The week of July 30

Join us this week at St. Stephen’s


Wednesday August 1 –
6:00 pm – Holy Eucharist (“Smells & Bells” Mass)
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
Incense will be offered at this Mass
Supper afterward at a local restaurant

Sunday August 5– 10 Pentecost
11:00 am – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie Parsley, celebrant/preacher

2:00 – 8:00 pm – Sundaes on Sunday

Prayers for the repose of the soul of Agnes Hixson

The prayers of St. Stephen’s are requested for the repose of the soul of Agnes Hixson who died today (July 26, 2012).


Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let Light perpetual shine upon her.

Prayers for St. James, Cannon Ball

The prayers of St. Stephen’s are requested for the congregation of St. James Episcopal Church in Cannon Ball, ND, whose building burned Wednesday night (the Feast of St. James). A special offering to help the St. James congregation will be taken on Sunday.

Catherine McMullen's Huffington Post article

A fine article from St. Stephen's parishioner, Catherine McMullen:


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/love-letters/fargo-north-dakota-love-letter_b_1701143.html

Feast of St. James "Smells & Bells" Mass

Join us Wednesday, July 25 for our weekly “Smells and Bells” Mass celebrating the Feast of St. James the Greater. And be sure to join us at around 7:15 pm at Taste of Italy (

613 1^st Avenue, Fargo

) to celebrate the 9^th anniversary of my ordination to the Diaconate.

The week of July 23

Join us this week at St. Stephen’s


Wednesday July 25 – Feast of St. James
6:00 pm – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
Incense will be offered at this Mass

Supper afterward to celebrate the 9th Anniversary of Fr. Jamie’s ordination of the Diaconate at Taste of Italy (613 1st Avenue North, Fargo)

Thursday, July 26
7:00 pm – Movie Night

At The Movies with God and St Stephen’s is having a midsummer showing. Please join us at Katie White’s house at 212 6th St S, Moorhead, for the motion picture Saved! starring Jenna Malone and Mandy Moore. We are planning on starting the film at 7.00 p.m. Hope to see you there!  Contact: John Ranney (john.ranney@my.ndsu.edu, 701 205-8650).

Saturday, July 28
4:30 pm – David Clemenson & Nikki Thibodeau wedding at Holiday Inn, Fargo. Fr. Jamie, officiating.

Sunday July 29– 9 Pentecost
11:00 am – Morning Prayer &Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie Parsley, celebrant/preacher

12:45 pm Vestry

St. Stephen ikon

The beautiful ikon of St. Stephen that the North Dakota General Convention Deputation signed for Fr. Jamie since he was unable to attend due to his accident injuries. He will “loan” it to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Fargo where it can be properly venerated,

The week of July 16

Join us this week at St. Stephen’s


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

Sunday July 22– 8 Pentecost
11:00 am – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie Parsley, celebrant/Sandy Holbrook, preacher

Prayers for General Convention

Greetings,


For the next week, our own John Baird will be attending the seventy-seventh General Convention of the Episcopal Church held in Indianapolis. As you know, I was also to have attended as a clergy deputy but because of the injuries I sustained in the car accident last week, I am unable to travel.

Convened every three years, General Convention is the governing body of our national church and although it may seem very remote and disconnected from our lives and concerns here in North Dakota, the policies and directions it sets can affect us profoundly.

Because the Episcopal Church in the United States became independent from the Church of England right after the American Revolution, its governance structure is very similar to that of the federal government of the United States. Just as Congress is made up of two houses--the Senate and the House of Representatives--General Convention is composed of two houses--the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The House of Bishops is made up of over 200 active and retired bishops (including our own Bishop Michael Smith) while the House of Deputies consists of four clergy deputies (our clergy deputies are Deacon Terry Star, Deacon Brandon Mauai, Canon John Floberg and the Reverend Marianne Ell, who is the alternate who replaced me) and four lay deputies (our lay deputies are our own John Baird, Liz Overbo, Donna Petttit and David Bailly) from each diocese, and is over 800 strong.

Whenever more than a thousand Episcopalians gather in one place, there is bound to be a whole lot of spirited (and hopefully Spirit-filled) discussion and debate, and we look forward to hearing about the latest from the national level of our church upon John Baird’s return. (For those wishing to follow the course of events more closely, please check out the media hub sponsored by the Episcopal Church.) During this very important time in our church, I invite each of you to pray for Bishop Smith, our Deputies and for the Episcopal Church:

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in the General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Indianapolis for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

On another note, I would like thank everyone who has kept me in your prayers and thoughts, sent cards and flowers, and expressed your concern for me following my car accident. It has been a difficult time for me both as I deal with the physical pain and recovery, as well as my great disappointment on not being able to serve at General Convention (I was unable to even unpack my suitcase until yesterday for some reason). I do ask for your continued prayers and know that you each remain in my daily prayers as well.

-peace,
Jamie+

Birth of Kaci Mae Backman

Kaci Mae Backman

daughter of Sara and Kody Backman

sister of Samantha Backman

Grand-daugher of Laura and Russell Nylander

Great grand-daugher of Joy and Jim Coffey

was born

Tuesday, July 3, 2012
 at 1:12 am.
8 lbs, 10 oz, 21 inches long


O God, you have taught us through your blessed Son that whoever receives a little child in the name of Christ receives Christ himself: We give thanks for the blessing you have bestowed upon this family in giving them Kaci. Confirm their joy by a lively sense of your presence with them, and give them calm strength and patient wisdom as they seek to bring Kaci to love all that is true and noble, just and pure, lovable and gracious, excellent and admirable, following the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.