PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 31 May 2020

Pentecost (1732) by Jean II Restout (1692-1768).
Oil on canvas. Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Pentecost (Year A)
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 36
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
John 20:19-23

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Leo Sowerby (1895 – 1968)—Praeludium “Veni Creator Spiritus”
Based on a Hymn for Pentecost: “Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, and lighten with celestial fire. Thou, the anointing Spirit art, who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.” –Latin. tr. John Cosin (1594 – 1672)

Improvisation on hymn tune “Magdalen College”

Leo Sowerby—Toccata (1940)

A WORD OF WELCOME 

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.

FAREWELL TO S. STEPHEN’S FROM FATHER MEAD 

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Whitsunday, 31 May, the Feast of Pentecost, is my last day as your Interim Rector. The Interim baton now goes to faithful Fr. Bill Locke, a friend and counselor whom I trust implicitly and who has taken a lion’s share of our weekday masses. Thanks to him, and to Bishop Knisely and Canon Dena, for this smooth transition. And a particular thanks to Fr. Michael Pearson not only for his help with Sunday and other masses but with pastoral care. I don’t know what I would have done without these two superb priests. Special thanks to Maestro Busby and Jacob Ihnen, to Susan Rozzero and Diamond Centofanti, and to our two Wardens Tom Bledsoe and Alison Huff and our treasurer Muriel Jobbers. Forgive me for stopping here, because my complete thank-you list is long, and already I am falling short.

I had hoped, as I told your Wardens a year ago, that I would “get you to Rector.” That would have happened were it not for the unforeseen tyranny of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus slowed things down, but this June – God willing – should be the time of final discernment as to whom the Lord is calling to be S. Stephen’s next Rector. Between the Call and getting the new Rector in residence, summertime will be needed to prepare for the Rector to move to Providence. Fr. Locke will have a secure hand on the tiller as S. Stephen’s sails into port. I am impressed by the parish’s Search Committee and its elected and appointed leaders in the most important decision any Wardens and Vestry, with the Bishop’s advice and requisite consent, will ever make, i.e., elect the Rector.

I addressed you as dearly beloved in Christ and I meant it. The past twelve months have bonded you to me in my thoughts and prayers. I have come to love S. Stephen’s flock and its leaders as I have become acquainted with the congregation. As I get out of the Responsibility Chair and return to full time retirement, I hope to visit S. Stephen’s and to stay in touch.

Even though I’m in South County, I’m not on another planet. The drive down I-95, Route 4 and Route 1 to our house takes 50 minutes if you obey the law. Come visit if you will. Canon Nancy Mead and I live at 321 Wandsworth Street, Narragansett. My email is AndrewCraigMead1@gmail.com. Our landline is 401-789-6786 and my mobile, on which I talk and text, is 917-592-5947. Don’t fear to contact me. Nancy and I want to invite you all down here for homemade Rhode Island Clear Clam Chowder or for a Brickley’s Ice Cream Social, or for both at once. Corona-tide won’t be forever, and we have enough land to afford physical distancing.

After I retired as Rector of Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue in 2014 and Nancy and I moved from Manhattan to Narragansett, I began to write Book Reports three times a year, emailing them to more than 300 of my closest friends (!) – seriously, for family and friends, clergy associates, and former parishioners. They have proved to be a rewarding way to stay in touch with people. I suspended my Book Reports for the past twelve months, because suddenly I had to write sermons each week for S. Stephen’s; but I’m planning to resume writing Book Reports this summer. If you would like to be a recipient of these, please let me know and give me your email address. The Constant Contact company requires that I have your permission to add you to their list of recipients.

Let me bless you as I go, and I do with affection and gratitude for the privilege of serving as your Priest and Interim Rector:

May the holy guardian angels watch over you. May our blessed Lady Mary, Saint Stephen our patron and all the saints pray for you. And may Jesus Christ our Lord and God bless you with his grace, bring you to into the love of our heavenly Father, and strengthen you with the Spirit of truth and power, now and always. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Fr. Mead’s Sendoff – We invite you to tune into Fr. Mead’s last Mass as Interim Rector tomorrow, 31 May, at 10 am. Further, please join us virtually for a formal sendoff at next Sunday’s Coffee Hour on 7 June. For more information on the festivities, please contact Molly Ellis (molly.bledsoe.ellis@gmail.com) or Alison Huff (alisonhuff12@gmail.com). Thank you!

Fr. Locke to Serve as Next Interim – We welcome Fr. Bill Locke as our next Interim Rector starting on 1 June. Fr. Locke will be serving full-time. Meanwhile, Fr. Michael Pearson will be continuing as an assisting priest, with Fr. Gary Sturni and possibly others taking on the occasional weekday Mass.

Call for National Day of Mourning – Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has called for a national day of mourning on 1 June for victims of COVID-19. For more information about this initiative and how to join in, please see this article from the Episcopal News Service.

A Note About Easing Restrictions – While the Governor has issued permission for reopening churches to the public, we are intentionally going slowly for safety’s sake, following Bishop Knisely’s counsel. The participants you see at our online Masses may if they wish receive Holy Communion with the Priest/Celebrant. For the time being, we are limiting total in-person participants to five. Then we shall see about enlarging these numbers as we learn the various protocols for avoiding COVID-19 infections.

Recurring Email Scam – It has been brought to our attention that a common scam has returned where an email sent from someone claiming to be our priest asks for a favor. Please do not respond to this email if you receive it. For more information on this scam and how to report it, please see this article from the Federal Trade Commission.

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth (31 May) – a major feast day of the church year, is transferred and will be celebrated this coming Monday 1 June with Virtual Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Virtual Low Mass at 6 pm.

Society of Mary – will meet virtually this coming Saturday, 6 June, beginning with Holy Rosary following the 10 am Low Mass and a brief meeting. To join both the recitation of the Rosary and the Meeting, please click here. Please contact Jacob Ihnen at (jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu) for the password to join. All are welcome and invited to participate!

Virtual Offices and Masses – To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 31 May, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email (alisonhuff12@gmail.com), or Jacob Ihnen via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email (jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu). Thank you!

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. You may contact Father Locke at 401-499-6921 or email him at frbill@cox.net. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Richard, Beverly, Patti, Eli, Maxine, Terry, Ethel, Chipper, Donna, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Norman, Lola, Ruby, John, Diana, Sarah, Shannah, Lynne, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Sandy, John, Dylan, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Bruce, Richard, Ann, Beth, Sandy, Nancy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Empy, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Crystal, Roger, Louis, and Christopher.

Birthdays this week: Conrad Johnson (Thursday 6/4).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Grace Gerry Harris (31 May 1987), William Justice Cowperthwaite (1 June 2011), Agnes Zendzian Laird (2 June 1991), Rosamond Hine (3 June 1998), Janis Gay (3 June 1984), William Milligan Sloan (4 June 1994), Cameron Duke Stebbins (4 June 1997), Sarah Elizabeth MacIntyre (5 June 1990), and Arthur Giglio (5 June 1990). Recently Departed: Elizabeth “Betty” Anna Schumann.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Melanesia: The Most Rev’d Leonard Dawea, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia and Bishop of Temotu; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Charlestown and Grace Church, Providence.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 6 June
Society of Mary  10:45 am

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 6 June
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only)  2:30-4:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* ALL IN-PERSON SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY SERVICES LIMITED TO 5 PEOPLE TOTAL
* ALL SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS

Sunday 31 May
THE DAY OF PENTECOST: WHITSUNDAY (R)
Virtual Low Mass 10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 4, Year Two

Monday 1 June
THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY TO ELIZABETH (Transferred) (Blue)
Virtual Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Virtual Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 2 June
Justin, Martyr at Rome, c. 167 (Transferred) (R)
Blandina and her Companions, the Martyrs of Lyons, 177
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 3 June
The Martyrs of Uganda, 1885-1887 (R)
Virtual Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Virtual Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 4 June
FERIA (G)
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 5 June
Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz, Missionary, Martyr, 754 (R)
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 6 June
FERIA (G)
Norbert, Archbishop of Magdeburg, 1134
Philip the Evangelist, Deacon, 1st century
Virtual Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Virtual Low Mass  10 am
Virtual Holy Rosary  10:45 am

Sunday 7 June
TRINITY SUNDAY (W)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (7 June)

Trinity Sunday (Year A)
Genesis 1:1—2:4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13 

Matthew 28:16-20

PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 24 May 2020

Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles (between 1308 and 1311)
by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255-1319). Tempera on wood.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena, Italy.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Louis-Nicolas Clérambault (1676 – 1749)—Suite du deuxième ton: 1. Plein jeu

Improvisation on hymn tune “Jam lucis orto sidere”
“O risen Christ, ascended Lord, all praise to you let earth accord, who are, while endless ages run, with Father and with Spirit, One.” –The Venerable Bede (673 – 735), tr. Benjamin Webb (1819 – 1885)

Louis-Nicolas Clérambault—Suite du deuxième ton: 7. Caprice sur les grands jeux

A WORD OF WELCOME

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Note About Easing Restrictions – While the Governor has issued permission for re-opening churches to the public, we are intentionally going slowly for safety’s sake, following Bishop Knisely’s counsel. The participants you see at our online Masses may if they wish receive Holy Communion with the Priest/Celebrant. For the time being, we are limiting total in-person participants to five. Then we shall see about enlarging these numbers as we learn the various protocols for avoiding COVID-19 infections.

Return of the Organ(ist) – It is a joy to welcome our Maestro Busby back to the keyboard this Sunday! For the time being, our music will be limited to the organ. As we go along, we will see what we can do about singing.

Requiescat in pace – We commend to the Lord the soul of Elizabeth “Betty” Anna (Hunt) Schumann, who died on 6 May. She was 102 and lived at Laurelmead on Blackstone Boulevard. A long-time member of S. Stephen’s, Betty served on the Altar Guild and was an enthusiastic supporter of the parish’s outreach to Brown and of its University Eucharist. May she rest in the peace of Jesus and rise with Christ in glory. To read her obituary, please visit here. –Fr. Mead

Betty Schumann, RIP

Fr. Locke to Serve as Next Interim – We welcome Fr. Bill Locke as our next interim priest starting on 1 June. Fr. Locke will be serving full-time. Meanwhile, Fr. Michael Pearson will be continuing as an assisting priest, with Fr. Gary Sturni and possibly others taking on the occasional weekday Mass.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 – Congratulations to Ensign Wesley Russell, who graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in mechanical engineering, and to Mr. Jason Simaan, who graduates this weekend from Brown University (with commencement celebrations postponed to next year) with a degree in economics. May God bless and keep you, now and always!

Memorial Day (May 25th) – We honor and mourn all those military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. “O Judge of the nations, we remember before thee with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” –from the ASB, p. 664

Virtual Offices and Masses – To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 24 May, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email at alisonhuff12@gmail.com, or me via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email at jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu. Thank you!

Virtual Catechesis Class – Please consider joining Fr. Mead for his last Virtual Class, “Mead and Creed,” this coming Tuesday, 26 May, at 5:30 pm. To date, the class has featured items of Doctrine, the Creeds, and the Prayer Book Catechism. The classes have been within one hour in length. Special Note: For class this Tuesday on The Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell and Heaven [Note the order!], please read pp. 861-862 (The Christian Hope) in the BCP. Those who are interested can contact Alison Huff with any questions or difficulties in joining via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email at alisonhuff12@gmail.com.

Mead and Creed Recordings – If you would like access to audio recordings of “Mead and Creed” class sessions, please contact Alison Huff or Jacob Ihnen via email.

Digital Spring Cleaning – I am in the process of tidying up our digital databases. If you think we might not have your most up-to-date contact information, please contact me with the correct information via email at jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu. More generally, please send your birthdays and wedding anniversaries in as well! We would love to commemorate them, but do not have as many on file as we would like. Thank you! – Jacob Ihnen

Exterior Architectural Lighting – If you drive by S. Stephen’s in the evening, you will now find it illuminated by lovely exterior architectural lighting. This lighting was given to the parish by an anonymous donor to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Fr. Alan Maynard, assisting priest at S. Stephen’s for many years. May he rest in peace. (d. 7 September 2006)

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. You may contact Father Mead at 917-592-5947 or email him at andrewcraigmead1@gmail.com. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Richard, Beverly, Patti, Maxcine, Ethel, Chipper, Donna, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Sandy, John, Dylan, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Bruce, Richard, Ann, Sandy, Nancy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Empy, Elizabeth, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Crystal, Roger, Christopher, Beth, Sarah, Diana, Ruby, and Lola.

Anniversary of Ordination to Sacred Priesthood: Fr. Philip C. Jacobs (5/29/71).

Birthdays this week: Rose Callanan (Monday 5/25) and Grant Randall (Thursday 5/28).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Shirley Jeanne Miller Bledsoe (26 May 2019), Nancy Figliolini (28 May 2006), Agnes Maud Cliff (28 May 1986), and Shirley Cook (29 May 2014). Recently Departed: Elizabeth “Betty” Anna Schumann and Geraldine Millham.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for all members of the Anglican Communion around the world: for the Archbishop of Canterbury―the Most Rev’d Justin Welby, and all primates and bishops, for members of the Anglican Consultative Council, for the Secretary General―the Most Rev’d Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, for the staff at the Anglican Communion Office in London, and the UN offices in Geneva and New York; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. Augustine’s, Kingston, and for those in the Armed Forces who have died in service to our country.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 26 May
“Mead and Creed”  5:30 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 30 May
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only)  2:30-4:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* ALL IN-PERSON SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY SERVICES CANCELLED
* ALL SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS

Sunday 24 May
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter VII, Year Two
Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter VII, Year A

Monday 25 May
NO SERVICES (Rest day for clergy and staff)

Tuesday 26 May
Tuesday of Easter VII (W)
Philip Neri, Founder of the Oratorians, 1595
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 27 May
Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, 605 (W)
Virtual Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Virtual Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 28 May
Thursday of Easter VII (W)
Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1089
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 29 May
Friday of Easter VII (W)
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 30 May
Saturday of Easter VII (W)
Joan of Arc, Visionary, 1431
Virtual Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 31 May
THE DAY OF PENTECOST: WHITSUNDAY (R)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (31 May)

Pentecost (Year A)
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 36
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
John 20:19-23

PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 17 May 2020

Paul Preaching in the Areopagus (copy after Raphael) (1729-1731) by James Thornhill (1675/1676-1734). Oil on canvas. Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:7-18
1 Peter 3:13-22
John 14:15-21

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
(Recorded on 13 May 2020 by James Busby, Organist)

Sigfred Karg-Elert (1877 – 1933)—Chorale-trio “Christus, der ist mein Leben,” Op. 78

Improvisation on hymn tune "Kingsfold"
"Oh Jesus, crowned with all renown, since thou the earth hast trod, thou reignest and by thee come down henceforth the gifts of God" -E. W. Benson (1829 – 1896)

Sigfred Karg-Elert—March-Triomphale - Nun danket alle Gott, Op. 65

A WORD OF WELCOME 

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

A Note About Easing Restrictions – Plans to progressively reopen the church are still in their early stages. We will keep you apprised of any new developments as they arise. Thank you for your patience!

Virtual Offices and Masses – To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our eighth Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 17 May, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email at alisonhuff12@gmail.com, or me via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email at jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu. Thank you!

Virtual Catechesis Class – Fr. Mead leads a Virtual Class, “Mead and Creed,” on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm this Eastertide continuing to the end of May. It features items of Doctrine, the Creeds, and the Prayer Book Catechism. The classes are within one hour in length. Special Note: For class this Tuesday, please read pp. 856-857 on Prayer and Worship in the BCP and read this poem by George Herbert. To join in, please click here. Those who are interested can contact Alison Huff with any questions or difficulties in joining via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email at alisonhuff12@gmail.com.

Mead and Creed Recordings – If you would like access to audio recordings of “Mead and Creed” class sessions, please contact Alison Huff or Jacob Ihnen via email.

Digital Spring Cleaning – I am in the process of tidying up our digital databases. If you think we might not have your most up-to-date contact information, please contact me with the correct information via email at jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu. More generally, please send your birthdays and wedding anniversaries in as well! We would love to commemorate them, but do not have as many on file as we would like. Thank you! – Jacob Ihnen

Exterior Architectural Lighting – If you drive by S. Stephen’s in the evening, you will now find it illuminated by lovely exterior architectural lighting. This lighting was given to the parish by an anonymous donor to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Fr. Alan Maynard, assisting priest at S. Stephen’s for many years. May he rest in peace. (d. 7 September 2006)

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. You may contact Father Mead at 917-592-5947 or email him at andrewcraigmead1@gmail.com. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Richard, Beverly, Patti, Maxcine, Ethel, Chipper, Donna, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Sandy, John, Dylan, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Bruce, Richard, Ann, Sandy, Nancy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Empy, Elizabeth, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Crystal, Roger, Christopher, Beth, Sarah, Diana, Ruby, and Lola.

Belated Birthday: Beth Shirley (Friday 5/15).

Birthdays this week: Noah Butler-Rose (Tuesday 5/19), Andrew Grover (Wednesday 5/20), Kathleen MacLean (Wednesday 5/20), and Bobby Rose (Friday 5/22).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: David A. Ross (18 May 1997), Elizabeth Kellum (18 May 1997), Janice Dobson (19 May 2000), Elise Jackson Steedman (19 May 1985), Tyrone Gene Gingrich (19 May 2014), Martha S. Fearson (20 May 1987), Allen Burnett Williams (20 May 2010), Henry Butler (20 May 2019), Royal Martin Disley (21 May 2005), and Clinton Nickerson Williams II (21 May 1991). Recently Departed: Beth Dancause and Geraldine Millham.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Korea: The Most Rev’d Moses Nagjun Yoo, Primate of Korea and Bishop of Daejeon; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of The Church of the Ascension/La Iglesia de la Ascension, Cranston, and Ascension, Wakefield.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 19 May
“Mead and Creed”  5:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* ALL IN-PERSON SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY SERVICES CANCELLED
* ALL SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS

Sunday 17 May
THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter VI, Year Two
Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter VI, Year A

Monday 18 May
NO SERVICES (Rest day for clergy and staff)

Tuesday 19 May
Tuesday of Easter VI (W)
Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, 988
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 20 May
Wednesday of Easter VI (W)
Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot, 820
Virtual Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Virtual Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 21 May
THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Helena, Empress, Protector of the Holy Places, 330
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 22 May
Friday of Easter VI (W)
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 23 May
Saturday of Easter VI (W)
Vincent of Lerins, Priest, Teacher, 450
Virtual Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 24 May
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (24 May)

Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11 

John 17:1-11

PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 10 May 2020

Stoning of St. Stephen (c. 1435) by Paolo Uccello (1397–1475).
Fresco. Prato Cathedral, Prato, Italy.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-6, 17-18
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
(pre-recorded)

C. Hubert H. Parry (1848 – 1918)—Jerusalem

Thomas Tomkins (1572 – 1656)—Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost

Robert Parsons (1535 – 1571/72)—Ave Maria

Dieterich Buxtehude (1637 – 1707)—Prelude, Fugue, and Chaconne

A WORD OF WELCOME 

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Note About Easing Restrictions – Plans to progressively reopen the church are still in their early stages. We will keep you apprised of any new developments as they arise. Thank you for your patience!

Milestones – Please join us today, 9 May, in wishing parishioners Bruce and Sharon Lennihan a happy and blessed 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary! Cheers to the happy couple! 

A Prayer for Mother’s Day (10 May) – O God of Provision and Unconditional Love, On this day when we acknowledge the importance of motherhood among us, we first give thanks that you are a loving parent to us all. From your being all life was born, and in your bosom all creation is nurtured. You have formed us in your image as your children, and gathered us together as a brood under your wing. You have united us as kindred members of one human family, and we are grateful to be your offspring together. We celebrate your divine love, reflected in human expressions of motherhood.

We give you thanks for the mothers among us, and ask that you strengthen them in their daily tasks. Grant them wisdom in the lessons they teach, patience in the discipline they foster, and persistence in their promotion of decency and compassion, both by word and example. May they be given the honor and thanks they deserve but often do not receive.

We thank you for all motherly figures: grandmothers, aunts, sisters, wives, step-mothers, foster mothers, guardians, babysitters, teachers, health care providers, neighbors, friends, loved ones, and many others, who practice self-sacrifice and embody compassion to all who are privileged to be in their influence. Grant them vigor to carry on their work, and the satisfaction that the holy privilege of their task affords. Amen.

– excerpted from a prayer by The Rev. Magrey R. deVega

Virtual Offices and Masses – To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our seventh Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 10 May, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email at alisonhuff12@gmail.com, or me via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email at jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu. Thank you!

Virtual Catechesis Class – Fr. Mead leads a Virtual Class, “Mead and Creed,” on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm this Eastertide continuing to the end of May. It features items of Doctrine, the Creeds, and the Prayer Book Catechism. The classes are within one hour in length. Special Note: Before this coming Tuesday, please take a look at this article he wrote for the Anglican Digest. To join in, please click here. Those who are interested can contact Alison Huff with any questions or difficulties in joining via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email at alisonhuff12@gmail.com.

Mead and Creed Recordings – If you would like access to audio recordings of “Mead and Creed” class sessions, please contact Alison Huff or Jacob Ihnen via email.

Vestry Meeting – The Vestry will virtually conduct its monthly meeting next Tuesday, 12 May, at 7 pm.

Monthly Commemoration of the Departed – whose year’s mind falls during May will be offered virtually this coming Saturday, 16 May, at 10 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9:30 am). If you have any names to add to those to be remembered, please let Nancy Gingrich know. This Mass is sponsored by the Guild of All Souls, St. Stephen Protomartyr Branch: all are welcome and invited to attend!

Digital Spring Cleaning – I am in the process of tidying up our digital databases. If you think we might not have your most up-to-date contact information, please contact me with the correct information via email at jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu. More generally, please send your birthdays and wedding anniversaries in as well! We would love to commemorate them, but do not have as many on file as we would like. Thank you! – Jacob Ihnen

Exterior Architectural Lighting – If you drive by S. Stephen’s in the evening, you will now find it illuminated by lovely exterior architectural lighting. This lighting was given to the parish by an anonymous donor to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Fr. Alan Maynard, assisting priest at S. Stephen’s for many years. May he rest in peace. (d. 7 September 2006)

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. You may contact Father Mead at 917-592-5947 or email him at andrewcraigmead1@gmail.com. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Richard, Beverly, Patti, Maxcine, Ethel, Chipper, Donna, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Sandy, John, Dylan, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Bruce, Richard, Ann, Sandy, Nancy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Empy, Elizabeth, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Crystal, Roger, Christopher, Beth, Sarah, Diana, Ruby, and Lola.

(Belated) Birthday this week: Karen Vorbeck Williams (Saturday 5/9).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Bertha Isabelle Hughes (10 May 1992), Estelle “Peg” Duncanson (10 May 2006), Agnes Charette (12 May 1984), Edward Brown Williams, Jr. (12 May 1991), and Lois Alene Eckhardt Decker (14 May 2013). Recently Departed: Beth Dancause and Geraldine Millham.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Kenya: The Most Rev’d Jackson Ole Sapit, Primate and Archbishop of All Kenya; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of Church Beyond the Walls.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 12 May
“Mead and Creed”  5:30 pm

Vestry Meeting  7 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* ALL IN-PERSON SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY SERVICES CANCELLED
* ALL SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS

Sunday 10 May
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter V, Year Two
Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter V, Year A

Monday 11 May
NO SERVICES (Rest day for clergy and staff)

Tuesday 12 May
Tuesday of Easter V (W)
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 13 May
Wednesday of Easter V (W)
Virtual Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Virtual Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 14 May
Thursday of Easter V (W)
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 15 May
Friday of Easter V (W)

Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 16 May
Saturday of Easter V (W)
Virtual Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Virtual Low Mass with Commemoration of May Departed  10 am

Sunday 17 May
THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (17 May)

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Acts 17:22-31
Psalm 66:7-18
1 Peter 3:13-22 

John 14:15-21

PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 3 May 2020

Christ the Good Shepherd (5th c.) by an unknown artist. Mosaic. Galla Placidia Mausoleum, Ravenna, Italy. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Photo taken by Petar Milošević.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
(pre-recorded)

H. Walford Davies (1869 – 1941)—Anglican Chant: Psalm 23

Richard Smert (c. 1400 – c. 1479) & John Trouluffe (c. 1448 –c. 1473)—O clavis David

A WORD OF WELCOME 

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Digital Spring Cleaning – I am in the process of tidying up our digital databases. If you think we might not have your most up-to-date contact information, please contact me with the correct information via email at jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu. More generally, please send your birthdays and wedding anniversaries in as well! We would love to commemorate them, but do not have as many on file as we would like. Thank you! – Jacob Ihnen

Virtual Catechesis Class – Fr. Mead leads a Virtual Class, “Mead and Creed,” on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm this Eastertide continuing to the end of May. It features items of Doctrine, the Creeds, and the Prayer Book Catechism. The classes are within one hour in length. Special Note: This coming Tuesday, we will look at the third paragraph of the Creed, concerning God the Holy Spirit. You might also read Acts, chapter 2, the story of Pentecost, Exodus 3:11-15, and Psalm 139. To join in, please click here. Those who are interested can contact Alison Huff with any questions or difficulties in joining via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email at alisonhuff12@gmail.com.

Exterior Architectural Lighting – If you drive by S. Stephen’s in the evening, you will now find it illuminated by lovely exterior architectural lighting. This lighting was given to the parish by an anonymous donor to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Fr. Alan Maynard, assisting priest at S. Stephen’s for many years. May he rest in peace. (d. 7 September 2006)

Virtual Offices and Masses – To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our sixth Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 3 May, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email at alisonhuff12@gmail.com, or me via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email at jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu. Thank you!

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. You may contact Father Mead at 917-592-5947 or email him at andrewcraigmead1@gmail.com. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

College Ministry – The Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) meets for the last time this semester virtually this Sunday, 3 May, at 5:30 pm for Evening Prayer on the EMBR Facebook page. All are most welcome and invited to participate!

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Richard, Beverly, Patti, Maxcine, Ethel, Chipper, Donna, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Sandy, John, Dylan, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Bruce, Richard, Ann, Sandy, Nancy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Empy, Elizabeth, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Crystal, Roger, Christopher, Beth, Sarah, Diana, Ruby, and Lola.

Birthdays this week: Robyn Noble (Sunday 5/3) and Jennifer Jones (Thursday 5/7).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Charles N. Williams, Sr. (3 May 1999), Sarah Volante (3 May 2014), Marc V. Ragsdale (5 May 2008), John Herbert Allen (5 May 1991), Robert Hale Ives Goddard (6 May 2003), Edna Rawlings (6 May 2014), and Marion Beverly Hall (8 May 2010). Recently Departed: Beth Dancause and Geraldine Millham.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Nippon Sei Ko Kai (The Anglican Communion in Japan): The Most Rev’d Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, Primate of The Nippon Sei Ko Kai & Bishop of Hokkaido; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of the Church of Good Shepherd, Pawtucket, for Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, and those who serve on our diocesan governing committees.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 5 May
“Mead and Creed”  5:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* ALL IN-PERSON SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY SERVICES CANCELLED
* ALL SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS

Sunday 3 May
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter IV, Year Two
Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter IV, Year A

Monday 4 May
NO SERVICES (Rest day for clergy and staff)

Tuesday 5 May
Tuesday of Easter IV (W)
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 6 May
Wednesday of Easter IV (W)
Virtual Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Virtual Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 7 May
Thursday of Easter IV (W)
Harriet Starr Cannon, Founder of the Community of Saint Mary, 1896
John of Beverley, Monk, Bishop, 721
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 8 May
Friday of Easter IV (W)
Julian of Norwich, Mystic, Teacher, c. 1417
Virtual Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Virtual Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 9 May
Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop, Teacher, 389 (W)
Pachomius, Abbot, 346
Virtual Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 10 May
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Virtual Low Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (10 May)

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year A)
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-6, 17-18
1 Peter 2:2-10 

John 14:1-14