My Friends at St. Stephen’s,
As we near the joyous celebration of the birth of Jesus and prepare to celebrate all that that birth means to us, we also find ourselves looking forward to the new year of 2024.
It has been an exciting year at St.
Stephen’s. We began (and just recently, with great joy finished) our sacristy
renovation. As with any building
project, there were frustrations, delays and a battle with impatience. But,
here we are! And the church building has never looked more beautiful! St.
Stephen’s is truly a place which reflects the fact that all we do begins from
the center point of our parish—our altar. We also made a major commitment to
Creation Care and Eco Justice this year with the establishment of the “Green
Team,” a committee dedicated to helping St. Stephen’s become an ecologically
sound place, and a witness to the larger community of the we all should be
striving to do. Also, almost every Sunday we have visitors and potential new
members in our pews. Our church continues to be a holy and welcoming place to
people who need a place wherein they feel welcomed and accepted.
As we look forward to 2024, we do so
anticipating a personal dream I have hoped for St. Stephen’s since I became
priest here: the establishment of an Endowment Fund! This Fund will help us to
continue to be the place we are for future generations. More information on
this will be forthcoming in 2024. Let’s
face it: the dust never settles at St. Stephen’s!
Serving as St. Stephen’s continues to
be truly one of the most fulfilling experiences of my priestly life. Our life
together of ministry, worship, music and outreach has been a source of great
personal joy for me and has helped me to see how gracious God is in showering
blessings upon faithful, committed people who truly do seek after God.
As we move forward together into this
future full of hope and potential growth, I ask for your continued prayers for
St. Stephen’s and your continued presence on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights
and whenever else we gather together to worship and to do ministry. Please know
that I pray, as always, for each of you individually by name over the course of
each week in my daily observance of the Daily Office (Morning and Evening celebration
of the Mass. Above all, know that I give God thanks every day for the opportunity
to serve such a wonderful, caring and loving congregation of people who are
committed to growth and radical hospitality.
My sincerest blessings to you and to
all those you love during this season of joy, hope and love.
PEACE always,
Advent- Christmas, 2023
at St. Stephen’s
Sunday
December 24 4 Advent + 11:00 am Holy
Eucharist
Christmas
Eve 7:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Monday
December 25 – Nativity of Our Lord + 10:00 am
Holy Eucharist
Wednesday
December 27 –St. Stephen (transferred) 6:00 pm – Holy
Eucharist
Sunday
December 31 –1 Christmas 11:00 am – Holy
Eucharist
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