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St. Stephen |
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St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church |
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Christmas Tree Festival a Joyous Success!
The Second Annual “Christmas Tree Festival at St. Stephen’s” was held in Parish Hall November 30- December 1. The Festival was not only the kick-off for the Christmas Season in the Pass, it raised over $30,000 for the Carol’s Mercy House Building Fund.
See Christmas Tree Festival Photos
New Church Property Update.
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is currently in negotiations to buy a 15-acre site on which we will build a new church and a school. The property owner has entertained the initial offer from the Diocese and made a counter offer. The Diocese plans to respond with a counter offer to the seller the week of December 10. We’ll keep you posted as things develop.
“Our Best Stewardship Campaign Ever”
Those were the sentiments of several parishioners as we reflected on the 2008 Stewardship Campaign which was just completed. Under the leadership of the Stewardship Committee, Ann Dahlberg, Joe Wheatley, Don Reneker and Ed Jolly, we received nearly $95,000 in pledges for 2008. This is an increase from $77,000 last year. The number of people pledging also increased from 41 to 51. Thank you to all who so gave so generously. |
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The Los Angeles Diocese Convention George B. Donaldson
Father Jeff and yours truly represented St. Stephen’s at the 112th L.A. Diocese Annual Convention. The convention was held at the Riverside Convention Center on November 30 and December 1. This was my fourth convention and, by far, was the most smoothly run. It’s the fourth year that I have missed the UCLA/ Southern California football game. Considering the results of the game…oh well! There are several things that I would like to report to you:
In his welcoming talk, Bishop Bruno mentioned the many exciting and encouraging activities going on at St. Stephen’s. Our congregation was the only one that he mentioned by example in the two days of the convention. He expressed his pleasure at how the people of the Beaumont and Banning congregations have come together to build a growing thriving church. Bishop Bruno spoke of the Diocesan plans to build a church and school in Beaumont/Banning. As of this writing the Diocese has submitted a counter offer for property in north Beaumont.
The title theme of the convention was Beyond Barriers…Working Through Walls. Does the theme represent the work that is in front of the Episcopal Church to heal the divisiveness within the church? We can only hope and pray. We learned that the next Lambeth Conference will focus on tearing down walls and healing; a good step. This writer continues to wonder why we could not come together in reconciliation with the four parishes in the L.A. Diocese, and the entire Diocese of San Joaquin that withdrew from our Communion. Don’t we all worship the same God and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ?
We learned that the Episcopal Relief Development (ERD) has joined forces with the goals of the U.N. and its eight point program, Millennium Development Goals, to relieve extreme suffering. In an interesting exercise, we were asked to have a table discussion on what we are doing within the eight points…poverty, education, gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and malaria, environmental stability, global partnerships for development. The point of the table discussion was to place into prospective what we are each doing locally, because worldwide success starts with local action. Please look up the work of ERD on their web site…just google ERD.
We were educated by The Reverend Canon Michael Battle who is now serving in the Los Angeles Diocese. Canon Battle has a varied and wonderful background in religious reconciliation. He is a former theology professor, and most impressively, he served in South Africa as adjutant to Bishop Tutu. He has written a book about his time with Tutu and the Bishop’s technique of resolution and reconciliation. The Canon’s verbal and slide presentation dwelt on the marvelous and successful diversity within the Diocese.
The normal election of persons, both laity and ordained to various offices proceeded through the two day convention. Most offices were resolved on the first ballot. Two offices involving several people were not settled until a fourth ballot.
The Episcopal National Convention for 2008 will be held in Anaheim, California. |
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Notes from the Bishop’s Committee meeting on December 18, 2007:
Fr. Jeff reported that the state of the congregation was health & growing with average attendance of 87 in December, which was higher than November. St. Stephen’s welcomed the community as it hosted the Christmas Tree Festival which was a huge success raising $31,000.00 for Carol’s Mercy House. The Happy Faces Foster Family Christmas Party was also held at St. Stephen’s for which the parishioners provided 80 children’s Christmas presents and we have boxed and shipped 11 care packages to soldiers in Iraq. The Visiting Nurses Association and Cherry Valley Mon’s have also used the facility for their functions. The new church sign in front of the church has been installed and the other signs will be installed soon. The new keyboard is due to arrive in time for the Christmas Eve Family service. The land search is going well. The Diocese is making a counter offer to the owner of the property which has been previously viewed.
Sr. Warden, Jack Holden remarked that the church has come a long way in a short time and that it is due in large part to Fr. Jeff’s leadership.
Treasurer, George Donaldson provided financial reports for the Bishop’s committee members. He reported that the value of our investments has diminished due to fluctuations in the stock market, but his was expected and is not seen as a problem. Contributions were up slightly and are expected to be higher in December. Contribution envelopes for 2008 will be available in parish hall beginning Sunday. He is working on a draft budget for 2008 for Bishop’s Committee approval. George complimented Frances Culver for preparing the 2006 audit and suggested presenting her with a gift certificate as a thank you for her diligence. Jack Holden made a motion to express the Bishop’s Committee appreciation for the great job that George has done as treasurer.
Pat Craghead reported that all proceeds from the Christmas Tree Festival, after expenses, went to Carol’s Mercy House. A rummage sale is planned for the spring and all proceeds from the sale will stay at St. Stephen’s.
Ann Dahlberg reported on the Stewardship Committee’s review of the recent Stewardship drive. After discussion about suggested changes, all Bishop’s Committee members expressed a willingness to help next year.
Guest, Suzanne Collette reported that choir practice for the “Voices of Mary” program for Christmas Eve is going well. She thanked everyone for their participation in filling out the choir questionnaire and will have the results in January. Carol Martin and Suzanne reiterated the great need for more room for choir members.
Fr. Jeff reported that there will be a Morning Prayer service on Christmas Day. Next year, we will have a Christmas morning Eucharist.
Photos for the new directory will be taken in the New Year. It was suggested that, in an effort to further communication, one Sunday each month, one Bishop’s Committee member make a short announcement on his or her group. Fr. Jeff will prepare a schedule. Carol Martin suggested that some of the members wear a “badge” with a phrase such as “ASK ME” to identify themselves to new members and all others who are interested in Bishop’s Committee information.
Jack Holden suggested a big push for full attendance at the Annual Meeting. Articles for the Annual Meeting Report and the newsletter should be submitted by January 2nd.
The next Bishop’s Committee will be on Tuesday, January 8th.
Respectfully submitted, Jeanne Bartholomew |