Opportunity for Ministry

            It is already August and I am in high gear planning and implementing programming and initiatives for the fall program year. This year, more than others, it seems like the time between programming years is shorter than usual. I can remember a time growing up when parish life all but ceased during the summer months. All programs stopped and more than likely the service schedule for the week was reduced to one liturgy on Sunday. The expectation was that everyone took vacation from all church activities and worship until after Labor Day.

            But things have changed in recent years everywhere I’ve served and St. Stephen’s community life is no different. There is much going on and there are abundant opportunities to be involved in the ministries of our parish. All of you have so much to offer our community and I would like to challenge you to seriously consider being an integral part of one of the following ministries beginning now. If you’ve participated in one of these ministries for years and are beginning to burn out—perhaps it’s time to hear the call of God in another ministry opportunity. St. Stephen’s does a lot of great work in many different areas, and now is the time to support all the diversity of ministries by being actively involved in the ministry you are most passionate about. Our community encourages and embraces your contribution. Listed below is a list of ministry opportunities available to you. Please take a look at the list, pray for God’s inspiration, find your niche, and get involved in one of these amazing ministries of the parish beginning this fall.

Circle of Friends Disability Ministry
Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
Gift and Book Shop
Helping Hands
Liturgical/Worship
            Acolytes
            Altar Guild
            Lay Reader
            Chalice Bearer
            Greeters
            Ushers
Marketing
            Internal and External Communications
            Newsletter
            Web Page
            Event Publicity
Movie Lovers Group
Parish Visioning
            Creating & Implementing a Christ Centered Vision
            Offering Ourselves to God and Each Other
            Developing Leadership, Discipleship, & Relationships
            Telling Our Story Effectively
Pastoral Care
            Telephone Ministry
            Compassionate Friend – social visit
            Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV’s)
            Hospital Visitation
            Parish Nurse Team 
Outreach
            Family Promise
            Food Bank
            Habitat for Humanity
            Social Justice – Valley Interfaith
ProjectStewardship
St. Stephen’s Retreat and Renewal Center
Youth Ministries
            Godly Play
            On the Edge
            F.A.I.T.H.
Vestry

            Beginning in September I will be meeting on a monthly basis with all coordinators and co-chairs of each ministry group. Given the breadth and activity of so many ministries it is necessary for us to come together to listen, coordinate, and plan together so everyone will have the opportunity to be informed about what the other ministry areas are doing. This will also give each of us an opportunity to truly lead our ministries and grow them and be accountable to one another.

            The planning and implementation is under way and I look forward to everyone being involved in the vitality and life of our parish.

         You are a new creation.

                        Greg+

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