PARISH NOTES

Sunday 1 November 2020

The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs (1423-1424). Painter: Fra Angelico (Active 1417, Died 1455.) National Gallery, London.

 

COVID-19 AND WORSHIP: UPDATE

On Friday, October 30th, Governor Gina Raimondo gave held a press conference in which she addressed the severe rise in COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island, and steps we can all take together to stop this trend. Bishop Nicholas Knisely has also reiterated the guidelines to follow and observe.

For the next few weeks, we are strongly encouraging all parishioners to stay home and take advantage of our virtual worship offerings via Facebook Livestream.  We will not take the step of physically closing the doors to S. Stephen's for those who feel compelled to be present, but we must also do our part to protect each other.

This naturally brings great frustration and sadness for many of us who long for some return to "normal." Please know that we are acting in the best interest of all, and are closely monitoring the situation together with our Diocesan leadership.

Faithfully,

Fr. Benjamin Straley, Rector

Tom Bledsoe, Sr. Warden

Alison Huff, Jr. Warden

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV 541, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Mass setting: Missa O Quam Gloriosum est Regnun, Tomás Luis da Victoria (1548-1611)

Motet: O quam gloriosum est regnum, Victoria

Troisième Symphonie, Op. 28, V. Final, Louis Vierne (1870-1937)*

*played by Dāvids Heinze, Associate Director of Music, Grace Church, Providence

 

ALTAR FLOWERS

Flowers on the altar are given to the greater glory of God, for all the Saints, and to the memory of our dear parishioner Edward Kennedy Hooks (d. 10/8/18), by his wife Leana Hooks and their family.

A WORD OF WELCOME

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – If you are new or visiting today, please know that we are so glad that you are here, and that you are welcome in this community of faith. S. Stephen’s is an Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Rhode Island and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Located in the midst of Brown University, it serves the communities of Providence and beyond. S. Stephen’s has stood within the Anglo-Catholic tradition since its founding, and so the Mass or the Eucharist is at the center of our common life, with ancient and timeless ceremonial used to draw attention to the Living God in our very midst. We strive to be a diverse community and come from many various backgrounds, while 
united in One Body through our Lord Jesus Christ.

While we continue to gather again, this privilege brings with it some protocols to keep us all safe. A summary of the safety protocols may be found here.

A WORD FROM FR. BENJAMIN

Dear brothers and sisters, 

On Tuesday, our country will arrive at Election Day. Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, the fact is that the previous election was unprecedented, and that strong feelings existed on both sides. Little has changed four years later, and emotions still run strong for many. I give thanks that the Church is truly a “big tent” where we come together in Christ Jesus as one body, united in our belief in Him, despite how varied our beliefs on other subjects are. Please keep in mind S. Stephen’s daily mass schedule in the coming week, and know that you can always avail yourself of the church for private prayer. 

The Book of Common Prayer is a wonderful resource in its diversity of prayers or collects, which can sometimes give us the words to use in our prayer that we don’t always know how to find. And so I commend for your use in the coming days the following prayers for our national life. 

For an Election (BCP, 822) 

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For the Nation (BCP, 258) 

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

God bless you and keep you. 

Fr. Benjamin +

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

All Saints and All Souls – Sunday, November 1st, is All Saints’ Day, one of the Major Feasts of the Church Year, in which we will give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses which surround us as we make our own journey through this life. 

Monday, November 2nd is All Souls’ Day, which we will observe with Sung Requiem Mass in the Lady Chapel at 6:00 PM. This is a day to pray for all our beloved dead and to remember them. We will read out the Necrology, and if there are any names you would like to have added, please pass them on to the Church Office or to Fr. Benjamin (in writing or via phone or email – office@sstephens.necoxmail.com). With the loss of so many to COVID-19 in the past several months, this seems an especially fitting observation to keep this year. 

New Schedule for Zoom Coffee Hours – Virtual Coffee Hours will be held at 11:30 on the first and third Sundays of the month going forward, and on the fifth Sunday when one occurs. Please click here to join. 

On second Sundays of the month, there will be a 9:00 Zoom “Children’s Sermon” and check-in with Fr. Benjamin open to school-age children and their parents, available here. 

What is Anglo-Catholicism? – Have you always wondered why we do that one thing? Or why we do ___________ ? How can Episcopalians call themselves Catholics? There are probably lots of questions you might have had at some point. Before developing a forum in which we explore some of these questions, Fr. Benjamin would like to hear from YOU the things that you are curious about. Please email any questions you have to rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com, and in the coming months, we will find a time to explore them together via Zoom gatherings. 

Stewardship Season – We have entered our month of stewardship, which began October 11 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, leave it in the offering plate at the back of the church on Sunday, or pledge online (sstephens.org/donate). Thank you for all the many ways in which you are already supporting S. Stephen’s. 

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Patti, Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, Vinnie, Diana, Sarah, Harrington, Joan, Phebe, James, Hunter, Jay, Conrad, Ann, Beverly, Tom, Angela, Beverly, Rhoda, Crystal, and Christopher.

Birthdays this week: Vlexja (11/1), Charles (11/3), Albert (11/5).

Anniversaries: Ordination to the sacred order of deacons: Fr. Philip (11/7)

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Rosa Verdelotti (11/3), Gilbert Jarvis (11/5), Joseph James Bodell, Jr. (11/5), June Littlefield (11/6).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Church of the Province of West Africa, the Most Rev. Dr. Jonathan Bau-Bau Bonaparte Hart – Primate & Metropolitan; Archbishop of the Internal Province of West Africa and Bishop of Liberia.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 1 November
EMBR Campus Evening Prayer & Eucharist 5:30

 

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 7 November
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 1 November ALL SAINTS DAY

Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Sung Mass 10 am
Zoom Coffee Hour 11:30 am
EMBR Campus Eucharist 5:30 pm

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 26, Year Two

  Monday 2 November

ALL SOULS’ DAY (Commemoration of All Faithful Departed) (B)

Sung Requiem Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 3 November

Richard Hooker, Priest, Teacher, 1600
Martin de Porres, friar
Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, 1148

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 4 November

Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, 1584

Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 5 November

FERIA

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 6 November
William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1944
Leonard, hermit, 6th century

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 7 November

FERIA

Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am
Holy Rosary 10:45 am

Sunday 8 November

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Morning Prayer & Low Mass  8 am
Sung Mass  10 am
EMBR Campus Eucharist  5:30 pm

PARISH NOTES Sunday, October 25th

 

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 25 October 2020

 

James Tissot (1836–1902): The Pharisees Question Jesus (painted between 1886 and 1894). Gouache over graphite on gray wove paper. Brooklyn Museum 

 

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Pastorale, Darius Milhaud (1892-1974)

Petite Messe Pastorale (1934), Henri Sauguet (1901-1989)

Aria: Quia fecit mihi magna, BWV 243, J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Fanfare, Paul Dukas (1865-1935)

 

A WORD OF WELCOME

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – If you are new or visiting today, please know that we are so glad that you are here, and that you are welcome in this community of faith. S. Stephen’s is an Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Rhode Island and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Located in the midst of Brown University, it serves the communities of Providence and beyond. S. Stephen’s has stood within the Anglo-Catholic tradition since its founding, and so the Mass or the Eucharist is at the center of our common life, with ancient and timeless ceremonial used to draw attention to the Living God in our very midst. We strive to be a diverse community and come from many various backgrounds, while
united in One Body through our Lord Jesus Christ.

While we continue to gather again, this privilege brings with it some protocols to keep us all safe. A summary of the safety protocols may be found here.

A WORD Of STEWARDSHIP FROM OUR JUNIOR WARDEN

From Alison Huff - When I first started coming to S. Stephens, my plan was to sit quietly with my family in the pew and politely observe the lovely Sunday morning performance every week. But a wrench was immediately thrown into my plans – a huge wrench named Ed Hooks. Ed was, like the church itself, somewhat imposing on the exterior and a sanctuary of faith and hope on the interior. Ed welcomed us as if we had been expected – as if we already belonged. I hadn’t known that I was looking for S. Stephen’s, but there was no mistake, no question that my family had arrived at the right place. This right place was built and sustained for generations so that I could belong. Every time I pledge my support, it is with the hope that my contribution will allow others to come here and already belong.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

All Saints and All Souls – Next Sunday, November 1st, is All Saints’ Day, one of the Major Feasts of the Church Year, in which we will give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses which surround us as we make our own journey through this life.

The following day, Monday, November 2nd is All Souls’ Day, which we will observe with Sung Requiem Mass in the Lady Chapel at 6:00 PM. This is a day to pray for all our beloved dead and to remember them. We will read out the Necrology, and if there are any names you would like to have added, please pass them on to the Church Office or to Fr. Benjamin (in writing or via phone or email – office@sstephens.necoxmail.com). With the loss of so many to COVID-19 in the past several months, this seems an especially fitting observation to keep this year.

New Schedule for Zoom Calls – Virtual Coffee Hours will be held at 11:30 on the first and third Sundays of the month going forward, and on the fifth Sunday when one occurs. Please click here to join.

On second Sundays of the month, there will be a 9:00 Zoom “Children’s Sermon” and check-in with Fr. Benjamin open to school-age children and their parents, available here.

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. This Sunday, October 25, we are holding a training session following the 10:00 Mass, and there is currently room for one or two more people to join. Sandwiches will be served between the end of Mass and the beginning of the roughly hour-long training session. Please consider joining us.

What is Anglo-Catholicism? – Have you always wondered why we do that one thing? Or why we do ___________ ? How can Episcopalians call themselves Catholics? There are probably lots of questions you might have had at some point. Before developing a forum in which we explore some of these questions, Fr. Benjamin would like to hear from YOU the things that you are curious about. Please email any questions you have to rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com, and in the coming months, we will find a time to explore them together via Zoom gatherings. 

Stewardship Season – We have entered our month of stewardship, which began October 11 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, leave it in the offering plate at the back of the church on Sunday, or pledge online (sstephens.org/donate). Thank you for all the many ways in which you are already supporting S. Stephen’s.

A Note from Our New Staff Member, Andrew Jonathan Welch – I am excited to begin serving as your inaugural Communications and Administrative Assistant! While I am currently commencing my duties virtually, I will become a steady presence in the front office of the church following my mid-November move to the Providence area to reunite with my partner Cynthia, who is a surgical medicine resident at Rhode Island Hospital.

While my primary professional focus is music performance and education, I bring to St. Stephen’s over fifteen years of experience working with clergy and congregants in five different denominations in a variety of roles, with a special focus on building lasting, productive, relationships. I am an avid believer in the power of effective communication to foster change, and I am excited to work alongside Father Benjamin in ministry for the church.

Outside of my professional duties, I am an avid runner and cyclist who is beyond excited about my upcoming fifteen-minute bike commute to St. Stephen’s. I’m also a part-time movie buff, autodidactic German student, and hold a great passion for all things culinary, including my current pet project of cooking my way through Yotam Ottolenghi’s Plenty More.

  

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.

The faithful departed:  Year’s Mind: Clifton Milner Fidler (28 October 1983), Heather A. Morgan (31 October 1997).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Church in Wales, The Most Rev. John Davies, Archbishop of Wales & Bishop of Swansea & Brecon; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for our upcoming Diocesan Convention, for those to be elected or appointed, and for the many ministries we will celebrate.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 25 October
EMBR Campus Evening Prayer & Eucharist 5:30

 

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 31 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 25 October
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)

Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs at Rome, c. 287

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 25, Year Two

Monday 26 October
Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, Scholar, 899 (W)
Cedd, Abbot, Bishop of the East Saxons, 664

Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 27 October
FERIA (G)

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 28 October
SAINT SIMON AND SAINT JUDE (R)

Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 29 October
James Hannington, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs, 1885 (R)

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 30 October
FERIA (G)

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 31 October

FERIA (G)

Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 1 November
ALL SAINTS’ DAY (W)

Morning Prayer & Low Mass  8 am
Sung Mass  10 am
EMBR Campus Eucharist  5:30 pm

Monday 2 November
ALL SOULS’ DAY (Commemoration of All Faithful Departed) (B)

Sung Requiem Mass  6 pm

PARISH NOTES Sunday 18 October 2020

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.

PARISH NOTES, Sunday, October 11, 2020

 

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 11 October 2020

 

Parable of the Great Banquet, by Brunswick Monogrammist (circa 1525), location: National Museum, Warsaw.

 THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

 

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)

Isaiah 25:1-9

Philippians 4:1-9

Matthew 22:1-14

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings.

 

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Herbert Howells (1892-1983)— Partita, IV. Sarabande for the 12 day of any October

Edward C. Bairstow (1874-1946) — Office of Holy Communion

Herbert Murrill (1909-1952) — Carillon

 

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,

This Sunday, we’ll hear the Parable of the Great Banquet, in which many are called and invited by a king to a wedding banquet for his son. Some things go awry with the first round of invited guests, and especially badly for one poor soul who didn’t read the invitation carefully enough.

I’ll have more to say about that on Sunday, but for now, I want us to stop and consider the great and wondrous banquet that is the Eucharist we are invited to continually by God, whether on Sundays or in the quiet celebrations of daily mass.  So often words can fail to describe all that we seek to capture when we attempt what we find and receive in God.  I find that music often fills that gap, particularly hymns. Sadly, right now, we are not able to safely all sing together, but I will commend to your devotion the words of the hymn “Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness” for your use.

Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness,

leave the gloomy haunts of sadness,

come into the daylight’s splendor;

there with joy thy praises render

unto him whose grace unbounded

hath this wondrous banquet founded;

high o’er all the heavens he reigneth,

yet to dwell with thee he deigneth.

 

Sun, who all my life dost brighten;

Light, Who dost my soul enlighten;

Joy the best that any knoweth;

Fount, whence all my being floweth;

at thy feet I cry, my Maker,

let me be a fit partaker

of this blessed food from heaven,

for our good, thy glory, given.

 

Jesus, Bread of life, I pray thee,

let me gladly here obey thee;

never to my hurt invited,

be thy love with love requited;

from this banquet let me measure,

Lord, how vast and deep it's treasure;

through the gifts thou here dost give me

as thy guest in heaven receive me. 

Furthermore, perhaps look up a recording of the hymn on YouTube. And while you’re at it, listen to J.S. Bach’s cantata (BWV 180) based on the same text and tune, which you can find here on YouTube. Bask in the beauty of God’s banquet which spills into our lives in numerous ways – art, music, or the warm sun upon our faces in these beautiful, crisp autumn days.

Faithfully,

Fr. Benjamin+

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Welcome Back! – We’re delighted to be able to see you again this coming Sunday! While we continue to gather again, this privilege brings with it some protocols to keep us all safe. A summary of the safety protocols may be found here.

UPDATE: Virtual Offices and Masses – We offer Virtual Offices and Masses for those who wish to continue to participate safely from home. 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 archived services, please visit the parish website sermon page here.

**Please note, at this point, Friday & Saturday masses will no longer be livestreamed.  While masses Sunday through Thursday will continue to be livestreamed, they will not be archived on the S. Stephen’s website: they will only be archived on our Facebook Page.  Additionally, readings and other liturgical sources for daily services will not be posted on the S. Stephen’s website. Only Sunday 10:00 Masses and Major Feasts or commemorations will be archived on the website.

 

Stewardship Sunday – Stewardship Sunday is today! Most of you have received letters in the mail from Fr. Benjamin and Sharon Lloyd Clark. Today we kick off a month long “season” of Stewardship, as we ask you to consider your commitment for the coming year can be so that we can plan our budget and programming accordingly. If you have been worshiping in person, please bring your pledge card to leave in the offering plate this Sunday. Otherwise, please pledge online (sstephens.org/donate) or return your card via mail. We would like to have all pledges in by Sunday, November 15. Thank you for all the many ways in which you are already supporting S. Stephen’s.

 

Honoring Fr. Locke – Next Sunday, 18 October, we will honor Fr. Bill Locke, who served briefly as Interim Rector over the summer months. Please be present as you are able as we thank him in our 10 am liturgy for shepherding us between Fr. Mead’s departure and the arrival of the new Rector.

"Meet the Rector" Zoom Meeting Wednesdays in October at 7 pm – Please drop in to meet Fr. Benjamin by Zoom any Wednesday evening in October at 7 pm. Contact junior warden Alison Huff at alisonhuff12@gmail.com or call or email the office for more information or simply join by clicking here.

 

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.

 

Beyond our Parish – the Center for Reconciliation (an Initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island): CFR’s Classic Walking Tour—Now back for a limited time only! October 8 - November 1, 2020

Thursdays, 2:00 pm; Saturdays, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm; Sundays, 2:00 pm

Tickets: $25/person, 6 people maximum per tour

For more information and for booking requests go to www.cfrri.org/tours.

Despite being the smallest colony and then the smallest state, Rhode Island was one of the US's largest contributors to the international slave trade. How? In College Hill and the International Slave Trade, you will discover how white residents of College Hill trafficked in and owned enslaved people of African descent, therefore creating wealth in Providence and helping to lay the foundation for race relations in the state.

During our two-hour hike through history, we'll discuss complicity and resistance from the viewpoints of enslaved Ghanaians, indentured Irish sailors, housewives, captains, barrel makers, chocolatiers, church bishops, insurance dealers, and Quaker slave owners and abolitionists.

The CFR takes the health and safety of its tour guides and tour participants extremely seriously. All tours will be conducted entirely outdoors with appropriate COVID-19 precautions taken.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, Vinnie, Diana, Sarah, Harrington, Joan, Phebe, Hunter, Jay, Conrad, Ann, Beverly, Tom, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Rhoda, and Christopher.

Birthdays this week: Christine Sylvia (Friday 10/16).

Wedding Anniversary: Kristin Ripley-McNamar (Sunday 10/11).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: James K. Walker (11 October 2008), David W. Marsland (14 October 1993), Albert Croft (15 October 1984), William N. H. Potterton (17 October 1997).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Church of the Province of Uganda, the Most Revd Stephen Samuel Kaziimba - Archbishop of Uganda & and Bishop of Kampala; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for those who serve on the Diocesan Commission on Investments; Commission on Finance; Program and Budget Committee; congregational stewardship committees; treasurers; auditors; bookkeepers; and all those who are stewards of the wealth God has entrusted to the church.

 

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 11 October
EMBR: Evening Prayer and Low Mass  5:30 pm (Lady Chapel)

 

TUESDAY 13 October

Vestry Meeting, 7:00 pm (via Zoom)

 

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 17 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 11 October
NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)

Philip, Deacon and Evangelist

Morning Prayer  8 am

Low Mass  8:10 am

Sung Mass  10 am

EMBR Campus Eucharist 5:30 pm

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 23, Year Two

Monday 12 October (Columbus Day, Federal Holiday)
FERIA (G)

Wilfrid of Ripon, Bishop, Missionary, 709

Morning Prayer  9:30 am

Low Mass  10 am

Tuesday 13 October
FERIA (G)

Edward the Confessor, King of England, 1066

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 14 October
Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop of Shanghai, 1906 (W)

Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 15 October
Teresa of Avila, Carmelite Nun, Teacher, 1582 (W)

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 16 October
Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Bishops, 1555 (R)

Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1556

Noonday Prayer  12 noon

Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 17 October

Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, and Martyr, c. 115 (R)

Morning Prayer  9:30 am

Low Mass  10 am

 

Sunday 18 October
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)

Morning Prayer  8 am

Low Mass  8:10 am

Sung Mass  10 am

EMBR Campus Eucharist  5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (18 October)

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)

Isaiah 45:1-7

Psalm 96:1-9

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Matthew 22:15-22

Click here for link to the readings.