family.
Sunday, December 6th after 10am service: MINI FAIR!!!
Saturday, December 19th, 7:30pm Choir's performance of Handel's MESSIAH
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The latest schedule for the 4th Quarter for Acolytes, Lay Readers and Eucharistic Ministers can be found by clicking on this link.
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Stewardship: "Sailing into the 12th Decade of Service"
St. Stephen's 2015 operating budget was $481,000. As of November 17th we have received 51 pledges totaling $181,768. Nineteen pledgers have increased their pledges from the prior year by an average of 29%, 2 pledgers reduced their pledge by an average of 14% and 23 pledges stayed the same as last year. And we have 7 new pledgers.
We'd like to thank all of you who have already submitted your pledges. There is still time to make your commitment of time, talent and treasure to God and his Church. Please mail or drop your pledge before Sunday, November 22nd.
"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received" -1 Peter 4:10
If you did not receive one in the mail there is a printable version
here. There are packets also available outside the Church Office.
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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Last Chance to order Wreaths for Christmas!
Order your Christmas Wreaths TODAY by printing out the form attached
here. Send in your check today, and pick up your beautiful wreath at the MINI FAIR on December 6th after the 10am service.
The 22" Christmas wreaths are fresh, double-sided and decorated--ready to hang. Each wreath is a bargain at $26. Don't we all need at least two??!!
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Give Music and Poinsettias for Christmas
Every year we decorate the church with gorgeous poinsettias. We also fill the Church with beautiful music. If you'd like to contribute, please fill in the form and mail a check as noted. Thank you! The form is
here.
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The Scripture Readings
For Sunday, November 22
the appointed readings are:
For next Sunday, November 29,
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, Karen, Steve and Susan.
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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Find out about Daughters of the King
I thought I should write a little blurb about the Daughters of the King, since Susan Miller and I would like to build up our Chapter at St. Stephen's. We meet with the Daughters of the King at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Sea Cliff the first Monday night of the month (from
7:00pm-8:00pm).
The purpose of the Daughters of the King is Evangelism, Prayer and Service. You can find out more
here. The Daughters of the King pray for everyone on the Church's Prayer list aside from our own prayers. If anyone is interested in learning more about the Daughters of the King, I urge you to speak to Susan Miller or me, or come to St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Monday, December 7th at 7:00pm. If you need a ride let us know. It is a good way to find out more about the Daughters of the King without committing yourself one way or another.
In God's Love,
Carol Wright
President, St. Stephen's Angels
Coffee Hour Schedule
The latest schedule is
here. Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall after the 10:00 service is an important part of our fellowship at St. Stephen's.
If you'd like to be added to the rotating schedule, please contact Susan Massingill at
[email protected] or 917-710-6971.
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One of the highlights of the Christmas season at St. Stephen's is always the Choir's performance of Handel's Messiah. Here are the key dates and times.
Rehearsals:
Thu. Dec. 3, Thu. Dec. 10, & Wed. Dec. 16 from 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra:
Saturday, December 19, 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Performance:
Saturday, December 19, 7:30 PM
Community Concert at Hempstead House:
Sunday, January 10, 2:00 PM
(The Choir will need to be there at 1:15 PM)
Thank you for making such beautiful music.
Mark van Schenkhof
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| Children & Youth Group Corner |
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Donate Now to Thanksgiving Food Bank!
There is still time to donate food for Our Lady of Fatima's Thanksgiving Food Bank!!!
Baskets are located at both entrances of the church. The Youth Group will be delivering the food and helping at the food bank
this Sunday Nov. 22nd at 11:30.
Thanks very much to everyone who already donated!!!
The baskets are filling up, but of course, there is always room for more.
Christmas Pageant
Rehearsals for the Christmas pageant will be during the 10AM service Dec 6th , dress rehearsal Dec.13th and Dec.20th
On Saturday night Dec. 12th from 5:30 to 7:00 the Sunday School and Youth Group will get together to bake Christmas cookies in the parish hall. This is LOTS of FUN!!! "The more the merrier."
Please join the children and youth around the beautiful Christmas tree in the courtyard on Friday evening Dec. 18th from 6PM-7PM for "Carols and Cookies." It's a great St. Stephen's family gathering that shouldn't be missed :)
The Sunday School Christmas Pageant will take place on the stage in the parish hall during coffee hour on Sun. Dec 20th.
We are collecting toys for "Toys For Tots" from now until Dec.15th. Sponsored by the US Marines. There is a box located outside the church office for any new unwrapped toys.
We are looking forward to a Joyous Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus!
Please view the
calendar below Sunday School and Youth Group activities, quarterly Family Services and field trips.
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News from the Consignment Shop
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Consignment Shop. We have lots of new holiday merchandise your family will be sure to enjoy. Stop by any T/Th/Sat from 10 to 4 and see our good deals, and be part of our good works.
As a reminder, we are closed Thanksgiving Day, but we are
OPEN Saturday, November 28th from 10am to 4pm as usual.
We are in DIRE need of VOLUNTEERS! Can you spare an hour here or there? We have alot of fun, and you'll feel great being part of our caring community.
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Please feel free to contact:
St. Stephen's Church Office Hours are: Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm |
| Around the Diocese To find out about what is happening 
in the Diocese of Long Island click 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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