Dear St. Stephen’s church family,

Last week I was incommunicado, due to being chaplain at Camp Okema. What a wonderful week of chapel, games, rain, sun, water, dishes and campfire! My messages were entitled: Good news, not Fake News! They centred on the connections between social media platforms and God’s reaching out to us in Jesus.

I continue to believe in the importance of the Christian camping experience for the formation of young people. We had Nathan, Tracey, Jen, Jean, Quinlyn, Garen, Henry, Melissa, Chase, Colton and John taking part in camp last week! And Jessie is there this week, with some of our teens returning later in the summer for teen camp. St. Stephen’s certainly has a presence at Camp Okema!

A few notes for the week:

1. The garage sale fundraiser for the Zar family on Saturday was a success! Thank you to all who donated, helped out or shopped. They raised $1100, and are grateful to St. Stephen’s for the use of the building. Please continue to pray for this family as they work through the steps needed to come to Canada. They are sponsored through the Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon and several other individuals and churches.

2.  Welcome back to Chris W and Ruth S, who were the Diocese’s elected delegates to General Synod, taking place last week in Vancouver. Among other things, a new Primate was elected: Archbishop Linda Nicholls.

A vote to change the canonical definition of marriage also took place, which was narrowly defeated in the house of Bishops, and therefore did not pass. The traditional understanding of marriage as between a man and a woman was upheld. For more information about the goings on at General Synod, see our Diocesan website news:  https://www.anglicandiocesesaskatoon.com/cogs-news

3. Budget update from the treasurer: The Income statement for January to June 2019 shows a loss of $ 5,476.24. Please continue to give as you are able, especially over the summer months. And thank you for your love and faithfulness in giving to the work of the church.

Parish Cycle of Prayer:

For the month of July, we hold up all of the leadership and campers at Camp Okema. We pray for safety, for joy in living, for the forming of deep and lasting friendships. Above all we pray that all who take part in the ministry of Camp Okema would grow in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We pray for: John P and family, and for Barry and Grace R and family—Meghanne, Jianna, Brynn and Ian.

A quote for the coming week:

It is so important not to let ourselves off the hook or to become apathetic or cynical by telling ourselves that nothing works or makes a difference. Every day, light your small candle. The inaction and actions of many human beings over a long time contributed to the crises our children face, and it is the action and struggle of many human beings over time that will solve these crises with God’s help. So every day, light your small candle.

-Marian Wright Edelman

Peace and love in Christ,

The Rev. Amy <><