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.
January 2023
BETHLEHEM HAVEN WOMEN’S SHELTER
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
For the last 39 years, Bethlehem Haven which is in downtown Pittsburgh has provided nearly 13,000 nights of shelter, every night, and the need continues to grow. Each year, the Haven provides nearly 60,000 meals; sees around 600 men and women in the health and wellness clinic; fills countless physical and emotional needs for their residents and day program attendees; and provides employment training for more than 100 men and women in the community.
Bethlehem Haven’s mission is to provide a continuum of care for homeless individuals that leads toward self-sufficiency. Their founding values of Hospitality, Compassion, Integrity and Empowerment are still at the heart of everything they do today even as they have expanded their offerings.
If you would like to contribute, you can write a check to “Bethlehem Haven’s Women’s Shelter” and put it in the offering plate or you can donate with the link below. Thank you!
Needed Supplies for our Blessing Box – St. Stephen’s to the rescue!!!
When we sent out a plea for supplies because the cupboard was bare, you all came through! Thank you! We will always gladly accept your donations. The need is great.
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. If you’d like to donate, please write a check to the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (WCM). You can put your donation in the offering plate or mail it to WCM at 702-704 Wood Street, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221.
Did you know that 25% of Wilkinsburg residents are food insecure? Let’s help our neighbors by contributing to the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry.
January 2023: Food of the Month – Tea Bags & Coffee
Please put in boxes in the Church Sanctuary by our main entrance
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.
Need COVID Test Kits?
The federal government is giving out four free covid test kits to each house- hold. Click here to order!
Thursday Bible Study Group
Our weekly Bible Study starts again on Thursday, January 5, 2023. We are reading “Reading John for Dear Life.” This is a Spiritual Walk with the fourth Gospel of John by Jaime Clark-Soles. Please tell Melanie Sprenkel (412) 725-1174 or Father Chuck (412) 243-6100, if you’d like to join us Thursdays from 12-2 p.m. in the Library at our church. We’ll get you a book. Lunch is provided.
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:
Weekly contribution envelopes for 2023 are now available. Those who don’t pledge may request envelopes for their use. Please see Gerry Dalton. An annual giving statement can be received by using these envelopes for your contribution.
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 Episcopalians 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 union. 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. Click the link below to see the detailed Starter’s Guide (it will take you to a new page, so click on the back button at the top of your browser to come back to St. Stephen’s website)https://www.episcopalpgh.org/getting-to-know-your-neighbors-starters-guide/
Upcoming Events –
January’s Morning Prayer in Sanctuary, Wednesday, Jan. 4th, 10:30am 1st Wednesday of each month
Monday, January 16, 2023 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Weekend of M L K Day – Living into our Baptismal Covenant
10 – 11:30 a.m. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
336 E. 10th Avenue, Homestead
All members of District 2 parishes are invited to the first of a series of events to deepen our faith and our connections to each other. This event will be held on Saturday, January 14, the weekend of Dr. Martin Luther King Day and will honor his legacy. Please join us for a time of study and conversation facilitated by Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh. In our congregations, we baptize or reaffirm our baptismal covenant regularly. We profess, and we want to believe that we seek and serve Christ in every person, and we respect the dignity of every human being. This is an opportunity to study scripture and have deep conversations about how we actually can do that. The parishes of District 2 are Calvary, East Liberty; Holy Cross, Home- wood; Redeemer, Squirrel Hill; St. Andrew’s, Highland Park; St. James, Penn Hills; St. Matthew’s, Homestead; St. Stephen’s, Wilkinsburg; and St. Thomas, Oakmont. Please join in this special opportunity.
To indicate that you will attend, please respond to Deacon Carter Hawley at crickshawley@gmail.com
Sunday, January 22 – Annual Meeting after the 10:30 Service, light lunch provided
Reports for the Annual Meeting are due by Sunday, January 8th to Melanie Sprenkel.
Birthday’s
January 3 – Maria Sprenkel
January 19 – Marilyn Cram
January 24 – Beth Hardie
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.