The Ambassador July 2018 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Monthly Newsletter

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

From Fr. Jamie

On June 9, we dedicated the final in our series of eight stained glass in the nave of St. Stephen’s. We are all so grateful to have this incredible project completed. The feeling within the nave is one of warmth and color.

But, as I said on that Sunday, these windows are so much more than just beautiful glass and metal. These windows reflect what we do here at St. Stephen’s—our ministry of loving God and loving others as we are nourished and fed at the altar. I have included in this month’s newsletter the summary of each window from my June 9 sermon reflecting the ministries each window represents. (pages 4-5)

Reception and Appreciation for Gin Templeton

The Dedication and Blessing of our final stained glass window, The Bread of Life window, drew a packed and many visitors on Sunday, June 10.

A reception for Gin Templeton followed Mass. Gin faithfully designed each window based on the various ministries we do at St. Stephen's. The series of eight windows was a true artistic accomplishment.

As part of our thanks, a gift of several bottles of Sauvignon Blanc were given to Gin by Senior Warden Steve Bolduc on behalf of the congregation.

Thank you, Gin, for your vision and hard work! (photos by Annette Morrow)

New and New Locks As you may have noticed, the front door has been replaced. (Thanks to Bryan Gelinske for shepherding that project and the undercroft windows.) Because of the new door, we took the opportunity to rekey all the locks on the . The old keys will not work any longer and they should be thrown away. If you have any questions, contact Fr. Jamie or Steve Bolduc.

Pride in the Park St. Stephen’s will again be hosting a table at the Pride in the Park event on August 11, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will need volunteers to staff the table. A sign-up sheet will be available in the undercroft. We will also participate in the Pride Parade on August 12, at 2:00 p.m. Please consider helping at these family-friendly events.

With this issue of the Ambassador, we introduce a new feature: “I Recommend . . .” This is an opportunity to share with others a favorite book, an enjoyable or provocative movie, a good ice cream shop, or anything else that has captured your attention or affections. Please contact Steve Bolduc if you want to submit an item for an upcoming Ambassador. I recommend . . . the Sister Fidelma Mysteries. The historical mystery fiction series, written by Peter Tremayne, is set in 7th century Ireland and features Sister Fidelma, a Celtic nun and a dalaigh (an advocate in the Irish courts of law). Tremayne is an historian of ancient Ireland and this expertise informs the setting and plots. The books explore life in Christian Celtic religious communities prior to Rome’s dominance in the region, the sophisticated system of Brehon Laws, and the equal status accorded women in 7th century Ireland. –Steve Bolduc

Bishop Gallagher’s Blog From Bishop Carol Gallagher’s blog, mamabishop.blogspot.com, June 15, 2018

“For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:21-28).

Our humanity is always showing. We can be graceful one minute and falling the next, firm in our faith and then a mess of doubts. We can be strong one day and completely dependent the very next day. We are too often ready to criticize the failures of others, and forget how flawed we truly are. I am very grateful for the humanity and witness of Peter. He is boastful, quick to anger and rage, a very imperfect human who flaunts his brokenness for all to see. And in Peter, we have a model, a miserable sinner whom is entrusted with the church, the family of God.

Just moments before, in our Gospel, Peter has proclaimed Jesus as Messiah. In the next breath, it seems, he refuses to listen to what must happen. He denies Jesus, and not just in this moment. He is human and frail, like you and me. He aches to be faithful and right while regularly sticking both feet in his mouth. We are invited to understand that, like Peter, God loves us in our totality and our humanity. And God, who is the source of all love, will use our strengths and weaknesses for the blessing of the world.

Today, I ask God to help me accept my humanity and God's abundant love that sees beyond the imperfec- tions. May we gain in strength as God uses all of us, weak and strong, for the redemption and love of the world. Look at these windows and what they celebrate.

Mary & Martha Window The Peaceable Kingdom Window

We are the ones who gave women a place in We are the ones who say and again that leadership when others said that can’t be done. peace is always an option and that justice is a Christian obligation even while wars and rumors of wars raged around us.

Sts. Benedict & Scholastica Window

We are the ones who welcome all people in these St. Stephen Window in the name of Christ, receiving them as Christ and including them as one of us. We are the ones who like our patron saint, St. Stephen, can look up in the midst of a rain of stones and see the glory of God and Christ standing at the right hand of that Glory.

Good Samaritan Window

We are the ones who did not pass by on the other side of the road when we see others in need. Bread of Life Window

St. Cecelia Window We are the ones who gather here, at this altar, again and again, to break bread with each other, to share the We are the ones who, on good days and bad, who in Body and Blood of Christ, and to then go out into the the face of life’s storms or in the sunshine of our world to share Christ with others. youth, who even at the grave are able to rejoice and sing and say, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” This is what it means to do the will of God. By doing this, we are the brothers and sisters of Jesus.

Fiber Arts Festival By John Baird

We will again have a silk dying booth at Fiber Arts Festival. For several years this has been an effort to raise money for the Guatemala mission. We help children and adults express their artistic abilities as they use color on nice Integrity Window silk scarves. It is lots of fun! We are the ones united under the overarching love This year the Festival is Saturday, August 4, and acceptance of God to include all people here, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 5, because we are a family under the overarching love from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The location is changed of God. We are the ones who stand up and say and will be at the Hartl Building at the Red we cannot abide when those in authority River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo – tell us we cannot do this or that. indoors with air conditioning. We need volunteers from St. Stephen’s. There will be a sign-up sheet in the undercroft. Check with me for more details. It is easy. http://www.fiberartsfest.com/ Confirmation/Reception into the Episcopal Church

On Sunday, October 21, we are very grateful to have Bishop Carol Gallagher visiting us on her second official visit to St. Stephen’s.

An Episcopal Visitation is an occasion for people to be Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church. In Confirmation, we publicly reaffirm, in the presence of our local community and the Bishop (whose presence represents that of the whole Church), the promises we made—or which our parents made on our behalf—at baptism. Those who have been previously Confirmed by the laying on of hands of a bishop in another communion of the Catholic Church, may be received into the Episcopal Church. In anticipation of the Bishop’s visit, Fr. Jamie will be offering his ever-popular Episcopal 101 class for anyone who wishes to be Confirmed or Received.

If you are interested in being Confirmation or officially received into the Episcopal Church, please contact Fr. Jamie. Episcopal 101

In preparation for Bishop Carol’s visit in October, Fr. Jamie will once again offer a three-week Episcopal 101 class beginning in September. If you are interested in participating, please let Fr. Jamie know. This class is also part of the preparation for Confirmation. More information will be in the August newsletter.

Education Committee Seeks Volunteers

If you are interested in being a Children’s Chapel leader or assistant, or if you are interested in facilitating an adult education session (both starting in the fall), please contact Amy Phillips at [email protected].

Wedding

Sam Stewart and Kendra Gregor were married on June 2 at Schaar’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River near Hastings, Minnesota. Fr. Jamie officiated. Sam is the son of Jan and Mike Stewart. Other News

It was great seeing artwork by Sue Morrissey on the June 18th issue of the Fargo Forum.

All that we do, with all that we have, all of the time.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

120 21st Ave N, Fargo, ND 701-232-2076 Church 701-793-1953 Fr. Jamie’s cell Eight volunteers from St. Stephen’s repack- St. Stephen’s web site: ststephensfargo.org St. Stephen’s blog spot: www.ststephensfargo.blogspot.com aged 2,894 pounds of frozen ham and other St. Stephen’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/52039214842/ pork products on Saturday, June 30, creating St. Stephen’s Twitter: twitter.com/ststephensfargo St. Stephen’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ststephensfargo/ meat for 2,411 meals. Thanks, volunteers! Schedule of Ministries at St. Stephen’s for July‐August .

Schedule July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29

Acolyte Kristofer Sando Holbrook Anderson Meister Rudnick Altar Guild Sando Bolduc Bolduc Holbrook Holbrook Worship Ldr/EM Holbrook Meister Sando Wilking Anderson Lector Rice J. Sando P. Sando Templeton Weightman Usher Baird Marubbio Nylander Phillips Wilking Hill Marubbio Sando Rice Clark Euch. Visitor Baird Clark Holbrook Baird Clark Coffee Baird DuFault Clark Marubbio Nylander Holbrook Templeton Cleaning Bolduc Bolduc Clark Clark Holbrook

Tentative August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 Schedule

Acolyte Katie Sando Kristofer Sando Anderson Holbrook Altar Guild Marubbio Marubbio Nylander Nylander Worship Ldr/EM Baird Clark Holbrook Hauan Lector Jessica Anderson Wilking John Anderson Clark Usher Jessica Anderson Baird Clark Maurbbio John Anderson Bolduc Hill Marubbio Euch. Visitor Holbrook Baird Clark Holbrook Coffee Phillips Sandos Tacklings Andersons Rice Cleaning Holbrook Marubbio Marubbio Phillips/Rice

*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.