Weekly update week of 10.29.18
Tuesday October 30
7:30pm Rehearsal for the 10:30am service choir.
Thursday November 1
7:30am Morning Prayer.
7pm Day of the Dead Eucharist and Feast.
Saturday November 3
3pm Washington Saxophone Quartet for the 50th Anniversary Benefit for Loaves and Fishes (sanctuary).
Sunday November 4
8am Holy Eucharist Rite I, the Rev. Linda Kaufman preaches and presides.
9:15-10:15am Forum: “The Migrant Journey”, by Brian Best
9:15-10:15am Manna and Mercy Bible study/series (Choir room).
10:10am Sharing the Gospel with Loaves and Fishes.
10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II, the Rev. Linda Kaufman preaches and presides.
4pm Confirmation class.
5:30pm Misa Alegría (Spanish language liturgy). The Rev. Sam Dessórdi Leite presides and the Rev. Linda Kaufman preaches.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Update on Loaves and Fishes / Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington merger
In April 2017, the vestry voted to pursue a merger between Loaves and Fishes and Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, a nonprofit that provides case management. After a year of discussions, Samaritan Ministry has decided not to proceed with the merger, but remains committed to its longstanding relationship with St. Stephen’s. Samaritan Ministry cited two reasons for its decision not to proceed:
Potential for duplication: Thrive DC is located in St. Stephen’s basement and offers many of the same services as Samaritan Ministry, most notably casework. Samaritan Ministry felt that its programs would provide greater value in locations that do not already have case management available.
Limited existing collaboration: Loaves and Fishes and Thrive DC have worked together in the past, but currently, there is no programmatic collaboration. Samaritan Ministry had hoped to build on an existing collaboration and was hesitant to move forward without it.
The vestry is now discerning how best to ensure continuity of meal service to Loaves and Fishes’ guests over the long term. Between 2010 and 2016, Loaves and Fishes income often fell short of its expenses consuming most of the $120k in Loaves and Fishes reserves built up in earlier years. At the beginning of 2017, Loaves and Fishes had less than a month’s worth of reserves left. Further deficits would have required the parish to draw down other reserves, make cuts to other ministries, or diminish or close the Loaves and Fishes program.
In the face of this financial challenge and the uncertainty stemming from the anticipated merger, the Loaves and Fishes management board responded by taking significant steps to raise additional funds, reduce expenses, recruit additional partner parishes, glean produce from the Columbia Heights Farmers Market with Michele Lewis-Muzzatti’s help, and invigorate its board with new people. Loaves and Fishes ended 2017 with a substantial surplus and is on track to meet its budget as of October 2018. The vestry, however, is concerned with the challenges of recruiting volunteers to do administration and fundraising, which are essential to its long-term sustainability.
As the vestry and Loaves and Fishes management board consider the best path forward, we invite you to reach out with any questions or suggestions. If you would like to volunteer with Loaves and Fishes, especially in administration or fundraising, please contact Ed Grandi, <efgrandi@gmail.com>, or Bill MacKaye, <wmackaye@reverbing.com>.
Pot Luck Supper for Day of the Dead Celebration on Thursday, November 1
Join your faith community for Eucharist celebrating the Day of the Dead and the Feast of All Saints, on Thursday, November 1, 7pm. Bring a dish or drinks to share for the potluck supper that follows the festive celebration of the Eucharist and blessing of the Ofrendas. Bring a picture or memento of your beloved departed dead to add to the Ofrendas, as we remember our family and friends who have gone before us.
Advent and Christmas/Epiphany Liturgy Planning Teams
At the September Liturgy Retreat we began the process of forming liturgy planning teams for the upcoming liturgical seasons. Our vision is to have members from each of our worshiping communities on each team.
Please contact Father Sam at ˂samdessordi@yahoo.co.uk˃ or Mary Alcuin Kelly at ˂marykelly9748@yahoo.com˃ if you would like to work on the Advent planning team or the Christmas/Epiphany planning team. Once teams are formed we will set up our meeting times for planning. Act soon!
The Migrant Journey
BorderLinks executive director and former Director of Operations in our church Brian Best will be making presentations at a number of churches in the Washington area in early November, and you are invited to attend. He will be leading the Forum “The Migrant Journey” in our church Sunday November 4, 9:15-10:15am. During the Forum Brian will share his experience with migration through southern Arizona and the efforts by humanitarian organizations like BorderLinks to prevent deaths in the harsh Sonoran desert. Bring a friend or two --or ten! -- if you wish. Brian´s presentations in the DC area are:
Saturday, November 3, 10 - 11:30am at Rock Spring Congregational Church, 5010 Little Falls Road, Arlington.
Sunday, November 4, 5 - 8pm at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 7611 Clarendon Rd, Bethesda.
Wednesday, November 7, 7 - 9pm at St. Albans Episcopal Church, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral.
Saturday, November 10, 9am - 2pm at Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 312 S. Royal Street, Alexandria.
Sunday, November 11, 11am at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 7611 Clarendon Rd, Bethesda.
Stewardship Campaign 2019
Thank you for the many gifts of time and treasure you offer to St. Stephen and the Incarnation. In 2018, we've grown in the faith and as a community, through beautiful music, quiet morning prayers, small groups, and in many other blessings large and small. As we plan for next year’s budget, we hope that you will continue your support of St. Stephen’s by making a 2019 pledge. Since we don’t have an endowment or receive regular funding from the wider church, parishioner contributions make it possible to fund our continued life together.
We expect to receive approximately $312,000 in donations from parishioners this year. In 2019, we need to increase our donations by about $22,000 just to continue our current parish operations and make up for the decrease in the diocesan grant which currently supports a portion of our senior priest’s salary. If we receive donations beyond that amount, we will be able to pursue other parish goals (for example, increasing resources for Godly Play, funding initiatives to grow our congregation, or planning for badly needed capital repairs to the building).
Please consider pledging to support our church home next year. If you are renewing your pledge, please consider increasing the amount by 10% to help meet our operational costs or 15% or more to help us meet other parish goals and save for much-needed capital repairs. To let us know how much you plan to pledge, you can:
Fill out this google form: https://goo.gl/forms/QSVDHOnp16fCVFj63
Email Nicole Martinez at ˂nicole.martinezmoore@gmail.com˃
Mail back the pledge form you receive in the mail
Fill out the pledge card at church and leave it in the offering plate
We encourage you to automate your pledge payments at http://tinyurl.com/ssi-give. Automating your pledge ensures continuity of revenue, which allows us to plan better. It is also easier for you -you don't have to remember! Thank you, sincerely, for your support of our parish.
50th Anniversary Benefit for Loaves and Fishes
The Loaves and Fishes management board is excited to announce that, after a several-year hiatus, the Washington Saxophone Quartet will return to offer a benefit performance for Loaves and Fishes at St. Stephen and the Incarnations (with the renovated acoustics) on Saturday, November 3, at 3pm. A reception with afternoon refreshments will follow the concert, and WSaxQ’s latest CD will be on sale.
The quartet goes back almost as far as Loaves and Fishes! The four members, who started performing in 1976. are Reginald Jackson (soprano sax), James Steele (alto sax), Rich Kleinfeldt (tenor sax), and Rick Parrell (baritone sax).
Suggested donation is $20 per person of $10 for students (either in advance or at the door). Please mark it on your calendar and tell your friends!
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.
November 4 Forum: “The Migrant Journey”, by Brian Best, former member of St. Stephen’s now residing in Arizona. Brian will speak about a migrant’s journey using a slide show portraying what migrants face when they cross the border.
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington Gala and Auction
All are welcome and invited to the 2018 Gala and Auction to benefit Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington. The event will be celebrated on Saturday, November 3, 2018, 6:30-9:30pm at St. Andrews Episcopal School, 8804 Postoak Road, Potomac, MD 20854. For more information or to purchase tickets visit https://bit.ly/2Cy3Nj1. You may also talk to our partner parish representatives Jane Bishop or Michele Lewis-Muzzatti.
Jai-Jagdeesh Live in Concert
An unmissable evening with one of the world’s sweetest, silliest, most divine singers will unfold at St; Stephen’s on Friday, November 2, at 7:30pm. You’ll probably sing, you might dance, and you’ll definitely laugh. Join Jai-Jagdeesh and her phenomenal band for a deep, groovy, soulful good time. Seating is both in chairs and on the floor. Please choose your preferred seating type when you purchase your ticket. If you prefer floor seating, be sure to bring your own mat or cushion. All are welcome. And hugs are free. For more information and ticket purchase visit https://bit.ly/2CxENZa
