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Verse of The Day |
“ We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.” ( 2 Thessalonians 1:3) |
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Looking Back - Looking Ahead |
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Rector's Message
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Written by The Rev'd Daniel C. Gunn
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Tuesday, 26 January 2010 |
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Looking Back—Looking Ahead When the year 2009 began I had no idea the many things in store. Toward the end of the year I took a moment to list the many things that had happened. I was amazed. There were the usual events like our Annual Meeting, but even that is momentous since it was our 192nd. Not many priests get the privilege of presiding over such events. And there was the annual RSCM, but again worth note since it was the largest in history with almost 200 choristers. We had the other usual, ordinary events: Christmas, Easter, Blessing of the Animals, Evensongs, Concerts, Rummage Sales and everything else that we’ve come to expect from such a busy parish in an ordinary year. And therein was my epiphany—this was no ordinary year. We had numerous special events, and I had a couple of unusual things going on also. My year began with a little trip to our companion diocese of Kajo Keji in Sudan—an adventure that I will not soon forget. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of many adventures of 2009. We had our Pilgrimage to New York to visit The Cloisters and St. John Divine. I participated in a conference on the Apostle Paul to present “Paul as a Man of Conflict.” Then came the fall events. We hosted Diocesan Convention and the choir pulled off the Missa Luba. Soon thereafter Bishop Paul came for his official visit on All Saints’ Day, and the choir again wowed us with the Durufle Requiem. We had no sooner come back to earth when the Presiding Bishop came to visit. The church was packed, and the press coverage was excellent. And finally to round out the end of the year, we hosted the Diaconal Ordinations the week of Christmas. But these special events are not all that make 2009 memorable. It is also worth stopping to remember all the souls we love but see no longer such as Ralph Conahan, Ruth Hartley, Rachel Falcone, Fred May, Rose Tucker and so many others. We especially remember two: Minnie Deets and Fr. Dan Sullivan. Minnie was our oldest and longest surviving parish member, and Fr. Dan for more than a decade had given us his pastoral care, wisdom and prayer. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one more happening this year, and that is that we survived financially. As everyone is aware the end of 2008 ushered in a worldwide financial crisis. Like everyone our resources were hit hard, and our endowment dropped. We tightened our belts, and went to work. We formed the Third Century Committee, and they have worked over this past year to develop a creative response to this ongoing struggle. Our financial difficulties are by no means over, but we have come to realize that we do not live in fear. God is with us to sustain and guide us. When the new history of St. Stephen’s is written 2009 will undoubtedly stand out as a banner year. It is hard to believe that a 192-year-old parish can be so active, but if this past year tells us anything it is that some of our best years are yet to come. Who knows what God has in store for us in the years leading up to our third century? My prayer is that we will have the grace and courage to face whatever comes our way knowing that we have successfully lived through and accomplished all that we have in 2009. Onward and upward! Daniel
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Looking Back - Looking Ahead |
|
Rector's Message
|
|
Written by The Rev'd Daniel C. Gunn
|
|
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 |
|
Looking Back—Looking Ahead When the year 2009 began I had no idea the many things in store. Toward the end of the year I took a moment to list the many things that had happened. I was amazed. There were the usual events like our Annual Meeting, but even that is momentous since it was our 192nd. Not many priests get the privilege of presiding over such events. And there was the annual RSCM, but again worth note since it was the largest in history with almost 200 choristers. We had the other usual, ordinary events: Christmas, Easter, Blessing of the Animals, Evensongs, Concerts, Rummage Sales and everything else that we’ve come to expect from such a busy parish in an ordinary year. And therein was my epiphany—this was no ordinary year. We had numerous special events, and I had a couple of unusual things going on also. My year began with a little trip to our companion diocese of Kajo Keji in Sudan—an adventure that I will not soon forget. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of many adventures of 2009. We had our Pilgrimage to New York to visit The Cloisters and St. John Divine. I participated in a conference on the Apostle Paul to present “Paul as a Man of Conflict.” Then came the fall events. We hosted Diocesan Convention and the choir pulled off the Missa Luba. Soon thereafter Bishop Paul came for his official visit on All Saints’ Day, and the choir again wowed us with the Durufle Requiem. We had no sooner come back to earth when the Presiding Bishop came to visit. The church was packed, and the press coverage was excellent. And finally to round out the end of the year, we hosted the Diaconal Ordinations the week of Christmas. But these special events are not all that make 2009 memorable. It is also worth stopping to remember all the souls we love but see no longer such as Ralph Conahan, Ruth Hartley, Rachel Falcone, Fred May, Rose Tucker and so many others. We especially remember two: Minnie Deets and Fr. Dan Sullivan. Minnie was our oldest and longest surviving parish member, and Fr. Dan for more than a decade had given us his pastoral care, wisdom and prayer. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one more happening this year, and that is that we survived financially. As everyone is aware the end of 2008 ushered in a worldwide financial crisis. Like everyone our resources were hit hard, and our endowment dropped. We tightened our belts, and went to work. We formed the Third Century Committee, and they have worked over this past year to develop a creative response to this ongoing struggle. Our financial difficulties are by no means over, but we have come to realize that we do not live in fear. God is with us to sustain and guide us. When the new history of St. Stephen’s is written 2009 will undoubtedly stand out as a banner year. It is hard to believe that a 192-year-old parish can be so active, but if this past year tells us anything it is that some of our best years are yet to come. Who knows what God has in store for us in the years leading up to our third century? My prayer is that we will have the grace and courage to face whatever comes our way knowing that we have successfully lived through and accomplished all that we have in 2009. Onward and upward! Daniel
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