The Ambassador December 2019 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Monthly Newsletter

A vital, eclectic Episcopal congregation committed to the ministry of all the baptized.

From Fr. Jamie

On Sunday, December 8, after 11 years as Priest‐in‐Charge, St. Stephen’s will install me as its 6th Rector. To say least, I am honored and humbled.

But, you might ask, what is the difference? Why is this is a big deal? Has anything changed? Well, let’s take a look at the differences between having a priest‐in‐charge and a Rector.

The priest‐in‐charge of a congregation in the Episcopal Church is also known as a vicar. The vicar is essentially the vicarious presence of the Bishop, who, in this kind of relationship, is essentially the Rector of a congregation.

According to Episcopalchurch.org the Vicar is defined in this way:

In the Episcopal Church, the title generally applies to the priest in charge of a mission congregation. The dioc‐ esan bishop is the rector, and the priest representing the bishop is the vicar. The term is derived from the Lat‐ in vicarius, ʺsubstitute.ʺ Historically, as early as the twelfth century in England, clergy known as vicars were appointed to act as substitutes or vicarious representatives of the bishop to serve congregations. The use of terms such as vicar, priest in charge, and rector is not consistent in the dioceses of the Episcopal Church.

The Rector, according to Episcopalchurch.org is defined in this way:

The rector is the ecclesiastical authority of the parish [whereas the Bishop previously was the ecclesiastical authority]. The term “Rector” is derived from the Latin for ʺrule.ʺ The rector has authority and responsibility for worship and the spiritual jurisdiction of the parish, subject to the rubrics of the BCP, the constitution and canons of the church, and the pastoral direction of the bishop.

The rector is responsible for selection of all assistant clergy, and they serve at the discretion of the rector. The church and parish buildings and furnishings are under the rectorʹs control.

The rector, or a member of the vestry designated by the rector, presides at all vestry meetings.

So essentially, the rector is the priest in charge of a self‐supporting parish, and a Priest‐in‐charge (or vicar) is the priest in charge of a supported mission.

St. Stephen’s has actually been a self‐supporting congregation since January 1971. At that time, the vicar of the congregation, Fr. Gary Gilbertson, became the first Rector of St. Stephen’s.

‐ continued‐

However, with the recent change in policy ratified at Diocese Convention in November, Bishop Smith’s definition of what constitutes a Rector reverted back to the original (and more traditional) definition of Rector. Because St. Stephen’s is a self‐supporting congregation (i.e. we do not depend on the Diocese financially), the Vestry was free to call me as the Rector of the congregation.

I know that all of this might seem confusing. All these Episcopal “terms” can often be seen as a bit mind‐ boggling. The key to all of this is this: St. Stephen’s calling me as the rector is a big and important move, one that shows our independence as a self‐supporting congregation and a major move forward.

It has been almost 20 years since St. Stephen’s has had a Rector. We now can celebrate this new “official” relationship. The question remains: Does anything change? Not really. Certainly, not on the surface. We still continue to do the ministries we do here at St. Stephen’s as always and, of course, I am still your priest.

But, it is a time to rejoice. It is a time to celebrate our congregation and the major inroads it has made over these last several years. It is an opportunity for us to take pride in who we are and what we do. And I, per‐ sonally, am humbled and grateful to be here to be a part of this move.

Please join us on December 8 as I am installed as your 6th Rector.

The Wardens and Vestry of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Request the honor of your presence At the installation of The Rev. Jamie Allen Parsley As the 6th Rector of St. Stephen's Sunday, December 8, 2019 11:00 a.m. Reception follows

Diocesan Convention 2019 Diocesan Convention met this year on Saturday, November 9, at the Ramada Inn in Fargo. St. Stephen’s full contingent of delegates was present.

Convention delegates: (l to r) Paul, Sando, John Anderson, Gin Templeton, John Baird, Jessica Anderson, Dan Rice, Kristofer Sando, Fr. Jamie, Diane Hill, Steve Bolduc, Leo Wilking, Jean Sando. Wednesday Night Eucharists during Advent

Once again this year we will have a rotation of special preachers at our Wednesday night Eucharists during Advent. James Mackay will be playing at these services as well. The Mass begins at 6:00 p.m. and supper at a local restaurant will follow.

Wednesday, December 5 – Annette Morrow will preach

Wednesday, December 12 – John Anderson will preach

Wednesday, December 19 – Don Rice will preach

Tuesday, December 24 ‐ Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher James Mackay, music Christmas tableau for the children during the reading of the Gospel

Wednesday, December 25 – Nativity of Our Lord 10:00 a.m. ‐ Holy Eucharist Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher James Mackay, music

Thursday, December 26 –The Feast of St. Stephen 6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist Fr. Jamie Parsley, celebrant/preacher James Mackay, music

Wednesday January 1 – The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus 6:00 p.m. – Mass of the New Year Fr. Jamie Parsley, celebrant/preacher James Mackay, music A Note from Fr. Jamie on Pledges

For us to be who we are, to be this unique place in which all people are welcome and included, we need your pledges of financial help, and physical presence.

I cannot stress how it important it is to pledge. As you know, we budget from what the congregation pledges. Your pledge determines how we are to budget for the upcoming year. For us to continue to do the work we do in this community and in the world, we need your pledges.

But Stewardship is more than just about money. It is also about presence. One of the ways in which we can most easily and visibly contribute to Stewardship at St. Stephen’s is by our very presence on a regular basis at the Sunday morning celebration of the Holy Eucharist or on Wednesday evenings.

Attendance is not only about what each of us needs, it also what the larger congregation needs. We essentially need each other. We need the presence and proximity of each other.

So, please do give. Please pledge. Give of your time and your presence. Give from the abundance that God has granted to you. Share of yourself in what ministries God has called you to here at St. Stephen’s. If you have already pledged, THANK YOU!

As we continue our journey together, we look forward in hope and joy at the many incredible potentials that await us at St. Stephen’s.

Pledge In‐Gathering on December 1

The in‐gathering for pledge cards and time‐and‐talent sheets is December 1, the first Sunday of Advent. The cards/sheets are collected during the service as a part of our offering of gifts to the altar. If you are not able to return the pledge card and time‐and‐talent sheet on December 1, please send them in as soon as possible. The pledge information serves as an essential piece of our 2020 budget.

Please also be prayerful about how you might contribute your time and talent to church ministries. If you have questions about the time & talent sheet or specific ministries listed, please ask one of the wardens (John and Steve) or a vestry member (Annette, Jean, Jessica, and Laura). Are you up to date with your 2019 pledge? If you are uncertain, Laura Nylander can help you. Remember that the financial secretary (Laura) is the only person who has access to that information.

Bishop Whitmore Visits St. Stephen’s

We had a truly wonderful morning on Sunday, November 10, welcoming Bishop Keith Whitmore and his wife, Suzie, to St. Stephenʹs. We also celebrated the Confirmation of Deanna Feuchtenberger, the Reception of Lily Baldwin, and the Reaffirmation of Dinah Stephens. The church was full but cozy and the potluck after Mass was amazing! Thank you, Bishop Keith, for your care and concern for us! Wish List: LED Light Bulbs As an energy‐saving move, the vestry would like to replace the remaining incandescent light bulbs with high‐ efficiency, long‐lived LED bulbs. LED bulbs use 75% to 80% less energy, so their higher cost is quickly offset by the lower electricity usage. In order that the lights have the same brightness and color, it would be helpful to change them all at once. The bulbs in the nave are on a dimmer so we may also have to replace the dimmer switches to LED‐compatible ones. If you would like to contribute to this project, please mark your donation as such. If you have questions, Steve can answer them. Coat Drive Continues If you have lightly used winter coats or other winter outerwear, please consider bringing them to St. Stephen’s. We will deliver them to Churches United.

Giving Tree of Hope

During Advent, St. Stephen’s will again participate in the Giving Tree, sponsored by First Link. This project provides Christmas gifts to children and special needs adults who would otherwise not receive them. Starting December 2, a tree will be in the gathering space decorated with tags indicating the age and gender of someone who needs a gift. Sheets with suggestions and instruc- tions will be placed near the tree. Gifts are due back at church by December 15.

Rory Walter Bernstrom, Annual Meeting

son of Jeffrey and Sarah The Annual Meeting for St. Stephen’s will be Berntrom, and brother Sunday, January 26, following our morning of Maxwell Bernstrom, service of Holy Eucharist. Please join us for this im‐ was baptized on Decem‐ portant meeting. ber 1. Rory’s baptism was the 9th baptism of Gaudete Sunday the year. The last time St. Join us on Sunday, December 15, as we celebrate Stephen’s had 9 bap‐ “Rose” Sunday or Gaudete Sunday. tisms in a year, Lyndon Johnson was President Greening of the Church (it was 1967). Volunteers are needed to help “green” the church and get it ready for Christmas on Sun‐ Baptisms day, December 15, following coffee hour. We will need to set up the Christmas tree, set up the new Christmas crèche (which will be blessed at the Christmas Eve Mass), and get the church looking festive for the Christmas season.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

120 21st Ave N, Fargo, ND 701-232-2076 Church 701-793-1953 Fr. Jamie’s cell

St. Stephen’s web site: ststephensfargo.org St. Stephen’s blog spot: www.ststephensfargo.blogspot.com

We celebrated the baptisms of Clark Dean and St. Stephen’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/52039214842/ St. Stephen’s Twitter: twitter.com/ststephensfargo Cameron Sam Wagner, sons of Cory and Lucky St. Stephen’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ststephensfargo/ Wagner, at St. Stephen’s on November 2. Schedule of Ministries at St. Stephen’s for December – January

Schedule December 1 December 8 December 15 December 22 December 29

Acolyte Katie Sando Kristofer Sando Oliver Tackling Anderson Altar Guild Sando Sando Holbrook Holbrook Worship Ldr/EM Clark Baird Sando Wilking Lector Holbrook McMullen Morrissey Nylander Usher Baird Chiefs Marubbios Clark Bolduc Nylander Euch. Visitor Holbrook Baird Anderson Clark Coffee Gelilnske Clark Tacklings Andersons

Nylander Sandos

Cleaning Clark Philips/Rice Clark Holbrook Children’s Leader: Morrissey Leader: Gelinske Leader: Clark

Chapel Asst: Wilking Asst: Gelinske Asst: McMullen No Chapel Tentative January 5 January 12 January 19 January 26 Schedule

Acolyte Bolduc Holbrook Rudnick Katie Sando

Altar Guild Marubbio Marubbio Phillips Phillips

Worship Ldr/EM Holbrook Baird Anderson Clark

Lector Phillips Ragan Rice J. Sando

Usher Phillips Katie Sando Paul Sando Baird

Rice Kristofer Sando Leo Wilking Bolduc

Euch. Visitor Holbrook Baird Anderson Clark

Coffee Baird Templeton Gelinske Chief

Holbrook Ragan Nylander Morrisey

Cleaning Marubbio Marubbio Bolduc Bolduc Children’s Leader: Bolduc Leader: Clark Leader: Morrissey Leader: Rice Chapel Asst: Holbrook Asst: McMullen Asst: Templeton Asst: Wilking *Communion is available for those who are unable to attend Sunday worship. Please call the church to request communion after the Sunday service.

**If you are unavailable to serve on a date when you are assigned, please find a substitute and let James ([email protected]) now who the substitute will be as early as possible so he can include the correct names in the bulletins.