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Lenten Bread at St. Stephen's
"We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread."
During the season of Lent we will be using homemade bread for the Eucharist. One reason for this is the symbolism of the one loaf (although we will actually be using 2 or 3 small loaves.) But a loaf of bread must be broken to be shared. And that is another important image: Jesus Christ's human body was broken when he gave his life for us. And we are all broken, in need of His healing and forgiveness, so that we can share them with one another and the world.
A practical note: you may receive the bread and wine separately, or you may dip the bread in the wine, holding it firmly and dipping briefly.
Deacon Pat for the Worship Committee
The Warden's Corner
To our St. Stephen's Family:
Carole and I would like to let you know what we're working on each month in a Warden's Corner in the Messenger. Please feel free to contact Carole or myself with any questions or topics of interest about St. Stephen's. This is a snapshot of what's going on for February:
Among the things we learned at this year's annual meeting was that the congregation would like more information regarding the financing for the construction of a new parish hall. At this month's Vestry meeting, Jack Feyrer shared some research he's done with local banks that has produced several creative ideas for financing the project. We've asked him to share the information with the congregation after church Sunday, Feb. 22.
With the help of Rosemarie Jaquith, who drew up a proper contract, we are moving forward with plans to buy the First Friends Nursery School. The contract allows the school to continue running this year offering both parties and option out after that time. This gives the Vestry a chance to look at what is takes to run the school and whether this is a ministry we want for St. Stephen's. At the same time, the school's director can also decide to go in another direction.
Also of concern is our own Christian Education program. The Personnel Committee plans to meet with Laura Davis this month to talk about the running of the program through June and beyond. We will discuss the job description for the Christian Education Director as well as the search for Laura's replacement.
Peace,
Tracy Ormsbee and Carole Merrill-Mazurek
 Welcome Deborah O'Connor
Deborah O'Connor has been coming to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church for many years. On February 8th, the Vestry welcomed Deborah as a new member of the Vestry. At the February Vestry Meeting, Deborah was present as she was voted into office in accord with the By Laws. She will serve out the remainder of the 3 year term vacated by Gregg Varno, who respectfully withdrew.
St. Stephen's Socialwork Plans
Mr Garrett will wrap up his project for St. Stephen's by giving his report to our Senior and Junior Wardens on Sunday, February 18th, just after the scheduled Messenger publication time. Senior Warden, Carole Merrill-Mazurek will help us move forward with a plan of reconciliation. More information will be shared when it is available. James Garrett is an ARISE specialist in treatment of individuals and families affected by addiction. and other chronic illnesses.
Building Construction - Funding Information
Jack Feyrer has reportedly found a creative financing plan that will keep much of the endowment fund intact. As requested by Carole Merrill-Mazurek, the building construction financial information and funding options will be presented by Jack Feyrer after the Sunday, February 28th, 10:15 service. The Finance Committee and Endowment Committee are expected to use Jack's information to recommend our building finances to the Vestry Members. The Finance Committee includes Sid Woodcock, Denise Crates, Austin Spang, and Bill Frank. The Endowment Committee includes Interim Chair-Jack Feyrer, with Sondra Grady and Mike DeBritz. Sharing of the potential financing plans was requested by those attending the Annual Meeting, and the information was promised so everyone would have the opportunity to offer feedback to our representatives before their vote.
VESTRY MEETING UPDATE -February 8, 2010
There were 5 guests at the January 13th Vestry Meeting, in addition to the Vestry.
COMMITTEE and TASK FORCE REPORTS
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
Jack Feyrer presented 3 offers from area banks to write mortgages employing the endowment as collateral. The mortgage would be $1.7 million and the bank would hold the endowment and invest it. At the end of three years St. Stephen's would break even, but a Capital Campaign fund would still be needed to cover the interest expense. The Vestry thanked Jack and Austin Spang for all their hard work. Jack will make a presentation to the congregation on Sunday, February 28th after the 10:15 services.
Members of the congregation are encouraged to direct any questions regarding our financial situation to either of the Wardens or any Vestry member.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
St. Stephen's paid $5,000 of the Diocesan Assessment of $33,118 due to budget constraints. It was considered a regrettable necessity.
NURSERY SCHOOL STEERING COMMITTEE
The Nursery School Committee reported that asset and insurance information is still not available. The Vestry voted to allow another 30 days.
BUILDINGS and GROUNDS
MAINTENANCE:
The church furnace was discovered to have a leak, and it was repaired. Both furnaces are outdated.
CONSTRUCTION:
Phase 2; the $115,000 architectural commitment for construction plans was proposed and deliberated on. The result was to support the intention to first share the financial information with the congregation. Jack Feyrer's presentation will also be emailed to the congregation to include more parishioners.
REID HOUSE:
Progress is being made with the sheetrock, and the kitchenette is coming up. Volunteers typically meet on Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. There is a sign up sheet in the Parish Hall if you are interested in volunteering. You may also contact Austin Spang.
PERSONNEL
VESTRY MEMBERSHIP
Debbie O'Connor was unanimously elected to the Vestry, following the By-laws regarding filling a vacancy. Gregg Varno had respectfully resigned. The Personnel committee, comprised of Tracy Ormsbee, Matt Canavan, Sue Feyrer and Carole Merrill-Mazurek, will meet with Laura Davis to think about finding a new Education Leader.
SOCIAL WORKER
The social worker for St. Stephen's, Jim Garrett, is wrapping up his work. On January 29th he gave a preliminary report to Fr. James, Carole, and Tracy. On February 21st He will present report with suggestions for constructive action. At the meeting, Fr. James said he heard the hurt and anger, and has made it a top priority this year for reconciliation and healing, to establish a renewed trust. Carole and Tracy shared plans to meet with Bishop Love on February 10th to update him.
RECTOR'S REPORT
1. Spiritual Leadership
Meeting/Counseling (office or phone) with Parishioners - 13 meetings: 28 hours
Morning Prayer - 10 hours. Eucharist - 14.5 hours
Sermon Preparation/Writing - NA
Hospital/Nursing /Home visits - 8 for 12 hours
2. Christian Education/Study
Educational Planning for Education Classes - 9 hours
Reading/ Study/ Writing - 40 hours
3. Administrative
Staff meetings - 3 for 6 hours
Correspondence/ Email - 20 hours
Board mtgs. - 2 for 5.5 hours
Calls on all new members - 3 hours
NEW BUSINESS
Thanks were extended to Larry Levine for his great job with the Messenger and his communications. The plan to start mailing the paper Messenger was shared with the Vestry, and met with approval. The email Messenger will continue as well.
That's it for the February meeting. The next Vestry Meeting is MONDAY, March 8th.
Equipping, Connecting, Inspiring
Educational Opportunities this
Winter and Spring
Register online at www.capitalrtc.org or by phone at 518-462-2470
Registration deadline: February 5
Family Systems Theory & Practice for Congregations
Friday and Saturday, March 12 & 13, 2010
Rev. Dr. Peter Steinke
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Dr. Steinke, leading speaker and author on the power of family systems theory as applied to congregational dynamics. See our website for more information on each days' topics.
Cost: $95 per day, or $165 for both days Registration deadline: February 25
Backpacking Retreat
with Rev. Kent Busman ................April 30 to May 2
Social Media for Churches: Web 2.0
with Valerie Venezia........................................May 15
"Come Alive and Thrive" conference.......May 21-23
with Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo*
Co-sponsored event, with the Capital Area Baptist Association and FOCUS Churches
* Part of the CRTC Distinguished Speaker Series
Scholarships are available for all classes;
please contact CRTC for an application.
Register online or by phone: www.capitalrtc.org 518-462-2470
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"STAND WITH HAITI"
now and during the coming weeks!
by Richey Woodzell
During the past weeks people all over the world have opened their hearts and their pocketbooks to the Haitian earthquake survivors. But the need is staggering and will continue for months and years. In a mountainous country where daily survival was already difficult, there are now one million homeless people and shortages of food, water, sanitation and health care. To make matters worse, the rainy season is beginning, to be followed by the hurricane season.
Many of us have already donated money to the Red Cross or to Episcopal Relief and Development. Now at St. Stephen's we have planned three special fundraising projects for Haiti, with proceeds to be sent to Partners In Health (PIH).
You can help by:
(1) donating the change from your pocket (or dresser drawer or kitchen jar);
(2) * buying a quart of soup mix;
(3) * buying potted herb or two.
(* Refer to Laura Davis' article in the Christian Education section.)
Partners in Health (PIH) grew out of a small clinic begun in 1985 to address the health needs of the peasants of Cange, the poorest in Haiti, whose level of illness and death ranked among the worst in the world. You can read about the history of Partners In Health in Tracy Kidder's book Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World, (Random House, 2003).
PIH works in partnership with the communities it serves, employing more than 98% of its staff from the community, the majority of them being community health workers. These people are already serving in Haiti, where PIH now is in the forefront of treating the survivors of the earthquake.
The following news release on February 10 describes how effectively and quickly PIH delivers the critically needed health care:
"A month after the earthquake, Haiti is now threatened by another devastating public health disaster -- epidemics of infectious diseases and untreated chronic illnesses in squatter communities where tens of thousands of people are crowded together with no sanitation facilities and little access to clean water and food.
"Early one morning under an already scorching sun, a team of about 50 PIH doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians drove to an open field adjacent to one of these informal settlements--a patchwork of shelters pieced together from tattered sheets of cloth, cardboard, and scraps of wood, with an estimated population of 40,000. Within 45 minutes, the PIH team had erected a large tent, filled most of it with tables and chairs for 20 consulting stations, created and stocked a small pharmacy and lab, and established an orderly system for checking patients in and sending them to the next available doctor. Over the next six hours, they saw and treated more than 500 patients.
"They are operating similar clinics regularly at four settlements around Port-au-Prince, and supporting surgical teams at the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince. All this is being done in addition to providing comprehensive health care at 12 facilities outside the city that were already serving a population of over 1 million people before the arrival of the thousands of earthquake victims fleeing Port-au-Prince."
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Dear Friends, 
The Schenectady Inner City Ministry is an ecumenical partnership, founded in 1967, of 58 congregations (15 denominations) for ministries of social service and social justice.
