The Ambassador. From Fr. Jamie. St. Stephen s Episcopal Church. A vital, eclectic Episcopal congregation committed to the ministry of all the baptized

Transcription

1 The Ambassador September 2016 St. Stephen s Episcopal Church A vital, eclectic Episcopal congregation committed to the ministry of all the baptized From Fr. Jamie Celebrating 60 years of service to God. It was an incredible morning at St. Stephen s yesterday, September 11, as we celebrated our 60th Anniversary of the founding of the congregation. We dedicated the new Mary and Martha window, which was designed by Gin Templeton and made by Michael Orchard and Nick Walberg from Michael Orchard Studio. The house was packed. Children s Chapel was buzzing. Backpacks were blessed. We were grateful to welcome back former Rector, the Rev. Sandi Holmberg, as well as Susan Frear who served as the first female acolyte in the Diocese. We also welcomed ten new members to St. Stephen s today on our second New Member Sunday this year. It was one of those truly amazing Sunday mornings when the Spirit, the music, the liturgy, the people, the potluck, the food and everything else just came together perfectly. I am feeling very grateful today to be serving such an amazing, vibrant and thriving congregation. The entrance to the church was bedecked with balloons, thanks to William Weightman 1

2 Baptism Dayton George LaFountain, son of Kasheena Gunville and Duane LaFountain, was baptized at St. Stephen s on September 3. The Rev. Sandra Holmberg reads the Gospel at the Dedication Sunday Mass Thank you to everyone who made the 60 th anniversary the success it was. Fr. Jamie+ Around St. Stephen s Dedication of the Mary and Martha Window The beautiful new Mary and Martha window in honor of women s ministry at St. Stephen s and in memory of Harriet Blow, was dedicated on Dedication Sunday. Designed by our Gin Templeton and installed by Michael Orchard and Nick Walberg of Michael Orchard Studios in Fargo, it is a gorgeous addition to St. Stephen s. It honors Elthea Thacker, who was the first woman Lay Reader and first woman Senior Warden in the Diocese; Susan Frear, the first woman acolyte; and the Rev. Sandra Holmberg, the first woman priest to be called to be a Rector in the Diocese. Susan Frear and Sandi Holmberg were present for the dedication. William Weightman began Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) the first week of September. He was commissioned by the congregation the previous Sunday, September 4. 2

3 Susan Frear and her mother, Clotine Frear Churches United Fr. Jamie and Pastor Sandi concelebrate the Holy Eucharist Potluck after Mass The Churches United for the Homeless newsletter, Our Community, arrived in mailboxes this past week. Here are some items from their Current Shelter Needs wish list: Children and Infants: wipes, diapers size 4 & 5, formula, and new underwear Adults: shower shoes, new underwear, men s deodorant, razors, family size shampoo and conditioner, and tampons Medical: children s and infant s Tylenol, ibuprofen and vitamins, adult Tylenol, Tums, calamine lotion, antibacterial cream, and nail clippers; Miscellaneous: pillows, towels, water bottles, disinfectant wipes, pots and pans, dishes, luggage, laundry detergent, and new vacuum cleaners Kitchen/Community Shelf foods: coffee, eggs, salad dressing, granola bars, fruit snacks, syrup, canned fruit/veggies, and plastic cups A box will be in the narthex for contributions. Haunted Farm Gwen Hammer, who works at the Haunted Farm south of Moorhead, has graciously announced that her boss is allowing our congregation a free night at the Haunted Farm on Saturday, October 8 th at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Fr. Jamie. Humor is the secular form of grace. Both remind us that we are not God. Susan Ford Wiltshire. 3

4 Thank you Gardeners Many thanks to those who so faithfully tended the gardens at St. Stephen s this summer. A group of ten individuals pledged time and talent for gardening, and nearly all of those were able to help out in one way or another. Some watered on Wednesdays, Fridays and/or Sundays; others planted, transplanted, weeded, trimmed and kept our gardens - including the Memorial Garden looking spiffy and attractive. We had many compliments from both members of the congregation and from others who visited us on occasions like Sundaes on Sunday or just passed by. We will have some gardening clean-up this fall, putting up the cages around the Memorial Garden plants to keep the rabbits at bay, cutting back some of the perennials and even planting a few additional perennials. Dates for this fall work will be announced as they are available. Meanwhile, many thanks to those who have participated in this ministry of stewardship: Steve Bolduc, Donna Clark, Beth DuFault, Sandy Holbrook, Amy Phillips, Dan Rice, Jan Stewart and Leo Wilking. Welcome to our New Members Bishop Gallagher Visit Confirmation/Reception Sunday, October 16, will be an important day in the life of our parish as we welcome the Rt. Reverend Carol Gallagher, our Bishop, on the occasion of her formal Episcopal Visitation. There will be a potluck following the Mass so that the whole parish can celebrate. An Episcopal Visitation is an opportunity for us to connect with the whole of the Church in the person of our Bishop. It is a chance for us to show our Bishop the vitality of our congregation and share with her news of our common life. An Episcopal Visitation is also an occasion for people to be Confirmed and Received into the Episcopal Church. Confirmation In Confirmation, we publicly reaffirm, in the presence of our local community and the Bishop (whose presence represents that of the whole Church), the promises we made or which our parents made on our behalf at baptism. Reception Those who have been previously confirmed by the laying on of hands of a bishop in another communion of the Church, may be received into the Episcopal Church. If anyone is interested in being confirmed or officially received into the Episcopal Church, please talk to Fr. Jamie so you can fill out a Confirmation/ Reception form. (photo by William Weightman) We welcomed ten new members to St. Stephen s on September 11. They are Bill Ragan; Deanna Berend; Sierra McLawnhorn; Beth, Kelson, Jacob, Madison and Duke Demmons. (Not pictured are Nate and Ken Demmons). 4 From l to r: Fr. Jamie, Gin Templeton, the Reverend Sandi Holmberg, and Susan Frear (photo by William Weightman)

5 St. Stephen s was once again well-represented at Pride this year on August FM Pride 2016 Celebrates Creation FM Pride 2016 was another success in evangelism. On Saturday at Pride in the Park, visitors were invited to make their own necklace or bracelet. While all ages participated, the booth was most frequently visited by boys and girls and their families. One boy mentioned he remembered us from last year as he eagerly sat down to begin. These encounters plant seeds in these young people s hearts and minds to know that they are loved, and to be able to share that message with others throughout their own lives. Special thanks to Steve Bolduc, Amy Phillips, Dan Rice, Scott McLawhorn, William Weightman, and Donna Clark for making this event a success. The Pride Parade on Sunday after church in downtown Fargo was another great witness from our congregation. Using our Noah s Ark float that depicts animals that scientific observation has found to exhibit same sex and transgender behaviors, the St. Stephen s Noah Ark has become a recognizable symbol of FM Pride that many people in the community look forward to seeing again year after year! Walking in the parade was Sierra McLawhorn, Gwen Hamner, William Weightman, Leo Wilking, Camilla Wilson, Steve Bolduc, Sandy Holbrook, Jan Stewart, Amy Phillips, Dan Rice, Gin Templeton (and grandkids), Scott McLawhorn and Jazzy who pulled the float in the van, and Darcy Corbitt whose friends Katrina joined us to proclaim the loving truth and the fullness of creation. God has blessed us all! 4 Classes on Dietrich Bonhoeffer Following our participation in Lent Madness this past spring, we asked people to fill out a survey. They were asked if they wanted to do Lent Madness again next year (they overwhelmingly do) and if they wanted to do a class on Dietrich Bonhoeffer who won this year s Lent Madness Golden Halo. Survey results indicated that people wanted to follow up with a class about Bonhoeffer. In response on the four of the five Sundays in October we will be having a brief lesson on Bonhoeffer s life and work and a discussion of how his life might be related to what we experience as Christians today. The class, led by William Weightman, will follow the Sunday coffee hour; people are encouraged to come to each class, but participants won t be lost if they miss one. Sunday dates and topics: October 2 - Bonhoeffer s childhood, seminary years, and parish work; October 9 -Bonhoeffer s Ecumenical work and the role of the church in peace efforts; October 23 - Bonhoeffer s illegal seminary and the importance of religious community, and October 30 - Bonhoeffer s imprisonment, execution, and the cost of discipleship. (No class on October 16 Bishop Carol Gallagher s visit). Attendees are encouraged (but definitely not required) to read the following book on which the course is based. It has been recognized as the best current authority on Dietrich Bonhoeffer by the top scholars specializing on him and his work: Schlingensiepen, Ferdinand, and Isabel Best. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, : Martyr, Thinker, Man of Resistance. ISBN-13:

6 Schedule of Ministries at St. Stephen s for September - October Schedule September 4 September 11 September 18 September 25 Acolyte Meister Rudnick Anderson Corbitt-Hall Altar Guild Nylander Nylander Hauan Hauan Worship Ldr/EM Anderson Baird Zdenek Holbrook Lector Hauan Hill Holbrook McMullen Usher Nylander McMullen Phillips Wilking Stewart McMullen Rice Wilson Euch. Visitor Corbitt-Hall Holbrook Weightman Zdenek Coffee Pitzel Potluck Rick McMullen Vestry set-up Cleaning Pitzel Pitzel Stewart Stewart Children s Chapel No Chapel Jan Donna Tifanie TENTATIVE Schedule October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23 October 30 Acolyte E. Froiland S. Froiland Holbrook Meister Rudnick Altar Guild Marubbio Marubbio Holbrook Holbrook Phillips Worship Ldr/EM Meister Stewart Weightman Zdenek Wilking Lector Morrissey Meister Nylander Phillips Rice Usher Anderson Baird Clark Marubbio McMullen Pitzel Bolduc Hill Marubbio McMullen Euch. Visitor Anderson Baird Clark Corbitt-Hall Holbrook Coffee Morrissey Nylander Rice Stewart Tackling Cleaning Bolduc Bolduc Clark Clark Holbrook Children s Chapel Jan Donna Tifanie Sue Jan *Communion is available for those who are unable to attend Sunday worship. Please call the church to request communion after the Sunday service. **If you are unavailable to serve on a date when you are assigned, please find a substitute and let James (evensong2@gmail.com) know who the substitute will be as early as possible so he can include the correct names in the bulletins. note: January schedule reflects time/talent pledges made for 2014.