Dear Saint Stephen’s, 

What a wonderful week we had at Saint Stephen’s. I am deeply grateful for the hard work of our Episcopal Church Women who, with only 60 reservations, somehow managed to feed well over 100 people who stayed for our inaugural Lenten Preaching Series. If you missed our opening preacher, you can listen to the Rev. Russell Levenson on our YouTube channel here. I am also thankful for the vision and leadership of the Rev. Katherine Harper in bringing this series together. 

This week, we welcome the Rev. Duncan Johnson of St. John’s, Montgomery. Duncan is an exceptionally thoughtful preacher, and I look forward to the ways he will enrich our Lenten journey. 

Today, Pat Bills, our Minister for Stewardship and Development; Zac Brown, our Parish Administrator, and I are headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the Episcopal Parish Network conference. We will attend the pre-conference to learn more about best practices in Episcopal parish life and to bring fresh inspiration back to Saint Stephen’s.  I find it to be the most informative of all of the church gatherings available.  You can learn more about what we will be learning here.  

This weekend, the Men of Saint Stephen’s return to Camp McDowell. I am glad to see many new names on the list. If you were not able to join this year, please consider coming next year—it is a wonderful way to build community. 

Faithfully, 

John+ 

Upcoming Activities & Events at a Glance

Wednesday, March 4 - Lenten Preaching Series

12:15-1:15 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Lunch will be available following the service.

Wednesday, March 4 - The Art of Connection - Youth & Parent Lent Series

Bring your own dinner

5:30-7:00 p.m | Parish Hall

Wednesday, March 5 - Middlers Trivia Night (offsite)

Join us for Trivia at Diplomat Deli. Trivia begins at 7:00 p.m. - Come early for fellowship! Please RSVP in Realm or message Kathleen so we save enough seats.

Thursday, March 5 - Women's Lenten Book Study

11a.m. to noon in the Terrace Room. Facilitated by Betty Shivers

March 6-8 - Men's Retreat at Camp McDowell

Questions? Please message Kathleen.

Saturday, March 7 - Holy Hike **note new location

9:00 a.m. at Oak Mountain State Park - Lake Tranquility

Tuesday, March 10 - Women's Cancer Support Group

6:00 p.m. in the Terrace Room

Wednesday, March 11 - Lenten Prayer Station Experience

5:30 p.m. Taco & Nacho Bar - Parish Hall

Program at 6 p.m. Prayer experiences are for all-ages in Rooms 228, 229.

Saturday, March 14 - Youth Spring Fundraising Dinner

6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Click here for more information.

Sunday, March 22 - “Depolarizing Ourselves” workshop

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Please register here.

Please plan to join us for lunch after our service.
Lunch is graciously provided by the ECW.

This week's lunch menu: (we are able to accommodate most dietary requirements)

• Chicken Divan
• Greek “pasta” salad
• Green beans amandine
• Rolls & butter
• Brownies
• Flourless chocolate cake

If you would like someone remembered in the prayers, please send your request to prayer@ssechurch.org by noon on Wednesday to be included in Sunday's printed bulletin.

To be added to the Children's Ministry email list, please message Jennifer Jones.

To be added to the Youth Ministry email list, please message Taylor McLemore.

March 8, 2026

The Third Sunday in Lent



7:45 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II (spoken)

9:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II with choir

- Nursery

- Livestream

10:15 a.m. - Formation for all ages

• Sunday School: Carpenter Hall - programs for 4K-12th grade

• Sunday Forum: Parish Hall “Intentional Trust in an Unexpected Story” with Kathy and Hank Poore, Hank Poore Foundation.

• Faith & Life Class: Room 228 “Parenting with a Purpose” with Amy Neiman from Collat Jewish Family Services

• Walking Through the Catechism: Chapel - The Rev. John Burruss

11:15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite II with choir

- Nursery

5:00 - 6:30 Youth Group - Jr. High

6:00 - 8:00 Youth Group - Sr. High

Carpenter Hall

5:00 p.m. Celtic Eucharist

- Nursery

- Livestream

6:00 p.m. Simple Community Supper

Parish Hall

You can watch our Lenten Preaching Series on our YouTube channel here.

Prayer is a path to a closer relationship with God. Individuals and families are invited to join us to discover intentional ways to make prayer more approachable for both adults and children! Hands on prayer stations will be set up for you to go through with your family in Room 228, Room 229, and the Gathering Space.

Dinner at 5:30 p.m. will be a Taco & Nacho bar with all of the toppings. We look forward to having you join us!

On March 14, please join us for a delightful meal and lively auction to support our youth group's journey to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, planned for the summer of 2027.

This special evening will showcase a Spanish course dinner crafted by a talented team of adults and young people, some of whom are preparing for their Camino pilgrimage. By attending, you not only will enjoy an amazing experience but also will help support their inspiring journey. You will get the opportunity to bid on and purchase unique items, tickets to sporting events, local experiences, vacation packages, and other live auction items. 

We hope you consider attending and inviting your friends and family to our Spring Dinner event in the Parish Hall! Your support will make a meaningful difference for our young people's efforts. Click here for tickets.

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study

7:00-8:00 a.m. Room 228 and Zoom (year-round)

Facilitated by Tom Robertshaw

Tuesday Prayer Bead Ministry

9:30 a.m. in Room 229

No special skills necessary, come join us! Facilitated by Ann Mims

Tuesday Lunch Book Group with +John

Small Things Like These by Claire Keagan

March 9 and 16

12:10-1:00 p.m. on Zoom

Mahjong Open Play

4:00-7:30 p.m. in Room 228



Wednesday Women's Bible Study

10:45 a.m. in Room 228 and on Zoom *note new time for Lent

Facilitated by Virginia Hillhouse

Wednesday Morning Centering Prayer

10:00-11:15 a.m. (Chapel) - Not First Wednesday

Facilitated by Louise Meredith

Wednesday Baby Blanket & Prayer Shawl Ministry

1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Church office conference room

Facilitated by Laurel Kuehr

Thursday Simply Prayer

Thursday mornings, 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Nave

Facilitated by Kathe Patterson

Thursday Afternoon Bible Study: The Revelation to John

1:00-2:15 p.m. on Zoom

Facilitated by the Rev. Katherine Harper

Thursday Evening Men's Group - "Let's Talk...

Facilitators: Malcolm Marler, Michael Moore, and Bill Peeples

Thursdays from 6-7:30pm in the Terrace Room

In partnership with the Threshold Center.

Friday Morning Bible Study - The Letter to the Romans

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Zoom

Exploring "The greatest letter ever written".

Facilitated by Verna Orr

Friday Morning Chair Yoga *note new time starting 2/6

10:30 a.m.

in the Chapel. Instructor, Frannie James

$15 cash or check or Venmo; click the link above to contact Frannie for more information (no one turned away for lack of ability to pay)

• Laundry Love: Sign-ups are available for 2026. Please check your calendar before signing up since there are so few spots. If you haven't served with Laundry Love before, please consider serving in this meaningful ministry.

2026 Laundry Love Monthly Sign-ups

• Avondale Breakfast Ministry: Help assemble lunch sacks and/or serve breakfast & lunch sacks on Monday morning from 8:00-9:00 (alongside Lisa Schroeder) Call or text Lisa if you are interested or would like more information 334-546-4205. 

• Christ Episcopal Church Fairfield Food Pantry: Help hand out food on Wednesday mornings at 9am. Contact Connie Hancock.

• Grace Church Woodlawn: Serving 95 families twice a month. *Volunteers do not need to schedule in advance. Just show up and we will have a job for you! Email DeaconMarti@gracechurchwoodlawn

• Unloading food from the food bank: Once a month on Mondays - usually 1st or 2nd Monday
• Food Distribution: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Tuesdays from 8:30 -10 am.
• Food Delivery: Usually the 2nd Monday of the month 8:00-9:30 am.
• Once a month we distribute zip loc bags with toiletries and feminine hygiene products. 
• Clothing Assistance: we gratefully accept  *gently used sneakers and other rubber soled footwear, *Clothing for men and women in all sizes, *new underwear and socks, *New and gently used coats, new gloves and hats (September through February)

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