The week of November 25

 Monday, November 25

Ambassador deadline

 

Wednesday, November 27

7:00 p.m. – Thanksgiving Eve Holy Eucharist

(There will be no 6:00 p.m. Mass this evening.)

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

Deacon John, assisting

Incense will be offered at this mass

 

 

Friday, November 29 - Fr. Jamie’s day off

*please refrain from sending Fr. Jamie emails, text messages, Facebook messages or phone calls on his day off unless it is a pastoral emergency.

 

 

Sunday, December 1 – 1 Advent

11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

James Mackay, organist

Coffee Hour following

We would love to see you in person but if you are unable to attend please join us for Mass livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@st.stephensfargo

 

Christmas Flowers

If you would like to donate Christmas flowers, please use one of the available envelopes on the back table. You may include an intention—in honor, in memory, in thanksgiving. Please include ‘Xmas flowers’ on the memo line of your check.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events:

December 8 – In-gathering

December 15 – Gaudete Sunday / Greening of the church – 1:00 p.m. - volunteers needed

December 13-19 – Fr. Jamie vacation

December 24 – Christmas Eve Mass – 7:00 p.m.

December 25 – Nativity of Our Lord – Mass 10:00 a.m.

December 26 – The Feast of St. Stephen – Mass 6:00 p.m.

 

Words of Wisdom:

Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life. ~Rumi

From the Green Team:

Precycling:

Refuse what you don't need.

Reduce what you do need.

Reuse what you can't reduce.

Recycle what you can't reuse.

Rebuy (buy recycled) whenever possible.

 

 

Stewardship Talk for November 17, 2025

Stewardship Talk

November 17, 2024

 This year for our Stewardship Talk, I am going to share some thoughts from a friend of mine, Pastor Lexy Steinle, the pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fargo (where I was baptized).

Pastor Lexy gives some great insights into how important Stewardship is.

“When we give to God, we are giving God what has always belonged to our creator. God calls us into stewardship, God teaches us how to give, not because God needs our gifts (they’re already God’s!) but because God wants us to learn how to give joyfully! To turn our gaze outward, to live fully into God’s abundance! We are children of God—entrusted with time, talents, and treasure from our loving and patient parent—and we choose how we spend and share what God has entrusted to us. We are not the owners of God’s goodness and creation, but joyful stewards of it.

God is at the center of stewardship, because just like giving gifts, stewardship is not about what is given but the Love behind it. We are called to be good stewards, learning a little more each day from our heavenly parent: not to hide away or hoard what we have been entrusted with but invest and share it abundantly; not to worship it but use it as a tool to worship God and serve our neighbor; not to live out of a fear of scarcity but out of abundance. These are lessons we continue to learn throughout our entire lives as children of God.

“God’s place in Stewardship centers us in the life of Jesus. We learn by example, by mentorship. And so we give, because of the One who gave it all for us. We share because of the One who shared this beautiful creation and all that is in it. And we do so joyfully because of the One who takes great delight in us. At the conclusion of the famous prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, we hear, “for it is in giving that we receive.” May we steward what we have been entrusted with the. . .joy and excitement of a child of God . . . May we give with the same exuberance and lavishness as we were taught to give. May we center our stewardship in the loving heart of God.”

So, some basic questions about Stewardship here at St. Stephen’s.

 
What is a pledge according to The Episcopal Church?
It’s a commitment to give one's time, talents, and money as an expression of faith and a personal response to God's generosity. Parish members are encouraged to make an annual stewardship pledge. This pledge represents their specific Christian commitment to "work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God" (BCP, p. 856). Parish budgets are prepared in light of the pledges received from the members. A pledge is a statement of intent, not a legal obligation. It can be changed at any time.[And we understand that people’s financial situations change, and change regularly]
 
Do I have to fill out a pledge card or can I just keep putting money in the plate each week?
We do understand that making a pledge commitment can be a bit uncomfortable for some depending upon personal and financial situations. It feels like a permanent commitment for the year. Our wish is that those who have been making weekly plate contributions to make a formal pledge in order to give us an idea of total expected income. Just like any business, we cannot plan for expenses unless we understand our income. This is necessary for our overall financial health and day-to-day operations.

What if I do make a formal pledge and then I lose my job or my finances take a turn for the worse, and I cannot fulfill my original pledge commitment?
No worries. Unexpected events happen all the time. This situation happens every year and we adjust. Losing a job and having to reduce a pledge or even put it on hold until you’re able to get your finances back can be an uncomfortable topic and even embarrassing to some. There is no disgrace in this, and your church family has your back. We want to help, especially in times of personal strife and challenge. This is when you need support the most. Please never hesitate to reach out to the rector for help and support through dark times, whether it’s about a pledge adjustment or anything else.

What if I’m financially unable to support St. Stephen’s with a pledge?
As Christians we are called to be good stewards using our time, talents and treasure. If you can only give of your time and talents this year instead of a financial pledge, that is your personal situation and we respect you for that. We encourage everyone to enter into the life of our parish as much as possible through the sharing of their time and talents. If you are looking for ideas on how to get more involved, please reach out to the clergy.

Am I expected to give a portion of my pledge every week?
Some give a portion every week, while others give monthly, quarterly or even annually. The preference is to evenly distribute your giving throughout the year as much as possible to mirror how we pay our expenses.

How much should I give?
Giving is a spiritual practice that should be prayerfully considered. Scripture encourages proportionate giving (giving a percentage of one’s income as an act of worship). Many of our pledges start their pledge journey by committing to a percentage level that seems doable, and then gradually moving up. There is a Biblical tithe – ten percent of what you make. If you can’t give ten percent and still meet your basic needs, give what you can. But do think about giving in proportion to your income as an offering in thanksgiving for how you have been blessed. Start with one or two percent if that is what you can do, and let it grow year by year

Who sees my pledge amount?
Your giving is a very private matter of conscience between you and God. Pledges are received annually by the rector via the pledge basket in enclosed envelopes during the service or via her direct email. The treasurer and bookkeeper are also aware of your pledge as part of the financial planning process and to record your contributions for income tax deduction purposes. But other than those few people, your pledge is confidential information.

How exactly do I make my pledge payments?

 Some put their pledge in the plate every Sunday via check or cash. Others make regular deductions from their bank accounts online. Some even donate stock. Some donate by using the Donate button on our website (just make sure you designate it as a “Pledge”).
  
Last thoughts on how and where to start your 2025 pledge.
 
1. Pray. This vital step is often overlooked in giving. Take some to time to ask for God’s help to guide you in this decision. Hold this question and consider including it in your daily or weekly prayers as you think about your financial commitment for the coming year.

2. Consider the many blessings in your life. Giving should come from our gratitude and with a sense of joy, not out of guilt or obligation. Our culture teaches us to focus on what we don’t have, but Jesus teaches us to love and serve others with what we have already been blessed with. Begin each day by thanking God for all the blessings in your life, and ask yourself if your giving reflects your gratitude.

3. Ask why St. Stephen’s is special to you. Each of us has come to call St. Stephen’s our spiritual home for different reasons. For many, it’s our commitment to the full inclusion of all of God’s children. For some of us, it’s the liturgy and music, for others it is our commitment to outreach. For many it’s simply been a safe haven after experiencing difficult church environments elsewhere.    As you consider your giving for 2025, remember that your pledge enables St. Stephen’s to be the place it is and make God's intention a reality.

4. Challenge yourself. Ask if your pledge reflects your values and priorities. God is calling us to connect more deeply in our relationship with God and one another. Does your pledge move you closer to God? Many have noted the life-changing impact that a simple pledge can have – and how little they missed the money – as they received so much more in return. At the end of the day, giving is about letting go of our agenda, so that we can say yes to God’s. This year, why not try “shocking yourself” with your generosity and then see how this connects you to God's kingdom? 

 

 

The week of November 18

 Wednesday, November 20

6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

Deacon John, assisting

Incense will be offered at this mass

Supper afterward at a local restaurant

 

 

Friday, November 22 - Fr. Jamie’s day off

*please refrain from sending Fr. Jamie emails, text messages, Facebook messages or phone calls on his day off unless it is a pastoral emergency.

 

 

Sunday, November 24 – The Reign of Christ

11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

Deacon John, assisting

James Mackay, organist

We would love to see you in person but if you are unable to attend please join us for Mass livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@st.stephensfargo

 

Upcoming Events:

November 27 – Thanksgiving Eve Mass - 7:00 p.m.

(There will be no 6:00 p.m. mass this evening.)

December 8 – In-gathering

December 15 – Gaudete Sunday / Greening of the church – 1:00 p.m. - volunteers needed

December 13-19 – Fr. Jamie vacation

December 24 – Christmas Eve Mass – 7:00 p.m.

December 25 – Nativity of Our Lord – Mass 10:00 a.m.

December 26 – The Feast of St. Stephen – Mass 6:00 p.m.

 

Fr. Jamie and St. Stephen’s featured in PETA Article

Fr. Jamie was interviewed for an article for PETA (People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The article can be seen on PETA’s Lambs site:

Supporter Spotlight: Father Jamie Parsley - PETA LAMBS

 

Words of Wisdom:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. — Romans 12:9

From the Green Team:

The green revolution has an entirely different meaning to most people in the affluent nations of the privileged world than to those in the developing nations of the forgotten world.
~ Norman Borlaug

 

The week of November 11

 Monday, November 11 – Veterans’ Day

Office closed

 

Wednesday, November 13

6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

Deacon John, assisting

Incense will be offered at this mass

Supper afterward at a local restaurant

 

Friday, November 15 - Fr. Jamie’s day off

*please refrain from sending Fr. Jamie emails, text messages, Facebook messages or phone calls on his day off unless it is a pastoral emergency.

 

Sunday, November 17 -26 Pentecost/STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

Deacon John, assisting

James Mackay, organist

Stewardship Luncheon – hosted by the Vestry

3:00 p.m. – Gentle Thanksgiving (hosted by FM Veg)

 

We would love to see you in person but if you are unable to attend please join us for Mass livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@st.stephensfargo

 

Upcoming Events:

November 17 - Stewardship Sunday - Vestry providing lunch 

November 27 – Thanksgiving Eve Mass - 7:00 p.m.

(There will be no 6:00 p.m. mass this evening.)

December 8 – In-gathering

December 15 - Greening of the church – 1:00 p.m. - volunteers needed

December 13-19 – Fr. Jamie vacation

December 15 - Gaudete Sunday

December 24 – Christmas Eve Mass – 7:00 p.m.

December 25 – Nativity of Our Lord – Mass 10:00 a.m.

December 26 – The Feast of St. Stephen – Mass 6:00 p.m.

 

Words of Wisdom:

Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder. ~E.B.

From the Green Team:

There’s more than one way to keep your wardrobe growing while reducing waste. Repairs, swapping with friends, and shopping secondhand can help you reuse your clothes in new ways.

 

 

From Fr. Jamie following the Election

 Dear St. Stephen’s Family---

 

In the wake of last night’s election results, I have already heard from several people who are devastated and numb with shock. Some of us feel helpless today. Some of us simply feel numb.

 

Once these initial emotions start to fade, please remember that now is not the time for hand wringing. It is a time to do what we always do when difficulties befall us: we square our shoulders. We recommit ourselves to doing what we feel is right. And we move forward.

 

Having said that, it is important to remember (this being a paraphrase of something I found this morning on social media):

We are awakening to the same country we fell asleep to. The very same country.

Let us pull ourselves together.

How do we get through the next four years?

Continue to do the good work.

Continue to build bridges not walls.

Continue to lead with compassion.

Continue the demanding work of liberation for all.

Continue to dismantle the broken systems, large and small.

Continue to set the best example for the children and others.

Continue to be a vessel of nourishing joy.

Continue to support your gay and lesbian sisters and brothers. 

Continue to hold up your transgender companions.

Continue to support educators.

Continue, right where you are. 

Continue to stand up and speak out.

Right where you live into your days. 

Do so in the name of our God who expects nothing less form each of us. And if we are "continuing" ALL of the above, in community, partnership, collaboration? 

What is it we have been doing?

What is it we are waiting for? 

Please also be assured: St. Stephen’s will remain a place of inclusion and safety. It will be a place in which the love of God and of one another is upheld.

 

We must continue to strive to uphold this radical inclusiveness. We must strive to be living, breathing presences of God’s love and acceptance of all. We must strive to be the hands, feet, face and heart of Christ in a world that truly needs Christ’s all-accepting love.

 

Please pray for our nation.

 

Please pray for our leadership.

 

Please pray for our future.

 

And let us not let our fears and anxieties defeat us.

 

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

--peace,

Jamie+ 

From Fr Jamie on the eve of Election Day

 Dear St. Stephen’s family--

I am hearing from so many people expressing their anxiety, their fear and their “nauseous optimism” as we approach Election Day. I too am feeling all of those emotions at any given moment.

        If you’re anything like me, when there is nothing more to do, I just try to do “something.” Let us channel our emotions into constructive endeavors.

Let us remain steadfast in our prayers and in serving others.

If you have not voted, PLEASE do so.

And please keep our nation and each other in your prayers as we head into the big day.

                                                -peace,

                                                Jamie+

 

Everlasting God, source of all liberty, before whom every earthly ruler must bow and bend the knee, we lay our nation before you as we prepare for an election. Breathe upon us your Spirit of wisdom and discernment. Grant all who seek public office the mind of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life for the freedom of the oppressed. Hold before us those who face uncertain futures, or who have no voice in our political process. Uphold and safeguard poll workers and election officials in their work. Spare us from the crushing weight of cynicism. Give us grace to speak courageously, but with love, without which our words are noise and we are nothing. Gather us together under the cross, where, in all of our difference, we can stand as one people, redeemed in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.