Last updated: May 16, 2020
Backpack Outreach Project –
Our 24th year!
The uncertainty of how the school structure may look in the fall, we do know there will be school. The Backpack Mission will continue and the funds used appropriately to help children get a good start for the school year 2020/2021.
Thanks for your continued support!
Click here for the form;Backpacks!
OR to donate online: Giving Page
Mask making and available masks
Several individuals have expressed an interest in making masks for our parishioners. We have a lot of material from the Nutmeg jewelry and will gratefully accept donations of material, elastics and plastic sandwich bags. Collection boxes will be made available in the Narthex, to donate materials, take some materials to make masks, and completed masks. Questions? Contact Marcy Kelly at Marcy Kelly
203-767-2365
Life Long Learners
The Life Long Learners Group is reading “Olive, Again” by Elizabeth Strout for their June 16th Zoom discussion group at 2:00 pm, led by Linda Hughs. Similar to the first novel, Olive, Again takes the form of 13 short stories that are interrelated. It follows Olive Kitteridge from her seventies into her eighties. Life Long Learners sponsored by the Decker Fund.
Biblical Studies
The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus …What’s So Good About The Good News?” by Harvard minister Peter J. Gomes is our next book – discussion to begin in June. Please contact Pat Carlson if you would like to order a book patriciajcarlson11@gmail.com. Gomes invites us to hear anew the radical nature of Jesus’ message of hope and change. Using examples from ancient times as well as from modern pop culture, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus shows us why the good news is every bit as relevant today as when it was first preached.
Biblical Studies sponsored by the Decker Fund.
Help needed to Feed the Homeless in Danbury
The City of Danbury has decided to use the city shelter for a quarantine facility and move the residents to an off-site location. The shelter is in need of monetary donations as well as goods (see below) The Amber Rom in Danbury is providing meals at a reduced rate of $5.75 per – which translates to $402 to feed all 70 at the shelter for one meal. This arrangement also allows for the Amber Room to continue to employ their staff. Please consider donating the cost of one meal or many. To do so go to the Give Online tab on our website and choose “Feed Danbury Homeless” in the drop-down menu. If you’d like to donate coffee, sugar, powdered creamer, bottled water and individually wrapped snacks – please leave them inside the door of the WEB (behind the sanctuary).
Questions? Contact Liz Townsend at 203-300-6487 or email etown1775@gmail.com
“Serve First those who Suffer Most”
St. Stephen’s Neighborhood Groups
Neighborhood groups are forming to enable us to stay connected on a regular basis – read the details here:
St. Stephen’s Neighborhoods
Your neighborhood captain will be in touch soon!
How to be Community
Do you have some ideas or hopes for how to be community with one another during this social-distancing time?
Is there something you’d like to hear more about?
Are you finding our communications strategies helpful to keep you informed?
How can we improve on any of these things?
Whitney wants to hear from you. Feel free to email with your ideas or concerns.
waltopp@ststephens-ridgefield.org
Coming Together as Parents for the Good of one another…
Parent Zoom Meetings
Are you finding it challenging to navigate these strange times we’ve been going through? Are you feeling a pressure that you haven’t felt before? Need a place to just sit and be with other parents for a while?
Mother Whitney will be on hand to help us piece together what’s happening and how we can approach the coming days. She’ll lead us in a discussion about finding the grace in our current situation.
We will also be joined by Sarah Blandford. Sarah has been a parishioner at St. Stephen’s for over a decade. She is the mother of three children, a former elementary school teacher, and is currently studying psychology and spirituality at Teachers College Columbia University.
Join us from the comfort of your home for one of the parent Zoom meetings below. We would love for families to have a place to unpack what’s on their minds in a safe, judge-free zone.
We’re offering two call times each week, hopefully one will work with your schedule – join in as many as you’d like.
We’re hoping to help families foster faith, love and peace in their homes during this uncertain time by connecting with other St. Stephen’s families.
All parents are welcome.
Schedule of Future Meetings:
Wednesday 5/20 2pm
Thursday 5/21 8am
If interested send a note to:
For parents of children: Sara Armstrong sarmstrong328@outlook.com
For parents of youth: Jane Lindenburg
jgiffordlindenburg@gmail.com
Words from our Minister of Music…
Although the Saint Stephen’s choir and chorister programs have been temporarily suspended, the music ministry at Saint Stephen’s still provides meaningful contributions to our current online worship experience. We have enlisted the help of our volunteer choir members to provide hymns and anthems every Sunday. We will continue to sing God’s praises in these trying times!
Outreach Committee News
Little Pantry
Please continue to help out with cleaning supplies & personal care items, which may be left in the basket in the Narthex. Thank you for your generosity.
Learn more about the organizations with whom we partner
