Rejoicing in a Risen Savior – Serving a Living Lord – Awaiting a Coming King
The members of St. Stephen’s are involved in many ministries to the surrounding community. We brighten the lives of our neighbors through these ministries.
Mission of the Month
A group of members selects a mission of the month and shares that project with the congregation. This gives members a concrete and easy way to help needy neighbors. Examples: At the start of the school year we collected school supplies for disadvantaged students. In the winter we prepared and served a meal to homeless adults and participated in a worship service with them.
March 2021
Doctors without Borders
Doctors without Borders is an independent global movement providing medical aid where it’s needed most. This agency responds to global emergencies, often going into war-torn countries to help those who are suffering because of violence, most recently Brazil, Haiti, Guinea, India and Cameroon. You can read about its work and donate at doctors withoutborders.org or write a check to “Doctors without Borders” and mail it to the church.
Needed Supplies for our Blessing Box
The blessing box has been a great success. If you’d like to donate supplies, the ones listed below have been the most popular.
Pancake mix and syrup
Brownie mix
Mac-n-cheese
Coffee and tea
Boxed pasta
Shampoo
Dish and hand soap
Stove top stuffing
Salt and pepper
Jello and pudding mix
We collect non-perishable food items throughout the year for the food pantry of the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (WCM). Each month we distribute a list of what items are needed.
Every year WCM shares at least 100 turkeys plus the trimmings to our neighbors at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas. Trimmings includes and either fresh or frozen green beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, peas, beans, corn bread mix, and a dessert mix. We try to include a dozen eggs per family, plus a variety of dessert items. The volume of trimmings is commensurate with the size of the family.
Families sign up in advance for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Sign up for the Thanksgiving Distribution of Turkey cards plus the Trimmings will start October 24 (United Nations Day) and continue until we have 100 families for November 1 (All Saints Day), which ever happens soonest. Sign up for Christmas will start after Thanksgiving.
The Thanksgiving distribution will occur at 704 Wood Street on Monday- Wednesday, November 23, 24, and 25, but will end promptly at 11:30 on the 25th so WCM staff can leave at noon to prep for their own holidays.
Did you know that 25% of Wilkinsburg residents are food insecure? Let’s help our neighbors by contributing to the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry holiday meal bag
March 2021: Food of the Month
Soup & Crackers
Each Year Wilkinsburg Community Ministries provides hundreds of local families with food. It is such a joy to know that we can help be a part of the happiness of so many others. For the next month we will be contributing to this effort!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
All items donated will be given to the food pantry run by Wilkinsburg Community Ministry. Please give generously. Items can be brought to the Church and placed at the back of the Sanctuary or brought into the Church office located in the Parish House, Monday through Thursday, 9am – Noon.
Offerings to Fulfill Your Pledge
Remember to stay current with your “estimate of giving.” You can mail in your contribution to the Church office or you can pay on-line by clicking the link below:
Stewardship Report
Thank you to everyone who has made a commitment to support St. Stephens in 2021. Following is a summary of our Stewardship campaign for the next year.
Did not respond this year – 5 people ($4010)
Deceased – 2 people ($2,448)
Moved out of town – 1 person ($1,820)
Lowered their pledge – 2 people ($760)
Pledge is the same – 10 people -$0-
Increased their pledge – 11 people + $13,948
Change in the amount pledged + $4,910
The 2021 Envelopes will be found in the back of the sanctuary after December 27th. Due to the expense, I will not be mailing the envelopes. You may mail your checks to the St. Stephen’s office and mark to the attention of Gerry Dal- ton. I will see that they are credited to your account. Should you wish enve- lopes, please let me know and I will mail you one for each month and the special envelopes. Thank you for your understanding in this very unusual time.
Gerry Dalton, Financial Administrator
Sanctuary Project
St. Stephen’s supports the Sanctuary Project, which provides positive experiences for youth in an effort to reduce conflicts in the community. Our members volunteer at various events of the Sanctuary Project throughout the year.
The Sanctuary Project held a Gun Buyback Program, coordinated with our police department, and they collected 94 guns this past November 16th.
“From Many, One”
Starting January 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), The Episcopal Church launches “From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference,” a campaign urging Episcopa- lians and our neighbors to engage in the spiritual practice of listening and honest conversation across the many differences that separate us, starting with four simple questions:
- What do you love?
- What have you lost?
- Where does it hurt?
- What do you dream?
Inspired by the Latin phrase on the U.S. seal – E Pluribus (“from many”) Unum (“one”) – the campaign is designed to of- fer a faithful perspective and time-tested practice for knitting deeply divided com- munities into a diverse, more perfect un- ion. In a cultural moment shadowed by pandemic, fractious politics, and deep di- vision within families, communities, and nations, Episcopalians can partner in sim- ple ways to celebrate difference, listen with deep curiosity, and promote healing.
Upcoming Events
March 14 – Daylight Savings
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 28 – Palm Sunday & Our Bishop’s Visitation
April 4 – Easter Sunday
Birthday’s & Anniversaries
March 1 – Steven Akers & Laura Block
March 12 – Malia Nelson
March 17 – Soon Choi
March 19 – Gloria Condron
March 27 – Carole Reed
March 31 – Walter Scott – “Scotty”
Ministry to shut-ins
We provide support to our senior citizens, even when poor health prevents them from attending services or leaving their homes. Members of St. Stephen’s visit the shut-ins on a regular basis and take communion to them if requested. We also communicate with them throughout the year.
Youth outreach
Youth Places
As we prepare to kick off a new academic year we welcome Youth Places to the Saint Stephen’s Parish House. They have been an answer to my prayer that we find a way to use the unique, spacious facilities we have as a blessing in the community, particularly to the young people of this local area. Youth Places is a well-established not for profit organization; their mission includes these elements that guide them in their work:
*Embracing a positive youth development approach to helping youth achieve success
*Involving youth in programs that incorporate their needs, interests and abilities, regardless of gender, race, ethnici- ty or cultural background
*Being a consistent, reliable presence in the community, collaborating with families, schools and grassroots organi- zations to provide the best possible services for youth
Karen Tuelle and I met with Uwe Calloway, Youth Places’ chief operations officer, Weston White, director of leadership and engagement, and Tammy Brown, who will be the site manager at their Wilkinsburg site now established at Saint Stephen’s Parish House. They are as happy and optimistic about our future together as we are. Please pray for the success of Youth Places and the important work that they shall do here. This will continue St. Stephen’s tra- dition of being actively engaged in serving at-risk youth and helping them to feel welcome, respected, appreciated and empowered in our area.
Father Chuck