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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

E-STAR
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Electronic Newsletter

Mar 11, 2010
admn@ststephenshouston.org
 
in this issue
:: Foyers, Time to sign up
:: Creative Hands Needed
:: Holy Week Schedule
:: Havens Center Auction
:: This Week Calendar
:: Sunday's Lessons
:: Prayer List
:: UTO
:: Lily Donations
:: Leap Forward
:: Organ Recital for Bach
 
From the Rector:Honduran Children
As we move toward Holy Week I am aware that facing death lends a certain courage which we might not have at any other time in our lives.  I went to my friend David Talbert's funeral today.  He is the third priest whose funeral I have attended in the last six months.  David was a friend of our parish and a valiant, yet quiet leader in our diocese.

One of the founders of Integrity in the Diocese of Texas, David was a stalwart advocate for justice and equality.  He certainly left his mark in his funeral as well.  David wrote a special prayer to be added to the prayers of the people at his funeral, thanking God for creating him to be a gay man.  His prayer asked God to enable us to turn those who oppress one another into friends.  It was a loving and lovely gift to the church gathered.

What would contemplating your death give you courage to do now?  Rather than being a morbid exercise, this contemplation can lead us to the truth of our selves, the center of our values.  As you face your cross, what do you have the courage to offer?


Peace,
Lisa

Foyers at St. Stephen's

"Foyers" is the name we use for informal dinner gatherings held monthly. We get the name Foyers from the French word foyer meaning "hearth". The purpose of Foyers is to allow St. Stephen's parishioners to get to know one another and to get to know newcomers in an informal, friendly setting.. Foyers groups are open to the entire community of St. Stephen's.

Foyers dinners are held on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or a weekday evening each month in the homes of volunteer Foyers hosts and occasionally at a convenient restaurant. Groups are kept small with only 8 to 10 in each.

New Foyer groups are formed every year during Lent and the group meets each month for a year until the following Lent when new groups are formed. We recommend that parishioners who have been in Foyers groups for a few years try to sign up for a different day this year to make it more likely that your 2010 group will include different people from your past groups.

If you're interested in joining a 2010-2011 Foyers group, please complete a Foyers sign up sheet (found in the gathering area or the church office) and put it in the Treasurer's mail box in the volunteer office at the church.

Questions or concerns about Foyers may be directed to John Cornwell, Foyers Coordinator at cornwell@rice.edu or 713-828-9881.
 
 
Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday
platedpalm
Please join the St. Stephen's Altar Guild members on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 10 am in the Gathering Area to make palm crosses for Palm Sunday.  If you have ever wondered how those palm crosses that are distributed on Palm Sunday are made, or you just want to hone your skills, or share your skills with others, we welcome you. We typically need 300 crosses, so the more help we have, the fewer each "artist" has to make. No experience, talent or creativity necessary and instructions are provided. If you are able to help or would like additional information, please call Madeline Mauk at (713) 646-1119 (work) or (713) 668-4178 (home) or (713) 443-5395 (cell). We look forward to seeing you there.
 
 
Lenten Program Continues On THursdays
6:30 pm  Dinner and Discussion


Who is the Stranger?

A great group of more than twenty gathered for soup, salad and sharing  on Thursday.  The more the merrier and you are welcome to join us.

March 18, its another Rector's Soup and Salad, as well as great conversation at 6:30 p.m. in the Gathering Area as we consider the stranger among us and hospitality.   Child care is provided.
 

Adult Formation  9:30 am Sunday
Join Us at Chatham Room This Week
 
Examining the ideas and practices  in: Sabbath: Finding Rest,
speeding
Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller, as a way toward inner joy and a more productive life.

Come and join us..  We would like to see you and have your reflections, too.

Rev. Carissa Baldwin, Julia Wolfe and Cal Preece will facilitate a discussion of this interesting book during February and March.
 
Mark These Dates In Your Calendar
Mar 18, 25  Thursday Lenten Program
Mar 21  Newcomer Open House
 

Apr 4     Easter Sunday
Apr 17   Havens Center Auction
May 28  Newcomer Family Picnic
From the Book of Common Prayer
p 835, Prayers, Grace at Meals (Adapted)

Give us grateful hearts, for all your mercies, O Sustainer of us all, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


Holy Week:
Transformation in Community

Easter Morning
St. Stephen's will be observing Holy Week with some new twists this year.
 
Palm Sunday:  There will be two Eucharists, one at 8:30 and one at 10:30 a.m.  We will bless and process with palms from the playground into the Nave.  Each of us will get to be a character in the Passion story.

Holy Wednesday:  The Presence Group will serve as worship leaders for Tenebrae at 7p.m.  The feel of this liturgy is contemplative and it prepares us for coming events.  Taize chant will be used to help us pray the psalms appointed.

Maundy Thursday:  At 7 p.m. we gather in the Nave to experience God's love in community through divine hospitality.  Foot washing and Eucharist will both be offered.

Good Friday:  At noon and 7 p.m. we meet to offer the Passion story as our story.  We will confront God's breaking open exclusion and exclusivity through self-emptying love.  The church will be open until 7:30 p.m. for prayer and meditation.
 
Easter:  The Great Vigil of Easter will be celebrated at 6 a.m.  We enter into the story of our salvation and renew our life as community as a resurrected people.  If you or your child desires baptism, this is the next available time.  Call the office now!  Breakfast will follow the service.

Eucharist:  We will continue our celebration of resurrection with Eucharists at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  Breakfast will be served between services and the Egg Hunt will be held at 10:00 a.m

The photo will not be taken at Easter; we will be doing it on Pentecost, May 23.

Havens Center Floors Will Be Re-done
Mar 12 thru Mar 18

Honduran ChildrenThe floors at Havens Center are scheduled to be re-done during Spring Break.  During the period from Mar 12-Mar 18, groups and meetings regularly scheduled for the facility have been moved to alternate venues in the St. Stephen's Church and School complex.

Be sure to check the schedule to see where your group will be meeting.
 
We need auction items for this year's
Havens Center Auction!

 
If you have original art or handmade jewelry to donate, if you have event tickets to share, if you can host a dinner or offer a service, if your business would like to contribute an item...the Havens Center would love to hear from you!
 
Please bring donations to the volunteer office any time between now and Easter Sunday, April 4.  Please attach a note with your name on it, so we can call you if we have any questions.  Thanks!
 
Go behind the scenes at the Havens Center Auction!
 
Needed are 10-12 cooks
7-8 servers to help plate food in the kitchen
12 people to help clean up, in shifts
4 people to be "runners" during the live auction
 
If you can help for part of the evening, please sign up on the poster in the Gathering Area, or contact Susan Hawes at se_hawes@yahoo.com or 832-778-7033.

Tickets for the annual Havens Center Fundraising Auction will be on sale this Sunday! 
Tickets are $35 per person.  There will be a table in the Gathering Area after each service.  The auction will be held at 6 PM on Saturday, April 17th, in Pecore Hall.  This year's theme is "New Beginnings" as we celebrate the afterschool program's new partnership with the  YMCA.  Child care will be provided for an extra charge benefitting the Honduras Mission.  Please sign up for child care when you buy your ticket.
 
Please consider sponsoring a ticket for a Havens Center or Y staff member when you buy your ticket--or if you cannot attend but would like to contribute.
We look forward to seeing everyone there!
 
Please contact Susan Hawes at 832-778-7033 or se_hawes@yahoo.com if you have something that you would like to donate.
 
New Beginnings...
HavensCenterAuction
Buy Tickets Today!
Donate Today!
Enjoy Fellowship on April 17, 2010  6 pm
Auction and Dinner
Special Guest Auctioneer and MC

We need your response this week, if you want to attend with St. Stephen's as a group.  We need to advise Congregational Beth Israel.

Passover Seder Invitation
Congregation Beth Israel and
The Metropolitan Organization Cordially Invite you to attend a:  Passover Seder
For Interfaith Clergy and TMO Member Congregations

 
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Congregation Beth Israel
5600 N. Braeswood Boulevard
 
Registration: 6:00 p.m.
Seder and Dinner: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
 
St. Stephen's parish members will attend as a group.  If you are interested in attending this event, please email the parish Respond by E-mail Here by March 16th with your name, phone and email so that we can create registration forms for you.
 
This Week At St. Stephen's
Sunday, Mar 14
All Day                Havens Center Floor Work
8:30 am               Holy Eucharist, Rite II - Nave
9:15 am               Christian Education- Young People
9:30 am               Christian Formation-Adults- Chatham
10:30 am             Holy Eucharist,- Nave
1:15 pm               Presence Group - Library

Monday, Mar 15           
All Day                Havens Center Floor Work
9:00 am               Transgender Support Group -Chatham
Noon                    Scripture Study- Library
1:30 pm               Census Bureau Training - Chatham
6:00 pm               Census Bureau Testing - Chatham
7:30 pm               UN Choir Rehearsal- Pecore Hall

Tuesday, Mar 16
All Day                 Havens Center Floor Work
10:00 am              New Mothers Group - Chatham
5:30 pm                Roadwomen - Pecore  Hall

Wednesday, Mar 17
All Day                  Havens Center Floor Work
9:15 am                 LaLeche League - Chatham
6:30 pm                Bible Study- Gathering Area
8:00 pm                AA Meeting  - Chatham Room

Thursday, Mar 18
All Day                  Havens Center Floor Work
12:30 pm              Job Search Group - Library
6:30 pm                Lenten Study - Bentley Room
6:30 pm                Transgender Free Yoga  - Pecore Hall
7:00 pm                PFLAG - Chatham
7:00 pm                St. Stephens Choir Rehearsal - Choir

Friday, Mar 19
6:00 pm                FotoFest Exhibit - Havens Center
7:00 pm                COSA Speak Your Truth  - Chatham
7:00 pm                Houston 911 Truth - Pecore Hall

Saturday, Mar 20
8:00 am                 Rosary Group- Nave
Noon                     FotoFest Exhibit - Havens Center

 
Lessons for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32 Page 624, BCP
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Lectionary OnLine
Prayer List

window cross
In our community we pray for Adele Cross Nissen, Joseph Flannery, Margie and Angie Reynolds, Steve Allison, Alex Paulido, Maud Lipscomb, Charo, Kelly, Fran Flanagan, Mrs. Sauer, Sondra Thewalt, Bill Thewalt, Catherine Dreuse, Eric, Corsalie, Rose, Harold, Alma Mauk, Jon, Carla Rae Gerardino, Anne Wallace, Edith Lazarou, Elizabeth Rogers, Morgan Cornelison, Will Johnston, Charles Tanner, Charles Storer, Dorothy Allen, Daniel Ruiz, Alex, Jon, Brinson, Haney Goswick-Cross, Janet Gilmore, Ron Barr, Judy Rollins, Tyler Patton, Jim Gentry, Tracy Condon, Linda Wade, for the unemployed, and for those affected by war especially Drew Huffman.

We want to honor all your prayer needs. Requests will be kept on the Prayer List for 3 weeks. Should you desire more time, please contact the church office.
 
Colors have meaning in our lives.
They define our hopes and concerns. 
 
Red  says "I love you" while Pink says "I care, I am aware".  Yellow is the color to show support of our troops and Green speaks of environmental concerns.  Purple is the color of Lent. 
 
uto box
Blue is a very special color for it says,"Thank you, God, for all your many blessings.  The coins in my Blue Box help to pass your blessings forward.
 
You still have time to become a Blue Boxer.  Boxes are available at the back of the church or in the Gathering Area.  Presentation will be Ascension Sunday, May 16th. 
 
This spring's UTO collection will be May 16th at both services. 

Laid-Off, Out of Work
Never Good, but opportunity may be just around the corner.

Job Search and Networking
Support Group Meets Thursdays.

Join us for Lunch.

Brown Bag Lunch-Thursdays @ 12:30
In the LibraryHonduran Children

If you are between jobs or would just like to network with your fellow St. Stephen's members who are, please join us in the Library on Thursdays for a brown bag lunch, support and fellowship.  We will be meeting with other members who have offered to help with resumes, how to structure an effective search and more.
BIG for CCSC/smallfor LOTS

Hygiene Kit drive for Christian Community Service Center and Lord of the Streets is underway and will continue through Palm Sunday, March 28. We need the following items:

CCSC Needs
2 Big Bottles of Shampoo
Deodorant
Hand Can Opener


LOTS Needs Travel Size:
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Bar soap
Shampoo
Comb
Deodorant
Tissues
Wash Cloth
Socks


Hygiene Kit Items are for Christian Community Service Center and Lord of the Streets Homeless Center.

Deliver items to Donation Box in church Gathering Space. Both CCSC and LOTS are outreach ministries of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas, 713/528-6665.
For additional information contact Peg Nevers pegnev@earthlink.net or Joel McGlasson
jmcglasson1@comcast.net.
 
JUSTICE FOR JANITORS
INTERFAITH "BLESSING OF THE BROOMS"
MARCH 17  4 - 5 PM
JONES PLAZA DOWNTOWN HOUSTON
Justice for Janitors

Dear Friends,
 
It appears that, after a long delay, negotiations for a new contract for the hard-working janitors of Houston may be possible in March.   However, the janitors expect strong opposition and the gains achieved three years ago are threatened. 

To support the janitors in their struggle for a decent life, an interfaith "Blessing of the Brooms" hosted by Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza will be held on March 17.    We invite you to participate in this program.  Free parking will be provided for participants.  
 
Please email or call me if you think you will be able to participate in this important program.   
 
Best wishes, 
Dave Atwood  
(832)693-5710
E-mail Dave Atwood here 

Those Assisting at Sunday Services on Mar 14
Check to see if you are on the list
8:30 am
Altar Guild: Lyle Bolster, Ronnie Johnston, Georgia McGlasson, Dwight Wolf
Linen Guild: Dwight Wolf
Flower Guild: Sandy McClain
Bread Baker: Randall Lamb            
LEV:  Sandy Clark
 
Acolyte: Tom Cordell
Lessons & Psalm:  Tom Cordell                    
Chalice Bearer: Tom Cordell                                      
Hospitality: Rick Adams, Elizabeth McClintock
Ushers: Rick Adams, Elizabeth McClintock

 

10:30 am
Altar Guild: Lyle Bolster, Ronnie Johnston, Georgia McGlasson, Dwight Wolf
Linen Guild: Dwight Wolf
Flower Guild: Sandy McClain
Bread Baker: Randall Lamb            
LEV:  Sandy Clark
 
10:30 am
Crucifer:  Pat Bozeman                                
Acolyte: Ben Flannery

First Lesson: Melinda Flannery                        
Second Lesson: Bruce Farrar

Prayers of the People: Julia Wolf
Chalice Bearers: Becky Udden, Max Zimmerman

Children's Chapel Leader: Mark Edge
Children's Chapel Music: Patrick Flannery
Hospitality: Dwight and Julia Wolf
Cantor: Julie Marx
Ushers: Marty Wright, Shiela Ferguson, Bob French, Martha French
Easter Is
On Its Way

Honor Someone with a Lily

Donations for the lilies at Easter are a great way to honor our loved ones, partners, spouses, and those who have passed away.  You can donate a lily with a $10 donation.  Make your checks payable to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, and indicate on the memo line that it is for Easter Lily.  Or you can let the church administrative assistant know by email (admn@ststephenshouston.org) or phone (713-528-6665) that you would like to donate for the Easter Lilies and then place your contribution in the offering the following Sunday.  Deadline for inclusion of your donation in printings is Wednesday, March 30, at 12 noon.
Living the Now Moment with Joy
Dr. Eileen M. Raffaniello Barbella
2010 Spiritual Growth Retreat
Episcopal Church Women
The Diocese of Texas

 
Friday, April 9-Saturday, April 10
Camp Allen, Texas

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.  Rm 12:12

Reasons to Attend:
Establish, re-establish or deepen a personal relationship with Christ.
Meet new people and make new friends.
Share spiritual discoveries with other Christian women.
Enjoy the glorious environment of Camp Allen.


For More Information and Registration Materials go to Episcopal Church Women
Never too Late to pick up....
A table of resources

lentenresourcetable Books and leaflets for Lenten reading and meditation, in the library off the gathering area. 

There is additional material in the Meditation Room on the second floor.

Please sign out any material you take with you on the sign-out sheet .
 
Leap Forward
Return Of Daylight Savings Time

Honduran Children
 Don't forget to adjust your clocks Saturday at bedtime, you don't want to be late to Sunday Services.
CELEBRATE BACH!
AN ORGAN RECITAL

philipK
 
Deadlines for inclusion in our publications and bulletins:
Wednesday at 12 noon for the Sunday Bulletin
Thursday at 12 noon for the E-Star
These deadlines help us to have time to produce the documents in good form.

E-Star is currently produced by the volunteer staff.  Submissions for the Sunday Bulletin and the E-Star can be sent to
admn@ststephenshouston.org

 Thank you for your suggestions and please let us know what more we can do to provide the information you desire.

E-Star Scribe
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church