The Saga July, 2016 St. Stephen s Episcopal Church 5019 Sam Houston Avenue Huntsville, TX 77340 The Anglican presence in Walker County
A Note from Kellaura To care for another (person, animal, forest, [church], river) appropriately one must learn what they need to flourish. Sallie McFague I ve had this quote taped up over my desk all month. I guess I m trying to remind myself that the chief work of caring for St Stephen s is learning about St. Stephen s. Sure, I know all about best practices and strategies by which churches survive. But survival seems a pretty low benchmark for the vibrant, loving community of Christians that we have here at St Stephen s. I think we should aim to flourish; to grow in all the directions that God is coaxing us, to promote health in our ministries, and to experience joy abounding in our life together. That s a pretty big goal so I m taking this learning process seriously. I am here to care for you as your pastor and in order to do that well, I first need to learn what this church needs to flourish. So don t be shy about teaching me. Ask yourself: What does St Stephen s need to flourish? Where is St. Stephen s already flourishing? What do you need to learn to be a better caregiver in your own life? What do you need to flourish? There will be a healing service at the first noonday Eucharist of the month. At this service Kellaura will anoint anyone desiring healing with oil. The first healing service is scheduled for August 3rd. SAVE THE DATE The Celebration of New Ministry for Rev. Kellaura Johnson as rector at St. Stephen s will be held at on Thursday, August 25th. The Right Reverend Andrew Doyle, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, will conduct this service, with a reception to follow. Please mark the date on your calendar! Healing Service Yours in Christ, Kellaura PS If you'd like to read more from Sallie McFague, this quote is from her book Super, Natural Christians -- it is a good read TREASURER'S TIDBITS Summer Salutations! You should receive your accounting of January to June 2016 contributions by the end of the month. If you do not receive it, or if you have any questions about your statement, please contact us. Loose plate offerings on July 10 are for the Rector s Discretionary Fund and on July 17, they support Episcopal Relief & Development. As
wellness program Regular blood pressure screening continues! The next blood pressure screening will be on Sunday, July 10th. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity. Vacation Bible School Mark your calendars for a VBS meeting to be held after the 9:30 service on July 10th. We have lots of ideas to tweak and decisions to make. Note that our VBS will be held August 8-11 from 5:30 pm-8:00 pm, and we will serve a light supper. Start rounding up your friends, relatives, and neighborhood kids now! Give Blood, the Gift of Life The monthly community blood drive is the 2 nd Saturday of every month at Gibbs Elementary on 19 th Street. The next opportunity to give blood is on Saturday, July 9th. All are welcome this is a great way to support your fellow man/woman/child! Please contact Margaret Ferguson if you have questions. CELEBRATION SERVICE Celebration Service will be taking a vacation for July and will return on August 19th at 6:30 at the Rectory, 235 Royal Oaks. Please make plans to be there in August! SIGN UP FOR NURSERY HELPERS With the requirements for Protecting God s Children we need to have an additional adult in the Nursery during the 10:30 service. Please see the sign up sheet and share your time with our precious children! COMBINED CONTINUE IN JULY Sunday service time at 9:30 continues in July through the end of August. We will return to the 8:30 and 10:30 services on Sunday, August 28th. This has been a good opportunity to get to know both parts of the St. Stephen s community with combined services for the summer.
Community of Hope If you are interested in becoming involved in pastoral care through the Community of Hope, contact Carrie Watson at hillcountrycarrie@gmail.com. THE BROTHERHOOD OF SAINT ANDREW This regular monthly meetings will be held on July 2nd and 16th at 9:00 AM in the Parish Hall. The Brotherhood is currently watching a series on the Ten Commandments as taught by Joan Chittister. On July 30th at 9:00 the Brotherhood gathers at the Golden Corral for food and fellowship. All men are welcome! ESC News Daughters of the King The next Daughters of the King meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 7th, in the Parish Hall. Restructuring our program is a work in progress this summer! Revisions are coming soon! Fall 2016 ESC Open House is planned for Sunday, August 21, from 5:30-8:00 PM. Special foods and events are included. Everyone is invited! Mark your calendar. Thanks to Katie Wright and our summer student crew, Shelby, Lizzie, and James! Our program is visible at Passport to Sam. We now have a number of incoming students signed up to join us when the fall session begins! There will be a training class in the fall for new Daughters. Please contact Dottie Fulton at dottiefulton45@icloud.com. regarding training for Daughters of the King. Food Basket for Good Shepherd Mission Please remember to bring canned goods and food staples to the basket in the narthex for the Good Shepherd Mission. Thanks! St. Stephen s Episcopal Church Website: www.ststephens1.org 936-295-7226 Email: ststephensep@sbcglobal.net 5019 Sam Houston Ave. P.O. Box 388 Huntsville, TX 77340 Huntsville, TX 77342
July 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY June 26 9:30 Rite I Eucharist June 27 June 28 June 29 June 30 July 1 July 2 9:00 AM Brotherhood of St. Andrew July 3 9:30 Rite II Eucharist July 4 July 5 July 6 No Bible July 7 6:00 PM Daughters of the King July 8 July 9 Blood Drive July 10 July 11 July 12 July 13 July 14 July 15 July 16 9:30 Rite I Eucharist VBS Planning Meeting Wellness Screening 9:00 AM Brotherhood of St. Andrew July 17 July 18 July 19 July 20 July 21 July 22 July 23 9:30 Rite II Eucharist July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 9:30 Rite I Eucharist 9:00 AM Brotherhood of St. Andrew July 31 9:30 Rite II Eucharist
Sunday Service Acolytes Altar Guild Counters LEM 9:30 Greeters 9:30 Greeters 9:30 Vestry Person Of the Day July 3 Helen Crosby Drema Kabosius Katie Wright Joy Francis Phil Swicegood Chase Blosser Gladys Awode Jeanine Jacoby Jean Bawden Kathleen Becker Connie Parker July 10 Susan Parker Terry Stivers Jeannine Jacoby Steve Cook Helen Faraar Mike Gary Irene D Veney Sarah Swicegood Len Breen July 17 Margaret Ferguson Marsha Phillips Helen Farrar Gladys Awode Chris Supan Helen Faraar Chase Blosser Helen Blaylock Millie & Doug Duncan Ed Davis July 24 Linda Gary Bobbie McClintock Dottie Fulton Alison Hall Bob Streeter Nancy Franklin Helen Crosby Stan Fletcher Nancy Franklin Connie Parker July 31 Susan Parker Terry Stivers Mike Gary Linda Badger Tom Parker Pieter & Rhonda Hollaar Nancy Franklin Mike Gary Jeannine Jacoby