UPCOMING EVENTS  & PARISH NOTICES

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AFTER EASTER

Servant Leadership & Introduction to Bible

Beginning April 2 and lasting for 10 weeks, programs followed by Eucharist:

Introduction to the Bible led by Hannah Anderson, 7-8:30 pm

Servant Leadership Class led by Jenny Gregg, 6:30-8:30 pm  (More information about Servant Leadership offerings here.)

SATURDAY, MAY 17, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Money:  From Cultural Addiction To Spiritual Freedom

This one day workshop at St. Helena's Episcopal Church in Lenox will be an introduction to a larger ten week class scheduled to be held this fall.  During this workshop participants will begin to step back and examine our relationships with money and how our patterns of earning, spending and giving away money offer an intriguing insight into our minds, hearts and acts of service.  With the use of Lynne Twist’s book The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of our Inner Resources and other resources, participants will be introduced to some of the cultural messages of scarcity and guilt around money and what happens when we shift towards experiences of sufficiency, freedom, and purpose in relationship to resources. Suggested Donation:  $15.00

Led by: Dr. Ruth Anderson, Director

School of Servant Leadership, Greensboro, NC

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 9:00 AM

Adult Forum: Story & Spirituality Group

On Sunday, May 18th the group will discuss a story by the fantasy writer Ray Bradbury, titled The Fire Balloons. In honor of the season of Pentecost, and the spread of Christianity, we're reading this story which tells of Episcopal priests who travel to Mars (yes, Mars!) to see what kind of sinning is done there and what kind of mission needs to be established. An interesting and fun story.

Can't attend the discussions on Sunday mornings? Leave your thoughts, comments, and questions on St. Stephen's new story blog.

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 3:00 PM
Concert - "A Haydn Gala"

The Berkshire Concert Choir, directed by John E Cheney, with soloists and chamber orchestra performing works including the "Te Deum" and "Mass in Time of War." Sunday, May 18, 3:00 pm at St. Stephen's.  Tickets: $15 (General)/$12 (Seniors/Students), available at the door or from members.  Info call: (413) 442-6120.

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 6:00 PM
Living Green Movie Night

Come out for popcorn, movies, and learn something new all at the same time! Sunday, May 18th, at 6 pm in the Dining Room. The movie shown is called Everything's Cool. It is a whimsical, comedic look at our current climate change situation and some of the factors that brought us here, as well as some of the directions we could possibly go. Questions? Contact Sarah Flynn!

SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 11:30 AM
Catechesis Materials Making Workshop

Take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to the Catechesis program here at St. Stephen's. A light lunch will be provided. Questions? Contact Suzanne White.

Parish Notices/News

STEWARDSHIP STIMULUS - By tithing 10% of your rebate we can stimulate our Stewardship here at St. Stephen’s and fully fund our programs for the rest of the year!  We are so close to meeting our goal of $300,000 for the year, having reached $280,000 already.  If we all share some of this “found money” imagine the good works we could accomplish in our growing parish!  Providing adequate staffing and pastoral care, implementing mission trips, engaging our youth with meaningful service to others in the community, continuing our commitment to the disenfranchised at St. Stephen’s Table, ensuring the future of our music and educational programs, and making sure that our buildings are kept in good condition are all our priorities.  By reaching our budgetary goal, we can move out of the current deficit and strengthen our mission to be the heart and hands of Christ.  We hope you will join us in stimulating our stewardship!

ST. STEPHEN'S TABLE - St. Stephen’s Table serves free dinners to people in need every Thursday and Friday evenings.  For cooking and volunteer opportunities please contact Dan Moon.  Donations can be made to the “Table” in the honor of a loved one or a special event, or simply note St. Stephen’s Table on your donation.  

THE ST. FRANCIS FUND is a fund administered by the clergy and Director of Mission and Outreach that helps people in need. Donations to the Fund can be sent to the Parish Office.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - The Monday night shawl knitters will resume on May 12 at 7 p.m.  The Tuesday group will meet at 10 a.m. on May 13 in the Sears Room.  All knitters are welcome!

BEMENT CAMP - It is time to sign up for the 2008 summer sessions. There are camp brochures in the Parish Foyer if you have not received one in the mail. Scholarships are available; please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible. Hannah will be Chaplain at Camp Bement the week of June 28 - July 3.

ST. STEPHEN'S ONLINE PHOTO AND ADDRESS DIRECTORY - The online photo and address directory is now up and running. The web address/URL for the directory is:

http://om246521.onlineolanmills.com/home

To access the site, you must enter a password which is published each week in the Sunday Bulletin. You may also contact the Parish Office for the password. Please note:

• We can add photos, names and contact information very easily. This is one advantage of an online directory - it's much easier to keep up to date. Please forward your photos and contact information to the online directory administrator as per the contact information on the first page of the online directory. We want everyone's photo and contact information!

• We can also change and delete information as necessary. Again, please use the contact information on the first page of the online directory to request revisions.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

Do you have a knack, talent, skill or interest which could turn into a new St. Stephen’s ministry? Think outside the box about how God might want you to share this with others. Contact Scott Ellis, Director of Mission and Outreach for more information.

ALTAR MEMORIAL FLOWERS

There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the Parish Office for anyone who wants to have flowers put on the altar in memory of a loved one.  There are a few Sundays where no one has signed up, but we can always have two arrangements if you wish to sign up on a Sunday that already is filled.  Just fill in your name and contact Jeanette Roosevelt to let her know what type of arrangement you would like, the cost is $45.

ALEX CARNEY CHILDREN’S LIBRARY AND ADULT LIBRARY  Videos, music cds, and books are on display in the children’s library (located on the second floor) and in the Guild Room. Materials have a loan period of one month.  Instructions are located on top of the card catalog in both locations.

HAVE A FAVORITE HYMN? Please write the number or opening words of your hymn on a slip of paper (found in the pew) and place it in the offering plate. Our organist will be choosing some of your suggestions to sing during the summer months.

HEALING PRAYERS – Under the guidance of our Clergy and Pastoral Leader members of the Healing Prayer Ministry Team are available each Sunday at the 10 a.m. service to offer prayers for you in the Chapel after you receive Holy Communion. On the second Sunday of the month they are also available at the 8:00 am Eucharist.  Any parishioner or visitor who feels a need for prayer should enter the Chapel after receiving Communion.  There is no protocol, you may stand or kneel and you may ask for prayers for yourself or for others.  

AUDIO TAPES are available of the 10 a.m. service each week. Call the Parish Office.