St Stephen's Episcopal Church

Lay Ministry at St. Stephen's

The Acolytes Ministry is one of assisting those who perform the liturgies of the Church. Acolytes are parish youth who assist bishops, priests, deacons and other lay ministers conducting a liturgy by acting like good waiters in a restaurant, nurses in a surgery or attendants in a cloakroom. They assist the congregation by acting as examples of when to do what in the service. Their ministry is always marked by servanthood and is thus an authentic ministry of Christ.

The Altar Guild is repsonsible for the overall care of both altars of the church. Members maintain these in a quiet, efficient manner and make sure the necessary supplies to do so are on hand. They also prepare the altars for all services held during the year.

The Amen Corner is a prayer group that prays for the Prayer Requests of others. The Prayer Requests are put on a Prayer List that comes out every two weeks and can be picked up in the hall next to the coat rack.

The Assist a Family ministry distributes food, money, and gifts donated by members of St. Stephen’s to families that need assistance.

The Bridge Marathon Group meets at 10:00 a.m. every 4th Wednesday of the month for fellowship and fun. (No meetings Nov., Dec., June or July)

The Capital Management Trust group manages parish money that is not immediately needed for operating purposes in order to produce capital appreciation and a higher rate of return over time than an interest checking account.

The Chapel and Children’s Church School provides a meaningful worship experience for children and a quality Christian education for children through stories, music, and crafts.

The Craft Group meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. to make craft items for the holiday bazaar and socialize (get to know each other better). Members bring a sandwich and something to share at lunch.

The Day Service Guild meets every first and third Wednesday of the month from September through May. Members cut gauze and fold 4x4 bandages for the St. Louis Peregrine Society, Inc.

The Evangelism/Outreach Committee provides a variety of activities to welcome a broad spectrum of people to St. Stephen’s and show them the love St. Stephen’s has to offer.

The Executive Committee includes the Interim Rector and select members of the Vestry.

The Family Ministry provides activities for those families in and around the parish with young and school-aged children. The activities are designed to provide an atmosphere where adults and children alike can join together in fellowship and fun. The family ministry also produces some activities that are designed to welcome the local community at large into the parish.

The Ferguson Partnership of Churches meets monthly with the exceptions of July, August and December, at area churches on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The following area churches participate in the partnership: Immanuel UCC, Ferguson United Methodist, First Presbyterian Ferguson, St. Stephen’s Episcopal, North Hills United Methodist, Saints John and James Catholic, and Zion Lutheran. Activities include sponsoring the Vacation Bible School and volunteering for a day with Habitat for Humanity.

The Food Pantry distributes food and personal items to people in need from 10:00 a.m. to noon every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

The Landscape Committee is repsonsible for making the exterior appearance of St. Stephen’s attractive and inviting. Members weed, water, prune and plant.

Lay Reader Ministry provides a lesson reader, prayer reader, and creed reader for each service and assists the rector at the altar.

The L.E.M. (Lay Eucharistic Ministry) carries the elements necessary for communion to shut-in members of the parish. It also visits with and brings parish news to them.

The Meals-on-Wheels service helps in the community by delivering hot meals Monday-Friday to the elderly and handicapped. This small service enables many to maintain their independence.

The Men’s Club meets for breakfast once a month, with the exception of July and August. It holds fund-raisers which include the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and the spring Bar-B-Q. It also has a work project after each breakfast that helps maintain the parish.

Music ministry is an important part of the life of St. Stephen’s. Our congregation enjoys singing, and we sing a lot at the 10:00 a.m. service. An important part of this ministry is the Choir, a dedicated group of volunteers who rehearse Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. September through May and sing at the 10:00 a.m. service. The Choir also participates in the Advent Lessons and Carols Service at the Cathedral and organizes Soup and Song sessions for the congregation to review and learn seasonal music. Anyone interested in joining the Choir is welcome and should speak to the choir director first for details. The organist/choir director, Peggy Neilson, has served St. Stephen’s for 10 years. She was also on the staff of Christ Church Cathedral.

Parish Delegates represent the parish at the annual General Convention of the Diocese of Missouri, where they approve the budget and elect members of the Council, the Standing Committee and the Chapter of the Cathedral, and elect delegates to the Triennial Convention of the Episcopal Church of America. They also participate in the Northern Convocation between conventions to provide information to the parish and diocese on common issues.

Parish Life is a publication that communicates news of activities in the on-going life of St. Stephen’s Parish. It also provides thought-provoking educational information concerning our faith journey, some humorous material, and a calendar of up-coming events. It’s published eleven times a year. The deadline for each issue is the 15th of the preceding month.

The Parish Review Committee acts as an advisory group to the rector regarding the feelings and desires of the parish.

The Pastoral Care ministry visits, telephones, provides companionship, shares, gives practical help and regularly and purposefully prays for those in need.

The Personnel Committee drafts and presents a Personnel Handbook to the Vestry for use with paid employees.

The Policy Review Committee compiles and reviews all policies currently approved by the Vestry.

The Rose Garden group plants, weeds, clips, and mulches the rose bushes in the rose garden next to the parish hall.

The Social Committee provides a social activity for the parish family the third Saturday of each month. Activities include potluck suppers, appetizers and beverages, St. Patrick’s corned beef and cabbage, Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and trimmings, a patio party, a progressive dinner, and fun and games.

The Stewardship Committee educates and encourages all members of the parish to become faithful stewards of God’s gracious and bountiful gifts to us through His church in this place.

The Ushers are responsible for traffic control at the time of communion. They also hand out bulletins at the start of service, carry elements to the altar, take up the collection and return it to the altar.

The Vestry is the governing body of the parish. It meets on the third Monday of each month as well as on special occasions.

The Women of St. Stephen’s provide fellowship, interesting programs, lots of great food, and give money from fund raisers to the parish and other worthwhile organizations of the diocese and community. All women and interested men are welcome at our meetings. Activities include giving a holiday bazaar, a fall and spring rummage sale, and a fellowship brunch.