News & Events
The Search for a Rector
Our vacancy is included in The Episcopal Church’s Office of Transition Ministry’s database of congregational portfolios. Please pray that God will direct our church’s next rector to us. During this time of transition, we are now served by The Rev. Jane Brady-Close, interim priest-in-charge.
The Vestry of the Parish serves as the Rector Search Committee.
Search for a Rector PDF
Bringing it Home – Sunday’s Message for Kids
St. Stephen’s licensed lay leader Allison de Kanel shares her comment for children and youth on the scripture readings each week. Allison, in conversation with Mother Jane, will present her comment during our Sunday service at 9:30 a.m., when children are present. For young people at home, the most successful approach will be for adult readers to share and discuss these comments and the readings with their children or grandchildren.
We welcome comments and suggestions for other Sunday-specific or seasonal resources to use at home.
Click here for more information
Weekly Bulletin
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GbA2XVEMAKSN5QrbgkeYqnoefsH9FQ6r/view?usp=drive_link
Summer Meals for Kids, THIS WEEK, 8/26 – 8/30, 11:10 – 1:10
St. Stephen’s will be hosting the summer meals for kids program at Jerry Burrell Park (at the intersection of Schenectady and Hamilton Streets). We have volunteers scheduled for each day, but if you would like to help, please sign up on the sheet on the display case in the nave extension. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age, must complete the Summer Meals training, (an 11-minute recording available at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mojZmZKf68w), AND fill out two volunteer forms.
Creation Season at St. Stephen’s, 9/1-10/5
As with previous years, this year we will be focusing on celebrating God’s creation and exploring our responsibilities to care for the earth. The Episcopal Church’s theme this year is “To Hope and Act with Creation.” Celebrating a season of celebration began in 1989 with the Orthodox Church which called for a Day of Prayer for Creation on September 1. The World Council of Churches subsequently called for a season extending to October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
St. Stephen’s Fabricators and Yarners, 9/7, 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.
This will be their first regular meeting of the year. All interested crafters are welcome and urged to attend. The group is looking for recommendations for an organization(s)/individual(s) to whom they might donate the nine quilts that they have made.
Mustard’s Retreat, 9/7, 7:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand, Mustard’s Retreat will perform at a concert to benefit Sycamore Collaborative. Tell your family, friends and neighbors that they should not miss this evening of well-known and original Folk Music. Please distribute flyers in your neighborhood and ours surrounding the church. Flyers are available on the table in the back of the church. Again, we will be having a reception in the Parish Hall following the concert. Please sign up on the sheet in the nave extension if you can bring something to help us celebrate and welcome our visitors.
Beginning of the Program Year Parish Picnic Mark your calendars — Our beginning of our Program Year Parish Picnic will be held on Sunday, September 8, immediately following the church service. We will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, rolls, chips, condiments, paper products, and beverages. There is a sign-up sheet in back of the church for other items to bring. Also, there is a sign-up sheet for volunteers to set up, cook, and clean up.
Coffee Hour Hosts
We are still looking for volunteers to host Coffee Hour for September 8, 22 and 29. Please consider taking a Sunday to provide refreshments for our members and friends after our service. The time in Begley Hall is always a delight and well-spent as we greet and engage in conversations with friends old and new. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the nave extension or contact the parish office with your name and date.
Collecting Donations for Sycamore Collaborative
During September we are collecting toilet paper.
Save those plastic utensils and covered dishes! Street Soldiers Schenectady runs utensils through a dishwasher and makes them available for people who come through their line each Sunday. We are also collecting plastic dishes for storage of leftovers (clean dishes with covers).
Get School Supplies while on sale!
St. Stephen’s is collecting the school supplies needed for the assembling of Church World Service school kits. Take advantage of summer sales at your favorite store to pick up needed items. Lists are available on the display case in the nave extension or check online at https://cwskits.org/assemble-kits/school-kits/. You may choose to donate all the items for a kit, or one item off the list, or several of a particular item – every donation helps! Leave the supplies in the basket at the display.
From the StreetSoldiers – Schenectady:
“We are in need of kids’ sneakers for back to school. At least one Sunday a month we meet one of our kids who does not have shoes. Not shoes in their favorite color, or shoes in the style they want — kids without shoes on their feet.” “Will you be buying new sneakers for back to school? Are their old sneakers in great shape, but just outgrown? We would be very thankful for donations of gently used kids’ sneakers with lots of life left to help get our kids be ready to go back to school. We are looking for toddler sizes to adult sizes.” St. Stephen’s will be collecting new and gently used sneakers through Sunday, September 1. Please leave donations in the basket by the coat racks in the nave extension.
Bishop Jeremiah Williamson, Bishop of Albany, to visit St. Stephen’s on December 15th.
December 15, 2024 Bishop Jeremiah Williamson, Bishop of Albany, to visit St. Stephen’s: We are eagerly anticipating the visit of Bishop Jeremiah during Advent. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet and interact with our new bishop and to present candidates for confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation of faith.
Altar Flowers
If you would like to donate flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion, please choose a date and list your intention on the flower chart on the bulletin board on the table in the nave extension. Cost is $40/Sunday. You may take the flowers home with you on your special date or leave them for members of the pastoral care committee to distribute, as they are able.
A Bell and Chime Choir
St. Stephen’s is blessed to have beautiful sets of bells and chimes. Our Choir Director Dr. Douglas Lohnas is willing to direct a bell and chime choir to offer music for special occasions. We will need a minimum of six members to form the choir. Please be in touch with Doug if this is a ministry to which you feel called or would like to explore.
Notice Of Annual Meeting
An invitation to attend the annual meeting in January 2025 will be shared with a list of candidates and positions to fill, and the qualifications and procedures to elect wardens and vestry members.
