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Jubilee
Center _______________________
St.
Stephen's was designated a Jubilee Center in 1997, in recognition of its
involvement in local community outreach to the poor and oppressed. This
designation, endorsed by the Diocese, comes from the national Episcopal
Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation program (JPIC). The Jubilee
Committee was formed to maintain and look for ways to expand the outreach
activities of our parish.
St.
Stephen's Table _____________________________________
Nearly 200 nutritious meals are served each week to needy men, women, and children
on Thursday and Friday evenings throughout the year. The meals are prepared
and served by volunteers from the church and from the wider community.
Volunteer coordinators from the parish organize the entire effort, including
food pickups from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and some local
stores. Sign-up sheets are outside the Chapel for memorial or thank offering
gifts to provide the meats for a dinner on a particular date.
Photo courtesy of Claire Cox
St. Francis Fund ________________________________________
This fund, sponsored by St. Stephen's, helps people who can't afford eyeglasses, a winter coat or boots, new shoes, emergency dental work, help with an electric bill, temporary shelter, etc. If you are able to help continue this important ministry, please make your check payable to St. Stephen's Parish, marked St. Francis Fund in the memo.
Community Groups ____________________________________
The church facilities are made available to several non-profit groups
without charge except for a requested donation toward expenses for utilities.
AA groups meet regularly at the church most evenings and noon times. Other
groups meeting at St. Stephen's include Berkshire Mental Health Transitions,
Berkshire Grown, Berkshire Open Door Society, and the Pittsfield Area
Council of Churches.
Habitat
for Humanity ___________________________
St. Stephen's is a Covenant Church with Habitat for Humanity. As such
it is pledged to support the mission of Habitat to provide affordable
housing for people of limited means, with prayer, financial support and
volunteers for local projects. Habitat is regularly included in requests
for prayer in the Sunday bulletin and is one of the recipients of the
special "Week 53" offering. Work parties from the church help with labor
and/or lunch at local work sites 2 or 3 Saturdays per year.
United
Thank Offering __________________________
The United Thank Offering was created more than 100 years ago by women
of the Episcopal Church for the purpose of helping the needy. UTO boxes
are available to parishioners who are encouraged to drop a coin in whenever
they feel thankful. Offerings are collected twice a year and forwarded
to the National Episcopal Church toward its outreach mission activities.
Berkshire
Interfaith Community
Investment Fund ________________________________
The B.I.C.I.F. is working with St. Stephen's and other churches and synagogues
in the area to establish this non-profit fund. This fund is used for loans
which support job creation, affordable housing and community services
in Central and Lower Berkshire County.
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