FORMATION AND

FELLOWSHIP 2014-2015

FORMATION AT ST. STEPHEN’S We believe spiritual formation to be happening within us and all around us each and every day. At St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, we look to gather in community to be intentional about Christian Formation during all seasons of life. We value the opportunity to be molded by God and one another and continually seek new ways for the divine to be expressed in community. We encourage wonder and curiosity, promoting a safe space to question and awaken the divine in all of us. This pamphlet includes a brief description of our formation offerings at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. For further information, or to get involved, please contact our Assistant Rector, The Rev. Brandon Peete, at [email protected].

OUR CORE VALUES We Cherish the Future. Acting responsibly we ensure a sustainable future for all creatures. We Practice Service. Service to others within and beyond our community is integral to our purpose. We Affirm Individuality. Each individual is a unique creation worthy of our respect and understanding. We Question Everything. Intellectual integrity results from questioning, learning from others, and finding God in all things. We Build Relationships. Through community lives are transformed by willingness to love others as we love ourselves. We Believe. Rooted in Christian faith we embrace a sincere respect for other beliefs.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH FORMATION CHILDREN’S CHAPEL 3-7 years old Sunday 10:30 a.m. Gather in Nave during 10:30 a.m. service Children’s Chapel is offered for young children during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service. Children participate in a liturgical service, designed especially for them. Set before vibrant banners, the service includes singing, prayers, scripture lesson and response – offered through a variety of drama, art, music and discussion. Children’s Chapel helps the child, at his/her own pace, to more fully celebrate scripture and Episcopal tradition. CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD Sundays 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. Atrium 1: 3 years – kindergarten, meets in the Norwich Room Atrium 2: 1st – 3rd grade, meets in the Bentley Room Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered on Sunday mornings for children age 3 through 3rd grade. We believe every child is born into relationship with God. By creating a sacred, prepared environment (the Atrium), each child has opportunity to hear, ponder and celebrate the essential mysteries of our Christian faith. In the Atrium, the child’s needs are primary. After presentations, a child is free to work with materials over and over again, growing in independence, order, movement and concentration. Lessons involve kinetic, auditory, visual and sometimes olfactory experiences, and nurture the child’s eagerness to enjoy all of God’s gifts through individual and community work, prayer, songs and laughter. YOUTH I Grades 4th-6th Sundays 9:15-10:15 a.m. Meet in Meditation/Youth I Room With Youth I we utilize the Episcopal Children's Curriculum (ECC) to focus on a deeper and broader understanding of the Old and New Testaments, sacraments, and the Episcopal Church. ECC is rooted in scripture, the Book of Common Prayer, and the 1982 Hymnal. A multi-sensory approach engages the mind, body and senses and encourages our young people to read, think, write, listen, discuss and be creative.

YOUTH II Grades 7th-12th Sundays 9:15-10:15 a.m. Meet in Sumners Room Youth II utilizes the Episcopal Curriculum for Youth (ECY). During formation, class discussions encourage questioning how concepts of faith (covenants, spirituality, spiritual witness, etc….) connect to contemporary issues. We further explore what formation means individually and in community, knowing that Christian Formation happens in many places outside the Sunday School classroom. Youth are encouraged to participate in other formation opportunities and ministries, school activities, and community service projects. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS School-days, 3:45 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Meet in the Havens Center St. Stephen’s endeavors to help every teen achieve his/her fullest potential in terms of mental/emotional development, physical well-being, and spiritual awareness. To that end, the After School Program focuses on providing a safe and nurturing setting dedicated to fostering community involvement, academic performance, promoting a healthy/active lifestyle, building an appreciation for the arts, and developing basic leadership skills. PARISH DAY SCHOOL St. Stephen’s Episcopal School - Houston 15months through 12th grade St. Stephen’s Episcopal School - Houston nurtures the unique gifts and character of each student. We promote understanding and respect, cultivate a sense of responsibility for our interconnected world and encourage our students to become successful global citizens and lifelong learners through academic success, critical thinking, spiritual growth and creative expression. 15 months - 6th Grade: Montessori Education 7th and 8th Grade: International Middle Years Curriculum 9th-12th Grade: International Baccalaureate World School Website: school.ststephenshouston.org Phone: 713.821.9100 Admissions Director: Ky Willson, [email protected]

ADULT FORMATION KADOSH ADULT FORMATION Sundays 9:30-10:15 a.m. Havens Center Each Sunday, we methodically encounter a topic about life, faith, and holiness. Our weekly liturgy includes poll-by-text, neighborly discussion, Scriptural meditation, and group reflection. Though the topic may change, the liturgy remains the same. Liturgy is characterized as "work of the people." So, actively join our discussion! INQUIRY/JOURNEY CLASSES Sundays 12:15-1:30 p.m. Beginning September 14 Havens Center Inquiry/Journey is offered for those who are new to Christianity, new to the Episcopal Church, or who have been away from church for a time. Whether you are curious about our parish or particular expression of faith, seek preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception into the Church, or to reaffirm your faith in Christ, this is the class for you! EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Conference Room, 1830 Sul Ross New students may enroll in January of 2015 Education for Ministry groups consists of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor who meet weekly over the course of a nine-month academic year. These meetings are usually from two and a half to three hours in length. Our next session begins January. Through study, prayer, and reflection, EfM groups move toward a new understanding of the fullness of God's kingdom. Dig deeper into the Christian faith, studying the Bible, Church history and theological ideas and reflect on connecting faith with life experiences.

BIBLE STUDY I Facilitated by The Rev. Lisa Hunt Mondays 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Church Library This study group follows the reading schedule in the lectionary. This offers a chance for greater reflection on the readings from the Sunday service and helps one “follow along” with the biblical narrative that defines Episcopal worship. BIBLE STUDY II Facilitated by Bob Jobe Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Church gathering area This study group explores whole segments of the Bible over a period of weeks – taking the Prophets, New Testament, or Pentateuch, for example, as the framework for conversation. THE PRESENCE GROUP Sundays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Church Library The Presence Group has been reading and meditating together since 2005. We are a group of contemplative individuals whose purpose is to strive to be continually awake to the certain presence of God in ourselves, in others, and in all living things; to live with intention; and to try to discern God's desire for our lives. We do this by exploring a variety of sources through group discussion, through active prayer lives, and by engaging in meditation - both group and individual - to "listen with the heart" for God's voice.

ADDITIONAL FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 20S & 30S GROUP Thursdays 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Conference Room 1830 Sul Ross (Second floor) From September through May, the 20s & 30s meet weekly. This ministry includes monthly Eucharist, movie, book, and article discussions, group activities, social hours, joint fellowship with other ministries, and service opportunities! PARENTS’ OF YOUNG CHILDREN Every Other Sunday, 5:00 -7:00 p.m. St. Stephen’s Library The Parents’ of Young Children Group offers a chance for parents to fellowship together in an environment facilitated to their unique needs. Daycare is provided during the meeting time, wherein parents will share a meal and get a chance to discuss topics ranging anywhere from scripture to their shared experiences. FOYERS One Evening a Month Home of Member or Local Restaurant Foyer dinners are intended to help new and old parishioners alike meet their fellow worshipers and build and strengthen the community at St. Stephen’s. Each Foyer group consists of approximately 8-10 individuals who, starting in the Lenten Season, meet once a month over the course of year in an informal, social, and friendly setting. Foyers in open to the entire community of St. Stephen’s. UPTOWN CHOIR Rehearsal: Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Sundays: 10:15am The Uptown Choir is our formal, vested choir that includes a quartet of professional singers. The Uptown Choir sings from the great liturgical repertoire of the Anglican Church, in addition to the most compelling vocal music of the past four centuries. An audition is required to join this ensemble, although highly developed vocal and musical ability, while desirable, is not a requirement. A love and affinity for music, a pleasant voice, and the ability to rehearse regularly are the basic qualifications to be a part of this choir. Naturally, additional rehearsals are held during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. DOWNTOWN CHOIR The Downtown Choir’s main mission is to encourage congregational singing by sitting amongst the congregants in plain clothing and lending their voices to all those in the pews. The Downtown Choir rehearses as needed and presents special music periodically throughout the year.

1805 W. Alabama Houston, Texas 77098 PH: 713-528-6665 ststephenshouston.org

St. Stephen's walks, without judgment, with those taking different paths to God so that we may be transformed through Jesus Christ as we serve others. Rector: The Reverend Lisa Hunt [email protected] Assistant Rector: The Reverend Brandon Peete [email protected] Director of Music: HyeHyun Sung [email protected] Campus Maintenance Supervisor: Juan Rodriguez [email protected] Director of Communication: Tom Ricker [email protected] Administrative Assistant: Sylvia Swain [email protected] Finance Administrator: Deb Waugh [email protected] Youth Missioner: Ryan Hawthorne [email protected] Head of School: David Coe [email protected] Sextons: John Veillon and José Ramirez Nursery Workers: Savannah Meyers and Cindy Bonilla