Weekly Highlights

those affected by the earthquakes,
hurricanes, flooding and fires wreaking havoc across the world;
civil discourse grounded in respect;
refugees, immigrants and those without a home.

Service Schedule

Saturday

5:00 PM - Holy Eucharist and Healing

Sunday

8:00am Rectors Bible Study & Coffee
9:30am Holy Eucharist
Following worship, Fellowship, Coffee and Refreshments
11:00am Adult Formation & Education

Wednesday

12:15pm Mid-Week Eucharist

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday

10:00AM-12:00PM & 1:30PM-4:30PM and other times by appointment .

St. Stephen's Vestry

Christina Priddy
-Rector's Warden

Vic Grace

-People's Warden

Jack Colaric
-Treasurer
Mary Heldenbrand
-Clerk
Vestry

Lyle Skillen

Vicki Bradshaw

Ronnie Sunderman

Bruce Brannan

Kristin McCartor

Paul Basha

Ken Carleno

Helpful Links

2018 Pledge Cards

We have begun work on the 2018 budget and ask that if anyone has a pledge card that has not yet been turned in, please make sure you get it to us as soon as possible. You can drop it by the office or place it in the plate over the weekend. Thank you for your prayerful and continued support.

Advent Discovery Series: Liturgy

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Wednesdays during Advent: December 6, 13 & 20 from 6pm-8pm. We will be having a soup dinner followed by an exploration of the history of our liturgy and its many iterations over the last 2000 years to now. Look for a sign up for the soup dinners.

Adult Formation

Is there an adult education forum topic that you would like to see covered? We'd love to hear your suggestions as we begin planning for 2018 forums! Please email the office with your suggestions

Nominating Committee

The Vestry is starting the process of calling the Nominating Committee (formerly called the Search Committee) for St. Stephen's rector search. This committee will do the homework necessary to prepare for a successful transition to a new rector and will meet a minimum of two times per month, starting in January, for 12 to 18 months. Nominating Committee members must be regular worshipers, currently pledging financially, and enthusiastic participants in the on-going life of the congregation. If you are interested in putting your name forward to be on the Nominating Committee, please email Christina Priddy [email protected] or call/text at 602-821-2649 by December 1st. Please note, volunteering for the committee does not mean you will be automatically selected. The Nominating Committee will have 8 to 10 members, and the Vestry will be making the final selection in December. The first two meetings are already scheduled and you must be able to commit to attending them: Sat, January 6th at 9am and Sat, January 27th at 9am.

Lions Club Donations

The Lions Club is now accepting used cell phones in addition to eye glasses & hearing aid donations to benefit the Lion's Sight & Hearing Foundation on the welcome cabinet. If you have any donations please be sure to drop them off.

What are we thankful for as a faith community?

This month, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, please take a moment or two to think about what you are thankful for at St. Stephen's. Take a representative picture, or write a note about what you are thankful for in our community, and share it on our Facebook page or send to the office to be shared in the Highlights and posted on our Facebook page or website.

Ministry Spotlight - Food Bank

Our Food Bank provides a box of staples to neighbors in our community. Last year we fed 1812 households or 5837 individuals, of whom 658 were children (ages 0-5). The food bank is staffed by volunteers, with many of the food items provided through the generosity of parish members.

Thanks to the generous contributions of food, money and time from this congregation, we provided 150 Thanksgiving dinner food bags, along with $25 gift cards. More than 125 of those households also got food boxes from the food bank. As a result, our pantry and freezers are bare! Any donations are appreciated and can be dropped off outside of church or to the office. Financial contributions are also welcome. Please designate your gift "food bank." Thank you for your tireless support!

Thanksgiving @ St. Stephen's

November 23rd is Thanksgiving! Come to church. There will be turkey (fried), sausage dressing, gluten free dressing, and gluten free gravy. Bring your favorite side dish to share. No dish??? You can help with clean up. Come around 12 noonish, bring your family, bring your friends, bring your appetite. Any questions, ask April Priddy 602-957-2434.

Contemplative Garden Bricks

We are excited to announce we will be adding more bricks to our Celebration/Memorial garden to celebrate our joys and blessings as well as commemorate our losses. All proceeds go to support St. Stephen's and our ministries. We are asking for donations for each brick with a minimum of

$20 to cover the cost. If you would like a brick/s please fill out a " brick order form" for each and return it to the office, either on-line or hard copy... We will collect all orders and once a month pick up your bricks. Our plan is to have them blessed at the alter and then immediately after the service go into the garden and place them with help from the Junior Warden Vic Grace.

Celebrate Advent with our Annual Concert & Dinner

Our Annual Advent Celebration on December 2nd will include a concert of your favorite Christmas music arranged and presented by our own David Zych at 5:30. Followed by our annual dinner which will be a festive holiday buffet this year at 6:30pm. Tickets are required for dinner and must be purchased in advance with a suggested donation of $15. Tickets will be available after services starting this weekend through Sunday, Nov. 26th or by contacting April Priddy at 602-957-2434. Everyone is invited to this wonderful celebration.

We aspire to be an accepting community in which people will know Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, spiritual formation and fellowship. We hope our community will encourage all to use their God given gifts to serve others in the name of Christ.

Faithfully,

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church