Mark the calendar for Christmas weekend!
On Christmas Eve day, Dec. 24, 7:30-10am, families with children are especially invited to join a special Saturday Breakfast at St. Stephen’s (StSt) Table, hosted by the families of our partner in service, Waverly Heights United Church of Christ. Children and youth will also join us from other UCC congregations. This is a great time for our children and youth to meet and join in serving others.
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass begins with carols at 10:30pm. Mass starts at 11pm. Paul is preaching. Fr. Dennis presides.
Christmas Day Eucharist is at 7:45 and 10am. Fr. Dennis preaches and presides. During the 10am service, children are invited to a special story & activity time with member Edmundo Cardenas and Paul. Parents interested in helping, see Paul.
Merry (early) Christmas to Operation Nightwatch (ONW)
Our friends at ONW will celebrate the holiday season tonight at their 7-11pm Hospitality Center in the parish hall, making decorations for a 12-foot Christmas Tree provided by an anonymous member of StSt (and hauled into the hall by ONW’s Tuesday night Bible Study group). Come see their decorated tree this Sunday. It has been a great first full-year having ONW with us! ONW has a Christmas Eve service in the hall next Saturday at 4pm.
Help green the church, Thursday Dec. 22, at 6-7:30pm, come help decorate the church for Christmas. Bring any extra greens from your yard to add to those already donated. We hope the Choir can join us before their 7:30 rehearsal.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
This Week at St Stephen's
A wonderful celebration
Thank You to all who helped make our Installation ceremony for The Rev. Dennis j. Parker such a special event Wednesday evening. Over 100 were in attendance to support our new Rector, including quite a number of visiting clergy. There was plenty of good food and drink afterward, and the Parish Hall looked great. A big Thank You to Mary Komachi for organizing the potluck donations and coordinating the reception. It was a good night for St Stephen's (StSt)! Thanks everyone!
This Sunday
9am Adult Inquiry concludes their discussion of Protestantism with a presentation on Christian Science by two members of Portland’s Church of Christ, Scientist. Christian Science is sometimes confused with Scientology, faith healing, New Age practices, and Eastern religions. It has also been called un-Christian or labeled a cult. Actually, Christian Science is none of the above. Join the conversation at 9am in the Parish Hall between the services. Jean and Mic Fleming will facilitate.
Our preacher at 7:45 and 10 a.m. Eucharist is Joshua Kingsley. Fr. Dennis presides.
At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Special Vestry Meeting @ 11:30am
A special meeting of the Vestry will be held this Sunday in the Parish Hall library at 11:30am. The purpose is to discuss the 2012 Budget of the church and explore ways to offset shortfalls. The regular meeting of the Vestry will be NEXT Sunday, Dec. 18, as scheduled. All meetings are open to parish members. However, because time is limited, the Rector and Wardens ask that you contact them prior to the start of the meeting if you wish to speak or introduce specific agenda items. If you have not made a pledge to the 2012 budget and plan to do so, please reply to this email prior to this Sunday’s meeting so we can have an accurate reporting.
Communion in the Park @ 1:30pm
Come join the service and outreach every Sunday at 1:30pm, in the SW Park between Columbia & Jefferson, rain or shine. Joyce Lew is making sandwiches and hard boiled eggs to distribute to those who are hungry. Paul presides this week.
Friends of StSt Music Concert, Dec 18
Our next Friends of StSt Music concert is next Sunday, Dec 18, at 2pm. Oregon Chamber Singers perform under direction of Sandy Miller. Funds support our music program. $10 donation suggested.
Benson High School students at StSt TablePartnering with the Teen Outreach Program (TOP), we will be introducing as many as 30 students from Benson HS to volunteer service at StSt Table this month, beginning this week with Saturday Breakfast and continuing over the holiday break before Christmas. Students will be paired with a regular volunteer at StSt who will shadow them and allow them to do the work. TOP is funded through the (Federal) Office of Adolescent Health. Students chose their own community service-learning projects, so it is a compliment to our StSt Table that the meals/pantry program was so popular. Perhaps another Robert Ashenburner, who founded Sat Breakfast at age 11, will be inspired by volunteering with us!
Thank You to all who helped make our Installation ceremony for The Rev. Dennis j. Parker such a special event Wednesday evening. Over 100 were in attendance to support our new Rector, including quite a number of visiting clergy. There was plenty of good food and drink afterward, and the Parish Hall looked great. A big Thank You to Mary Komachi for organizing the potluck donations and coordinating the reception. It was a good night for St Stephen's (StSt)! Thanks everyone!
This Sunday
9am Adult Inquiry concludes their discussion of Protestantism with a presentation on Christian Science by two members of Portland’s Church of Christ, Scientist. Christian Science is sometimes confused with Scientology, faith healing, New Age practices, and Eastern religions. It has also been called un-Christian or labeled a cult. Actually, Christian Science is none of the above. Join the conversation at 9am in the Parish Hall between the services. Jean and Mic Fleming will facilitate.
Our preacher at 7:45 and 10 a.m. Eucharist is Joshua Kingsley. Fr. Dennis presides.
At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Special Vestry Meeting @ 11:30am
A special meeting of the Vestry will be held this Sunday in the Parish Hall library at 11:30am. The purpose is to discuss the 2012 Budget of the church and explore ways to offset shortfalls. The regular meeting of the Vestry will be NEXT Sunday, Dec. 18, as scheduled. All meetings are open to parish members. However, because time is limited, the Rector and Wardens ask that you contact them prior to the start of the meeting if you wish to speak or introduce specific agenda items. If you have not made a pledge to the 2012 budget and plan to do so, please reply to this email prior to this Sunday’s meeting so we can have an accurate reporting.
Communion in the Park @ 1:30pm
Come join the service and outreach every Sunday at 1:30pm, in the SW Park between Columbia & Jefferson, rain or shine. Joyce Lew is making sandwiches and hard boiled eggs to distribute to those who are hungry. Paul presides this week.
Friends of StSt Music Concert, Dec 18
Our next Friends of StSt Music concert is next Sunday, Dec 18, at 2pm. Oregon Chamber Singers perform under direction of Sandy Miller. Funds support our music program. $10 donation suggested.
Benson High School students at StSt TablePartnering with the Teen Outreach Program (TOP), we will be introducing as many as 30 students from Benson HS to volunteer service at StSt Table this month, beginning this week with Saturday Breakfast and continuing over the holiday break before Christmas. Students will be paired with a regular volunteer at StSt who will shadow them and allow them to do the work. TOP is funded through the (Federal) Office of Adolescent Health. Students chose their own community service-learning projects, so it is a compliment to our StSt Table that the meals/pantry program was so popular. Perhaps another Robert Ashenburner, who founded Sat Breakfast at age 11, will be inspired by volunteering with us!
Friday, December 2, 2011
St Stephen's Advent Calendar
Laura Watkins has designed an online Advent Calendar for us to welcome the Christmas holiday with a different StSt picture every day!
Open a window every day until Christmas at: http://www.advientos.com/destinatarios-publico.php?codigo=4964-8979.
Thanks, Laura!
Open a window every day until Christmas at: http://www.advientos.com/destinatarios-publico.php?codigo=4964-8979.
Thanks, Laura!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thanksgiving Day Service
Join us on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24 at 10 am for Holy Eucharist with hymns and the litany for Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
St Stephen's Friends of Music Presents Fall Into the Holidays
Fall Into the Holidays - An evening of food, drink, music, and conviviality to usher in the holiday season benefitting the music programs at St. Stephen's.
Entertainment provided by Portland jazz trio, The Originals performing jazz standards of the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, and featuring Jules Auger on bass, Morgan Curtis on drums, and Don McFarlane on piano.
Raffle prizes will include a weekend beach getaway in Neskowin, artistic ceramics by Lisa Johnston-Smith, and tickets to St. Stephen's 2011-2012 Concert Series.
Saturday, November 19 from 7 to 10 pm
Sivers Center, 2301, SW 1st Avenue
Map of Sivers Center
Suggested donation $40 per person.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by check to St.Stephen's Friends of Music.
Send to St. Stephen's Episcopal Parish, 1432 SW 13th Ave, Portland, OR, 97201, or online:
http://www.stst.org/. See the Donate button on the home page.
If using PayPal, be sure to type "Fall into the holidays" under "Special Instructions to Seller" when you check out.
Entertainment provided by Portland jazz trio, The Originals performing jazz standards of the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, and featuring Jules Auger on bass, Morgan Curtis on drums, and Don McFarlane on piano.
Raffle prizes will include a weekend beach getaway in Neskowin, artistic ceramics by Lisa Johnston-Smith, and tickets to St. Stephen's 2011-2012 Concert Series.
Saturday, November 19 from 7 to 10 pm
Sivers Center, 2301, SW 1st Avenue
Map of Sivers Center
Suggested donation $40 per person.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by check to St.Stephen's Friends of Music.
Send to St. Stephen's Episcopal Parish, 1432 SW 13th Ave, Portland, OR, 97201, or online:
http://www.stst.org/. See the Donate button on the home page.
If using PayPal, be sure to type "Fall into the holidays" under "Special Instructions to Seller" when you check out.
Day of Homelessness Awareness Walk
Day of Homelessness Awareness Walk
Faith communities throughout Portland and Multnomah County will observe the second annual “Interfaith Day of Homelessness Awareness” on Tues, Nov 15. This year’s Day will focus on three concrete actions that people of faith can take to help end homelessness: Donate/Volunteer/Advocate. The Day will include a “Walk of Awareness” at 7am at the Downtown Chapel. One spot highlighted on the walk will be our Communion in the Park location. Visit www.joinpdx.com/dayofawareness.html for more details. Let Paul know (at JPaulDavis@prodigy.net) if you can walk with StSt.
Stewardship update
We now have in hand 11 pledges totaling $12, 216. Please fill out your card today. Just mail it in, drop it in the plate Sunday, or slip it under the office door.
Faith communities throughout Portland and Multnomah County will observe the second annual “Interfaith Day of Homelessness Awareness” on Tues, Nov 15. This year’s Day will focus on three concrete actions that people of faith can take to help end homelessness: Donate/Volunteer/Advocate. The Day will include a “Walk of Awareness” at 7am at the Downtown Chapel. One spot highlighted on the walk will be our Communion in the Park location. Visit www.joinpdx.com/dayofawareness.html for more details. Let Paul know (at JPaulDavis@prodigy.net) if you can walk with StSt.
Stewardship update
We now have in hand 11 pledges totaling $12, 216. Please fill out your card today. Just mail it in, drop it in the plate Sunday, or slip it under the office door.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
This Week at St Stephen's
Give thanks for friends!
This Friday morning our downstairs freezer, full of supplies for our Food Pantry, quit working. Offers of partial space for the food came from Mike McCabe at Hamilton West Apartments (hamiltonwest@cascade-management.com), Melinda Tashnick at Loaves & Fishes (mtashnick@lfcpdx.org), and Doug & Sean at West Café (eat@westcafepdx.com). In the end, Patrick Daley at Blanchet House (chezblanchet@aol.com) was able to store all our food in one of their 12 freezers. It is good to know we have such friends willing to help! Saints Sue Rossiter and Alan and Robbie Ashenberner discovered the problem and got the food moved in time!
Bring a can if you can this Sunday…
To celebrate the opening of our new Food Pantry this Thursday, Sept 22, 2-6pm, in the Parish Hall, everyone is invited to bring a can for the pantry this Sunday. We want to distribute 750 meals of food! In addition, you can: - Donate grocery bags for people to carry food home - Donate paper supplies and hygiene products (food stamps cannot be used to buy these items) - Volunteer to pick up food at the Food Bank this coming week - Volunteer to help Thursday: set up at noon; greet and assist guests 2-6pm; clean up 6-6:30pm. - Donate cash to buy food wholesale at Oregon Food Bank (OFB). Canned vegetables, tuna, chili, and stew cost us about $15-20 a case at OFB, so a cash donation might be a more effective use of your funds. - Email Roberta Taussig at rmtaussig@gmail.com about what we need this week for the pantry.
And celebrate a new partner for the Table…
Voodoo Donuts (http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php) is partnering with us to provide St. Stephen’s (StSt) Table their day-old’s every Saturday morning to serve as we open the doors for breakfast. They will go perfectly with our hot coffee! Guest and volunteer Mike Perez took our information to Voodoo and made the connection for us. Roberta Taussig will pick up the donuts at 7am every week. Thanks to Mike, Voodoo, and Roberta!
Conversation with Islam, 9am Sunday
9am Adult Inquiry continues its series on the tenets and practices of Islam. This week: Our guest will be Tawab Kamawal, a member of the Portland Mosque, who will lead a Q&A about the Islamic declaration of faith, prayer and spiritual practice. September 25: The practice of Zakat (charity) and pilgrimage. Hajj is pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth pillar of Islam. All Muslims who are physically able must make this journey once in a lifetime. Departures from Portland begin Oct. 22. October 2: Women in Islam and any other questions you ever wanted to ask. The rights and responsibilities of women in Islam are equal to those of men but they are not necessarily identical. For Westerners it is often not easy to sort out what is imposed by ancient cultural tradition vs. what the Qur’an actually says.
This Sunday is “Consecrating Sunday”
We are pleased to welcome Rev. Canon Neysa Elgren, from the office of the Bishop, as our preacher and presider at 7:45 and 10am Eucharist this week. Neysa will also be volunteering at StSt Table this Saturday. At 10am, we will lift up and recognize all the expressions of our inclusive Table at St. Stephen’s, where all are invited to be fed in body and spirit! A special litany by Fr. Dennis and Paul will celebrate our partnerships and ministries including: the Choir and sacramental ministries, StSt Table, Communion in the Park, Operation Nightwatch, Journey Koinonia Catholic Community, Portland Chamber Music, 12-step groups, and Ranger the service dog. Rev. Gary Davis, Rev. Roger Fuchs, and Jesuit Volunteer James “Jimbo” Antonio from Operation Nightwatch will join us, as well as last year’s J.V., Cole Merkel (now at Street Roots newspaper). Come help us kickoff the new program year with this uplifting service about all StSt is doing. Invite a newcomer to join you and find out about us!
At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Friends of StSt Music concert, Sunday at 2pm
Sunday at 2:00pm, as part of our 2011-2012 concert series, The Wildwood Consort presents a survey of the French Baroque with the music of Louis-Nicolas Clérambault (1676-1749), master of the Cantate Française: L'Ile de Délos - a musical depiction of the birthplace of Apollo, where wisdom and pleasure coexist in pastoral tranquility; Léandre et Héro - the tragic tale of lovers separated by water and a fateful tempest; Sonata I "L'Anonima" and other instrumental works. Suggested donation to support the music program is $10.
Last Week’s Noh Garden
The Choir’s performance of Noh Garden, dedicated to the victims of 9/11, can be seen in excerpts at www.nohgarden.com. Rev. Deacon Ken Arnold hopes to have a film screening in the spring of 2012.
This Friday morning our downstairs freezer, full of supplies for our Food Pantry, quit working. Offers of partial space for the food came from Mike McCabe at Hamilton West Apartments (hamiltonwest@cascade-management.com), Melinda Tashnick at Loaves & Fishes (mtashnick@lfcpdx.org), and Doug & Sean at West Café (eat@westcafepdx.com). In the end, Patrick Daley at Blanchet House (chezblanchet@aol.com) was able to store all our food in one of their 12 freezers. It is good to know we have such friends willing to help! Saints Sue Rossiter and Alan and Robbie Ashenberner discovered the problem and got the food moved in time!
Bring a can if you can this Sunday…
To celebrate the opening of our new Food Pantry this Thursday, Sept 22, 2-6pm, in the Parish Hall, everyone is invited to bring a can for the pantry this Sunday. We want to distribute 750 meals of food! In addition, you can: - Donate grocery bags for people to carry food home - Donate paper supplies and hygiene products (food stamps cannot be used to buy these items) - Volunteer to pick up food at the Food Bank this coming week - Volunteer to help Thursday: set up at noon; greet and assist guests 2-6pm; clean up 6-6:30pm. - Donate cash to buy food wholesale at Oregon Food Bank (OFB). Canned vegetables, tuna, chili, and stew cost us about $15-20 a case at OFB, so a cash donation might be a more effective use of your funds. - Email Roberta Taussig at rmtaussig@gmail.com about what we need this week for the pantry.
And celebrate a new partner for the Table…
Voodoo Donuts (http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php) is partnering with us to provide St. Stephen’s (StSt) Table their day-old’s every Saturday morning to serve as we open the doors for breakfast. They will go perfectly with our hot coffee! Guest and volunteer Mike Perez took our information to Voodoo and made the connection for us. Roberta Taussig will pick up the donuts at 7am every week. Thanks to Mike, Voodoo, and Roberta!
Conversation with Islam, 9am Sunday
9am Adult Inquiry continues its series on the tenets and practices of Islam. This week: Our guest will be Tawab Kamawal, a member of the Portland Mosque, who will lead a Q&A about the Islamic declaration of faith, prayer and spiritual practice. September 25: The practice of Zakat (charity) and pilgrimage. Hajj is pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth pillar of Islam. All Muslims who are physically able must make this journey once in a lifetime. Departures from Portland begin Oct. 22. October 2: Women in Islam and any other questions you ever wanted to ask. The rights and responsibilities of women in Islam are equal to those of men but they are not necessarily identical. For Westerners it is often not easy to sort out what is imposed by ancient cultural tradition vs. what the Qur’an actually says.
This Sunday is “Consecrating Sunday”
We are pleased to welcome Rev. Canon Neysa Elgren, from the office of the Bishop, as our preacher and presider at 7:45 and 10am Eucharist this week. Neysa will also be volunteering at StSt Table this Saturday. At 10am, we will lift up and recognize all the expressions of our inclusive Table at St. Stephen’s, where all are invited to be fed in body and spirit! A special litany by Fr. Dennis and Paul will celebrate our partnerships and ministries including: the Choir and sacramental ministries, StSt Table, Communion in the Park, Operation Nightwatch, Journey Koinonia Catholic Community, Portland Chamber Music, 12-step groups, and Ranger the service dog. Rev. Gary Davis, Rev. Roger Fuchs, and Jesuit Volunteer James “Jimbo” Antonio from Operation Nightwatch will join us, as well as last year’s J.V., Cole Merkel (now at Street Roots newspaper). Come help us kickoff the new program year with this uplifting service about all StSt is doing. Invite a newcomer to join you and find out about us!
At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Friends of StSt Music concert, Sunday at 2pm
Sunday at 2:00pm, as part of our 2011-2012 concert series, The Wildwood Consort presents a survey of the French Baroque with the music of Louis-Nicolas Clérambault (1676-1749), master of the Cantate Française: L'Ile de Délos - a musical depiction of the birthplace of Apollo, where wisdom and pleasure coexist in pastoral tranquility; Léandre et Héro - the tragic tale of lovers separated by water and a fateful tempest; Sonata I "L'Anonima" and other instrumental works. Suggested donation to support the music program is $10.
Last Week’s Noh Garden
The Choir’s performance of Noh Garden, dedicated to the victims of 9/11, can be seen in excerpts at www.nohgarden.com. Rev. Deacon Ken Arnold hopes to have a film screening in the spring of 2012.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
This Week at St Stephen's
More to celebrate and more to thank!
The basement crew meets again tomorrow to finish cleaning up for our new food pantry on Sept 22. Plus, Robbie Ashenberner (Saturday Breakfast founder ten years ago, at age 11) has volunteered to build new shelves for our pantry storage in the Handel Room. John Lafrentz has offered to fund it. Thank You and Thank You!
Last Friday, thanks to an invitation from Operation Nightwatch to join them, we signed up 38 students from Lewis & Clark College interested in volunteering at St. Stephen’s (StSt) Table! Our new brochure by Faye Tayler was a great way of inviting folks to join us. Maybe you have a friend to invite too? If so, get a brochure Sunday! Thanks again, Faye!
We are also pleased and excited to welcome Erin Burns as our new Program Assistant to StSt Table! Erin’s work study position with us is totally funded by University of Portland. Erin is a junior, majoring in German and Psychology, and minoring in Education. She spent the summer serving breakfast at a meals program in Santa Cruz. She brings organizational skills that will be a great help coordinating volunteers and keeping track of our food supplies. Erin's first day with us is this Saturday at StSt Table breakfast. Welcome, Erin!
This Sunday, remembering 9/11
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry resumes with a special discussion on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. "Pathways to Faith" will be a four week conversation about Islam. Jean and Mic Fleming will give an overview this Sunday, followed in subsequent weeks by guest speakers from the Portland Mosque.
Rev. Dr. Caroline Litzenberger is our guest presider at 7:45 and 10am Eucharist. She will also preach at 7:45am. At 10am, a Noh theater production by Rev. Deacon Ken Arnold replaces the sermon. Noh Garden is presented in memory of the victims of 9/11. The original music was composed by Portland’s Joan McMillen. Featured soloists are Andy McQuery (from St. John the Baptist) as Jesus, and Erin Walker, a recent graduate in Vocal Performance from PSU, as Mary Magdalene. Ken filmed a full version of Noh Garden this summer and plans a DVD for screening in Spring 2012. This is part of a larger work, The Gospel According to Noh, that Ken is developing for stage production. Please mark your calendar for this remembrance Sunday.
After a summer break, Choir resumes rehearsals this Thursday to prepare to sing the Noh Garden on Sunday. Contact Matt Smith for more details at: MSmith215@gmail.com.
Fr. Dennis, Paul, Jim Hryncewich, and StSt Table volunteer Jeremy Chase will be in NYC this weekend to perform a special concert on 9/11 with the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. Sue Rossiter and Anne Kennedy from StSt also plan to attend. More details about the “Day of Community, Day of Faith” events at the (Episcopal) Cathedral of St John the Divine are at http://www.stjohndivine.org/911.html. Paul is also pleased to have scheduled some study time at Union Theological Seminary for our meals program; he will discuss the idea of trauma among those who come to StSt Table with Dr. Serene Jones, seminary president, who has written Trauma & Grace: Theology in a Ruptured World.
At St Stephen’s (StSt), we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Next Sunday, Commissioning Sunday
On 9/18, we are pleased to welcome Rev. Canon Neysa Elgren, from the office of the Bishop, as our preacher and presider. In a special litany by Fr. Dennis and Paul, we will lift up and recognize all the expressions of our inclusive Table at StSt, where our mission is to feed those who are hungry in body and spirit! Please plan to attend this kick-off service of the program year. Maybe you want to invite a newcomer to join you! Look for more details in next week.
May our thoughts this week be thoughtful ones.
Paul
Minister for Outreach
The basement crew meets again tomorrow to finish cleaning up for our new food pantry on Sept 22. Plus, Robbie Ashenberner (Saturday Breakfast founder ten years ago, at age 11) has volunteered to build new shelves for our pantry storage in the Handel Room. John Lafrentz has offered to fund it. Thank You and Thank You!
Last Friday, thanks to an invitation from Operation Nightwatch to join them, we signed up 38 students from Lewis & Clark College interested in volunteering at St. Stephen’s (StSt) Table! Our new brochure by Faye Tayler was a great way of inviting folks to join us. Maybe you have a friend to invite too? If so, get a brochure Sunday! Thanks again, Faye!
We are also pleased and excited to welcome Erin Burns as our new Program Assistant to StSt Table! Erin’s work study position with us is totally funded by University of Portland. Erin is a junior, majoring in German and Psychology, and minoring in Education. She spent the summer serving breakfast at a meals program in Santa Cruz. She brings organizational skills that will be a great help coordinating volunteers and keeping track of our food supplies. Erin's first day with us is this Saturday at StSt Table breakfast. Welcome, Erin!
This Sunday, remembering 9/11
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry resumes with a special discussion on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. "Pathways to Faith" will be a four week conversation about Islam. Jean and Mic Fleming will give an overview this Sunday, followed in subsequent weeks by guest speakers from the Portland Mosque.
Rev. Dr. Caroline Litzenberger is our guest presider at 7:45 and 10am Eucharist. She will also preach at 7:45am. At 10am, a Noh theater production by Rev. Deacon Ken Arnold replaces the sermon. Noh Garden is presented in memory of the victims of 9/11. The original music was composed by Portland’s Joan McMillen. Featured soloists are Andy McQuery (from St. John the Baptist) as Jesus, and Erin Walker, a recent graduate in Vocal Performance from PSU, as Mary Magdalene. Ken filmed a full version of Noh Garden this summer and plans a DVD for screening in Spring 2012. This is part of a larger work, The Gospel According to Noh, that Ken is developing for stage production. Please mark your calendar for this remembrance Sunday.
After a summer break, Choir resumes rehearsals this Thursday to prepare to sing the Noh Garden on Sunday. Contact Matt Smith for more details at: MSmith215@gmail.com.
Fr. Dennis, Paul, Jim Hryncewich, and StSt Table volunteer Jeremy Chase will be in NYC this weekend to perform a special concert on 9/11 with the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. Sue Rossiter and Anne Kennedy from StSt also plan to attend. More details about the “Day of Community, Day of Faith” events at the (Episcopal) Cathedral of St John the Divine are at http://www.stjohndivine.org/911.html. Paul is also pleased to have scheduled some study time at Union Theological Seminary for our meals program; he will discuss the idea of trauma among those who come to StSt Table with Dr. Serene Jones, seminary president, who has written Trauma & Grace: Theology in a Ruptured World.
At St Stephen’s (StSt), we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Next Sunday, Commissioning Sunday
On 9/18, we are pleased to welcome Rev. Canon Neysa Elgren, from the office of the Bishop, as our preacher and presider. In a special litany by Fr. Dennis and Paul, we will lift up and recognize all the expressions of our inclusive Table at StSt, where our mission is to feed those who are hungry in body and spirit! Please plan to attend this kick-off service of the program year. Maybe you want to invite a newcomer to join you! Look for more details in next week.
May our thoughts this week be thoughtful ones.
Paul
Minister for Outreach
Friday, July 29, 2011
This week at St. Stephen's
Please remember this Sunday’s concert
Come support our Friends of St. Stephen’s Music concert series this Sunday, July 31 at 2pm. Ray Luck, international concert pianist, kicks off our 2011-2012 Concert Series performing works of Mozart, Schumann, and Poulenc. Refreshments will be served after the concert. $10 suggested donation supports our music program.
This Sunday…
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues with the third of three discussions on “religious” travel. Bring your travelers’ stories of tourist visits and faith journeys.
Dale Carr is our preacher at 7:45 and 10am Eucharist. At St Stephen’s (StSt), we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Paul is away for the memorial service of his partner Jim Hryncewich’s stepfather, Warren Grund, who died after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Paul returns Monday; Jim is staying with family until Aug 11.
StSt Pantry cleaning party Aug 6
Following StSt Table Saturday Breakfast, all are invited and encouraged to join us for a cleaning party as we make room at StSt for our new Food Pantry coming this September. Come join us for breakfast, served at 9am. Doors open at 7:30. We will begin cleaning the basement and Handel Room at 10:30am.
StSt Pantry road trip Aug 13
On the Saturday following our StSt cleanup party, also at 10:30am, those interested in planning our Food Pantry are invited to join the group heading to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church’s Food Pantry in North Portland to get ideas and suggestions. Email Paul at Outreach@stst.org and let him know you’d like to go.
Remember the Integrity Picnic
Integrity-Portland and St Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church are co-hosting their 2nd Annual Family Picnic at Laurelhurst Park next Saturday, July 30, at Noon, at Picnic Area B, near the entrance (SE 35th & Oak). All are invited. Bring your own food and beverages. Grill available for cooking. Beer & wine permitted. Park map at http://www.portlandonline.com/
Thursday, July 21, 2011
2011-2012 Concert Series
Ray Luck – Piano Recital, July 31. Ray Luck, international concert pianist, kicks off our 2011-2012 Concert Series on Sunday, July 31 at 2 pm, performing works of Mozart, Schumann, and Poulenc.
All concerts are at 2 pm. Refreshments will be served after each concert. $10 suggested donation.
All concerts are at 2 pm. Refreshments will be served after each concert. $10 suggested donation.
Don’t miss a single concert this season:
· August 28 – Jeremy Griffin/Anna Viemeister, vocalists: Up and coming young artists, Jeremy Griffin and Anna Viemeister have recently completed graduate degrees from University of British Columbia and Manhattan School of Music, respectively. Before they depart Portland to make their fortunes in New York City, they will perform an intimate recital of operatic scenes and arias by Mozart, Janáček and others.
· September 18 – The Wildwood Consort: Renaissance and Baroque ensemble, The Wildwood Consort, will perform French music of the Baroque, including Rameau and Clermebault.
· October 16 – Iridescence: Donna Maebori (flute) and Patti Duthie (piano) will perform a luminous concert of jazz and classical compositions.
· November 20 – The Julians: Four of Portland’s finest singing women, will return to St Stephen’s to sing the living daylights out of music they love.
· December 18 – Oregon Chamber Singers: Oregon Chamber Singers, under the direction of Sandra Miller, will perform seasonal favorites.
· February 19 - Antonio Centurion: The master of the Paraguyan harp will perform music of Paraguay and other Latin American folk traditions.
· March 25 – Janet Packer, violin, joined by pianist Anthony Padilla, will perform works by Debussy, Gabriel Pierne, Vittorio Rieti and Krzyztof Meyer.
· April 15 – Melanie Downie Robinson and Friends: Portland's own early music chanteuse will perform an intimate recital of chamber works and arias from the Baroque and beyond
· May 20 – Organ Extravaganza: Local organists will put the St. Stephen’s Gress Miles organ through its paces.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
This Week at St Stephen's
Remembering Elsie
A memorial service to remember and give thanks for the life of longtime member Elsie Lucas will be held this Saturday, June 4, at 2pm. A reception follows in the parish hall. Co-presiding at the service will be The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald and Rev. Palmer Pardington.
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry concludes its discussion of Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian, focusing on Ch. 7 “Jesus” and Ch. 8 “The Death of Jesus.” Mic & Jean facilitate the conversation. NEXT Sunday, June 12, Roger Fuchs (Operation Nightwatch Chaplain) speaks about his ministry bringing the Gospel to our hospitality center guests. Roger also presented a poem and homily at last week’s Oregon Viet Nam Memorial ceremony.
Rev. Dr. Caroline Litzenberger is our guest preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist. Dr. Litzenberger is Professor of History at PSU and has been an ordained Episcopal priest since 2004. Fr. Dennis and Paul are both away this Sunday.
At St Stephen’s (StSt), we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Expanding StSt Table
Last Friday, Paul met with Oregon Food Bank services coordinator, Eric Sopkin, about ways we might provide more meals and promote a “healing neighborhood” at 13th & Clay. Eric says the most needed service in our immediate neighborhood is an emergency food box program to help those who are low-income housed but run out of food each month. The proposal is that we add a once-a-month Food Pantry on third Thursdays of the month, 2-5pm in the parish hall. A group to discuss how we might proceed will meet next Tuesday at 11:30am, during “Summer Sandwiches Tuesday” at StSt Table. Paul welcomes those interested to join the conversation or send feedback to Outreach@stst.org.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
This Week at St Stephen's
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues a discussion of Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian.
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues a discussion of Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian.
Ms. Cynthia Reynolds is our guest preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist. Cynthia is an active part of our Communion in the Park ministry.
At St Stephen’s (StSt), we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
On the Rota
Lectors are Mic and Jean Fleming (7:45) and Dick Emlaw and Sam Ganczaruk (10 a.m.)
Gospeler is Fr. Dennis
Intercessors are Joyce Lew (7:45) and Stephen Snyder (10 a.m.)
Sub-Deacon is Bobby Berstler
Communion Server is Br. Gregory Kingsley (10 a.m.)
Healing Prayer offered by Fr. Dale Carr
Ushers/Greeters are Dick & Merry Emlaw
Coffee Hour refreshments provided by Lee Kilbourn (10 a.m.)
StSt Table this Saturday
Saturday breakfast is prepared by Journey Koinonia Catholic Community this week. If there are some StSt Table regular servers who can help greet and help in the hall, that would be great.
Memorial Service on Monday
A service of remembrance will be held at the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington Park. A reading of names begins at 10 a.m. Ceremonies begin at 11 a.m.
Bud Clark Commons Grand Opening next Thursday
We have been invited to the grand opening of the Transition Projects Bud Clark Commons that will be a resource center, shelter, and housing for those experiencing homelessness in Portland. More details at www.portlandonline.com/phb/
Hope your Memorial Day weekend is a good one.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
This Week at St Stephen's
Remembering Perky
This Sunday, at 1:30 p.m., we gather in the church for a Memorial Service to remember and celebrate the life of longtime member Joan Priscilla “Perky” Kilbourn.
A reception follows.
Also this week …
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues a discussion of Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian. Paul will lead the discussion. Jean & Mic Fleming are away.
Fr. Dale Carr is our preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist.
At St Stephen’s (StSt), we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with weekly bulletins for the children are at the back of the church.
Coffee Hour Rota
Thank You to all who added their names last Sunday to our schedule of 10 a.m. Eucharist coffee hour providers. This week, Anne Kennedy brings the refreshments. Next Sunday, May 29, Lee Kilbourn provides the treats.
Quarterly catch-up
At vestry last Sunday, it was reported that several of us may be a little behind in our pledged giving to StSt. The budget shows pledged income is currently down 23%. If you’re able to bring your pledge up to date, it would be very helpful as we move into summer. Thanks!
Thanks from StSt Table
Last week we were pleased to have two new drivers picking up supplies from Oregon Food Bank – Angela Baroni and John Wittwer. Welcome aboard! We also had 7 volunteering as hosts at Operation Nightwatch on Saturday night. Thanks!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Julians - May 15, 3 pm
Come experience a sumptuous afternoon filled with “Melodies & Desires” from Portland’s own genre-defying lady vocal quartet, The Julians as part of the 2010-2011 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish concert series. This program runs the indie/pop/classical/jazz gamut with works by Leonard Cohen, Mountain Man, Veljo Tormis, Florence & the Machine, Cat Stevens, Fleet Foxes and Einojuhani Rautavaara to name a few. The Julians will be joined by violinist Chris Fotinakis and pianist Anita Lundgren.
$10 suggested donation at the door. Refreshments served after the concert.
The Julians are four of Portland's finest female vocalists working together to explore, challenge, embrace, and sing the living daylights out of music that they love. The Julians are comprised of: sopranos Elizabeth Bacon, Maria Karlin and Mel Downie, and mezzo Kristen Buhler. More information about The Julians is available at: http://www.thejuliansmusic.com/.
$10 suggested donation at the door. Refreshments served after the concert.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Third Sunday of Easter Sermon
Folks: Here is my sermon text from last Sunday. I have decided to "post" my sermon's here from now on and will (in a few weeks) shut down the other blog site that I had previsously posted on. Hope you will find this "blog" site easier to find, and it will help me to make sure that I remain current on the sermon posting responsibility! Hope you enjoy!
The Third Sunday of Easter – Year A (RCL) 2011
Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish, Portland, OR
Sunday, May 8, 2011
PEOPLE OF THE WAY – PEOPLE OF HOPE – PEOPLE OF THE WEIRD
Let us Pray: Dear God, as we go along our life’s way, help us to be aware of your presence with us. Open our eyes, make us expectant, eager to be met by you. Give us open minds, open eyes, open hearts to receive your gracious presence and to share it with all you would have us meet. You are the resurrection, and the life. Amen.
(SUNG) BE KNOWN TO US, LORD JESUS
IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD.
Our lifetimes are marked by spiritual, political and social events that have influenced us to such an extent that we can often recall, many years later the exact time and place we were when these events burst into our lives marking and changing them forever. Few of us (in a certain age range) would fail to be able to tell you where they were when they received the news that John Fitzgerald or Robert Francis Kennedy were assassinated; or when Tranquility Base reported that “the Eagle had landed” and Neil Armstrong spoke of “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” So, will your children; grand and great grandchildren report on what they were doing when they realized that passenger jetliners were being flown into the World Trade Center or Pentagon? Now will we mark with the same sense of cultural memory the events of last Sunday evening inside the walled compound of an unmarked estate in Abbottabad, Pakistan? Will the young men and women who spontaneously gathered outside the Whitehouse, College Campuses or the under construction Freedom Tower at the former site of the World Trade Center Towers in lower Manhattan, have wonderful stories to relay to their children and grandchildren around celebrating the violent end of another human life? Trust me; the hypothetical questions I’m posing fill me with as much confusion and torn emotion as I’m sure they do for you and the hundreds of thousands of Americans or Pakistanis; Muslim, Christian or atheist/agnostic who struggle to understand what we might do when our enemies face the reality of our outrage for the horrific crimes committed against innocent children, women and men who committed no greater crime than arriving at school or work or play on the impossibly blue sky late summer morning in September of 2001. I do know what the Gospel message of Jesus the Christ asks of us: “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you”
I’m not saying the answers are easy, or fair (in the sense of human justice or fairness) and I am saying that the message of the Christ whom we claim to follow is clear when it comes to what we owe our enemies and those who hate us for the Prince of Peace whom we claim as our savior and our God. I encourage you to listen to the anthem that the Choir will sing just after Communion this morning [I’d like to share with you the lyrics of an anthem that the Choir will sing at the 10:00 AM service this morning] I discovered the availability of a hymn text by the well known writer Andrew Pratt when a clergy colleague of mine who is the Rector at St. John the Baptist Parish on the campus of OES told me that their Director of Music, Scott Crandal had written a hymn tune to set the text and was offering the copyrighted anthem for use by anyone who would find it helpful in generating a conversation around our Christian responsibility toward those whom we consider our enemies. The text reads:
We cannot gloat: a time for grief,
another mother's son is dead,
and if that son has killed and maimed,
it is the better least is said;
but let us mourn for all the loss,
within the shadow of the cross.
We mourn for victims we have loved,
and for the orphans yet unborn;
for those for whom a searing pain
greets this and every rising dawn,
and then we bow our heads and pray
that peace might drench the world today.
And to that end we pledge our lives,
our words, our actions and our deeds,
as following the Prince of Peace,
we'll work for peace till peace succeeds,
in breaking every barrier down,
that love may be our goal and crown. © Andrew Pratt 2/5/2011
another mother's son is dead,
and if that son has killed and maimed,
it is the better least is said;
but let us mourn for all the loss,
within the shadow of the cross.
We mourn for victims we have loved,
and for the orphans yet unborn;
for those for whom a searing pain
greets this and every rising dawn,
and then we bow our heads and pray
that peace might drench the world today.
And to that end we pledge our lives,
our words, our actions and our deeds,
as following the Prince of Peace,
we'll work for peace till peace succeeds,
in breaking every barrier down,
that love may be our goal and crown. © Andrew Pratt 2/5/2011
We are called, each of us who claim this Jesus to live out the Gospel vision of God’s Kindom come among us. That is why we are the ones in our culture who have to give voice to the hard choices that Christ’s Gospel demands of us. We have to be the ones who continue to live out our responsibility to love our enemies and pray for those who abuse us. That same Gospel calls us today and every day toward the Kindom of God made manifest among us right here; right now. The Kindom might be messy, it might be imperfect – it might even at times be petty, gossipy or seemingly trite. It is however that same Kindom that Jesus came among us to proclaim that Kindom in which the hungry are fed, the captive are set free and the mourning rejoice in the Easter joy of the triumph of life over death. Is that that Kindom that we live out inside our Red doors and outside with our Red Tabernacle bringing the Good News into the places where it needs most to be heard.
Our Gospel text for this morning, from the Author of Luke/Acts tells the story of the amazing journey from the cold hard despair of the locked room we visited last week, to the joyous and faith filled hope that happened on the road to Emmaus when the two un-named disciples, completely unknowing met the risen Christ in Word and Sacrament just as we have the chance to do each time we gather in table fellowship.
Those earliest followers of the risen Christ were known simply as “people of the way” and that way is what we later followers cling to with expectant hope – filled with the joy of our God’s victory over darkness and death. The author of Luke’s Gospel recounts the Emmaus roadside journey of amazement and blessing in the revelation of scripture and the recognition and fulfillment of hope in the blessing and breaking of bread. The disciples welcomed a stranger and found in that welcome the reality of God with us – Emmanuel – in the person of the risen Christ. Filled with hope they returned from Emmaus to Jerusalem to share the good news with the other apostles who were gathered in the locked house; and with us – that God indeed is with us in the welcoming of strangers and in the sharing of our table fellowship.
From that journey shared on the way to Emmaus, from the scriptures revealed and explained by the risen Christ to the bread taken, blessed, broken and given we have followed the way for two hundred centuries. In each of our encounters with the risen Christ we continue to be amazed at the unexpected gifts found in the welcoming of strangers as we find the Christ revealed in them. It is in the common and everyday experiences that we are caught unaware – in the simple gifts of bread and Word that the Divine presence continues to reveal itself and move us from cold despair to joy-filled hope.
(SUNG) BE KNOWN TO US, LORD JESUS
IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD.
On this Sunday when we recognize the Easter joy anew; when we share bread broken and wine for all from the one cup – we also share in the fellowship of our community around coffee and cake; and we move from this place to take that bread and wine (actually the cup we take out to the park uses grape juice rather than wine) and add to it bread spread with peanut butter and jelly to share with the hungry of body as well as the hungry of spirit; and we have recently added eggs to our feast that we share will all who ask – and we make sure that we also have treats for the critters who share our lives and are such a blessing to our ministries; critters like ranger and sophie & Otto.
This is our community of believers led by an Irish Catholic Episcopal priest and a UCC Minister of Outreach who met each other and connected in the Good News of the Gospel shared among the members of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus; and who now are growing into a greater understanding of what Jesus meant when he called us to feed the hungry and clothe the naked.
It’s all good and it’s all powerful and growing into our unique and wonderful ministry at the corner of 13th and Clay and moving out further and further into the heart of our city. Sometimes it is rich and full of deep and reverent liturgy and sometimes it is real and rough and full of drug addicts and drunks and we are all children of a loving God and I can just bet that God is watching and smiling and wondering what we’ll do next. In closing, I’d like to share with you a passage from Mike Yaconelli’s book Messy Spirituality: God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People:
“In C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the White Witch has turned many of the inhabitants of Narnia into stone, but Aslan, the Christ figure, jumps into the stone courtyard, pouncing on the statues, breathing life into them.
The courtyard looked no longer like a museum; it looked more like a zoo. Creatures were running after Aslan and dancing round him till he was almost hidden in the crowd. Instead of all that deadly white, the courtyard was now ablaze with colors; glossy chestnut side of centaurs, indigo horns of unicorns, dazzling plumage of birds, ruddy-brown of foxes, dogs and satyrs, yellow stockings and crimson hoods of dwarfs; and the birch-girls in silver, and the beech-girls in fresh transparent green, and the larch-girls in green so bright that it was almost yellow. And instead of the deadly silence, the whole place rang with the sound of happy roarings, brayings, yelpings, barkings, squealings, cooings, neighings, stampings, shouts, hurrahs, songs and laughter.
Lewis’ summary of what is happening in Narnia is a brilliant description of what a church should look like: “The courtyard no longer looked like a museum, it looked more like a zoo.” It is in the incongruence and oddness of our disjointed spirituality that ought to characterize every church. For God so loved the world, that whosoever believes in him will, from that point on, be considered weird by the rest of the world, which means the church should be more like a zoo than a tomb of identical mummies.”
We are about bringing that unique brand of Christianity to a city who’s unofficial motto is Keep Portland Weird; as messy as it is; as funky as it can get – I wouldn’t want to worship with anyone else I know – Would You?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
This week at St Stephen's
Welcome new volunteers!
We are pleased to have 3 new volunteers at St. Stephen’s (StSt) Table: Jeremy Chase on Tuesdays; and Liz McCoy and Colby Aley on Saturdays. Colby is also volunteering to design a webpage for http://www.stst.org/ about our feeding program.
How did they find out about us? Jeremy got invited by one of our Tuesday Chili guests to join him at the Table for lunch. Liz read a posting from Jean Fleming’s Facebook page. (Thanks, Jean!) And Colby, like our own Robbie Ashenberner, was looking for a community service project for school. (Robbie’s still serving 10 years later!)
Welcome, Jeremy, Liz and Colby. Thanks for helping us set a Table where everyone is valued and fed!
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues with a discussion of Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian.
Fr. Dennis is our preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist. The choir returns at 10am after a post-Easter break.
At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with a special bulletin for the children are at the back of the church.
Fr. Dennis and Paul out of the office
Wednesday-Friday, Fr. Dennis is at Diocesan Vocations Conference, where he is Chair of the Commission on Ministry. The Commission is interviewing 7 aspirants (including our own Marcos Domingues) who are discerning a call to Holy Orders in The Episcopal Church.
Thursday & Friday, Paul is representing StSt Table at the Oregon Food Bank all-agencies conference. Friday night and Saturday, he will be in Seattle for a “Companioning Training” workshop led by Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, founder of The Mental Health Chaplaincy and author of Souls in the Hands of a Tender God. Craig has invited Paul to spend Saturday afternoon with him reaching out to those on the streets of Seattle and discussing how The Chaplaincy might be adapted for our “companioning” presence at StSt Table.
Fr. Dennis and Paul ask your prayers for wisdom, insight, and inspiration. They look forward to sharing their experiences with you on Sunday during announcements. There are good things happening at StSt!
An excerpt from ONW’s Gary Davis
Rev Gary Davis, who heads Operation Nightwatch (ONW), wrote a moving mediation for their newsletter. He reflects on Jesus’ parable where the people ask at the end of time when it was that they had seen Jesus thirsty or hungry or naked and cared for him; and the answer comes, “When you did it for the least of these, you did it to me.” Gary writes:
“This parable is not just a call to serve. It is a call to carry a certain attitude in our service. For if it is true that in every needy individual we meet God incarnates himself to us anew, then how can we reach out to the individual without the greatest humility, care, and respect? How can we possibly be condescending, patronizing, or judgmental? How can we help without wanting to know that individual as he really is? Because if that truly is God coming to us in the tattered clothing with the bedroll on his back, we’re not the ones doing him the favor in the encounter—God’s doing us the favor by allowing us to meet him once again in this time and in this place.” [Bold added for emphasis.] To read more from ONW, see their newsletter at http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/371712/6c3b17ec33/1666000281/83e4ef520b/.
Remember our ONW Saturday is May 14
Every 2nd Saturday, 6:30pm-11:30pm, StSt serves as the hosts for Operation Nightwatch in the parish hall. For more details or to volunteer, email Paul at Outreach@stst.org.
Matt invites us to Sunday, May 15, 3pm Concert
Director on Music Matt Smith asks us all to make a special effort next Sunday to come and provide a great audience for the final concert in our 2010-2011 StSt series. “The Julians,” Portland's genre-defying lady vocal quartet, perform Melodies & Desires.” This program runs the indie/pop/classical/jazz gamut with works by Leonard Cohen, Mountain Man, Veljo Tormis, Florence & the Machine, Cat Stevens, Fleet Foxes and Einojuhani Rautavaara to name a few. The Julians will be joined by violinist Chris Fotinakis and pianist Anita Lundgren. Many StSt folk will remember Mel Downie, a soprano in the group, who has filled in with the StSt Choir on several occasions. Next Sunday, May 15, at 3 pm. $10 suggested donation as you are able. Refreshments will follow.
Also, “Yamato Dawn,” featuring Peter Zisa and friends will perform a benefit concert for disaster relief in Japan on May 22 at 3 pm at First Christian Church, located at SW Park and Columbia.
As Gary from ONW suggests this week, let’s “carry a certain attitude in our service.”
See you at StSt,
Paul
Minister for Outreach
We are pleased to have 3 new volunteers at St. Stephen’s (StSt) Table: Jeremy Chase on Tuesdays; and Liz McCoy and Colby Aley on Saturdays. Colby is also volunteering to design a webpage for http://www.stst.org/ about our feeding program.
How did they find out about us? Jeremy got invited by one of our Tuesday Chili guests to join him at the Table for lunch. Liz read a posting from Jean Fleming’s Facebook page. (Thanks, Jean!) And Colby, like our own Robbie Ashenberner, was looking for a community service project for school. (Robbie’s still serving 10 years later!)
Welcome, Jeremy, Liz and Colby. Thanks for helping us set a Table where everyone is valued and fed!
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues with a discussion of Marcus Borg’s new book, Speaking Christian.
Fr. Dennis is our preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist. The choir returns at 10am after a post-Easter break.
At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. The message is that we are all welcome at the Table. Clipboards with a special bulletin for the children are at the back of the church.
Fr. Dennis and Paul out of the office
Wednesday-Friday, Fr. Dennis is at Diocesan Vocations Conference, where he is Chair of the Commission on Ministry. The Commission is interviewing 7 aspirants (including our own Marcos Domingues) who are discerning a call to Holy Orders in The Episcopal Church.
Thursday & Friday, Paul is representing StSt Table at the Oregon Food Bank all-agencies conference. Friday night and Saturday, he will be in Seattle for a “Companioning Training” workshop led by Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, founder of The Mental Health Chaplaincy and author of Souls in the Hands of a Tender God. Craig has invited Paul to spend Saturday afternoon with him reaching out to those on the streets of Seattle and discussing how The Chaplaincy might be adapted for our “companioning” presence at StSt Table.
Fr. Dennis and Paul ask your prayers for wisdom, insight, and inspiration. They look forward to sharing their experiences with you on Sunday during announcements. There are good things happening at StSt!
An excerpt from ONW’s Gary Davis
Rev Gary Davis, who heads Operation Nightwatch (ONW), wrote a moving mediation for their newsletter. He reflects on Jesus’ parable where the people ask at the end of time when it was that they had seen Jesus thirsty or hungry or naked and cared for him; and the answer comes, “When you did it for the least of these, you did it to me.” Gary writes:
“This parable is not just a call to serve. It is a call to carry a certain attitude in our service. For if it is true that in every needy individual we meet God incarnates himself to us anew, then how can we reach out to the individual without the greatest humility, care, and respect? How can we possibly be condescending, patronizing, or judgmental? How can we help without wanting to know that individual as he really is? Because if that truly is God coming to us in the tattered clothing with the bedroll on his back, we’re not the ones doing him the favor in the encounter—God’s doing us the favor by allowing us to meet him once again in this time and in this place.” [Bold added for emphasis.] To read more from ONW, see their newsletter at http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/371712/6c3b17ec33/1666000281/83e4ef520b/.
Remember our ONW Saturday is May 14
Every 2nd Saturday, 6:30pm-11:30pm, StSt serves as the hosts for Operation Nightwatch in the parish hall. For more details or to volunteer, email Paul at Outreach@stst.org.
Matt invites us to Sunday, May 15, 3pm Concert
Director on Music Matt Smith asks us all to make a special effort next Sunday to come and provide a great audience for the final concert in our 2010-2011 StSt series. “The Julians,” Portland's genre-defying lady vocal quartet, perform Melodies & Desires.” This program runs the indie/pop/classical/jazz gamut with works by Leonard Cohen, Mountain Man, Veljo Tormis, Florence & the Machine, Cat Stevens, Fleet Foxes and Einojuhani Rautavaara to name a few. The Julians will be joined by violinist Chris Fotinakis and pianist Anita Lundgren. Many StSt folk will remember Mel Downie, a soprano in the group, who has filled in with the StSt Choir on several occasions. Next Sunday, May 15, at 3 pm. $10 suggested donation as you are able. Refreshments will follow.
Also, “Yamato Dawn,” featuring Peter Zisa and friends will perform a benefit concert for disaster relief in Japan on May 22 at 3 pm at First Christian Church, located at SW Park and Columbia.
As Gary from ONW suggests this week, let’s “carry a certain attitude in our service.”
See you at StSt,
Paul
Minister for Outreach
Thursday, April 14, 2011
This week at St. Stephen's
Members & Friends,
As we begin Holy Week this Sunday, Fr. Dennis hopes we will all mark our calendars not only to attend services on Palm and Easter Sundays but also those of the Holy Triduum (April 21-23). These 3 services are the ancient high holy days that remember the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry and deepen our experience of Easter:
Maundy Thursday (the night of the Last Supper),
Good Friday (the day of the crucifixion),
Holy Saturday (the day Jesus lay in the tomb).
Here’s what’s happening this week.
2 Farewells, 1 Welcome Back, and 1 Welcome Aboard
This Sunday during 10 a.m. Eucharist we bid farewell to Ed Garren and our Soprano Section Leader, Esther Mae Jones. Our e-blast of 3/31 listed many of Ed’s contributions. For the past five years, Esther has served faithfully in the choir and enhanced the music with her pure, shimmering voice. Esther is moving on to give her full attention to her school program to become a dietician, and to her new position with the Legacy hospital system. We offer Esther our deepest gratitude for her contributions and wish her well!
This Sunday we welcome back David Henderson whose new job takes him to Seattle. David will offer this week’s healing prayers and anointing of oil during Communion. Welcome home, David!
We are pleased to announce that Joshua “Brother Gregory” Kingsley has been selected as St. Stephen’s (StSt) first Artist in Residence (AIR). “Br. Gregory” is Joshua’s given name in the Companions of St Luke Benedictine Order of which he is a member. Br. Gregory is the artistic director of Portland Chamber Music, a 501c3 non-profit corporation that seeks to make art music accessible to all people through performance and education. He is a student at PSU earning a master’s degree in clarinet performance. Look for more special music at StSt from our AIR. Congratulations and Welcome Aboard, Gregory!
This (Palm) Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry concludes its discussion of Paul's Letter to the Romans. The group does not meet on Easter.
Both 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist begin in the parish hall with a Blessing of the Palms by Fr. Dennis, followed by a procession to the chapel (745) or church (10). At the time for the Gospel lesson, the Passion Narrative will be read (at 7:45) by Mic Fleming, Joyce Lew, Sabin Belknap, Paul and Fr. Dennis, and the congregation; and (at 10) by Br. Gregory & Macie Kingsley, Melissa Arnold, David Henderson, Shirley Kloss, Mic Fleming, Paul and Fr. Dennis, and the congregation.
Fr. Dale Carr is our preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist. At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. That message is that we are all welcome and fed at the Table of the Lord.
Following 10 a.m. Eucharist, Vestry holds its regular monthly meeting in the library.
On the Rota
This week’s worship rotation (745 and 10am) is:
1st Lesson: Mic Fleming and Tom Walker;
Epistle Lesson: Jean Fleming and Sam Ganczaruk;
Intercessory Prayer: Sabin Belknap and David Henderson;
Servers: David Henderson and Melissa Arnold;
10am Sub-Deacon: Bobby Berstler;
10am Healing Prayers: David Henderson;
10am Greeters: Bill Kerr and George Neavoll.
If you’re on the Rota and cannot be here Sunday, please contact us Friday in the parish office.
The Triduum
April 21, Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m. Eucharist includes a foot washing ceremony and stripping of the altar. Br. Gregory’s sermon will invite us to participate in the humbling service of giving and receiving the washing of feet.
During our Maundy Thursday service, Journey Koinonia Catholic Community celebrates a Seder Meal in the parish hall. Journey Catholic worships at StSt every Sunday at 6 p.m. Operation Nightwatch (ONW) will offer outdoor hospitality on the Clay St. sidewalk using their Mobile Unit (motor home). You can help ONW by volunteering to park your car on Clay & 13th to reserve the space for the motor home at 6:45 p.m. Contact Paul at Outreach@stst.org for details.
April 22, Good Friday, 12 p.m. Prayer Service is held in the chapel; and 7 p.m. Taize Service in the church held with Journey Koinonia Community.
April 21, Holy Saturday, 7-9:30 p.m. Easter Vigil begins in darkness and is lit by the new fire and lighting of the Paschal candle, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world and Christ’s living presence with us. The oldest known prayer of the Church, the “Exsultet” dating back to the 1st century, is chanted by Paul. The service is filled with readings and special music, a renewal of our baptismal vows, an Easter sermon by Paul, and our first Easter Eucharist of the season.
On Easter Sunday, our celebration of the resurrection continues with 7:45 & 10 a.m, Eucharist. Fr. Dennis is our preacher. Paul is working with a parents’ group to have Easter activities for the children, including an Egg Hunt!
This Saturday, April 17, is a full house!
At 7:30 a.m., we open the doors for another StSt Table Saturday Breakfast in the parish hall. Coffee and conversation is available until breakfast is served at 9 a.m. To volunteer to help us serve or offer a friendly ear of companionship to a guest at our Table, contact Paul at Outreach@stst.org.
At 8 a.m., the Brazilian Consulate will be in the chapel to meet expatriates from Brazil who need to communicate with the Brazilian government regarding issues like Visas. When StSt Table concludes, the Consulate will move into the parish hall until 5 p.m. (The Consulate is also in the hall this Friday, 8am-5pm.)
At 9 a.m., Mary Lynn Parodi and her music students will be rehearsing in the church until 1 p.m. for a concert at StSt on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. We are very please Ms. Parody has chosen StSt as the site for this concert where 120 parents and students are expected to attend.
At 10 a.m., Bobby Berstler and those helping to set up for palms for Sunday meet in the Handel Room. After 1 p.m., the group can move to the church.
In the afternoon, Br. Gregory is meeting in the church with newcomers Jenny Wang and her sons, Otto and Maddock, to be our Palm Sunday torch bearers. Welcome, Jenny, Otto and Maddock!
Paul will be at StSt on Saturday to help ensure every group feels welcome in our busy space! If you’d like to help extend the hospitality, contact him at Outreach@stst.org.
This Wednesday, April 20, 2pm
Operation Nightwatch (ONW) invites those who are available to join them in remembering those who died experiencing homelessness on the streets of Portland this past year. ONW Chaplain, Rev. Roger Fuchs, leads the service at The Downtown Chapel (601 W. Burnside) at 2pm. Email Paul if you’d like to be part of a StSt group to show our support.
Let us all work to have a blessed and meaningful Holy Week.
As we begin Holy Week this Sunday, Fr. Dennis hopes we will all mark our calendars not only to attend services on Palm and Easter Sundays but also those of the Holy Triduum (April 21-23). These 3 services are the ancient high holy days that remember the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry and deepen our experience of Easter:
Maundy Thursday (the night of the Last Supper),
Good Friday (the day of the crucifixion),
Holy Saturday (the day Jesus lay in the tomb).
Here’s what’s happening this week.
2 Farewells, 1 Welcome Back, and 1 Welcome Aboard
This Sunday during 10 a.m. Eucharist we bid farewell to Ed Garren and our Soprano Section Leader, Esther Mae Jones. Our e-blast of 3/31 listed many of Ed’s contributions. For the past five years, Esther has served faithfully in the choir and enhanced the music with her pure, shimmering voice. Esther is moving on to give her full attention to her school program to become a dietician, and to her new position with the Legacy hospital system. We offer Esther our deepest gratitude for her contributions and wish her well!
This Sunday we welcome back David Henderson whose new job takes him to Seattle. David will offer this week’s healing prayers and anointing of oil during Communion. Welcome home, David!
We are pleased to announce that Joshua “Brother Gregory” Kingsley has been selected as St. Stephen’s (StSt) first Artist in Residence (AIR). “Br. Gregory” is Joshua’s given name in the Companions of St Luke Benedictine Order of which he is a member. Br. Gregory is the artistic director of Portland Chamber Music, a 501c3 non-profit corporation that seeks to make art music accessible to all people through performance and education. He is a student at PSU earning a master’s degree in clarinet performance. Look for more special music at StSt from our AIR. Congratulations and Welcome Aboard, Gregory!
This (Palm) Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry concludes its discussion of Paul's Letter to the Romans. The group does not meet on Easter.
Both 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist begin in the parish hall with a Blessing of the Palms by Fr. Dennis, followed by a procession to the chapel (745) or church (10). At the time for the Gospel lesson, the Passion Narrative will be read (at 7:45) by Mic Fleming, Joyce Lew, Sabin Belknap, Paul and Fr. Dennis, and the congregation; and (at 10) by Br. Gregory & Macie Kingsley, Melissa Arnold, David Henderson, Shirley Kloss, Mic Fleming, Paul and Fr. Dennis, and the congregation.
Fr. Dale Carr is our preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist. At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. That message is that we are all welcome and fed at the Table of the Lord.
Following 10 a.m. Eucharist, Vestry holds its regular monthly meeting in the library.
On the Rota
This week’s worship rotation (745 and 10am) is:
1st Lesson: Mic Fleming and Tom Walker;
Epistle Lesson: Jean Fleming and Sam Ganczaruk;
Intercessory Prayer: Sabin Belknap and David Henderson;
Servers: David Henderson and Melissa Arnold;
10am Sub-Deacon: Bobby Berstler;
10am Healing Prayers: David Henderson;
10am Greeters: Bill Kerr and George Neavoll.
If you’re on the Rota and cannot be here Sunday, please contact us Friday in the parish office.
The Triduum
April 21, Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m. Eucharist includes a foot washing ceremony and stripping of the altar. Br. Gregory’s sermon will invite us to participate in the humbling service of giving and receiving the washing of feet.
During our Maundy Thursday service, Journey Koinonia Catholic Community celebrates a Seder Meal in the parish hall. Journey Catholic worships at StSt every Sunday at 6 p.m. Operation Nightwatch (ONW) will offer outdoor hospitality on the Clay St. sidewalk using their Mobile Unit (motor home). You can help ONW by volunteering to park your car on Clay & 13th to reserve the space for the motor home at 6:45 p.m. Contact Paul at Outreach@stst.org for details.
April 22, Good Friday, 12 p.m. Prayer Service is held in the chapel; and 7 p.m. Taize Service in the church held with Journey Koinonia Community.
April 21, Holy Saturday, 7-9:30 p.m. Easter Vigil begins in darkness and is lit by the new fire and lighting of the Paschal candle, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world and Christ’s living presence with us. The oldest known prayer of the Church, the “Exsultet” dating back to the 1st century, is chanted by Paul. The service is filled with readings and special music, a renewal of our baptismal vows, an Easter sermon by Paul, and our first Easter Eucharist of the season.
On Easter Sunday, our celebration of the resurrection continues with 7:45 & 10 a.m, Eucharist. Fr. Dennis is our preacher. Paul is working with a parents’ group to have Easter activities for the children, including an Egg Hunt!
This Saturday, April 17, is a full house!
At 7:30 a.m., we open the doors for another StSt Table Saturday Breakfast in the parish hall. Coffee and conversation is available until breakfast is served at 9 a.m. To volunteer to help us serve or offer a friendly ear of companionship to a guest at our Table, contact Paul at Outreach@stst.org.
At 8 a.m., the Brazilian Consulate will be in the chapel to meet expatriates from Brazil who need to communicate with the Brazilian government regarding issues like Visas. When StSt Table concludes, the Consulate will move into the parish hall until 5 p.m. (The Consulate is also in the hall this Friday, 8am-5pm.)
At 9 a.m., Mary Lynn Parodi and her music students will be rehearsing in the church until 1 p.m. for a concert at StSt on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. We are very please Ms. Parody has chosen StSt as the site for this concert where 120 parents and students are expected to attend.
At 10 a.m., Bobby Berstler and those helping to set up for palms for Sunday meet in the Handel Room. After 1 p.m., the group can move to the church.
In the afternoon, Br. Gregory is meeting in the church with newcomers Jenny Wang and her sons, Otto and Maddock, to be our Palm Sunday torch bearers. Welcome, Jenny, Otto and Maddock!
Paul will be at StSt on Saturday to help ensure every group feels welcome in our busy space! If you’d like to help extend the hospitality, contact him at Outreach@stst.org.
This Wednesday, April 20, 2pm
Operation Nightwatch (ONW) invites those who are available to join them in remembering those who died experiencing homelessness on the streets of Portland this past year. ONW Chaplain, Rev. Roger Fuchs, leads the service at The Downtown Chapel (601 W. Burnside) at 2pm. Email Paul if you’d like to be part of a StSt group to show our support.
Let us all work to have a blessed and meaningful Holy Week.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
This Week at St Stephen's
Thank You’s
Larry Bishop is helping us get our St Stephen’s (StSt) Table food supplies better organized in the Handel Room, with shelves he’s moved from the basement. If you see Larry at Tuesday Chili or Saturday Breakfast, you might take a look and add your word of thanks. Thanks also go to Mary Komachi for organizing! A word to Matt and the Choir, please be kind about the “work in process” state of your part of the shared space. Thanks!
A big Thank You goes to Roberta Taussig for her keen eye this week placing our order at the Food Bank for StSt Table. Roberta found a case of eggs for Sat. Breakfast – that’s a case, not a dozen – for $1.25, and 31 lbs of chicken for Saturday lunch for less than $3. Wow, $4.25! Thanks, Roberta.
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues its discussion of Paul's Letter to the Romans, led by Mic & Jean Fleming.
Cynthia Reynolds is our invited preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist.
Cynthia is a member of our Communion in the Park (CiP) board and active participant in the leadership of our weekly non-denominational outdoor service at 1pm for the un-housed and housed together. Cynthia posts CiP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=157994437554080. She is considering a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.
At St Stephen’s, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. That message is that we are all welcome and fed at God's Table.
On the Rota
The “Rota” is our Episcopal word for the “rotation” or schedule of who’s serving where and when.
This week’s worship Rota (745 and 10am) is:
Larry Bishop is helping us get our St Stephen’s (StSt) Table food supplies better organized in the Handel Room, with shelves he’s moved from the basement. If you see Larry at Tuesday Chili or Saturday Breakfast, you might take a look and add your word of thanks. Thanks also go to Mary Komachi for organizing! A word to Matt and the Choir, please be kind about the “work in process” state of your part of the shared space. Thanks!
A big Thank You goes to Roberta Taussig for her keen eye this week placing our order at the Food Bank for StSt Table. Roberta found a case of eggs for Sat. Breakfast – that’s a case, not a dozen – for $1.25, and 31 lbs of chicken for Saturday lunch for less than $3. Wow, $4.25! Thanks, Roberta.
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues its discussion of Paul's Letter to the Romans, led by Mic & Jean Fleming.
Cynthia Reynolds is our invited preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist.
Cynthia is a member of our Communion in the Park (CiP) board and active participant in the leadership of our weekly non-denominational outdoor service at 1pm for the un-housed and housed together. Cynthia posts CiP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=157994437554080. She is considering a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.
At St Stephen’s, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. That message is that we are all welcome and fed at God's Table.
On the Rota
The “Rota” is our Episcopal word for the “rotation” or schedule of who’s serving where and when.
This week’s worship Rota (745 and 10am) is:
- 1st Lesson: Mic Fleming and Laura Watkins;
- Epistle Lesson: Jean Fleming and Dick Emlaw;
- Intercessory Prayer: Joyce Lew and Darragh Lalich;
- Servers: Bobby Berstler and Mike Zula;
- 10am Sub-Deacon: Marcos Domingues;
- 10am Healing Prayers: Fr. Dale Carr
- 10am Greeters: Molly & Tom Bartlett
If you’re on the Rota and can’t be here Sunday, please contact us Friday in the parish office.
This Saturday, StSt Table and ONW
At 7:30am, Alexeisia Castalano and his crew from A+G Artistry Development (formerly UPIA) return to serve another wonderful Saturday Breakfast AND special lunch at 2pm. Doors open at 7:30am for coffee and cereal. Eggs served at 9am; Fried chicken at 2. Regular StSt Table volunteers are asked to come help serve and greet folks in the hall at both meals. Foot care is provided by Operation Nightwatch (ONW) at 10am, and ONW volunteers will be here to continue painting the hall in the afternoon.
For a video of Alexeisia speaking from his office about Saturday and his company’s other upcoming events, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPXZ70RZSwE&feature=related. A+G Artistry is on the web at http://www.angartistrydevelopment.com/.
At 6:30pm, remember 2nd Saturdays are also our night to be the volunteer hosts at Operation Nightwatch. We offer the hospitality of hot coffee, sandwiches, and conversation along with blankets and clothes as needed. Those currently signed up are: Joshua “Br. Gregory” & Macy Kingsley; Dan & Marcos German-Domingues; and Molly & Tom Bartlett. We need extra volunteers who can come at 6:30 and plan to not see Br. Gregory’s concert at 7pm in the church. Email Paul at Outreach@stst,.org for more details.
This Saturday, Portland Chamber Music, 7-8pm
Come support our own Br. Gregory and his Portland Chamber Music group. The free concert features music for clarinet, cello, and piano by Faure, Beethoven, Poulenc, Guns and Roses, the Beatles, and many more. PCM will invite guest from ONW to come join us as well. PCM’s mission is “to make economically feasible, mentally ingestible, local art music available throughout Portland.” Freewill donations accepted at the concert.
Next Wednesday @ 7pm
2011 LENTEN SUPPERS AND POETRY REFLECTIONS: “I’ve Got a Feeling in my Heart."
St. Stephen’s second annual Lenten Supper and Poetry Reflection Group concludes April 13. A light supper and fellowship begin at 6:30 in the Sanctuary with the discussion starting 7-9 p.m. Email Ken Ballard at quietwriter@clear.net or call him at 503-889-8549 for more details. All are welcome to come to this last session.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Holy Week Services
Sunday of the Passion - April 17
Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am and 10:00 am
The Great Three Days (Triduum) begin Maundy Thursday and conclude with the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. These are the ancient high holy days of Christians through the ages.
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Holy Eucharist with foot washing and stripping of altar at 7:00 pm
Good Friday – April 22
Liturgy of Good Friday at noon
Taizé service with Journey Koinonia Catholic at 7:00 pm
Easter Vigil – April 23
The first service of Easter begins at 7 pm in darkness and is illumined by the kindling of the new fire and the lighting of the Paschal candle. After the Easter proclamation (the Exsultet) is chanted, we read the ancient stories and prophecies of our forebears. We renew our baptismal vows, and celebrate our first Easter Eucharist.
Easter Day – April 24
The celebration continues with Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am and 10:00 am
Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am and 10:00 am
The Great Three Days (Triduum) begin Maundy Thursday and conclude with the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. These are the ancient high holy days of Christians through the ages.
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Holy Eucharist with foot washing and stripping of altar at 7:00 pm
Good Friday – April 22
Liturgy of Good Friday at noon
Taizé service with Journey Koinonia Catholic at 7:00 pm
Easter Vigil – April 23
The first service of Easter begins at 7 pm in darkness and is illumined by the kindling of the new fire and the lighting of the Paschal candle. After the Easter proclamation (the Exsultet) is chanted, we read the ancient stories and prophecies of our forebears. We renew our baptismal vows, and celebrate our first Easter Eucharist.
Easter Day – April 24
The celebration continues with Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am and 10:00 am
Week of April 1 at St Stephen's
Members & Friends,
Thank You’s
Ed Garren is moving to LA in April. While at St. Stephen’s, Ed upgraded the lights in the Parish Hall as a gift; sang solos for worship; organized the 10 a.m. coffee hour; made recommendations for refurbishing the church with paint and lighting proposals; put our parish phone system online, giving us much more flexible service and lower costs; gave us one of our parish photographers; and is responsible for the phenomenal TV coverage St. Stephen’s got for our first bike blessing and pet blessing services. Thanks, Ed!
Thanks also to Gillian Smith for all her great work on The Sentinel newsletter for the past few years. Thanks, Gillian!
Next Saturday, April 9
Remember 2nd Saturdays are our night to be the volunteer hosts at Operation Nightwatch. Email Paul at Outreach@stst,.org to volunteer.
Wednesdays @ 7pm
2011 LENTEN SUPPERS AND POETRY REFLECTIONS: “I’ve Got a Feeling in my Heart."
St. Stephen’s second annual Lenten Supper and Poetry Reflection Group continues through April 13. A light supper and fellowship begin at 6:30 in the Sanctuary with the discussion starting 7-9 p.m. Email Ken Ballard at quietwriter@clear.net or call him at 503-889-8549 for more details.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
This Week at St. Stephen's
Have you visited our website recently? The Parish Calendar and 2011 Lenten Lectionary are now available there: http://www.stst.org/. When you look at the calendar, move your cursor over a particular event to get a pop-up box with details.
David Henderson will be preaching at both the 7:45 and 10:00 services this Sunday. As he moves on to his new adventure in Seattle, please wish him the best of everything. David has been a quiet. cheerful and deep force for our little band and will be missed.
Adult Inquiry at 9:00 on Sunday completes the discussion of Bach’s St. John Passion. Last week the topic was John and his book. This week the topic is Bach and his read of it.
The Little Red Tabernacle Wagon aka “Red Tab,” was blessed and made its maiden roll out through the park blocks to Pioneer Square last Sunday. It will be departing from the Peace Chant sculpture every Sunday from now on at completion of the Communion in the Park service which begins at 1:30 pm.
St. Stephen’s drivers made their first official pick-up at the Oregon Food Bank this week. Besides regular staples, the new foragers came back with coconut milk, pomegranate juice and individual yogurt packs.
Thanks to Don Davidson for his yard work on the church perimeter plants. His landscaping included trimming, edging, pruning and general clean-up. Bring on the spring daffodils! Don is a friend of our clergy and offered his advice and work as a gift to the church.
And finally thanks to Faye Tayler for the beautiful design work on our 2011 Parish Directory which is now available at coffee hour. Printing of the booklet was a gift of Martin and Lily Sudarma, owners of the Copyman print shop in our neighborhood at 11th and Jefferson. Please stop in to Copyman for all your printing needs. They are fast, offer competitive prices and are friends of St. Stephen’s.
Hope everyone has a great week! See you in church!
David Henderson will be preaching at both the 7:45 and 10:00 services this Sunday. As he moves on to his new adventure in Seattle, please wish him the best of everything. David has been a quiet. cheerful and deep force for our little band and will be missed.
Adult Inquiry at 9:00 on Sunday completes the discussion of Bach’s St. John Passion. Last week the topic was John and his book. This week the topic is Bach and his read of it.
The Little Red Tabernacle Wagon aka “Red Tab,” was blessed and made its maiden roll out through the park blocks to Pioneer Square last Sunday. It will be departing from the Peace Chant sculpture every Sunday from now on at completion of the Communion in the Park service which begins at 1:30 pm.
St. Stephen’s drivers made their first official pick-up at the Oregon Food Bank this week. Besides regular staples, the new foragers came back with coconut milk, pomegranate juice and individual yogurt packs.
Thanks to Don Davidson for his yard work on the church perimeter plants. His landscaping included trimming, edging, pruning and general clean-up. Bring on the spring daffodils! Don is a friend of our clergy and offered his advice and work as a gift to the church.
And finally thanks to Faye Tayler for the beautiful design work on our 2011 Parish Directory which is now available at coffee hour. Printing of the booklet was a gift of Martin and Lily Sudarma, owners of the Copyman print shop in our neighborhood at 11th and Jefferson. Please stop in to Copyman for all your printing needs. They are fast, offer competitive prices and are friends of St. Stephen’s.
Hope everyone has a great week! See you in church!
Monday, March 14, 2011
An Invitation to a Holy Lent
Lenten Lectionary 2011
It is once again the season for reflection and self-imposed austerity. A making room for God in the midst of lives that seem to hum along quite well without Him. Lent is our chance for the pause, for seeing anew the world and examining our relationship to it in light of God's will. May these reflections provide good company on our journey to Easter morning and the possibilities of resurrection.
It is once again the season for reflection and self-imposed austerity. A making room for God in the midst of lives that seem to hum along quite well without Him. Lent is our chance for the pause, for seeing anew the world and examining our relationship to it in light of God's will. May these reflections provide good company on our journey to Easter morning and the possibilities of resurrection.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Ash Wednesday Services at Noon and 7 pm - March 9
Here’s a brief description from Fr. Dennis about our two services on the first day of Lent:
At Noon, in our Lady Chapel, we will gather to observe the ancient prayer of the Church as she leads us into the observance of holy Lent. Imposition of Ashes will follow the prayers and litanies the Church has prayed for the past centuries as we gather in community to turn our hearts and lives toward a reflection of what our 40-day journey into Lent will offer us in turning and repenting for our re-birth into Easter joy.
At 7pm, we will gather in the Eucharistic celebration to prepare for our entry into the observance of a holy Lent. The central act of our lives in community is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We sing, listen to the words of our holy scriptures, pray for those who need our prayers, confess our sins and receive absolution; greet each other in the peace of God and surround the holy table where we re-enact the supper that Jesus shared with his friends on the night he was turned over to suffering and death. We receive in that meal the sustenance that will nourish us through these 40 days of journey with the One who showed us the way through death into new life. We will bear the sign (in ash) of the Cross he carried for our liberation and re-birth into Easter joy.
At Noon, in our Lady Chapel, we will gather to observe the ancient prayer of the Church as she leads us into the observance of holy Lent. Imposition of Ashes will follow the prayers and litanies the Church has prayed for the past centuries as we gather in community to turn our hearts and lives toward a reflection of what our 40-day journey into Lent will offer us in turning and repenting for our re-birth into Easter joy.
At 7pm, we will gather in the Eucharistic celebration to prepare for our entry into the observance of a holy Lent. The central act of our lives in community is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We sing, listen to the words of our holy scriptures, pray for those who need our prayers, confess our sins and receive absolution; greet each other in the peace of God and surround the holy table where we re-enact the supper that Jesus shared with his friends on the night he was turned over to suffering and death. We receive in that meal the sustenance that will nourish us through these 40 days of journey with the One who showed us the way through death into new life. We will bear the sign (in ash) of the Cross he carried for our liberation and re-birth into Easter joy.
Lenten Suppers and Poetry Readings
St. Stephen’s second annual Lenten Supper and Poetry Reflection Group will be on five Wednesdays, March 16 through April 13. The group promises to be, if not a knee slapping rollick, both enjoyable and unsettling as we grapple with the most important issues of living and dying through reflecting on a wide variety of poems and song lyrics. Please join us, on any or all of the Wednesdays. A light supper and fellowship beginning at 6:30 pm in the church with the discussion starting around 7:00 and ending by 9pm.We will provide each participant a small book with the twenty or so poems that will be covered during the five weeks.. Please RSVP by March 13 if you can, by emailing Ken Ballard at quietwriter@clear.net or calling him at 503-889-8549. Or by talking to Ken or Fr. Dale after church.
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