Saint Stephen's
Church
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Saint Stephen's Meet Us |
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Welcome to St Stephen's
Church in Ridgefield. Whether you live in the area or are just visiting
the web site, I hope you will take some time to surf around and learn
more about this remarkable congregation. We are proud of our deep roots and our lively sense of worship, education, outreach and care. Since 1725, Anglican Christians have found this to be a place of sanctuary for public and private worship from the Book of Common Prayer. In the present moment, we are alive with the bustle of children's programs, Bible studies, extraordinary music and a host of opportunities for charitable work and Christian fellowship. As Episcopalians in the Diocese of Connecticut, we are proud of our connection to the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church. We also rejoice in the collaborative work with other congregations in the greater Ridgefield area and pray weekly for our sister congregation, St Andrew's Lutheran Church (ELCA). We look forward to greeting you in person at a concert, or the Nutmeg Festival or at one of our Sunday services. All who seek to "live the Word of God and pass it on" are welcome to join us in the journey. Peace, Mark + The Rev. Mark S. Delcuze, Rector Mark was called to be the Rector of St Stephen's Church in January
2005. He previously served at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach and
Church of the Ascension, Norfolk as well as parishes in the Dioceses of
Virginia and West Virginia. A graduate of the University of Virginia (1980) and the Episcopal Divinity School (1985), Mark was ordained Deacon in 1985 and Priest in 1986 by the Right Rev. Robert P. Atkinson, Bishop of West Virginia. Mark has been active in Ecumenical and Interfaith work throughout his adult life, serving as Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese of Southern Virginia for five years. He was a Clergy Deputy to the General Conventions of the Episcopal Church in 1997, 2000, and 2003. Mark and has wife Mimi have two daughters, Sarah and Bethany, and share the rectory with Bennie, the Cocker Spaniel and Jubilee, the Cockatiel. Mark enjoys an eclectic taste in music, crossword puzzles and really does read church history for fun. Emily Richards, Assistant Rector Emily Richards was called to be Assistant Rector of St. Stephen’s in November 2005. Before she came to St. Stephen's, Emily served as vicar of two mission parishes in Kentucky: All Saints Episcopal in Lexington and St. Alban’s Episcopal in Morehead. In 1994, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Latin from The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. In 2002 Emily received her Master of Divinity Degree from the School of Theology at the same university. She was ordained Deacon in 2002 and Priest in 2003 by the Rt. Rev. Stacy F. Sauls, Bishop of Lexington.
Emily has moved here with her husband Daniel and their Jack Russell, Elle. Emily grew up singing in a Cathedral Girls choir and to this day still loves to sing. She also enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her husband Daniel. She is an avid Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan. Her only consolation in leaving her team is the knowledge that she has moved to a state that appreciates good basketball. The Assistant Rector is charged by the Rector and Vestry with primary responsibility for:
The Assistant Rector will also share preaching and liturgical duties and pastoral care with the Rector. Aaron Manderbach, Rector Emeritus Dr. Aaron Manderbach served as rector
of St. Stephens from 1951 to 1981. He was born in 1912, graduated from
Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and was ordained in 1937. In that
time, his stewardship of St. Stephen's led to a growth from 250
parishioners to over 650. He was an important leader of the Ridgefield
community during that stay here. After a career as Rector of St. Stephen's, Aaron and his wife, Judy retired several years ago to the Salisbury, Connecticut area. Since that "retirement", Fr. Manderbach has twice been Interim Rector of Trinity Church in Salisbury, and once Interim of nearby Christ Church, Sharon. A few years ago, the Manderbachs decided to settle in the Ridgefield area again. Aaron now serves as Rector Emeritus and is often the celebrant on Sunday for either youth services in North Hall or for main services in the church. Refer to the Church Personnel Directory table below for contact information Ali Burnside - Children and Youth Minister
Ali graduated May 2nd from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Double majoring in Human Services and Sociology with a double minor in Psychology and Women Studies, she has a passion for teaching the next generation about the love of Jesus Christ. Her experience working with the youth of Jesse Lee Memorial UMC and St. Mary’s RCC in Ridgefield, CT has prepared her for her time working with us at St. Stephen’s. Suzanne Perlman, Parishioners' Coordinator of Counseling Services Suzanne Perlman began her work with St. Stephen's Church on February 27, 2006. She is responsible for interviewing and assessing the parishioner's needs and referring him or her to a counselor with the appropriate expertise in the local community. Suzanne is a highly regarded professional with over thirty years of experience in clinical social work, clinical supervision, management, community education, teaching, employee assistance and corporate consulting. Parishioners who are in need of counseling services can contact the
Coordinator of Counseling Services on a confidential basis and schedule
and appointment. If you are in need of this service, call
438-3789, ext. 23. Yvonne Petitmaire, Nursery School Director Yvonne has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College and a Masters in Art from Lehman College. She believes strongly with philosopher Alfred North Whitehead who said, " From the beginning of their education, children should experience the joy of discovery. The nursery school is centered around this ideal. She has over 20 years of experience in teaching and administering programs for young children. Linda Raftery, Director of Church Operations Linda just joined our staff
at the end of June, 2005 as Director of Church Operations. As Director of Church Operations, Linda oversees the daily business (non-clerical) activities of our church. She maintains the church calendar that appears on our Web site. Linda coordinates all church activity schedules and room assignments and oversees the work of outside contractors. She is the person to talk to about the general arrangements for weddings, funerals and baptisms. Kay Gelfman, Financial Administrator Key is the here part-time and generally in the office Monday through Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 1:30. Paul Lyons, Sexton & Verger Paul has been on staff since March 2000. Prior to joining St. Stephen's Paul was a self employed tradesman. He received his B.A. from the University of Connecticut. Paul is married and has two children. Staff (Church Office Tel. 203 438-3789; Nursery School Tel. 203 438-6806))
* Hours by appointment ** School closed for the summer
St. Stephen's is a congregation of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Connecticut. As such, we are also part of the larger Anglican Communion, which includes more than 77 million members world-wide. We rejoice that our unity with other Christians is in Jesus Christ. Despite our sad divisions, we believe we are called to unity - one Body, one Spirit, one Lord. We welcome to the Lord's Table all those who have been baptized by water and the Holy Spirit in the name of the Trinity. Anyone who has been baptized in a Christian Church may be enrolled as a member of St. Stephen's. Call the parish office to have your Baptism recorded in this church. Membership is expressed in regular worship, and in working, praying, and giving for the advancement of God's Kingdom. Anyone desiring communicant status in St. Stephen's should speak with a member of the clergy. Communicant status presumes confirmation or reception by a bishop into this branch of the Christ's Church and confers with it full voting rights in the congregation for those eighteen years or older.
The health of our church depends on the contributions of time, talent and treasure from our parishioners. When you think about contributing to St. Stephen's, consider the following.
We hope you will decide to make your Stewardship pledge now. You can do this by clicking on the link below and then printing the pledge card with your printer.
Thank you! For more information on stewardship, refer to the Episcopal Church USA page at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/stewardship.htm The committees of St. Stephen's Church are described in the two columns below. The heading for each committee is a hyperlink to a page that gives further information on that committee. The committees that manage worship assistants and the functions of those assistants are described in the Worship Assistants topic on the Worship page.
Please follow the link below to open the 2006 St. Stephen's Annual Report in PDF format. When finished, use your browser's BACK button to return here. Our Parish Robert S. Haight begins his
1975 history of St. Stephens Church by saying "The Church now
called Saint Stephen’s was founded by the Rev. Samuel L. Johnson
(picture, below, right) as a
mission in Ridgefield in 1725 under the name First Society in
Ridgefield-- Church of England." Thus, this parish began one of
Connecticut's first seven or eight Anglican parishes. The first church building was built in 1740, ninety-nine years after adoption of the Fundamental Orders, which mark the beginning of the State of Connecticut. This first church was unadorned and without a steeple. The building would almost have fit in the chancel area of today's St. Stephen's church. As was the custom in colonial American churches, the pulpit was the focal point, overshadowing the Holy table which was brought into the main body of the church only on occasion. Today, St. Stephen's is home to four hundred and sixty families. Although we honor our colonial beginnings and are anchored in tradition, we embrace the Gospel's call to new life and welcome opportunities to serve our Lord inside and beyond our walls. As we "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, andin in the prayers," we are deeply aware of our many blessings and of God's purpose for this parish family. We hope to Live the Word of God and Pass it On, building on the strong foundations laid by those who have gone before while looking to the future, assured of God's blessing. Our Property The first church building was completed in 1740. It was a small wooden structure, slightly south of our present building and closer to Main Street. On April 28, 1777, the day following the Battle of Ridgefield, the British burned down the church, as it housed colonial stores. The congregation suffered a fate not uncommon to Anglican parishes during the Revolutionary war. Our Tory clergyman, Epinetus Townsend, had previously fled and the church had ceased holding services prior to the burning. It was determined to rebuild after independence had been secured and a second, somewhat larger, church building was completed by 1791 to allow the renewal of services. In 1831 the parish finally received its name of Saint Stephen’s and a third church was ready to open in 1841. In the meantime in 1837 we finally had secured our first full time rector, Eli Wheeler. The present church was completed in 1916. The Rectory was completed in 1915 and has remained the home of rectors of the parish and their families ever since. In 1981 it was extensively renovated prior to the Rev. Bender moving in. North Hall was completed in 1909. It has been used continuously for such activities as Sunday school, adult education, various meetings and suppers ever since. In 1989 a complete renovation added approximately 3300 square feet to its West End and significantly altered its internal configuration. In 1958 the large house south of the was given to St.Stephen’s. Now referred to as South Hall, it houses St. Stephen’s library and serves as a meeting place for large gatherings. Stephen was the first deacon and martyr. A deacon of the early church, he died for proclaiming his faith. The story is told in the Book of Acts: Acts 6 Now in those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude,
and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and
Philip, and Proch'orus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'menas, and
Nicola'us, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the
apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyre'nians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cili'cia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. |
Before
going to seminary, she was Director of Christian Education at Church of
the Good Shepherd in Athens, Ohio. She has also taught Latin at both the
high school and university level, most recently as Adjunct Professor at
Morehead State University.
Ali Burnside was called to be the Children & Youth Minister, ironically enough, on March 17th 2008 (St. Patrick’s Day). She is a long-time resident of Ridgefield, CT and is a member at Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church in Ridgefield, CT. She is enjoys wheel pottery, exercising, and relaxing in the outdoors. 
Linda comes to us with 10 years' experience as the Senior Administrator
of the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield. 
