Sunday, December 29, 2013

The week of December 30


Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Wednesday January 1  - Holy Name of Jesus
6:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
James Mackay, music
Incense will be offered at this Mass
Supper afterward at a local restaurant

Friday January 3   
Fr. Jamie’s day off

Sunday January 5 21 Christmas (Epiphany Sunday)
11:00 am – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
Proclamation of the Date of Easter/Blessing of Chalk
Children’s Chapel
Coffee Hour following with 3 Kings Cake
Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

De-Greening of the Church following the Mass

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Christmas at St. Stephen's


Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Tuesday December 24  - Christmas Eve
8:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
James Mackay, music
Christmas tableau for the Children during the reading of the Gospel

Wednesday December 25 –   Christmas
10:00 am Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/Pr. Mark Strobel, preacher
James Mackay, music
Incense will be offered at this Mass

Thursday December 26St. Stephen
6:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/Pr. Mark Strobel, preacher
James Mackay, music
Incense will be offered at this Mass
Supper afterward at a local restaurant

Sunday December 291 Christmas
11:00 am – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie Parsley, celebrant/preacher
NO Children’s Chapel
Coffee Hour following

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Prayers for the repose of the soul of Peter Reilly


The prayers of St. Stephen’s are requested for the repose of the soul of Peter Reilly, father of our own Heather Reilly, who died today in Texas.

Please also keep Heather and the Reilly family in your prayers.

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;
And Light perpetual shine upon him.
My his soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace
and rise in glory. 

Christmastide 2013 at St. Stephen's


Tuesday December 24  - Christmas Eve
8:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
James Mackay, music
Christmas tableau for the Children during the reading of the Gospel

Wednesday December 25    Christmas
10:00 am Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/Pr. Mark Strobel, preacher
James Mackay, music

Thursday December 26St. Stephen
6:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/Pr. Mark Strobel, preacher
James Mackay, music
Incense will be offered at this Mass
Supper afterward at a local restaurant

Sunday December 291 Christmas
11:00 am – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie Parsley, celebrant/preacher
NO Children’s Chapel
Coffee Hour following

 

Monday, December 16, 2013

The week of December 16


Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Wednesday December 18 
6:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
James Mackay, music
Incense will be offered at this Mass
Supper afterward at a local restaurant

Friday December 20   
6:15 pm – Caroling Party (rescheduled)
Warm-up at Rectory following

Sunday December 224 Advent
11:00 am – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/Sandy Holbrook, preacher
Children’s Chapel
Coffee Hour following

6:00 pm – Lessons and Carols
Fr. Jamie and Pastor Mark Strobel, officiating

"Greeing of the church" following

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Bishop Michael's visit/Confirmation/Receptions

 
 
 
 
Three Confirmations, three receptions and two new members welcomed by Bishop Michael
 
Bishop Michael and acolyte Max 

 


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Bishop Michael's Annual Visit



St. Nicholas celebtration at St. Stephen's



Joyful noise: People with Parkinson’s, brain disorders find fellowship, strengthen vocal cords in Tremble Clefs Choir


By: John Lamb, INFORUM



FARGO - In this season of songs, a very different act performs today as part of the Plains Art Museum’s Noon Holiday Concert series.

It’s not a group of young students, though the ensemble is just learning how to get the most out of their voice and in some cases, even re-learning how to breathe again. It’s not a group of seasoned veterans, though some members of this choral group have been singing for 50 years or more.
The Tremble Clefs Choir, consisting of members with Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, brain injury survivors and even one with dementia, performs a handful of tunes as part of today’s show.

The mini-concert will be the group’s third in the past two weeks, but its first public appearance. Other performances were for a Parkinson’s support group and at Rosewood on Broadway, a nursing home where one of the group’s former member lives.

“It’s major for us, but minor in the grand scope of things. Singing in a nursing home is not a big resume builder,” Tremble Clef singer Bruce Anderson says with a smile.

Just flashing a smile can be something that takes work for some with Parkinson’s, members say.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. While tremors are a well-known symptom, those affected by it sometimes have a blank expression as well as slowed and softened speech.

Singing may seem counterintuitive, but it can help strengthen the vocal cords, exercise facial muscles and even help with balance, says choir director Michelle Gelinske.

A voice and piano teacher, Gelinske was approached a few years ago by an adult student, Jan Nelson, about starting the program. Nelson, an occupational therapist, started HeartSprings Community Healing Center, a non-profit holistic organization focused on diseases like Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.
They started local chapter of Tremble Clefs, a nationwide program, four years ago. The group has struggled to get its name out there to let others know what they do and how to get involved.

Still, organizers see it as a small-scale success.

“The purpose is to be joyful and make a lot of noise,” Nelson says. “It is inspiring for them to know they can sing.”

The biggest victory, she says is just getting people to show up.

“Parkinson’s can inhibit some, and they give up on parts of life they used to be involved in. The choir re-engages them back into life,” Nelson says.

She points to the fact that members don’t just attend Tuesday practices at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo to hit their notes. Choir members will often gather afterward for a communal lunch and conversation.

“They exercise, sing and eat together,” Nelson says. “For me, that’s the most important part, to feed not only the body, but the soul and the spirit … The biggest thing the choir offers is hope.”
Chuck Erstad says the social aspect and fellowship is why he’s been coming for the past year.

Erstad and his wife moved to Fargo from Jamestown when health concerns became a factor. Tremble Clefs helped him make new friends.

He even helped bring in the group’s newest member, Al Nelson, who has been coming for just a few weeks.

The 73-year-old Nelson was diagnosed four years ago and was forced to retire as a barber. While Parkinson’s patients may feel their condition ostracizes them, Nelson says Tremble Clefs and a support group at Sanford Health – where he met Erstad – have helped him come out of his shell recently.

“My wife can notice that I’m so much more outgoing,” he says.

His doctors and therapists encourage him to act big and loud, project his voice, gesture when he talks and move his arms when he walks.

Gelinske incorporates some of that in choir rehearsals. The group warms up with vocal exercises, including raising arms over their heads while emphatically sounding out words. Later, they sing and act out “The Hokey Pokey” to “shake it all about.”

Rehearsals wind through old favorites like “What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor?” and “Ring of Fire,” along with the new “Sing With Our Tremble Clef Choir.”

The group sings their signature tune today with the composer, Fargo pianist Darin Henze. Performer Steve Stark will also join the group for “White Christmas.”

The theme song addresses the lack of facial expression, but that only makes Jim Coffey glow even more.

“It just fills your heart with happiness and joy. It hits it on the nail perfectly,” he says.

The 84-year-old was diagnosed 13 years ago and while his tremors have forced him to give up his photography hobby, he’s found something to take its place.

“I never dreamed I’d be in a choir or a musical group. I love music,” he says, sitting at a table for dinner with friends after last week’s performance for a Parkinson’s support group.

“I feel good about having the disease, because it put me in contact with so many people,” he says. 
“Seeing these people as often as we do, that’s inspiring to me.”

If You Go
WHAT: Tremble Clefs Choir with Michelle Gelinske and Darin Henze
WHEN: Noon today
where: Plains Art Museum, 704 1st Ave., N., Fargo
info: Free

Monday, December 9, 2013

The week of December 9


Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Wednesday December 11 
6:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
James Mackay, music
Incense will be offered at this Mass
Supper afterward at a local restaurant

Friday December 13   
7:00 pm Rectory Christmas Party

Sunday December 153 Advent (Gaudete)
BISHOP’S VISITATION
Confirmation/Reception/New Member Sunday
11:00 am – Holy Eucharist
Bishop Michael Smith, celebrant/preacher
Children’s Chapel/St Nicholas celebration
Potluck following

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Pledge-Ingathering THIS SUNDAY


REMINDER: This Sunday, December 8th, is Pledge Ingathering. If you have not already returned your pledge and Time and Talent Sheets, please plan on doing so this Sunday, or mailing it back to the Church.
Thank you. 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Caroling Party POSTPONED


Due to the dangerous temperatures forecast for this coming weekend, the Caroling Party originally scheduled for Friday December 6th has been postponed to Friday, Dec. 20 at 6:15 pm. The warming party will be held afterward at the Rectory.

For more information, please contact Regina Ranney at reginaranney@gmail.com

Wednesday evenings in Advent


Monday, December 2, 2013

The week of December 2


Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Wednesday December 4 
6:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
James Mackay, music
Incense will be offered at this Mass
Supper afterward at a local restaurant

Friday December 6   
Fr. Jamie’s day off

6:15 pm Caroling (at the church)

Sunday December 82 Advent
11:00 am – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie Parsley, celebrant/preacher
PLEDGE INGATHERING
Children’s Chapel/St Nicholas celebration
Coffee Hour following