PARISH NOTES
Sunday 18 October 2020
Render Unto Caesar, from Altarpiece of the Guild of Minters (1602). Painter: Maerten de Vos (1532-1603). Oil on panel. Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp.
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
A link to the readings can be found here.
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)— Concerto in G Major, BWV 592
Missa Kyrie magnae Deus potentiae (plainsong)
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.
A WORD FROM FATHER BENJAMIN
Dear brothers and sisters,
As we continue into this month-long season of Stewardship, instead of hearing from me in the Parish Notes, you’ll hear from other parishioners about why they pledge to S. Stephen’s. This week we have a short statement from Sharon Lloyd Clark, our Stewardship Committee Chair, in which she draws the connections between her childhood upbringing in the church, a newfound home at S. Stephen’s, and a life of returning thanks to God in all things.
“Last fall, when I was asked to chair the S. Stephen’s stewardship committee, I hesitated. After thinking about the position, I realized that my experience at the Chapel of the Intercession, a beautiful Gothic Revival church set on the corner of the vast cemetery of Trinity Wall Street, had prepared me for the challenge. My youth revolved around church: Monday afternoons were set aside for the Girl Scouts. Wednesday and Friday were reserved for choir practice. On Sunday, we sang at the 9:00 mass and then attended Sunday School. Each year on Christmas Eve, the girls’ choir processed to the grave of Clement Moore where the priest dressed as St. Nicholas read his poem, “The Night Before Christmas.” In the summer, we travelled to Trinity Mountain Camp, established by the nuns of St. Margaret. The priests, staff, and teachers welcomed our daily presence and activities. We were taught the importance of thanking God, singing hymns, and giving time and service to the Church. When I came to Providence, I discovered S. Stephen’s and found the glorious music, the daily mass, the friendly parishioners and the Sunday services all reminded me of my New York church and the lessons they taught me. I don’t hesitate anymore. I enjoy working on the vestry and the stewardship committee. I appreciate the congregation’s generosity to support and sustain our glorious S. Stephen’s Church.” – Sharon Lloyd Clark.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome! – If you are new or visiting, please know you are very welcome at S. Stephen’s. Please introduce yourself to the priest or to an usher following the service. We are so glad you are here.
Nominations Committee & Requests for Nominations – A Nominations Committee has been formed consisting of the following members: Alison Huff, Bobby Rose, Joy D’Ambra, Karl Benziger, and Ernie Drew. The committee is now accepting nominations for elections to be held at the Annual Meeting in January for open Vestry and Convention Delegate positions. Please speak to anyone on the committee if you have nominations or suggestions.
Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour this Sunday, October 18th, at 11:30 am. Please click here to join. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Fr. Benjamin Straley at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com. Thank you!
Stewardship Season – We have entered our month of stewardship, which began last Sunday and will conclude on November 15. Most of you have received letters in the mail from Fr. Benjamin and Sharon Lloyd Clark. During this time, we ask you to consider your commitment for the coming year so that we can plan our budget and programming accordingly. You can mail your pledge card back to the church office, or pledge online (sstephens.org/donate). Thank you for all the many ways in which you are already supporting S. Stephen’s.
All Souls Day Requiem Mass – On Monday, November 2, 6:00 PM, a low Requiem Mass will be held in the Lady Chapel, with cantors chanting the Missa pro Defunctis. As always, the Necrology will be read out, so please email office@sstephens.necoxmail.com with the names of those beloved to you that you would like to be included this year. With the added loss of so many from the Coronavirus Pandemic this year, it seems especially fitting that we offer this solemn liturgy. Please consider attending if you are able.
"Meet the Rector" Zoom Meeting, Wednesday, October 21 – Please drop in to meet Fr. Benjamin by Zoom on Wednesday, October 21. Contact junior warden Alison Huff at alisonhuff12@gmail.com or call or email the office for more information or simply join by going to https://zoom.us/j/97329279803.
Interested in Serving at Mass? – We are currently in need of a few more people to add to the rota of altar servers at Sunday and weekday masses. If this is something you would be interesting in learning more about, please email Fr. Benjamin at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com. We are also planning to resume reading of the lessons from the lectern once we have our new live streaming system in place, so if you are interested in reading, or have been a lector in the past, please know that opportunity will also be available soon.
Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – Thank you to all who have been so faithful in maintaining your financial support of S. Stephen’s during this pandemic. As some are able to return to in-person worship while others understandably need to stay home, there are three ways to continue your giving to S. Stephen’s:
- There is an offering plate in the back of the church where you may leave your offering.
- Offerings can be sent to the church office through the mail.
- You can give online by clicking here. Please contact us if you need assistance.
Again, thank you to all who have been so supportive.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, Vinnie, Louise, Diana, Sarah, Harrington, Joan, Phebe, Hunter, Jay, Conrad, Ann, Beverly, Tom, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Rhoda, Crystal, and Christopher.
Birthdays this week: We rejoice and give thanks for the birth of a daughter on October 16th to parishioners Alex and Molly Ellis, and granddaughter of Tom and Cathy Bledsoe.
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Phyllis Hayden Potterton (20 Oct); Claire Virginia Sledzinski (20 Oct); Jacquelyn Sue Taylor (20 Oct); Megda Dunham Hawkins (20 Oct); Robert Mark Rose (20 Oct); Lucille LaFrance Krawiec (20 Oct); Mary Elizabeth Moss (21 Oct).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the The Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for people and clergy of St. Luke’s, East Greenwich, and St. Luke’s, Pawtucket.
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 18 October
EMBR Campus Evening Prayer & Eucharist 5:30
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 24 October
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
* REGATHERING HAS RESUMED FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES ON SUNDAYS (80 PEOPLE TOTAL) AND WEEKDAYS (14 PEOPLE TOTAL)
* ALL ATTENDEES MUST ADHERE TO WRITTEN AND VERBAL PROTOCOLS TO ATTEND
Sunday 18 October
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
Zoom Coffee Hour 11:30 am
EMBR Campus Eucharist 5:30 pm
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 24, Year Two
Monday 19 October
SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST (transferred) (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 20 October
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 21 October
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 22 October
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 23 October
SAINT JAMES OF JERUSALEM (R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 24 October
FERIA (G)
Raphael, Archangel
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Sunday 25 October
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
EMBR Campus Eucharist 5:30 pm
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (25 October)
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46
A link to the readings can be found here.
