Parish Ministries
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is a behind-the-scene service ministry responsible for preparing the altar before all services including communion, baptisms, weddings, funerals and/or memorial services.
They set up for each service and assist the priest and chalice bearers before the service, as needed. After each service they clean the altar area, wash, dry and put away all communion vessels, linens and vestments.
Divided into four teams; each team works one weekend per month cleaning (altar area only) on Saturday and different members cover one weekend service. If interested in learning more about this service ministry contact Marge Renquin.
They set up for each service and assist the priest and chalice bearers before the service, as needed. After each service they clean the altar area, wash, dry and put away all communion vessels, linens and vestments.
Divided into four teams; each team works one weekend per month cleaning (altar area only) on Saturday and different members cover one weekend service. If interested in learning more about this service ministry contact Marge Renquin.
Lay Lectors and Chalice Bearers
Lay lectors and chalice bearers play a vital role in the three services each weekend at St. Stephen’s.
The lay lectors read the lessons and leads the congregation in the psalm of the day and the prayers of the people. The chalice bearer administers the cup at Communion and assists the priest at the altar. At the Saturday service, the chalice bearer also serves as lay lector for all lessons and the prayers.
Volunteers to serve as lay lector or chalice bearer are always encouraged. Contact Pastor Julie.
The lay lectors read the lessons and leads the congregation in the psalm of the day and the prayers of the people. The chalice bearer administers the cup at Communion and assists the priest at the altar. At the Saturday service, the chalice bearer also serves as lay lector for all lessons and the prayers.
Volunteers to serve as lay lector or chalice bearer are always encouraged. Contact Pastor Julie.
Choir
The Parish Choir, directed and accompanied by David Zych on the organ and piano, provides music for the 10:30 service. Rehearsals are Sunday Morning's from 9:15-10:15am.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands meets every other Thursday at 9:30am in the library to fold the weekly bulletins. You do not have to come each week, but are welcome to stop by and lend a Helping Hand whenever you have a few minutes to serve on Thursday mornings.
S.A.G.E.S. - Service. Aging. Gifts. Education. Spirituality.
S.A.G.E.S. is a group of 50’s more or less men and women whose major focus is to get to know each other better. This newly formed group is exploring areas of interest to educate ourselves as to how we can better serve our church community. We offer fun activities on and off property; address aging issues identified by our participants; helpful to our neighbors; and supportive to outreach opportunities as they arise. We meet the third Thursday of each month at noon for a pot-luck lunch in our dining room. Come join us! Contact Pat Davis, pdavis09@gmail.com or the church office,
602-840-0437 for additional information.
602-840-0437 for additional information.
Hospitality
“All are welcome in this place…”
At Stephen’s we strive to make hospitality the key to who we are and what we do.
Here all are called to share what they have with others; to be welcoming, hospitable and friendly; to share a smile, a handshake, engage in conversation, and to make a connection with guests and with each other.
Hospitality at St. Stephen’s shows respect for all, treating others as equals, providing for their needs, and encouraging ALL to feel truly welcome in this place!
At Stephen’s we strive to make hospitality the key to who we are and what we do.
Here all are called to share what they have with others; to be welcoming, hospitable and friendly; to share a smile, a handshake, engage in conversation, and to make a connection with guests and with each other.
Hospitality at St. Stephen’s shows respect for all, treating others as equals, providing for their needs, and encouraging ALL to feel truly welcome in this place!
Crochet & Knitting Prayer Ministry
Do you know how to crochet or knit? If not would you like to learn? All are welcome. Please join us!
Contact: Schelly Cifone - schellyjune1@aol.com - 480-227-9686 OR
Sue Grace - SGrace@magellanhealth.com
Contact: Schelly Cifone - schellyjune1@aol.com - 480-227-9686 OR
Sue Grace - SGrace@magellanhealth.com
Heretics Book Club
Heretics' Weekly book discussion meets at 12:00-1:30 most Saturdays at Jim's Coney Island Cafe on the west side of Scottsdale Road a little south of McKellips. It's at the north end of a strip mall. Jim's Coney Island Cafe is a few blocks north of the 202 on Scottsdale Road. It's a Denny's-like restaurant with very good food. Some participants order just a drink, but most of us have lunch which runs $10-$15. Contact Leah Batty or Kristin McCartor for more information.
Movie Lovers Group
The Movie Lover's Group meets the first Friday of each month to attend a movie at Harkin’s Camelview Theatre, Goldwater, N of Camelback. After the movie, the group moves over to Nordstrom’s Café to enjoy a meal and lively conversation. Movie goers are notified on Wednesday prior to that Friday either by email or phone the movie and time of the showing. Transportation is offered to those who do not drive. All are welcome to join this lively group. Contact Pat Davis, pdavis09@gmail.com or the church office, 602-840-0437 with questions or if you wish to join this group.
Book and Gift Shop
The Gift and Book Shop is open on an irregular basis after services on Saturday and Sunday. It is also available by appointment. There is a vast array of both religious and secular merchandise available.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Through study, prayer, and reflection, the Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service and carry out their ministries. It is a four-year theological education program of the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. Participants meet weekly over the course of a nine month academic year led by a trained mentor. The seminars furnish an opportunity to deepen the understanding of the reading materials: year one focuses on study of the Hebrew Scriptures, year two is assigned the study of our Christian Scriptures, year three is the study of Christian history, and year four concludes with the study of philosophy and theology. More important is the development of skills in theological reflection. In a conversational, wondering, and musing environment, participants examine their own beliefs and their relationships to our culture and the tradition of our Christian faith. Through this process participants learn what it means to be effective ministers in the world.
Through study, prayer, and reflection, the Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service and carry out their ministries. It is a four-year theological education program of the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. Participants meet weekly over the course of a nine month academic year led by a trained mentor. The seminars furnish an opportunity to deepen the understanding of the reading materials: year one focuses on study of the Hebrew Scriptures, year two is assigned the study of our Christian Scriptures, year three is the study of Christian history, and year four concludes with the study of philosophy and theology. More important is the development of skills in theological reflection. In a conversational, wondering, and musing environment, participants examine their own beliefs and their relationships to our culture and the tradition of our Christian faith. Through this process participants learn what it means to be effective ministers in the world.
