The Guide
A Newsletter of
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
May 2022
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Greetings from your Interim Rector:
Alleluia, the Lord is Risen! And Easter is happening all around us. We are blessed to live in a part of the country where we can see new life popping out all over the place right now. Some fields are already green with growth! We too are green, ready to grow into God's holy work for us. I've seen the potential here, the vital body of Christ this place is and it is heartening indeed. My own feeling is that the mega churches of the world will soon give way to smaller, more intimate gatherings of disciples as we move into a post-COVID world. We know the value of this, the increased connections between our members, the sense of community so palpable we can almost touch it. Sure, we want to be bigger (who doesn't?), and we very much value who we are right now. In the months to come we will again dive into God's specific call for this community of Jesus followers as we move into a new time together. Easter is about new life, and so are we! Blessings to all of you on this journey of faith.
Rev. Susanna +
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Jesus in America
I have heard so many people say that the Church has changed because of the pandemic. It turns out they are absolutely correct. Last month a study was released with some very important implications for contemporary Christians and churches. Jesus in America is a national study released in March 2022 in a partnership between The Episcopal Church and Ipsos. The research found that while the majority of Americans polled believe Jesus was an important spiritual figure and want equality in society, it also showed Christians are not necessarily practicing what Jesus taught, and Americans feel judged when talking about their beliefs.
The study also found that the global pandemic has negatively impacted participation in organized religion — or religious activity — and more people are finding spiritual fulfillment in nature. To read further please go to https://www.episcopalchurch.org/jesus-in-america/
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Coming in June: Pentecost Birthday Party
Sunday, June 5th
Wear Red and Share Bread.
Or macaroni salad, or cold cuts or potato chips or anything else you would like to share. We will celebrate the birthday of the Church with a blow out bash of our own. Invite your friends and family to join us for worship at 10 am and then lunch right after in the parish hall, complete with a birthday cake (no, not 2022 candles on it!) And maybe even a pinata for the kids....
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Registration Open!
Registration for Camp Canterbury is now open
Camp will take place Monday, July 18 - Friday, July 22 at Calvin Crest. Camp Canterbury is our diocesan summer camp for youth from 4th grade through 2022 high school graduates. Youth are invited to join us for outdoor activities, swimming, sports, crafts, games, worship, program and so much more!
We are still looking for counselors! If you would like to volunteer to be a counselor, please complete the application and email it to our camp director, Bryan Bliss at [email protected], or mail it to the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, ATTN: Camp Canterbury, 109 N. 18th Street, Omaha, NE 68102.
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Youth News
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.” –Proverbs 22:6
Congratulations to our 2022 Seniors. I have so many mixed emotions watching all of you graduate and move on to the next chapter in your lives. I will forever cherish the memories that I have with each and every one of you. Mary, Jillian, Lisa, Presley, Mya and Deven, may your lights shine and make a difference. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your faith journeys.
Courtney Berg, Director of Youth Formation
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Special thanks go out to all the people who helped make our Holy Week and Easter so special: Sandy Fowler for lots of altar changes, all done with a big smile on her face; Sue Clement for live music on Easter, what a gift!; Kaeleigh Post for helping with Palm Sunday, Good Friday and then doing Morning Prayer the First Sunday of Easter while your rector was on vacation; and of course to our parish administrator, Lynne Nuss, who rolls with all the changes and demands with grace and a sweet smile.
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Make a Call, Send a Card, Say a Prayer |
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On Our Prayer Lists
Those in need of healing or for other concerns: Robin, Jerry, Don, Jayden, Nancy and family, Donna and family
Homebound: Mickey, Lloyd and Jim
The prayer lists are printed in the bulletin weekly and monthly in
The Guide. If you would like to add a name (or remove a name) from the prayer list or add birthdays and anniversaries, please call the church office at 308-382-4961 or email Lynne.
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Birthday Blessings to:
Emma Goodman - May 5
Kaila Roeser - May 5
Jenny Cook - May 7
Barb Beck - May 9
Michael Baxter - May 12
Daryl Baxter - May 14
Mick Fowler - May 16
Laurie Amsberry - May18
Susanna DesMarais - May 21
Jayson Stoddard - May 23
Collin Jepson - May 24
Jeff Vinson - May 24
ReeAnn Regier - May 31
Anniversary Congrats to:
Mike & Donna Weaver Smith - May 1
Curt & Pamela Hirschkorn - May 17
Dave & Christy Jepson - May 19
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How Can YOU Connect with St. Stephen's? |
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Worship Services
Holy Eucharist on Sundays at 10 a.m.
Christian Education
Bible Study, Saturday mornings, 9 a.m.
Youth Group Events as Announced
Church Office Hours
Monday - Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, 12:00 pm - 5:00 p.m.
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St. Stephen's Leadership and Staff |
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Interim Rector
Rev. Susanna DesMarais
Senior Warden (2023)
Tracy Babcock
Junior Warden (2024)
Don Young
Clerk (2023)
Kaeleigh Post
Sue Cameron, Vestry (2024)
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Raynette Martin, Vestry (2025)
Dave Jepson, Vestry (2025)
Church Treasurer
Terry Babcock
Parish Administrator
Lynne Nuss
Youth Director
Courtney Berg
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