Weekly announcements - March 17
Upcoming events
Memorial service for Anne Heyniger
Anne Coe Heyniger passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022, at Brighton Gardens in Friendship Heights. She was a long-time choir member and former treasurer at St. Stephen's. Many may recall her wonderful singing voice and her love for St. Stephen's. Ann’s memorial service will be held at St. Stephen's on March 25, 2023, at 11am.
Centering prayer on Sunday mornings
Every Sunday in Lent, starting February 26 at 9:45am
Looking to deepen your relationship with God? Centering Prayer is a powerful Christian meditative tradition focused on learning to rest, listen, and love in God's presence. Based on the monastic practice of Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer is simple and beginner-friendly while providing a firm foundation for greater contemplation. Absolutely no prior experience is necessary! Join Joshua Gerras for a brief (~5 minute) lesson on this practice followed by a (~20 minute) session.
Join a (short-term) small group!
Meetings of small groups for fellowship and activities are starting soon. Small groups will meet regularly for a meal, prayer and fellowship from February to May. They are a spiritually nourishing way to get to know other parishioners better. When St. Stephen's has done them in the past, they have been well-attended and well-loved.
All parishioners are invited to join a group. The groups are intergenerational, for newcomers and long-timers, for people who feel connected already and those who want to get to know other parishioners better.
A description of the different groups is below. Let us know by February 15 which one(s) you are interested in by:
Bilingual crafting small group (aka Threaders of St. Brigid)
Weekly on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm, starting March 1
Meets at the church
Bilingual - Spanish and English speakers welcome
Gather for a shared meal and an hour of needlecrafts like knitting and crocheting, ending with prayer and song.
No crafting experience needed. Members of the group will be available to teach, and materials will be provided. Bring your own project, or work on a shared group project.
This group is attend-as-you-can; you do not need to be able to attend most sessions to join.
Led by: Jane Bishop & Sarah Bushman
Being Christian book group
Every two weeks on Monday evenings, 7:00-9:00pm, starting February 27 through May
Meets at a home in Columbia Heights
English-speaking
Gather for a shared meal, discussion of the book Being Christian by Rowan Williams, and prayer. Books can be provided to you, if needed.
If you sign up, please plan to attend all or most sessions so the group can connect and get to know each other
Led by: Laura Popielski & Betsy Shirley
Weekly readings (lectionary) discussion group
Every two weeks on Wednesday evenings, 6:00-8:00pm, starting March 1 through May
Meets at the church
English-speaking
Gather for a shared meal, discussion of weekly readings (lectionary) from the previous Sunday, and prayer.
If you sign up, please plan to attend all or most sessions, so the group can connect and get to know each other
Led by: Saunya Connelly & Joshua Gerras
Special guest preachers
Be sure to show up in church in the coming weeks to hear these guest preachers at the 10:30am worship service:
March 26: Rev. Ebony Grisom, Georgetown University Protestant Chaplain
Healing Committee Update
Thank you to everyone who came to the Reyes Magos/Three Kings celebration. It was a joy to have over 60 of us sharing worship and a meal. We heard many people say they want more joint, bilingual events, and you’re in luck!
The Healing Committee is now shifting into the final phase of our work: living into a new future. Over the past nine months, church members have shared their grief, listened to each others’ pain, and imagined what is important for our future. In one of our all-church sessions last fall, we agreed to focus on change in three areas:
How we make decisions
Envisioning a different future / ensuring we do not repeat the past
Transparency and accountability
To help us start to live out new practices in these areas, the Healing Committee has drafted a starting set of principles. These principles are based on the healing conversations of the past nine months, from the affinity groups to the all-parish sessions where we identified key themes and visions for the future.
These principles are meant to eventually be concrete guidance for how we live as a church and something we can each hold each other accountable to. Read the first draft in English or in Spanish. To refine and build out these principles, we will be holding conversations at the 10:30 service's coffee hour on February 26, March 5, and March 26, and after the Misa service (dates forthcoming). Please join us there to share your thoughts. You can also add comments in the document directly.
How to read the principles (i.e., living out a new future…now!)
In last year’s affinity group sharing sessions, we heard the need to move away from white-dominant culture, one element of which is perfectionism. In that spirit, we are offering these principles in their first draft form - a rough-around-the-edges collection of ideas - so that we can build them together as a community. We intend for this document to be a work in progress that is never “done” but evolves as we do.
In the beloved community we seek, those who have historically been last come first. As you provide feedback, prioritize the needs of those in our community with the least power and who have been most harmed.
Our healing conversations have also revealed how volunteers and clergy get burned out by sky-high expectations, frequent critiques, and a lack of recognition. In reading this document, look for ways to celebrate what you like and disagree in ways that are kind and constructive.
We are deeply grateful to all of you for your commitment, vulnerability, and faith in being part of this process.
The Healing Task Force
Bill MacKaye, Elizabeth Finley, John Payne, Liane Rozzell, Lindsey Foss, Maria Mercedes Bejarano, Nicole Martinez Moore, and Sandra Moore
Next Morning Forum
This is a time of education and discussion held on the second Sunday of each month at 9:15am.
Upcoming topics:
April 9: Easter! (no morning forum)
May 14: Vatican II (Joshua Gerras)
Volunteers are needed to lead upcoming Morning Forums. This could involve, for example, sharing your professional knowledge, facilitating a discussion, or introducing an organization or service opportunity. Some past Morning Forums were focused on the diaconate, rites of remembrance of the departed, Nicene Creed translations, the history of the Book of Common Prayer, bishops in the early church, the synoptic Gospels, the non-canonical Gospels, the Gospel reading for the day, and various service organizations. These are just examples; use your imagination, and don't be shy. Contact Jim Frazer if you would be willing to lead a Morning Forum session.
Choir rehearsal for 10:30am service
Every Thursday, 7:30-8:45pm in the Auditorium
General announcements
Easter flower donations
For the next two weeks we will be collecting donations for Easter flowers. If there is someone you would like to honor, celebrate or memorialize, you can include their name with your donation. Names we receive by Sunday, April 2 will be listed in the Easter service bulletins. Donation envelopes will be available in church on Sunday, March 19 and Sunday, April 2.
2022 giving statements
In late February, the 2022 giving statements were sent out via email. You would have received an email from St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church with the subject line Your giving statement. If you have trouble accessing it, need a printed copy, or find an error in the statement, please email
ssitreasurer@saintstephensdc.org to request assistance.
Thank you for your continued support of the church.
Children's Ministry Update
Please consider how you might share your time and talents with our beloved little (and not so little) ones. With questions, ideas, and/or to volunteer, email Jane Bishop or call/text: 202-297-8627.
Loaves and Fishes volunteer opportunity
Our Loaves and Fishes program serves a prepared meal every Saturday, Sunday and federal holiday year-round. Many people in need come for food. If you are interested in volunteering with Loaves and Fishes, simply text Denize at 240-855-5874
Rector Search Process on the Website
Information about the rector search can now be found on our website! There you can get updates, track the progress, and add your input. Check it out now!
Coffee hour
Join us after the 10:30am service for coffee/tea, light snacks, and fellowship. Please sign up to volunteer to bring snacks and help with set-up/ clean-up for our weekly coffee hour. Thank you for making this time possible!
A Gentle Reminder Please keep your pledge up to date. Just like your household, the church has regularly monthly expenses we must meet, so your help in making regular pledge payments insures we can meet them. Thank you for your commitment and faithfulness to our community.
Calling All Bakers
Do you bake? Do you bake bread? We need volunteers to bake bread for the 10:30am Sunday Eucharist. Please call or email Bill MacKaye at 202-374-5100 if you would like to bake bread on the first Sunday each month or the fifth Sunday (only four times a year!) or occasionally as a substitute.
