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.
May 2021
The Sanctuary Project
“The mission of the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace is to end youth and young adult violence in the community of Wilkinsburg and beyond. We seek to be a presence of peace and hope in our community as we lift up Wilkinsburg as a wonderful place to live, work, worship and attend school. Though many of us represent the Christian congregations of Wilkinsburg, we welcome and work alongside people of all faith traditions for the saving of our young people and beloved community.”
You can donate by writing a check to “The Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project” and putting it in the communion plate or by getting on their website at wilkinsburgsanctuaryproject.org
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
May 2021: Food of the Month
Pasta & Sauce
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 be reading Howard Thurman’s, “Jesus and the Disinherited.” It was first published in 1949, but it speaks to us today as we consider our response to the the crises that face us and ask ourselves how we should respond as followers of Jesus. Please contact Melanie Sprenkel (412) 725-1174 if you’d like to join us Thursdays from 12-1:30 p.m. in the Library at our church. We will begin on Thursday, April 15, 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 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
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 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
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
May 6 – National Day of Prayer
May 9 – Mother’s Day
May 23 – Pentecost
May 31 – Memorial Day
Birthday’s & Anniversaries
May 1 – Louise Broujos
May 18 – Tonya Magwood
May 21 – Tim Brucker
May 30 – Ernest Scott
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.