Saint Stephen's
Church
Ministries
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Saint Stephen's Ministries |
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| Worship | Music | Meet Us | Education | Ministries |
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Outreach Activities on this Page Activities Within Our Parish |
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Nutmeg
Festival
The Nutmeg Festival in August is St. Stephen's major fundraising effort each year. Funds collected are solely for the support of outside charities. At festival time the entire St. Stephen's campus becomes an old-time country fair with concessions for:
St. Stephen's102nd Annual Nutmeg Festival Saturday, August 9, 2008 Key Contacts
The Prison Ministry is active in a variety of projects that support the female inmates of Bedford Hills Correctional Facility (in Katonah, NY) and their children. These projects include:
St. Stephen's mission is to "Live the Word of God and Pass It On". The committee is made up of dedicated parishioners whose concern is focused on three types of outreach programs: outside the Diocese of Connecticut, both within the U.S. and abroad; within the Diocese of Connecticut; and within the immediate vicinity of our parish. The committee has a budget, part of the parish's annual operating budget, and the funds are used to support activities which committee members investigate and recommend. All parishioners are encouraged to become a part of this committee. Click for Details St. Stephen's is a Covenant Congregation for Housatonic Habitat for Humanity which services the Greater Danbury Area. Local support for Housatonic Habitat comes in many forms and from many sources – individuals, businesses, other organizations, and congregations. Local churches have traditionally been the bedrock supporters, with Covenant Churches making long-term commitments to pray for their work, provide volunteers, raise money, and promote their cause. For more information on Housatonic Habitat for Humanity, click here. Professional counseling services are offered through our Coordinator of Counseling services, Suzanne Perlman, LCSW. These confidential and private sessions are provided at no cost to parishioners. Under this program, a client first attends an evaluation meeting each week for three weeks. After that, the client is usually referred to a new counseling service that will focus in the particular needs of the client.
Suzanne has over 30 years' professional experience in this field. She can be reached at the church office at (203) 438-3789, extension 23. Voice mail is confidential and no other members of St. Stephen's staff or parishioners have access to it. We have trained lay pastoral caregivers called Stephen Ministry in the parish. Stephen Ministers are available to meet weekly with parishioners going through a difficult time for any number of reasons - death or divorce in the family, illness, a recent move, job loss, or other stressful event. Stephen Ministers are trained in a ministry of compassionate and prayerful listening, and must keep all aspects of their ministry in strictest confidence. Click for Details T he Lay Eucharistic Visitors provide Sunday communion to parishioners who are home-bound, confined to nursing homes, or receiving treatment in local hospitals. Our purpose is to directly connect these recipients to the St. Stephen's worship services, reassure them that they remain an important part of our community, and provide prayer support. Click for DetailsThe Hospitality Ministry is concerned with welcoming newcomers into the parish family. It staffs a Welcome Table at coffee hour following the 10:00 Sunday service as well as receptions and dinners for newcomers. Click for Details This group organizes several small dinner groups which meet once a month during the year to allow the opportunity to meet fellow parishioners in a relaxed social setting. Everyone contributes to the meal and takes turns hosting. Click for Details The library is located in South Hall; it contains over 700 books
The St. Stephen's Educational Loan Fund is an interest-free revolving loan fund, offering loans up to 1500 dollars a year. It is available to college students, both undergraduate and graduate. Click for Details We have resources available for financial assistance for members of the parish needing help. The Parishioners Fund makes grants in various amounts to cover emergency needs. Referrals come through the clergy. Click for Details The Mary Brewster Fund was established with the purpose of enhancing the spiritual lives of women in St. Stephen's parish. The fund organizes tours, speaking-engagement luncheons, and retreats. Click for Details
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This committee is a group of concerned parishioners who provide meals to sick parishioners,
provide transportation and grocery shopping for the homebound, arrange the
monthly fellowship luncheons, provide receptions in North Hall after
funerals, and offer other practical and compassionate assistance. 
covering a wide variety of subjects. The collection includes Bibles and
Bible commentaries, discussions of religious ideas, past and present,
guidance to help meet specific needs and cope with today's challenges,
books of thoughts and prayers for everyday application, biographies and
fiction for entertainment and inspiration, and a variety of children's
books. All books may be borrowed by parishioners. The Library Committee
welcomes new members.