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.
Pittsburgh Recovery Walk
The sixth annual recovery walk will be held in downtown Pittsburgh on September 11. All are welcome. The walk’s aim is to dispel negative stigma and recognize recovery as a positive force in our community. The event is free. For more information, check out their website. Pghrecoverywalk.org
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.
September 2021
Episcopal Relief Fund
Episcopal Relief and Development works in collaboration with church partners and other local organizations to help communities that struggle with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Their three priorities are women, children and the climate. If you’d like to donate, you can write a check to the organization and put it in the offering plate, and we will send it for you, or you can donate online at www.episcopalrelief.org
Needed Supplies for our Blessing Box
The blessing box has been a great success. We always need more donations for the people of Wilkinsburg. If you’d like to donate supplies, the ones listed below have been the most popular.
Pancake mix and syrup
Small boxes of cereal
Mac-n-cheese
Coffee and tea
Boxed pasta & pasta sauce
Shampoo
Dish and hand soap
Cookies & Crackers
Herbs & Spices
Cans of food or milk with pop-tops
Condensed or evaporated milk
Instant Oatmeal
Brownie Mix
Toiletries & Paper Products
Peanut Butter & Jam
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. This month WCM needs Backpacks for the beginning of school.
The Wilkinsburg Community Ministry provides stocked backpacks to the children of Wilkinsburg every year. If you’d like to donate, please write a check to the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (WCM) with “Operation Backpack “ in the memo line. You can put your donation in the offering plate or mail it to WCM at 702-704 Wood Street, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221.
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
September 2021: Food of the Month
Peanut Butter & Jelly
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.
Thursday Bible Study Group
The Thursday Bible study group will resume this month, September. Please tell Melanie Sprenkel (412) 725-1174 or Father Chuck if you’d like to join us Thursdays from 12-2 p.m. in the Library at our church. We will begin again on September 16, 2021.
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. Due to the expense, we will not be mailing the envelopes. You may mail your checks to the St. Stephen’s office and mark to the attention of Gerry Dalton. I will see that they are credited to your account. Should you wish envelopes, 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
ARE YOU 55 OR OLDER? WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND WORK, DEVELOP NEW SKILLS, AND BUILD YOUR FINANCIAL SECURITY?
Through SCSEP you can receive up to 20 hours/week of paid training and work experience, gain valuable skills and talents to improve the community by training in a wide variety of locations, including offices, hospitals, daycare centers, senior centers and other community organizations.
You may qualify if: you are 55 or older, unemployed, earning a low income or no income, wish to work in your community, want to be paid to learn new skills through on-the-job training.
CALL AARP Foundation at 412-271-1580
Or apply now at: SCSEP Online Application
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 offer a faithful perspective and time-tested practice for knitting deeply divided communities into a diverse, more perfect un- ion. In a cultural moment shadowed by pandemic, fractious politics, and deep division within families, communities, and nations, Episcopalians can partner in simple ways to celebrate difference, listen with deep curiosity, and promote healing.
Upcoming Events
September 10 – St. Stephen’s on the Lawn Picnic – 6pm – Behind the Church
September 12 – Kick-off Sunday
Birthday’s & Anniversaries
Sept. 3 – Dave Stefanik
Sept. 10 – Trish Schauf
Sept. 2 – Joann & Bill Rau – Wedding Anniversary
Sept. 2 – Cathie & Kevin Sunderman – Wedding Anniversary
Sept. 15 – Elise & Tim Morris – Wedding Anniversary
Sept. 20 – Nancy & Sig Tragard – Wedding Anniversary
Sept. 27 – John Sprenkel
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.