ELECTRONIC EPISTLE ST. STEPHEN EPISCOPAL CHURCH March 2016 Vicar s Letter Greetings to you all in this season of Lent. I am struck by the tension of this Lenten season. The world is unsettled, it is an election year in America, our weather varies from sunshine to storm, and Easter is almost at our doorstep. Yet Lent calls us to pause from the busy-ness of life, at least in daily moments, and reflect on our own life of faith and God's place in that. It would be much easier if we had a 'pause' button to push that could take us momentarily from the rush of the day to a time of quiet reflection. I t may not be happening the way you planned. The phone beckons us, too many emails to read, bills to pay, and commitments to keep. We can create opportunities to pause though. Attend a midweek service, join in the Wednesday morning book study group, pause in your day for a moment, pray your way through the daily news, or take time to visit with a friend. There's more to list of course, and you also have your own ideas. But I encourage you to find a 'pause' button in your regular routine this Lent (it s not too late), so that when you finally get to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord of life, you may rejoice even more. You will have had some moments to reflect on the God of resurrection and renewal who calls us into relationship through love.
DINE OUT FOR SAMARITAN HOUSE TODAY the Chowder Bowl Restaurant in Nye Beach is hosting Dine Out for Samaritan House. You still have time to enjoy dinner there. They will be donating a whopping 50% of the day s proceeds to the homeless family shelter! MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR ANNABELLE TOBEY The memorial service for Annabelle Tobey will be at 1pm on Saturday, March 5, at St. Stephen s. Her family is inviting all to a reception at the Aquarium that same day from 3-4:30pm. Many of us remember Annabelle very fondly; she was a stalwart foundation member of St. Stephen s from the time she and her husband joined this church family in 1978(!) until her health forced her retirement and move from the community at age 95. And who can forget her wonderful banana cake?! We hope you will be able to join in remembering this much-loved loyal St. Stephens family member. SADLY, GOOD BYE Yes, the time we knew was coming has come: Patty Adsit and Margaret Wells are leaving us. Patty will be a soloist at Annabelle s service on March 5 and Margaret may be at church on March 6, but they have officially moved. For the time being Patty will be staying at her daughter s house in the Portland Metro area while seeking suitable living quarters. She may be reached through her daughter s phone number which is available through the office. Margaret will be living in Vernonia and her phone number is 206-579-3181. We are sorry to see them go; they and their ministries with us will be missed. Both sang in the choir and Patty was our Treasurer for many years. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS MARCH 13! BAC NEWS BAC members elected at our annual meeting for the class of 2019 are Ethel Myers and Bill Hoeflin. They join continuing BAC members Lory Bauer, Gloria Ruhnke (who was appointed to fill the term of Rachael Bashor), Kate Sannella and Clay Richman. Clay accepted appointment by Interim Vicar Peter+ Fones as Senior Warden; Gloria Ruhnke has been elected Junior Warden, Bill Hoeflin has been elected Clerk and Allan Preece continues as Treasurer. THE JOURNEY (Adult Education) Do you not know that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessities for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless; and, indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all mankind? How can you, how dare you, defraud the Lord, by applying it to any other purpose? John Wesley The Methodists claim John Wesley. And they should since he was the founder of Methodism. But Episcopalians should claim him, too. Wesley never left the Church of England and was an Anglican priest until the day he died. In the quote above, Wesley follows in the tradition of Jesus as presented in the Gospel According to Luke. That gospel has more emphasis than others on a compassion for the poor (and woe to you who are rich! Luke 6:24) and more emphasis on the economic implications of the gospel. In Luke s version an angel appears to scruffy sheep herders who show up at the nativity, as opposed to well-to-do wise men bringing expensive gifts as found in one of the other gospels. In Luke s gospel a great deal is said about poverty and wealth and he pictures Jesus as a champion of the poor and distressed. Women also play a more prominent role in Luke than in the other gospels in the New Testament. Many of the favorite stories are found only in Luke's gospel such as the Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the Emmaus story.
The Wednesday morning adult education class at St. Stephen's has been on a journey through the gospels. The journey is through both the gospels in the New Testament as well as the non-canonical gospels. (i.e., the gospels that did not make the cut to be in the New Testament). During Lent we are studying the Gospel According to Luke. After Easter the class will study several more of the gospels that are not in the New Testament. Anyone is welcome to attend a lesson. The class meets at 10:30 am on Wednesdays at St. Stephen's and is facilitated by Brent Burford. It is followed by Holy Eucharist at noon but there is no obligation to attend the service if you attend the class. If you have questions about the class, you can contact Brent at brent.burford@gmail.com PALM CROSSES AND FELLOWSHIP Have you ever wondered where we get the palm crosses that are given out on Palm Sunday? While it is possible to buy crosses, we at St. Stephen s and St. Luke s have a tradition of making our own. How? you may ask. You are invited to come and find out. The Altar Guild members at St. Luke s invite anyone interested in making palm crosses to a potluck (at St. Luke s) at noon on Wednesday, March 16, and after eating to make palm crosses. Or if you cannot attend the potluck, to join in the cross making about 12:45-1pm. This is open to anyone interested not just those who serve on Altar Guild and not just women! Besides accomplishing the making of palm crosses it is a great time of fellowship. [Note: it has been taken under advisement, i.e., Peter+ is deciding, whether we will cancel the noon Holy Eucharist at St. Stephen s on that day, in case this is an issue in your decision to participate.] Speaking of Palm crosses reminds us that Holy Week and Easter are not far off. At the last Liturgy Guild meeting the following Holy Week and Easter schedule was planned. Information for both churches is being provided in the event some may want to attend an earlier service. The Great Vigil of Easter is held alternatively between our churches and this year it will be at St. Luke s. HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SCHEDULE St. Stephen s St. Luke s Mar 20 Palm Sunday 11am Holy Eucharist preceded by outside procession, weather permitting 9am Holy Eucharist preceded by outside procession, weather permitting Mar 22 Tue in Holy Week 5:30pm Holy Eucharist Mar 23 Wed in Holy Week Noon Holy Eucharist Mar 24 Maundy Thursday 7pm Holy Eucharist, foot washing, stripping of the altar and beginning of the Watch* 5pm Holy Eucharist, foot washing, stripping of the altar and beginning of the Watch* Mar 25 Good Friday Noon Stations of the Cross 7pm Good Friday Liturgy 5pm Good Friday Liturgy Mar 26 Holy Saturday 8pm the Great Vigil of Easter Mar 27 Easter Day 11am Holy Eucharist 9am Holy Eucharist * So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? (Matthew 26:40b) Sign-up sheets will be available in hourly increments for those who wish to sign up; how long the Watch will continue will depend on the number of people who sign up. PROFILE COMMITTEE Our Profile Committee (Dennis Moler, Mary Leitch and Judy Faucett) is anxiously awaiting return of the surveys that were handed out at the annual meeting. If you were not at the meeting and need a Profile Survey, they may be found on the corner card table. This is the first step in the procedure to seek a new permanent vicar and your responses will determine the profile of our church that will be made available to clergy who may be interested in serving with us. The earlier our profile can be completed, the earlier the remaining steps in our search process can be accomplished.
LINCOLN COUNTY VOLUNTEER FAIR On March 19 Shilo Inn and representatives from local Lincoln County organizations will be cosponsoring a free Volunteer Fair from 10am 3pm at the Shilo Inn, 536 SW Elizabeth Street in Newport. It is being offered as way to find out about volunteer opportunities available in the community to support nonprofit organizations. FRED MEYER COMMUNITY REWARDS Thanks to all who have linked their Fred Meyer Rewards card to the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program. We recently received a check in the amount of $55.89, our share of the fourth quarter Rewards for 2015. Just in case you have not known about or not yet participated in this program: if you link your Rewards card to the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program, St. Stephen s receives a percentage of the annual $2.5 million being awarded per year to nonprofits. So every time you shop and use your Rewards card you are helping St. Stephen s earn a donation. You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points and Rebates. To sign up for the Community Rewards program you can go to www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards and search for St. Stephen s by name or by our nonprofit number of 88372. What a painless act of stewardship! STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION Living is giving. We live life best as we give our strengths, gifts, and competencies in the service of God s mission. [Kennon Callahan (1936 ), author and teacher, congregational development] + + + + + + + Mission Statement of St. Stephen s: Following the teachings of Christ, Love God, Welcome all, Serve the Community MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU AT ST STEPHEN S Our church honors and welcomes lay ministries. Here are some opportunities you may already be doing or for you to consider as ways you can contribute: Join the Read and Feed group (contact Joyce Atchley, 541-265-5222; masterjeans1@charter.net); Maintain neatness and welcoming appearance of Nursery/Sunday School Be a behind the scenes welcomer by keeping visitor cards and sharpened pencils in the pews Serve as a Eucharistic Minister (talk with Peter+) Usher on Sundays Larry and Donna Cox, coordinators (contact them on their cell phones: Donna, 541-992-1148 and Larry, 541-992-2615), or by email: donnacox1@centurytel.net) Teach Sunday school training and materials provided! (contact Joyce Atchley, 541-265-5222; masterjeans1@charter.net) Volunteer for the Christian Connection ministry to provide transportation to church a new coordinator is needed, might that be YOU? Become a member of the Prayer Chain to pray daily for those in need of prayer Work with the Stone Soup Supper team on Monday nights
Join the ministry of the Altar Guild Be a reporter to interview church members to share via the Epistle as well as to update our timeline Sing in the choir during Lent and Advent Maintain the library and determine if new books should be added Bring food on Sundays for Food Share Participate in the Liturgy Guild a shared ministry with members from both St. Stephen s and St. Luke s to plan services for both churches. ST. STEPHEN EPISCOPAL CHURCH, (414 SW 9 th Street; corner of 9 th and Hurbert Streets) PO Box 1014, Newport, OR 97365 541-265-5251 saint.stephens.newport@gmail.com www.centralcoastepiscopal.org SERVICE SCHEDULE Sundays Holy Eucharist 11am Wednesdays Holy Eucharist 12:10pm OFFICE MANAGER, Jan Sedlacek Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 9am-noon (please call to confirm) MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH The people of St. Stephen s Eric Simpson Choir Director and Organist Mary Lee Scoville Organist The Rev. Peter Fones Interim Vicar The Rt. Rev. Michael J. Hanley Bishop of Oregon INTERIM VICAR Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9am noon (other hours by appointment) Phone: 541-510-8901; email: pafones@comcast.net EPISTLE EDITOR Jan Sedlacek (541-270-8430) jaycee.sed@gmail.com) DON T SUFFER IN SILENCE: Please call the church office (541-265-5251) when: * You are ill or a member of your family is in the hospital. * You learn of a death in the church family. KEEP US POSTED: Please call the church office (541-265-5251) when: * Your group plans to meet at the church. * Your address, phone number or email address is changed. * You learn of someone who may be interested in church membership.