Epiphany and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Dear St. Stephen’s church family,
Dear St. Stephen’s Church family and friends,
Greetings on this beautiful evening, and in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
This morning, St. Stephen’s hosted a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with guest Bishop Bruce Meyers from the Anglican Diocese of Quebec.
The online bible study happens from 12:15-1 and continues until Wednesday, each day hosted by a leader from a different denomination. The week began with a thoughtful and gentle reflection from the Rev. Brody Albers, as he shared on the parable of the good Samaritan.
Bishop Bruce encouraged us to continue to live into Jesus’ prayer that we be one, not for the sake of oneness or because it’s nice to all get along (which it is!), but because this is how Jesus is made known to the world. We are to be one so that the world may believe. On that note, Wyndham and Alecia (8:30 am congregation and member of L’Arche) are speaking tomorrow at Lakeview Church, sharing about the work and message of L’Arche Saskatoon. Keep them in your prayers! It is so good for all of us to be aware of the various gifts and presence of other Christian churches and to grow in relationship and cooperation with them. It is not good for us to put one another down, act superior or simply dismiss Christians of other traditions. Thank you to all who came early this morning (7:30 am!) to set up tables, clean up and serve. Many commented on our beautiful hall and kitchen space. Indeed! Let us continue to break bread together and invite others.
Here’s an opportunity to do just that!: This Tuesday—January 24th at 5:30 pm–is our Tuesday Chat Café! Come and enjoy a meal—Susan is making pork tenderloin—in good company! Bring a dish to share. Invite a friend. There is no program, just an invitation to gather and grow in friendship and relationship.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity winds up with a service at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic church on Wednesday at 7:30 pm. I will be there with our L’Arche community as it is our usual evening for prayer! All are welcome.
In person English Language Conversation Circle through Saskatoon Open Door Society will also take place on Tuesday evening at 7. At our last Zoom meeting, we had people from the Ukraine, Iran, Lebanon and China participating. What a wonderful opportunity to extend a hand of welcome to the “stranger” whom Jesus calls us to love.
Youth Group—Friday night at 7 pm beginning with games and snacks and ending with Compline in the church. All are welcome (13 and up!) Bring a friend.
Vestry Meeting! This week—Thursday, January 26th at 7 pm in the Mitchell Hall. Zoom available upon request. Let me know and I’ll send you an invitation. Vestry members please keep an eye our for agenda (mostly budget 2023) and more info early this week.
AGM Sunday, March 12th after church (noon). With Lunch! 😊
Speaking of lunch!…This would be a wonderful year to start thinking of reviving our Lenten lunches, which have provided a time of fellowship and generosity for us over the years. Each week a group would sign up to make and serve lunch and donations could be given to whatever ministry they wished to support. We don’t have to do it exactly how it used to be done…we don’t have to do it at all! But it would be good to think about it and prayerfully consider if it is a good way for us to live our vision—Christ centred, Holy Spirit led, a caring community, outward focussed.
I would like to hold a 45 minute study following Lenten lunches for those who wish to attend, on the Cathechism! This will be open to all—including youth, families, anybody! And will be an opportunity to review/renew/revisit some of the basic teachings of our faith. This is traditionally an exercise that is reviewed in Confirmation, but Lent is a great time of reflection and teaching! If there is interest, another time of week might also be possible. Stay tuned for more information!
If you are interested in talking about Lenten lunches and how (or if) we do them in this coming Lenten season, please meet with me after church—in the kitchen? for a brief conversation on Sunday (no lunch provided! Lol). Or send me an email with your thoughts/suggestions. Lenten lunches are not possible without much support and help.
What God may hereafter require of you, you must not give yourself the least trouble about. Everything he gives you to do, you must do as well as ever you can, and that is the best possible preparation for what he may want you to do next. If people would but do what they have to do, they would always find themselves ready for what comes next. -George MacDonald
Love and blessings in Christ,
Rev. Amy <><