The week of May 27

 Monday, May 27

Office closed

Tuesday, May 28

Ambassador deadline

 

Wednesday, May 29

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, May 31

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.

 

 

Saturday, June 1

8:00 a.m. Planting of the pocket prairie (Volunteers needed)

 

Sunday, June 2 – 2 Pentecost

11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

 

Deacon John, assisting

James Mackay, organist

Coffee hour following Mass

 

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:

June 9 – Fr. Jamie’s 20^th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood open house.

June 16: Memorial service for Karl Keene, 2 p.m.

June 30: James Stalboerger’s baptism

 

Words of Wisdom:

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. ~Helen Keller

 

From the Green Team:

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. ~Mother Teresa

 

 

 

 

Volunteers needed

 

Volunteers are needed to help out planting the pocket prairie on Saturday morning, June 1st at 8 AM. No one has to bring anything other than maybe gardening gloves if they wish. 

 

St. Stephen's is pleased to announce we are planting our native grasses and forbs into our pollinator garden. By reintroducing native plants at St. Stephen's we're upholding creation care and providing food and habitat for pollinators in our community, while also reducing water and fertilizer use. We were able to fund this effort with help from the county conservation district and a grant from the Episcopal Foundation. Not only will our native planting benefit the environment, but it will also yield spectacular blooms in the future as our plants mature and raise awareness on how we can all make our lawns more environmentally friendly. 

 

Volunteers needed for election observation

The League of Women Voters of North Dakota is seeking volunteers for a nonpartisan statewide election observation program for the June 11, 2024 State Primary.   Volunteers will receive materials and training beforehand. If you are interested, see the link below or contact Amy Phillips (kaphillip@gmail.com).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA5AD2EA3FEC07-49092129-cass?useFullSite=true#/

 

The week of May 20

 

Monday, May 20

9:20 p.m. – showing of the movie Wildcat at West Acres Cinema (Fr. Jamie referenced this film about Flannery O’Connor in his sermon on May 12)

 

Wednesday, May 22

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, May 24

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, May 26 – Holy Trinity

11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

Deacon Suzanne, assisting

James Mackay, organist

Coffee hour following Mass

 

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:

June 9 – Fr. Jamie’s 20^th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood open house.

June 16: Memorial service for Karl Keene, 2 p.m.

June 30: James Stalboerger’s baptism

 

Words of Wisdom:

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”  ~ Thomas Aquinas

 

From the Green Team:

Non-toxic Spring-cleaning tips:

·  Showerhead: Remove buildup on the showerhead by pouring a cup of vinegar in a plastic bag and tying it around your shower head. Let soak for an hour and use a toothbrush to scrub clean.

·  Drains: Clear simple clogs in your drains (or refresh them) with baking soda and vinegar.

·  Stovetop: Baking soda and oil is a non-toxic way to clean and shine a glass top stove.

 

 

 

Speech given by Laura Nylander at the Founders Day Reception on May 19

 

 

I’d like to begin with a little bit of history. I think it’s good to be aware of where we came from in terms of the Church.

 

The Church of England was established when Christianity arrived in Great Britain during the 2nd century. The Episcopal Church in America was founded in Philadelphia in 1789, as its successor on this side of the ocean.

 

On March 27, 1956, a group of 7 lay persons met with Bishop Richard Emery and founded the mission of St. Stephen’s which was named for a church in Casselton which had closed in 1953. I can only imagine how strong the faith of those 7 people must have

been. On July 1, 1956, Fr. Frederick Davis became the first priest-in-charge. September 9, 1956 brought the first gathering of the congregation at which Holy Communion was held at the El Zagel clubhouse. Later that year, on December 24, the first service was

held in the current building.

 

I remember, in the early 60’s, when my family became members of St. Stephen’s, we joined a large family with lots of children. I grew up with all of these children through Sunday School and confirmation, under the guidance of our priests and all of the adults. We truly were a family!

 

However, in 1981, there began a period during which many of our family left St. Stephen’s due to their belief that St. Stephen’s should close. Those children had all grown up – some moved away, many started their own families and found other church

homes. Their parents had become older and there seemed to be no one to keep the momentum going. Thankfully, several steadfast members, my parents included, remained to keep the legacy of St. Stephen’s alive. It was almost as if we had been “founded” all over again. That strong faith came through once more.

 

There have been many, many changes at St. Stephen’s since then. The building has changed a lot, several different priests and rectors have served here over the years, and our membership has shown a great turnover. We are now a “growing, diverse, affirming, inclusive community of artists, poets, musicians, professionals, writers, students and searchers for God, striving for full inclusion of ALL people in the Church”.

 

I would like to close with a short quote from Rigoberta Menchu, a human rights activist in Guatemala and Nobel Peace Prize winner: “… together we can build the people’s Church, a true Church. Not just a hierarchy, or a building, but a real change inside people.”

 

Keep the faith.

Founders' Day May 19

 

The week of May 13

 Wednesday, May 15

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, May 17

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, May 19 - Pentecost

11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

Founders’ Day Commemoration/New Member Sunday

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

Deacon John, assisting

 James Mackay, organist

Founder’s Day Celebration following Mass / Vestry potluck

 

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

 

Founders’ Day

 On Pentecost Sunday we will celebrate the founders of our parish, as well recognize and give thanks for everyone who has been a member of St. Stephen’s for 45 years or more.

 

A reception serviced by our Vestry will follow.

 

New Member Sunday May 19

 

We will also welcome all new members of St. Stephen’s on Sunday May 19 during our Sunday morning Eucharist. If you are interested in joining St. Stephen’s, please contact Fr. Jamie at frjamieparsley@gmail.com  

 

Upcoming Events:

June 9 – Fr. Jamie’s 20^th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood open house.

June 16: Memorial service for Karl Keene, 2 p.m.

June 30: James Stalboerger’s baptism

 

Words of Wisdom:

Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart. ~Roy T. Bennett       

 

From the Green Team:

Non-toxic Spring-cleaning tips:

-Air vents: Use a bristle brush on your vacuum to clean air vents.

-Windows and glass: Use a microfiber cloth and water to easily clean windows and leave a streak-free shine.

-Sticky residue: Use lemon essential oil instead of goo-gone on sticky surfaces.

- Faucets: Half a lemon will remove water spots and shine your faucets.

 

 

The week of May 6

 Wednesday, May 8 – Eve of the Ascension

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

 

 Thursday, May 9

The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord

 

 Friday, May 10

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, May 12 – 7 Easter

11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist  

Fr. Jamie, celebrant / preacher

Deacon Suzanne, assisting

James Mackay, organist

Coffee Hour following Mass

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:

May 19 – Founder’s Day Celebration, vestry potluck

June 9 – Fr. Jamie’s 20^th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood open house.

June 16: Memorial service for Karl Keene, 2 p.m.

June 30: James Stalboerger’s baptism

 

Words of Wisdom:

Diversity is a fact

Equity is a choice

Inclusion is an action

Belonging is an outcome

 

From the Green Team:

Non-toxic spring-cleaning tips:

·  Microwave: Heat a cup each of vinegar and water in the microwave on high for 2 minutes to easily wipe it down and clean it.

·  Range hood vents: Boil nasty range hood vents in water with a cup of baking soda to remove grease and dust.

·  Floors: A microfiber mop will clean your floors with just water, rather than toxic floor cleaner.