Weekly update week of October 1, 2018
Tuesday October 2
7 - 8:30pm Welcome Class (Goodly Play Room).
Wednesday October 3
7:30pm Taize Worship
Thursday October 4
7:30am Morning Prayer.
7:30pm Rehearsal for the 10:30am service choir.
Sunday October 7 Celebration of St. Francis of Assisi and Blessing of Pets
8am Holy Eucharist Rite I, the Rev. Rondesia Jarret-Schell preaches and the Rev. Sam Dessórdi Leite presides.
9:15-10:15am Forum “St. Francis of Assisi”, by the Rev. Susan Walker.
10:10am Sharing the Gospel with Loaves and Fishes.
10:30am The Celebration of St. Francis of Assisi with Holy Eucharist and Blessing of the Pets, the Rev. Rondesia Jarret-Schell preaches and the Rev. Sam Dessórdi Leite presides.
4pm Confirmation class.
5:30pm Misa Alegría (Spanish language liturgy). The Celebration of St. Francis of Assisi with Holy Eucharist and Blessing of the Pets. The Rev. Sam Dessórdi Leite preaches and presides.
80th Anniversary in Coffee Hour
Coffee hour Sunday October 7, after the 10:30am service, will be hosted by Gay Gellhorn, Kaaren Holum, Miriam Hood, Susie Johnson and Kim Klein in celebration of their 80th birthdays and marking the beginning of their 9th decade. Join us for sparkling cider and gratitude.
Blessing of the Pets and plush toys
In the beginning of October, Christian churches around the world will remember St. Francis of Assisi. In our parish we will celebrate the Franciscan charisma with a blessing over pets. Everyone is invited to bring their pets, and children are encouraged to bring their plush toy pets to the 10:30am service for blessing as well. We will celebrate with fellowship, food and drinks outside on the lawn after the service, weather permitting. St. Francis is well known as the patron saint of animals and environment, and a peacemaker.
Morning Prayer to resume on Thursdays beginning October 4
You are invited to start your day on Thursday each week with Morning Prayer. We meet in Incarnation Chapel and begin Morning Prayer at 7:30am and generally conclude by 7:55am.
Sunday Forums
The Sunday Forums are happening each week from 9:15-10:15am in the auditorium, we offer time to gather as a community and focus on some aspect of our faith and our lives. A forum topic can be whatever is part of your journey with Christ inviting us to understand God working in our lives, to better know one another, and build the community of St. Stephen's and the Incarnation. Come hear our presenters and get to know others in the community. The Forums in the following Sundays will be:
October 7, the Rev. Susan Walker. In honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) we will examine this saint’s teaching about God’s overflowing, inexhaustible goodness and kenosis, or self-emptying love.
October 14, Darien Wals, Restorative Justice Facilitator, and Suzannah Weiss, Yoga teacher in DC Public Schools, will lead us through the practice of a Talking Circle. This exercise is a core component of the restorative justice process. A Talking Circle creates a safe space to build connections and address conflict within a community. Please join us for this opportunity to engage in a process that will help us understand our calling to be peacemakers.
October 21, Joe Casazza will lead the Forum “Put all things in subjection under your Christ”: Submission to the will of God.
Manna and Mercy – A six week Sunday morning study/series
The series Manna and Mercy begins Sunday October 7 through November 11, 9:15-10:15am at St. Stephens Choir room.
Do you ever find yourself wanting to understand the major themes of the Bible or just want to study scripture a little more? Join us on a six week journey from Genesis to Revelation as we use Daniel Erlander's book Manna and Mercy- A Brief History of God's Unfolding Promise to Mend the Entire Universe, a 100 page hand printed paraphrase of the Bible. Part graphic novel, part understandable theology, it is written with imagination, clarity, humor and cartoons. Plus, for the Bible nerds among us, lots of footnotes with sources to dive deeper into the theological questions. This book will help us look at scripture with new eyes and rediscover how it can become a means of life and grace rather than destruction and death. Please see Duncan or Elske or email them at ˂duncanscottwilson@yahoo.com˃ and
˂elske.tielens@gmail.com˃ to sign up or let them know you are interested. Books can be purchased through the link at http://www.mannaandmercy.org/
Diaconal Workshop Day (Bilingual)
If you are interested in discerning a call to the diaconate, attend at the Diaconal Workshop Day on Saturday, October 27 at All Souls Episcopal Church (2300 Cathedral Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008) from 9am - 2:30pm. This will be the required first step in the process. Two persons are required to attend with you: Your Senior Priest, and another layperson from the congregation who is likely to serve on the local discernment committee. The workshop includes learning about the ministry of deacons, the various steps in the ordination process, and the structure and requirements of the formation program. At the end of the day, those interested in moving forward will receive a nomination form. You can find more information on https://goo.gl/QWQwWy and you can register on https://www.edow.org/calendar-event-details/155. Please speak to Fr. Sam Dessórdi Leite or Deacon Susan Walker for more information.
Washington Interfaith Network event
The Washington Interfaith Network will be holding a meeting on October 11, 7pm (location to be found when RSVP) around immigrants' rights and legal services funding. The meeting will discuss next steps in the fight for at least $2.5 million in legal services funding for immigrants in DC and pursue strategies to engage corporate power and our DC attorney general around immigrant issues. Register at https://bit.ly/2DzKWpU or at
https://is.gd/WINimmigrantaction2018
Urban Village Corporation Annual Meeting
We invite you to attend the Urban Village Corporation (UVC) annual meeting at St. Stephen's on Tuesday, October 9 at 7pm. The Urban Village Corporation includes tenants from the Urban Village apartments, people who live nearby, and members of St. Stephen's. The UVC is dedicated to the preservation and increase of affordable housing in our neighborhood. Membership is 50 cents - a bargain! Now is an important time to show your interest, as the developer is planning a significant construction project that will add more affordable units. Come meet your neighbors and learn about some of the changes that will be taking place near the church. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Bill MacKaye <wmackaye@reverbing.com> or 202-374-5100.
Movement Free Store
Join the Peace House DC, Saturday October 13, 4-7pm in the Auditorium for the “free store” event. A free store is a “store” where all goods are free. Whether it is a book, furniture, a shirt, or a haircut, it is all freely given away. It’s a place where anyone can participate by leaving stuff they don’t want or taking stuff they do. No strings attached. There will be a dozen tables or so each sponsored by an activist group house. You can bring clean clothing, food, meals, skills, and your friends/family. Help build community bonds. Music and hot dogs will be provided.
