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St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

1070 Dutch Road

Fairview, PA 16415

814.474.5490

From the PIC

There’s nothing like a transition in your living space (selling or buying a house, even just (re-)arranging the furniture) to make you think about how you use space. What space is important (or not) for your home to have? What space needs to be comfortable and liveable, and which space is more formal – and where do the lines of comfortable and formal blur? How inviting is your space for guests?

How does space communicate hospitality? Hospitality can be the relationship between a guest and a host. It can also refer to the act or practice of being hospitable, of receiving and entertaining visitors and strangers with liberality and goodwill. Hospitality is the act of generously providing care and kindness to whomever is in need.

Hospitable space welcomes the stranger, answers their question (Where is the bathroom? What happens next?) before they ask and anticipates their needs (a place to hang a coat, comfort a child, food and drink offered to all).

In ancient Greek culture, a passing stranger could be invited into the house by the family. The head of the household washed the stranger’s feet, offered him/her food and wine, and only after she/he was feeling comfortable could be asked to tell his/her name. To put a Christian lens on this kind of radical welcome, it is hospitality that first and foremost sees the face of Christ on every guest, whether we know their name or anything about them.

How can we practice that kind of radical hospitality in our own lives, personally and as a community? How do we put on those love-colored glasses that welcome every person who comes through our door, wheth-er they are a complete stranger or a previous member returning home? How do we welcome guests of all ages and abilities so they (and their families) are comfortable in worship? How do we, as hosts and stew-ards, invite and welcome friends and strangers into God’s home?

St. Stephen’s is a joyful place to call home. We are called to share that joy with the world, and especially with those who walk past and through our doors. As you have thoughts about our practice of radical hos-pitality, please share them with me, with a member of the vestry, or with Melanie Gustafson-Ropski who chairs our Hospitality Committee.

This comes with my love and prayers, You’re Invited to a House Blessing and Open House You’re invited to Sabeth’s and Julien’s home for a House Blessing and Open House Sunday, July 22 from 3:00-5:00pm 6455 Field Valley Lane, Fairview, PA 16415 / 814.217.1628 House blessing will begin about 3:30pm. Come by anytime that works best for you.

RSVP to the church office by July 18th so we know whether to expect 40 or 140.

Weekly Schedule of Services

Sunday Service Schedule:

8:00 am—Rite I Holy Eucharist

10:00 am—Rite II Holy Eucharist with music

Christian Formation for all ages resumes in

September.

Wednesday 10 Am Service - suspended for now.

Springhill Services - 3rd Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Beginning on July 18th.

Up Coming Events

Services will continue as usual for July and

August with spoken Rite I at 8:00 am and

Rite II with music at 10:00 am.

Wed. July 4th - church office closed.

Mon. July 9th - Fri. July 11th Vacation Bible School

9:30 - 11:30 am

Sun. July 15th - Chicken Barbeque following 10:00 am

service

Mon. July 16th - Vestry Meeting at 7:00 pm

Wed. July 18th - Springhill Service at 1:00 pm

Sat. July 21st - Grounds Cleanup / Paint Party at

9:00 am - until.

Mon. Aug. 13th - Vestry Meeting at 7:00 pm

Wed. Aug. 15th - Springhill Service at 1:00 pm

Sat. Aug. 18th - Grounds Cleanup 9:00 am - noon.

A Special Thank You to….

Coffee hour hostesses/hosts who provide for us

each Sunday. Our June providers were Kathy &

Jim Steele, Kathie & Jack Gregory and Cindy &

George Willis.

Alison Steadman for altering the chasubles to fit

Sabeth so she may wear them for the Eucharistic

services.

Allan Slovenkay for arranging for the wonderful

concert by the Erie Renaissance Singers.

The new lawn mowers Bud Johnson and Julien

Goulet who have joined with Dave Danowski, Ellen Masteller, Kate Pazder and George Willis

in this ministry to

keep our lawns

looking neat.

Jane O’Lexa and her grandchildren for weeding

and tending to the Columbarium.

Everyone who has spent any time working on the

upkeep and maintenance of our building and

grounds.

Humor Nugget Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is

wet?

New E-Mail Address

Be sure to update your e-mail

address book for the church to

church@ststephens-fairview.org

Sabeth’s e-mail address is:

revsabeth@ststephens-fairview.org

Be sure to check out our Facebook Page.

A Baby is On the Way!

Clarification: There has been some confusion

about the open houses. They are not just for

clergy - everyone in the diocese is invited to at-

tend.

Join us for an Open House honoring Sean & Carly

Rowe and their baby girl!

Everyone is invited to attend and there are two

open houses to choose from:

Saturday, July 21 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM

at St. Mark's Episcopal Church

4701 Old French Road, Erie PA

Sunday, August 26 from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM

at St. John's Episcopal Church

513 12th Street, Franklin PA

Please respond to Vanessa at 814-456-4203 or vbut-

ler@dionwpa.org if you plan on attending so we can

plan accordingly.

Gifts are not expected, but for those wishing to pur-

chase something the Rowes are registered at Babies

R Us and Wal-Mart.

July Birthdays

7/2 Laurie Hitt

7/6 Richard Bliley

7/6 Pat Rushe

7/9 Bill Wilhelm

7/9 Meaghan Ropski

7/11 Kaitlyn Slomski

7/14 Molly Bacon

7/19 Melanie Gustafson Ropski

7/20 Jerry Baugh

7/23 Marlene Eagley

7/27 Donna Davis

7/29 Ryan Naylor

7/30 Henry Collins

7/31 Diana Schaney

July Anniversaries

7/2 Kay & John Buffington

7/7 Diana & W. John Collins

7/16 Mary Frances & Jerry Baugh

7/26 Barb & Graham Lund

August Birthdays

8/2 Charles Brown

8/2 Richard Weschler

8/3 Kathy Stearns

8/5 Bill Ulrich

8/9 Frank Tunney

8/9 Nicole Buzzard

8/9 Monica Miller

8/10 Kathy Steele

8/14 Edward Haynor

8/15 Susan Schuette

8/16 Cole Stearns

8/19 Diana Collina

8/20 Betsy Danowski

8/26 Sabeth Fitzgibbons

8/28 Jim Steadman

8/29 Ellen Masteller

August Anniversaries

8/6 Christine & Bill Higley

8/7 Laurie & Tom Hitt

8/9 Lydia & Edward Haynor

8/11 M.J. & Rich Radock

8/21 Sue & Glenn Chichester

8/27 Barb & John Beatty

Pastoral Emergencies.

If you have a pastoral emergency please use

the following order of calls.

1. Call the church (if open) - 474-5490

2. Call the Rectory - 835-5097

3. Fr. Ron’s cell phone - 431-9445

Pastoral Emergencies.

During office hours, please call the

church at 474-5490.

After office hours,

please call Sabeth at

814-217-1628

Never Fear! God is Near!

Join our flock at Vacation Bible School St. Stephen’s Episcopal

church July 9 – 13, 2012 9:30-11:30am. Ages 4 (completed one year of pre-

school) to 11 Older students are invited to join us as teachers’ helpers. Call Cindy Willis at

456-6441 to register.

The VBS is now taking registrations and

we need MANY volunteers to help eve-

ry day to make this week a wonderful

success! If you can help or would like to

help or register a child, please call Cindy

Willis at the above number to sign up.

CLEAN UP DAYS RETURN

When: 3rd Saturday of the month on

July 21st 9 am - ?? will be a

“Paint Party. Bring your favorite

paint brush.

We will gather again on Aug. 18th

from 9 am - ??

Please come help clean up the building and

grounds!! Every little bit helps. Bring your

favorite tools and a water bottle.

If you are unable to come on these dates,

please feel free to come at another time.

The Famous Chicken Picnic

Sunday, July 15th Following the 10 am service

Sign up in the parish hall

by Friday, July 6th

for a dish to bring and

the number of people attending

News from Sabeth

Wondering why your clergy don’t call when you’re in the hospital?

HIPAA regulations prohibit medical providers from giving out information about your health status (even information about if you are in the hospital or not). If you are admitted to the hospital and do not indicate your church affiliation at registration, we cannot find out you are there to call or visit you. If you are admitted to the hospital and you want your clergy to know, please make arrangements for some-one to call the church office. If something requires an urgent pastoral visit outside of regular church office hours, please call the emergency number (814-217-1628). You can always leave a confidential mes-sage in Rev. Sabeth’s personal voice mail box at the church (814-474-5490).

Springhill Services Resume in July

Monthly services at Springhill Retirement Communi-ty (2323 Edinboro Rd, Erie 16509) will resume on Wednesday, July 18 at 1:00pm in the Card Room. All members of the St. Stephen’s and other Episcopal communities are welcome to join this midweek wor-ship – no need to be a Springhill resident. Services will be 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Questions? Contact Floss Willis at 833-3054 or flosswillis@gmail.com

Altar Flower Dates Available

Some spaces are still available for Memorial

Flowers. The cost is $70 for two vases. If

you wish to share a Sunday, the cost is $35.

Dates available include August 5th (1), Au-

gust 12th (2),and September 9th (2). Call

Carol or Megin in the office to sign up for

one of these dates.

Budget News

as of May 2012*

Current Month Year to date Annual Budget

Total Income 14,038 85.538 252,899

Total Expenses 14,475 95.220 252,899

(Deficit) (437) (9,682)

You may be on vacation, but the church’s expenses

aren’t.

Please remember to pay your pledge through the summer

to keep the church’s cash flow solvent. Thank you!!

*Numbers reflect the most current month for which finan-

cials are available.

Save the Date! Renewal of Ministry with Welcoming of a New Priest In Charge Sunday, September 16 at 4:00pm

We will renew our ministries and welcome the Rev. Sabeth Fitzgibbons as Priest in Charge in this celebratory service with Bishop Sean Rowe presiding. Morning services will be cancelled on September 16 to encourage the entire commu-nity to gather in the afternoon.

Nursery School News

By now, most of you have heard that Pam Morrison has resigned as Director and Teacher for the Nurse-ry School. A Director Search Committee is being formed as I write, and will begin meeting in July with the high hopes of having a director in place in time for school to start in September. Several quali-fied people have already contacted me about the director position as well as open teacher positions. Over the summer, the planned summer camps are continuing, and Nursery School staff are handling registration for the fall. Please keep the Nursery School staff, children, families, and search com-mittee in your prayers this summer. Any questions about the open positions or transition time issues can be directed to Rev. Sabeth (revsabeth@ststephens-fairview.com or 814-474-5490.

July 2012 Service Schedule

8 AM Service July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29

Acolyte Morgan Naylor Steven Tome Morgan Naylor Steven Tome Morgan Naylor

LEM Vicki Johnson Dave Danowski Bill Ulrich Rich Trabinger Dave Danowski

Lectors Cindy Willis Gretchen Tome Kevin Tome Isabel Hodgin Eric Schuette

Usher Bob Pazder Vivian Hutchison Kate Pazder Bob Pazder John Rushe

10AM Service

Acolytes

C – Crucifer Lauren Reilly (C) Cindy Willis (C) Jim Reilly (C) Barron Denniston (C) David Masteller (C)

G – Gospel Allison Higley (G) Rachel Willis (G) Allison Higley (G) Judith Fair (G) Kathie Gregory (G)

T – Torch Emma Schuette (T) Billy Higley (T) Caitlin Reilly (T) Emma Schuette (T) Allison Higley (T)

T- Torch Barron Denniston (T) David Masteller (T) Rich Trabinger (T) Lauren Reilly (T) Rachel Willis (T)

Ushers Don Eagley Don Eagley Don Eagley Don Eagley Don Eagley

Ron Cocke Ron Cocke Ron Cocke Ron Cocke Ron Cocke

Jim Reilly Jim Reilly Jim Reilly Jim Reilly Jim Reilly

Mitch Willis Mitch Willis Mitch Willis Mitch Willis Mitch Willis

Altar Guild Isabel Hodgin Vivian Hutchison Carlota Slick Isabel Hodgin Vivian Hutchison

Linda McKean Kathy Steele Anna May Rose Linda McKean Kathy Steele

Martha Sinden Corky Anderson Dorothy Bloom Martha Sinden Corky Anderson

Nancy Gorman Lynda Burrows Bonnie Miller Nancy Gorman Lynda Burrows

Sannie Potter Betsy Danowski Sannie Potter

C A B C A

LEM Jim Steele Floss Willis Don Inderlied Bill Ulrich Jim Steele

Lectors Andrew Masteller M J Radock Jack Gregory Steve Ropski M J Radock

David Masteller M J Radock Kathie Gregory Melanie Gustafson Ropski

Melanie Gustafson Ropski

Chalice Bearer Ellen Masteller Judith Fair John Rushe Judith Fair Nathan Ropski

LEV Jim Steele to see Gracie Banks

Floss Willis to see Doris Snell

John Rushe to see Frank Tunney

Bill Ulrich to see Gracie Banks

Min. of Hospitality

Melanie and Steve Ropski Michelle Denniston

Sharon and Bill Ulrich

Cindy Willis Melanie and Steve Ropski

Coffee Hosts NEEDED Mary Lou Lowry PICNIC Sharon and Bill Ulrich Cindy and George Willis

Springhill Wednesday, July 18 at 1:00 PM

Acolytes

C – Crucifer

G – Gospel

T – Torch