The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
26 September 2021 8 & 10 am Liturgy of the Word Lessons Order of Worship
Masks are required.
Pews will be marked off to maintain distancing
No Congregational Singing
Coffee hour in the garden (Weather permitting)
A Pastoral Letter September 23, 2021
Apostles and Saints,
This past weekend, my son, Isaiah, began to display symptoms of COVID-19. We had him tested on Monday and received the results Wednesday night that he has tested positive.
So far, the worst of his symptoms were on Sunday and Monday. He is considered high- risk and we continue to monitor him.
The rest of us were tested today and are awaiting results.
We are feeling good, if a bit frazzled, and are genuinely thankful that at least three of us could be vaccinated.
The immediate impact of this for our congregation should be minimal, as we (thankfully!) are maintaining mitigation strategies, including masking and social distancing. Any exposure this past weekend that may have come was minimal precisely because of those strategies.
We also have capable leaders who can keep things running smoothly.
There are a few specific things to note.
Thursday services will be cancelled until October 14.
I cannot lead worship on Sundays until October 10. I am still presently available to you virtually.
We welcome your prayers.
We are all familiar with the stress and circumstances of the pandemic era, particularly that most of us recover and have few issues and that some experience atypical or dangerous symptoms. So we are becoming all the more familiar with planning for both.
I do want to assure you that we are all feeling quite well. And that we are exploring what it means to once again spend so much time together cooped up at home.
But most importantly, we are thankful for the commitment of the people of St. Stephen's to generous compassion, safety, and the adaptability necessary to thrive in such confusing times. We are in good shape because we're caring for each other and making Christ's compassionate health our priority.
I will update you next week with our progress .
I am thankful for you. You are a blessing. And may you continue to bless this community.
Grace and Peace, Drew Downs+ Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
The Hope Journal is a weekly letterto the congregation (different from our weekly newsletter). You may read it here. It also serves as a worship aid for those who cannot join us online or in-person.
St. Stephen's Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join Highpoint Youth. Highpoint meets Sunday evenings from 6:00-7:30 pm. Contact Youth Director Timothy Ghogle at tim@thcpc.org to learn where on any given week.
Highpoint mixes Bible study and hands-on service projects with lots of fun activities.
Currently, youth from Central Presbyterian, Unity Presbyterian and Centenary Methodist participate, with others often joining in from other churches and parts of the community.
This Sunday—September 26: 6–7:30 pm Highpoint Youth Game Night at Centenary United Methodist
Next Sunday—October 3: 6–7:30 pm Highpoint Youth Night “Lost, but Found” at Centenary UM
Join us Tuesday nights in September and October for two chances to explore faith from your own home.
At 6:00 pm, we’ll gather online to explore the Episcopal Church; our tradition, history, and theology; and what it is that we do.
Then at 7:00 pm, we’ll gather online to explore the gospel and how that can totally change how the world works.
Both classes will be on the same Zoom call so participants of the Newcomers Class can stick around. Both classes are open to members and nonmembers alike. Both classes are suited for those adults seeking confirmation or to join the Episcopal Church. See web page for Zoom info.
Calendar
Saturday—September 25
10 am-3 pm Art Class (outside group)
Sunday—September 26
8 & 10 am Liturgy of the Word
6 pm AA meeting, Great Hall
6–7:30 pm Highpoint Youth Game Night at Centenary United Methodist
Tuesday—September 28
6 pm Newcomers Class online
7 pm Bible Study online
Thursday—September 30
7 pm AA meeting, Vestry Room
Friday—October 1
7:30 am-1:30 pm Manna from Seven Food Distribution
Sunday—October 3
8 & 10 am Sunday Worship
6 pm AA meeting, Great Hall
6–7:30 pm Highpoint Youth Night “Lost, but Found” at Centenary UM
Please pray for
Those who have asked our prayers Parishioners: Frankie Greene,
Jessie Greene (infant twin daughters of Stephanie and Jim Greene),
Jonnee Western, Eric Sheets (Theresa Jackson’s brother)
Robin Rolt, Christopher Wagley Friends: Jimmy McKellar (Rose Down’s father), Lorna Priddy (sister of Alex Vincent, Christine Chillington’s fiance), Priscilla Hutton (friend of Deby Veach). Corinne Dewey (Rose Down’s sister-in-law), Denise Sager (Chris DeBaun’s sister-in-law), The Rev. Enid Morrison (deacon of our diocese)
Birthdays Lindsay Fagg (9/26), Mary Ruth Mier (9/28)
Our parish neighbors Centenary United Methodist Church, Central Presbyterian Church, United Campus Ministries, Second Christian Church
Diocese of Indianapolis Prayer Cycle This month, pray for all teachers and students;
St. Michael’s, Noblesville, The Rev'd T.J. Tetzlaff
Our Companion Dioceses The Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil: The Most Rev. Mauricio Jose Araujo De Andrade, Primate of Brazil and Bishop of Brasilia; The people and Diocese of Haiti and Saint Andre’s in Mithon; South Sudan
Anglican Cycle of Prayer Sunday 26 September: The Episcopal Church
Monday 27 September: The Diocese of Southwest Florida–The Episcopal Church (IV (4) Province)
Tuesday 28 September: The Diocese of Fond du Lac–The Episcopal Church (V (5) Province)
Wednesday 29 September: The Diocese of Fredericton–The Anglican Church of Canada (Canada Province)
Thursday 30 September: The Diocese of Free State–The Anglican Church of Southern Africa
Friday 1 October: The Diocese of Freetown–The Church of the Province of West Africa (West Africa Province)
Saturday 2 October: The Diocese of Gahini–Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda
If you would like to add a person or intention to the prayer list, please contact Dennis in the office via email officeadmin@ststephensth.org or by calling 812.232.5165.
At the end of the month, we will clear names from the “Those who have asked our Prayers” section of our prayer list. You may re-submit name of persons who are experiencing chronic on-going conditions, but please include a brief update as to their condition. Going forward, we will clear the list at the end of each month.
Manna From Seven is still distributing food and some hygiene items on Fridays. They are still providing laundry services and putting food in our blessing box.
If you can help with this ministry, please make checks payable to Manna from Seven, Inc and mail to their treasurer: Mike Cahill, 704 Vista Glen Drive, Terre Haute IN 47803. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Susan Seitz at
812.243.4241. Thank you!
Please do not collect used clothing, these are not accepted.
Other needed items:
AFGHAN FAMILY RESETTLEMENT:
ITEMS TO BE DONATED THROUGH TEAM RUBICON **Only New Items Will Be Accepted**
*Denotes most urgently needed items
CLOTHING
General Clothing
-Modest undergarments for men, women, and children
-Socks for men, women, and children
-Hats (warm and cold weather) for all ages
-Close-toed shoes, all sizes
-Clothing should not display brand names, slogans, or other writing
-No images of humans or animals (i.e. Disney princesses or animals) and no animal prints
Men
Unbranded, modest clothing in all sizes:
shirts
*pants (no shorts)
Women
Unbranded, modest, loose-fitting clothing in all sizes:
Long-sleeve crew neck shirts
loose pants (no shorts)
Children
Unbranded, modest clothing in all sizes
long sleeve shirts
pants (no shorts)
Babies and Toddlers
Unbranded clothing in all sizes, including hats and socks
CHILDREN’S ITEMS
-*Diapers
-Diaper rash cream
-*Baby wipes
-Baby shampoo
-Baby lotion
-*Powder formula (no liquid)
-Bottles (no glass)
-Infant/child blankets/swaddles
-Pacifiers
-Toys (not battery-operated)
-*Sports balls
Miscellaneous
-Phone chargers (wall adapter and cord, iPhone and Android)
-Qurans
-Prayer rugs
-Reusable, durable water bottles (no glass)
-Backpacks
-Sunscreen
-Bug spray
Hygiene
-*Feminine hygiene products (no tampons)
*Denotes most urgently needed items
Welcoming Afghanistan Allies
Take action with Episcopal Migration Ministries, Office of Government Relations
Last week, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry released a video highlighting ways to help Afghan refugees through Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), the refugee and migration ministry of the Episcopal Church. EMM is one of nine national refugee resettlement agencies tasked with the challenging and life-saving work of supporting Afghans who arrive with what the federal government calls parolee status.
Visit affiliate websites, sign up for their emails, and stay tuned for ways you can volunteer to support their work. If you are not near an EMM affiliate, please visit www.rcusa.org to find opportunities closer to you.
For those in Indianapolis, the approved resettlement organization is Exodus Refugee Immigration, a diocesan cooperating ministry. Right now, financial support is most needed. Please email the Rev. Fatima Yakubu-Madus with questions.
Write to your members of Congress urging them to support our Afghan allies using this action alert from the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations.
Drew and Dennis are available by phone and email
see below
Please use Drew's cell phone or email,
rather than the church phone.
Offerings will be deposited twice a month.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
215 North Seventh Street
Terre Haute, Indiana 47807-3103
Phone: 812-232-5165
Web site: www.ststephensth.org
Worship: Sunday at 8 & 10 am, Thursday at 12 Noon
The Right Reverend Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of Indianapolis
The Reverend Drew Downs, Rector — rector@ststephensth.org
Rector's cell phone — 770.755.8067
The Reverend Deborah J. Veach, Deacon — deacon@ststephensth.org
Dennis Dieken, Organist/Choirmaster/Secretary — officeadmin@ststephensth.org
