January 2021 - St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
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January 2021
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
82 Kimberly Drive, Durham, NC 27707
From the Rector
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of
grace and truth. From the fullness of this Son, we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:14, 16
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I am thrilled to be writing to you as your new Interim Rector. May this season
of Light and Love bring many blessings to us all, in fact, may it bring “grace upon grace” and strengthen us for the year
of transition ahead.
The folks who edit this newsletter suggested I take the opportunity to introduce myself a little more fully to you all.
You may have already seen my resume or received information about my professional career, so I will focus on the per-
sonal in this writing. I am a transplanted Yankee, having moved to Tennessee from Iowa in 1995 and I am not going
north of the Mason Dixon Line to live ever again! I have come to love the south; its people, food, hospitality, quirki-
ness, compassion and love of stories. Although I am absolutely clear – I am not a Southerner, but welcomed here
through the kindness of loving strangers who soon became friends. I am the oldest of three girls, raised Roman Catholic.
I joined the Episcopal Church in 1985, something new but with the same long history of tradition and meaning. I grew
up in Pennsylvania, and have lived in Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, and Virginia. I moved to North Carolina in 2018 to
live with my sister, Beth; and to begin a new full time ministry in interim work. Prior to that time, I had done a part-
time interim assignment while I also worked as the Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of East Tennessee. Beth is my
younger sister – by three years – and we live in northwest Raleigh. She saw the light and came south in 2005 – and is
an active participant at St. Michael’s in Raleigh. You will see her from time to time at St. Stephen’s – whenever we are
able to come together again in worship.
I love to travel and read great fiction, especially murder mysteries. I love movies of all kinds, but especially the classics
of the 1940’s. I am an enthusiastic alto, having served in church choirs for most of my life. I miss singing with the
choir, but am very clear that the ministry of music is a lay ministry. You may catch me humming the alto line during an
anthem – but so quietly, as to not disturb the singers or the conductor! (I also will sing the alto line during hymns, be-
cause I can no longer get to those high notes in the melody!) I love all kinds of music and sometimes dream of being a
back-up singer for a rock or bluegrass band. So far, fame of that nature has escaped me, but hope springs eternal!
I am Irish and love all things Irish. Having traveled to Ireland five times since 2005, I find it a true homeplace, full of
mystical meaning for me…and also, very good beer and a great ham sandwich! My Irish heritage means I love to hear
and tell stories…and I am very much looking forward to learning more about the people of St. Stephen’s and their sto-
ries. I also love to cook – and have developed a certain level of skill, but not in the baking department. I keep it savory
– because like my mother, I do not have the patience and discipline for the exact measurements needed to make baked
goods do what they are supposed to do!
I think you know I got my Master’s of Divinity at the Virginia Theological Seminary in 2004. I also have a Bachelor’s
Degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Public Health. Right now, I am in the “all but thesis” category in preparation
for Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development. You can assume I like school – and also enjoy writing and re-
searching interesting topics. I have served in three urban parishes – two large and one, pastoral sized (like St. Ste-
phen’s); a struggling congregation in a small town; worked five years for the Bishop at the Diocesan level, and three
years as an interim minister. I went to seminary when I was 45 years old. Prior to that time, I worked for a community
mental health center, a private behavioral consulting company, a comprehensive Women’s Center, three United Ways;
and also spent a lot of my own time with boards and vestries, assisting them to plan for the future and discern their call
Stephen’s Window January 2021
From the Rector Continued
to mission and ministry. I turned 65 in October and the reality of retirement is now something I can truly consider.
We’ll see what God has in store for me in that arena.
I am excited about walking with you on your journey to the next phase of life at St. Stephen’s under a newly appointed
rector. The year of transition will go quickly, even as there is a lot to do, to ponder and to discern. Sometimes people
see the interim as a necessary evil, a “down time” when nothing much is happening. But there can be so much more –
and I hope to convince of you that as we move through this time together. There will be lots more to say and hear from
each other as we begin our pilgrimage-like journey. I invite you to feel completely confident in sending me emails, of-
fering information and asking questions, or contacting me via my cell phone to talk over your thoughts…and share your
stories. As we begin together, there will also be some formal opportunities to meet and greet – keeping the pandemic
safety protocols in place, of course – and using the electronic gifts we have to connect during this strange time.
I pray that we will please God in our work together, accomplish the things you all feel are needed to be done, and as we
go, deepen our love for one another, for the Church, for the world and especially and for the One who loved us all so
much, that He became one of us. Email: pat.grace@ssecdurham.org. Cell phone: 919-628-5149.
The Rev. Pat Grace
From the Priest-in-Residence
Dear Friends,
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” That is the deep mystery that we celebrate each year at Christmas.
Even if our pandemic-restricted observance of Christmas this year deprived us of many of our familiar traditions, we
can still focus on this central mystery.
“How shall I tell of this great mystery?” asks a portion of Orthodox Christmas vespers. “He who is without flesh be-
comes incarnate; the Word puts on a body; the Invisible is seen; He whom no hand can touch is handled; and He who
has no beginning now begins to be. The Son of God becomes the Son of man; Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today,
and forever.”
This is a mystery we cannot fathom: that the infinite God became a finite human being, that the one beyond space and
time began to live within those limitations, that the Divine became the human, ennobling and sanctifying forever the
sinful and broken mass we know as humanity. We cannot grasp that. We cannot take in the radically transforming na-
ture of the Incarnation, that the Word becoming flesh in some way infused all that is visible with a new dignity, a new
way of being, a new relationship with its eternal and invisible and infinite Creator.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “In the Incarnation, God the Son takes the body and human soul of Jesus, and, through that, the
whole environment of nature, all the creaturely predicament, into his own being. So that ‘He came down from Heaven’
can almost be transposed into ‘Heaven drew earth up into it,’ and locality, limitation, sleep, sweat, footsore weariness,
frustration, pain, doubt and death, are, from before all worlds, known by God from within” (Letters to Malcolm).
As we move into a new calendar year, one that will still carry with it continued restrictions and isolation and significant
suffering around the world, this “great mystery” brings us an undying hope. Our earthly condition has been trans-
formed by a heavenly incarnation, and we have in a real way been drawn into unity with God and with one another.
We are not alone. We are not forsaken. We are embraced by a loving God, who draws us all into an intimate relation-
ship. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
January 2021 2 Stephen’s Window
Christian Education and Programming
To the St. Stephen’s family:
A new year is upon us, which means that new Sunday School programs are also about to start.
Our virtual Sunday School will resume on January 10 with the following classes:
Children’s Sunday School
10:00 a.m. via Zoom
During the season of Epiphany, we’ll be following the lectionary as we explore the themes of the season using W hirl!
and Illustrated Ministry resources. We’ll talk about the baptism of Jesus, the calling of the disciples, and his early minis-
try. These stories open up opportunities for us to think about what being a disciple during these pandemic times might
look like.
Youth Sunday School
10:30 a.m. via Zoom
This spring, we'll be continuing our Youth Bible Study using the Colaborate curriculum by Sparkhouse. This curriculum
is perfect for the current moment, because it also has rich digital components. Each Sunday the students will receive a
text, which will give them time to delve into the topics and prepare questions. Then we'll check in on Sunday mornings
via Zoom to discuss. Beginning in January, we'll start our journey through the New Testament. Our hope is that we set
the foundation for a lifetime of faith formation and scriptural study and reflection.
Adult Formation
3:00 p.m. via Zoom
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote that the suffering and weakness of Christ on the cross was and remains “a reversal of
what the religious man expects from God.” Why is it that Jesus had to die? And why did Jesus have to die in the most
gruesome of ways, condemned as a criminal at the hands of the Roman authorities? This spring in Adult Formation, our
seminarian, Jason Eslicker, will lead us in exploring the question of the significance of Jesus’s death and how his death
shapes, informs and determines Christian faith and life. As we will find, the crucifixion, far from being an archaic sym-
bol reserved for Good Friday, indicates the very substance of our faith. As a guide, we will be using Fleming Rutledge’s
monumental work, The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ (Eerdmans: 2015). Rutledge was among
the first women ordained in the Episcopal Church and is now a prolific preacher, passionate about preaching the gospel
of “Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Reading for the class will be entirely optional, so do not let the (sizeable) book keep
you from joining!
---
I hope that you will join us (virtually) when our classes resume. They are other programs launching in the Spring as
well, so please stay tuned for more information.
Happy New Year!
Faithfully,
Stephen’s Window 3 January 2021
Youth Activities
Dear Family and Friends of the Children and Youth Program,
We enter the new year with a lot of hope, much to be thankful for, and some regrets. It has been interesting to spend the
first half of the programming year reflecting on the Old Testament and discussing the different ways in which it mirrors
our current experiences and provides insight into how to deal with challenges. Not only have I had the privilege of
learning a lot about myself through these discussions but a lot about the youth. Although we spend less time with one
another now, sometimes it feels like we are able to more deeply approach topics since we cherish our limited time to-
gether. What is most gratifying to me is that we are building a foundation for our youth--both intellectual as well as
emotional--in which we can ask questions, debate topics, and learn information that will serve as a basis for their long-
term faith formation.
We will begin this new year by transitioning into our study of the New Testament. Although I have enjoyed our time
discussing the Hebrew Bible, I look forward to seeing how the youth respond to the New Testament. We will cover a
variety of topics ranging from the importance of Biblical geography to the Gospels to Paul and the early church. By us-
ing the same curriculum, there will be a lot of crossover between what we have previously covered in Sunday School
and what we will learn over the course of the next several months. One goal I have is to put the two sections of the Bible
in greater conversation with one another. It is sometimes easy to separate the Old and New Testament so I hope that we
can, together, explore the ways in which one exists in relationship to the other. I do not doubt for a second that these
kids still have a lot to teach me!
Yours faithfully,
Stephanie
From the Senior Warden
Dear Friends,
Greetings and Happy New Year in 2021!
On behalf of the Vestry and parish, I would like to extend a warm welcome to The Rev. Canon Patricia Grace ("Pat" or
“Reverend Pat”) as she joins St Stephen's as the Interim Rector on January 1, 2021. Pat will be a wonderful leader, re-
source and guide during her tenure.
The pastoral relationship with our faithful Rector Fr. Bob has ended, and we give thanks and blessings for his minis-
try amongst us as he enters retirement. We need to remember that as of January 1, Fr. Bob will have no official or canon-
ical role in the parish and that his priestly, pastoral, and administrative functions end fully on the effective date of his
retirement on December 31. For example, Fr. Bob will not be able to preside over pastoral-type events such as wed-
dings, funerals, or baptisms. Should you need pastoral care, please be in touch with Pat+, Fr. Stephen, and/or Claire.
The Leavetaking document from the Diocese also requires that Bob and Sue withdraw from social interactions
(including social media) in the life of the parish, and that they be absent from the life of the congregation for at least one
year after the arrival of his successor (new permanent rector), after which he/they may come back only at the invitation
of the successor.
We hope that most, if not all, parishioners had a chance to zoom into the farewell celebration honoring Fr. Bob and Sue
held on December 19. If not, it is recorded and may be found on the website. It was a wonderful occasion, and Fr. Bob
expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to all. Many thanks to everyone who planned and/or participated!
The St. Stephen's 2021 pledge campaign of "Joyful Generosity - Thankful Giving" continues. We appreciate all who
have made their pledge, and we look forward to hearing from others! As of Dec 28, pledges have been received from 94
families; there remain 34 families who pledged last year but have not yet pledged this year. Our goal is to meet and ex-
ceed last year's pledge of nearly $505,000, which supported our operating budget and missions in 2020.
If you are one of the 34 families who have not pledged or had a direct communication with Burke about pledging, please
send in your pledge asap. You may pledge electronically by sending an email to STEWARDSHIP@SSECDURHAM.ORG.
The pledge information is critical for the Vestry in order to finalize the operating budget and mission support for
2021.
Faithfully,
January 2021 4 Stephen’s Window
From the Junior Warden
Dear friends,
Happy New Year! Here’s to hoping/praying that everyone’s 2021 is a better year! By the time you read this message, a
number of notable events will have transpired. Celebrating Christmas during a pandemic was a major change. I will
never take for granted traveling to see family and friends, attending a children’s Christmas pageant or a late evening ser-
vice singing familiar carols that bring back fond childhood memories. Father Bob’s retirement will be official and will
take some getting used to. We just can’t pick up the phone and ask for some helpful advice. I’m sure it will be difficult
for Bob as well as he transitions to a well-earned retirement. For those of you who assisted with the Celebration Zoom
for Bob and Sue, thanks for making it such a special occasion. Our new Interim, Rev Pat Grace, will have started and I
greatly look forward to her leadership and successful experience in this role. I know Pat is eager to get started! As I am
writing this on Dec 23 (hoping to make Angelica’s deadline!), I am relieved, thankful and hopeful for getting the Pfizer
vaccine today! While public health indicators continue to trend in an unfavorable direction, this will greatly help with
reaching a safer new “normal”. My prayers go out to all who have lost loved ones or have been adversely impacted by
Covid 19. My wish is that we continue to keep health care workers, first responders, teachers, and all essential employ-
ees in our prayers.
I wrote back in July “are we a welcoming church?”. How do we demonstrate “welcoming” while our gatherings remain
virtual? What is our role, as a community Episcopal church, in addressing racial injustice and inequality, while our
country seems so divided? What’s our role with addressing food insecurity in our community? It is a defining time for
St Stephen’s as we begin the search process for a permanent Rector. If you have an interest in serving on our Vestry or
Search Committee (TBD), please let us know. Lastly, while our Annual Pledge Campaign has been successful, we still
have some catching up to do. Please consider giving as your personal situation allows so we can continue our mission
and better serve our community. We are grateful for your pledges.
Stay strong, stay hopeful, stay safe!
Faithfully,
From the Sexton
Well, I had the great pleasure of hosting a post Thanksgiving fete with seven Turkey Buzzards (yes, I realize the irony;
no, they do not care for turkey). They feasted on something more odiferous in the woods between the cottage driveway
and the Meditation Trail. Quite a loquacious group, they did not mind talking politics over their repast. Most of them are
Libertarians, in case you are wondering.
The new humidification system in the church is up and running. Not only are the organ, piano, and harpsichord happier,
human visitors have noted the environment feels more comfortable.
Charles McComas is leading an end of year charge to upgrade the Wi-Fi system in the pre-school. One weekend we
pulled three cables from the work room to each classroom and the office – that's seven pulls, 21 cables, plus one more
for the telephone in the hallway. Then we pull a cable between work rooms: Education and Administration. That one
ties the school to the new fiber cable. Connection boxes are mounted on a wall in each room. Connectors have to be ap-
plied to each end of each cable. Each cable is “rung out” and labeled before being connected to the hardware. By the
time you peruse this missive, the pre-school should have seamless wireless connectivity.
Witherspoon cut back the rose bushes and prepared them for winter. Camellias have bloomed here and there. The
Christmas tree in the Narthex glows brightly through the front windows. Stephanie Metzen adorned a potted blue spruce
with lights. The tree shoed off along the Kimberly Drive side of the church. Stephanie also decorated the boxwoods
with light strings.
February will usher in a major pruning operation on the crepe myrtles. They responded very well to their last trimming.
It is time for another hair cut.
I hope all were able to find joy in the holidays as we look forward to healing in many ways in 2021!
Kevin Kelly
Stephen’s Window 5 January 2021
Music Notes
St. Stephen’s Virtual Concert Series
The Friday Letters
It happened very quickly. North Carolina’s first confirmed case of Covid-19 became first public on March 3. Less than
a week later, on March 8, St. Stephen’s held its last in-person 10:30 Sunday service. Later that day the Borromeo String
Quartet gave an all Beethoven concert to a large enthusiastic audience in Jordan Hall at NEC (the New England Con-
servatory of Music). This was to be the first of six concerts at NEC in which the Borromeo would perform all 16 of Bee-
thoven’s string quartets. Sad to say, there hasn’t been a public concert at NEC since March 8.
Five concerts had been scheduled for the 2019-2020 season of the St. Stephen’s Concert Series. Three had taken place,
but the remaining two concerts were put on hold, namely, an all Beethoven concert by the Borromeo on March 29 and a
piano recital by Henry Kramer on April 26. Another concert was under contract, an organ recital by Nathan Laube,
scheduled on Sunday, September 20, which would be part of the 2020-2021 season.
Our 10:30 Sunday morning services were soon replaced by virtual services. Similarly, concerts held in the Nave for
flesh and blood attendees have now been replaced by virtual concerts. On Good Friday, April 10, not yet two weeks
following the concert on March 29 which never happened, a letter was sent to people on the email list of St. Stephen’s
Concert Series. The email had two links — a link to a YouTube video in which the Borromeo performed Bach’s Gold-
berg Variations (arranged for string quartet by Nicholas Kitchen), plus a link to a 12 page booklet which would have
been given to audience members on the 29th. That was the first Friday Letter (both words capitalized). Since then, a
Friday Letter has been sent every week. These letters have links to YouTube recordings by artists, who, with a few nota-
ble exceptions, have either performed at the church or (in the case of Nathan Laube and Henry Kramer ) are under con-
tract to do so
This is what happens each week. After selecting the YouTube recordings for a virtual concert, I compose the Friday Let-
ter in consultation with my wife Dorothy and other members of the concert series board. The letter then goes to Phillip
Allard, a very dedicated board member who knows tons more about computers than I do. He adds links to the YouTube
recordings and writes a summary of the letter. Then, on Friday, he sends the Friday Letter on its way.
Now, some exciting news. The Friday Letters have been archived on the church’s brand new, beautiful, wonderfully
user-friendly website. On the website, where they are permanently available for everyone, the Friday Letters are called
Virtual Concert Newsletters. They are listed by date with a brief description of the works being performed and the art-
ists performing them. By clicking on the date or “Read this,” you get Phillip Allard’s summary of the Friday Letter.
One more click then yields the complete Friday Letter. With the letter before you on your computer screen and your fa-
vorite beverage beside you, you can click away to enjoy the virtual concert.
Presently there are about 40 virtual concerts which you can experience in whole or in part, whenever you please. Four-
teen of them involve the Borromeo String Quartet. By the end of January their virtual performances will encompass all
16 of Beethoven’s string quartets. In the meantime you will not want to miss their performances of the Debussy String
Quartet or Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” Quartet. You will also want to see and hear them collaborate with other
musicians in performances of Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet, Schubert's great cello quintet, and Mendelssohn’s ever popu-
lar Octet.
Our own Andrew Tyson is the featured artist in eight virtual concerts. These include performances at major competi-
tions: the 2010 international Chopin Competition in Warsaw, the 2011 Gina Bachauer Competition and the 2011 Cleve-
land Competition, the 2012 Leeds Competition, the 2013 Queen Elisabeth Competition, and, most importantly, the 2015
Geza Ande Competition, where he won First Prize. From these competitions come three wonderful concerto perfor-
mances: Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and Rach 3, Rachmaninoff’s famously diffi-
cult Piano Concerto No. 3.
You can also hear Rach 3 played by Alexander Beyer at the 2016 Queen Elisabeth Competition, where he won Third
Prize. Highlights of four other virtual concerts include Alex’s performances of Ravel’s La Valse, several of Rachmani-
noff’s Etudes Tableau, Prokofiev’s 3rd Piano Concerto, the Brahms Piano Quintet, and Schumann’s F-sharp minor Sona-
ta.
Organists are featured in four virtual concerts. In celebration of the 4th of July, the Friday Letter which went out on July
3 featured organist-showman Cameron Carpenter, who is first heard playing “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” In the trio
January 2021 6 Stephen’s Window
Music Notes Continued
section of the piece you see him play the piccolo part with his feet. His recital concludes with fireworks of a sort, a light
show performance of Bach’s F major Toccata at the Sidney Opera House. In between comes “Sleigh Ride” and his fa-
mous transcription of Chopin’s “Revolutionary” Etude, where he plays with his feet what a pianist would play with the
left hand. You have to see it to believe it.
Equally awesome is the June 12 virtual organ recital given by Nathan Laube which includes his transcriptions of the
William Tell Overture by Rossini and Wagner’s Overture to Tannhauser.
Pianist Henry Kramer and the irrepressible violinist Ray Chen are each featured in two wonderful virtual concerts. The
same is true of the Rose Ensemble.
So far we’ve mentioned only virtual concerts given by artists who have appeared previously at St. Stephen’s or are under
contract to do so. We bent these requirements for two virtual concerts in October which featured some amazingly talent-
ed string students attending the Heifetz International Music Institute. In particular you see violinist Corena Deng play
the first movement of Paganini’s D major Violin Concerto when she was 12 and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen when she
was 8.
More bending of self-imposed rules took place in a spectacular way in the Friday Letter sent on Oct. 30, one day before
Halloween, two days before All Saints’ Day, and four days before the contentious national election. NONE of the artists
appearing in the virtual concert have ever set foot in St. Stephen’s. Highlights include a haunting performance of the Pie
Jesu from Fauré’s Requiem performed by the miraculous vocal group Voces8. Then you see Jessye Norman sing
“Amazing Grace” in the Kennedy Center at an event honoring Sidney Poitier. A tearful President Clinton is in the audi-
ence. Jessye Norman then sings again in a visually stunning video, where she soars above the full sound of the Berlin
Philharmonic as she sings the Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde. At Phillip Allard’s suggestion, the concert ends with a
thrilling performance of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic," which took place a year ago at the Naval Academy. But,
immediately before that, you hear Kate Smith sing “God Bless America.”
This virtual concert, like many others, is one that you may want to experience many times. And, of course, you can. Or,
as you are experiencing the concert for the first time, you might decide that you would like to hear “Amazing Grace” a
second time. That again is possible. YouTube is one of the heroes of the pandemic. How impoverished we would be
without it.
The church’s new website is a thing of beauty. You will want to visit it, if you haven’t done so already. We are deeply
indebted to Jeremy Godwin for his role in its creation and for the efforts of both Jeremy and Phil Allard in archiving the
Friday Letters.
Flentrop Christmas Card
Each year I receive a Christmas card from Flentrop Orgelbouw, the Dutch firm who made our two organs. The picture
on the from of the card this year shows an organ built in 1681 (four years before the birth of Bach) which Flentrop has
restored during the past three years. It probably sets a record for the number of musical cherubs which you see on the
organ case.
Stephen’s Window 7 January 2021Mission and Outreach
Happy New Year from your Mission and Outreach Com- focusing our support on organizations for which
mittee! We hope your families enjoyed a joyful Christmas we have an enthusiastic champion (liaison) within
and a peaceful start to 2021! the parish.
balancing a meaningful level of support for long-
Many thanks to all who contributed to St. Stephen’s mis- term faith partners (e.g. HNH, UMD) with support
sion and outreach efforts in 2020! It was an incredibly for emerging community needs.
challenging year for most non-profit organizations, with focusing support on organizations that address one
increased demand for services and diminished opportuni- of four key concerns:
ties for fund raising. Since many of you donated directly Homelessness
to these organizations or purchased and sent goods through Hunger / food insecurity
Amazon or other retailers, it is difficult to know exactly Children’s issues (especially education)
how much St. Stephens parishioners contributed this year, Creation Care (protecting our natural envi-
but we are confident that it was substantial. Your generos- ronment)
ity at every level is greatly appreciated, from the coins con-
tributed by our children to an $8,000 single donation to In 2020, we distributed approximately $30,000 to charita-
HNH’s Hearts to Home program! ble organizations, $20,000 from our operating budget and
the remainder from targeted donations (e.g. Pennies for
We thought you might be interested to see how we provid- Change, emergency relief fund, directed donations). The
ed financial support through the parish to global and local chart below summaries our donations and the concerns
outreach ministries in 2020, and how we select organiza- addressed by each recipient.
tions to support. Five general principles guide our selec-
tion of organizations to support. These include Again, thank you for your generosity in serving our com-
munity! Please consider joining our team if you enjoy this
supporting both global and local organizations, kind of work. We can always use more hands and hearts!
with an emphasis (90%) on local ministries in We would be happy to chat with you about what we do and
which we might have opportunities for personal how you might participate.
interactions as well as providing financial support.
focusing support on organizations with a proven Yours in Christ,
track record of success and a reputation for using Kim Deloatch and Louise Miller
money for intended purposes. co-chairs, Mission and Outreach Committee
Concern(s) Addressed by Receiving Organization
Recipient Recipient Amount Homelessness Hunger / food Children’s Creation
Type insecurity education Care
and health
Housing for New Hope Local $13,500 *
(HNH)**
Durham Public Schools Local $5,000 *
Foundation / Digital
Equity Initiative
Urban Ministries of Local $4,000 * *
Durham (UMD)**
Iglesia El Buen Pastor Local $1,500 * *
EatNC Local $1,100 * *
Durham Congregations Local (dues) $1,000 * * * *
in Action (DCIA) ***
BackPack Buddies Local $900 * *
Habitat for Humanity Local $550 *
Durham Children’s Initi- Local $450 *
ative
Health in Harmony Global $1250 * *
Episcopal Relief & De- Global $750 * * *
velopment
** direct services support & sponsorship for annual fund-raising event. Provided goods in addition to $
*** Not direct services; communication network and seed money for charitable organizations / projects
January 2021 8 Stephen’s WindowParish News
Changes in the Parish Office
Growing up with a Catholic education and being a native of Boston,
Massachusetts, Jonathan Robichaud joined St. Stephen’s staff in
December of 2020. He graduated from Elon University with a B.A.
in Cinema & Television Arts in 2019. While with the Phoenix, he
operated and directed livestream for various Elon sporting events for
three years. Upon graduation, Jonathan joined High Point University
Athletics as a Multi-Media Production Assistant. During his tenure
at High Point, he produced ESPN3 and ESPN+ broadcast as well as
assisted in curating creative videography content for many Panther
sports teams. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys watching New Eng-
land sports team. He currently resides in Triad area with his family.
Jonathan has been recoding and editing our Sunday services for the
last few weeks. He continues to have wonderful new ideas. We are
in the process of purchasing and assembling new equipment that will
connect to our new Wi-Fi system. We will be able to offer more
opportunities for fellowship among parishioners.
Over the past two months we have been renovating our kitchen. Here are some pictures of our new
look. Cindi Easterling spearheaded a massive cleaning and sorting of all surfaces in the kitchen
including the range and hood. Then fresh coats of paint were applied to the ceilings, walls, and
trim.
Stephen’s Window 9 January 2021January: Weekly Services and Programs at St. Stephen’s
Service of Spiritual Communion with Sermon, recorded and available any time, and a service bul-
letin. The bulletin contains the complete service (including Lectionary readings and text of hymns
and anthem), as well as art work reflecting some aspect of the Scripture or the service and many
“extras”!
10:00 a.m. Children's Sunday School, via Zoom and led by Stephanie Metzen and Jeremy Godwin.
The program focuses on themes of the Epiphany season. Join us here (Meeting ID: 872 9627
Sundays 8012).
10:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School, via Zoom. Students will read and reflect on stories of the Old
Testament. Join us here (Meeting ID: 646 764 0932).
3:00 p.m. Adult Formation Program, via Zoom. Jason Eslicker, our seminarian, will lead us in
exploring the question of the significance of Jesus’ death and how his death shapes, informs and
determines Christian faith and life. See the full class outline.
7:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study with Virtual Breakfast and fellowship, led by Fr. Stephen Elkins-
Williams. Link: Men's Tuesday Bible Study; Meeting ID: 842 7568 0536; Passcode: 261181.
Tuesdays
10:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study. Fr. Stephen leads via Zoom a weekly reflection on the upcom-
ing Sunday Gospel reading. Link: Women's Tuesday Bible Study; Meeting ID: 882 4812 2894;
Passcode: 475312.
Wednesdays Emails regarding Sunday School and Adult Formation.
11:30 a.m. Noonday Prayer followed by virtual lunch and fellowship, led by Rev. Pat. Link:
Thursdays Thursday Noonday Prayer; Meeting ID: 876 5708 4324; Passcode: 306613
Announcements and thoughts about Scripture readings for upcoming Sunday, emailed to the par-
ish.
Fridays
St. Stephen’s Concert Series “Friday Letters” containing musical offerings. Wonderful reading and
beautiful music. Offered by Joe Kitchen.
Saturdays Email to the parishioners that includes links to the recorded Sunday service and the bulletin, along
with information about the service.
Recorded services in January
January 3: The Second Sunday after Christmas. A recorded Service of Holy Communion.
Father Bob Kaynor will be celebrating, and the Rev. Canon Patricia Grace will be preaching.
January 10: The F east of the Epiphany (transferred). A recorded Service of Spiritual Communion.
The Rev. Canon Patricia Grace will be officiating and preaching.
January 17: The Second Sunday after the Epiphany. A recorded Service of Spiritual Communion.
The Rev. Canon Patricia Grace will be officiating and preaching.
January 24: The Third Sunday after the Epiphany. A recorded Service of Spiritual Communion.
The Rev. Canon Patricia Grace will be officiating, and Father Stephen Elkins-Williams will be preaching.
January 31: The F ourth Sunday after the Epiphany. A recorded Service of Spiritual Communion.
The Rev. Canon Patricia Grace will be officiating and preaching.
January 2021 10 Stephen’s WindowPrayer Requests Dates to Remember
For restoration of body and spirit:
Alice Carol Milton
Andy Caroline Nancy Ginger King 1/1
Ann Cis Orlando
Dr. Baxter Father Derek Peggy Jack Watson 1/2
Betty B. Ginger Ruth Francheska Macerou 1/3
Betty M. Harvey Scott Jenn Stark 1/3
Bill JoeAnne Susan Ella Bonchick 1/5
Bobbie Libby Tom Lucy Bonchick 1/5
Bruce Lori Tony Frank Goodwin 1/5
Carma Margaret Borden Vermillion 1/6
and also for friends and family members of St. Marleen Sasso 1/12
Stephen’s parishioners: Cameron Hayward 1/13
Alton, fr iend of Alice and Jeanne Bristol Winslow 1/14
Ashley, fr iend of Michele Lauren Gratian 1/15
Betsy, step-daughter of Scott Dick Boyd 1/16
Pastor Bill, fr iend of St. Stephen’s Melrose Fisher 1/16
Cerue, mother of Paula Linda Gale 1/17
David, fr iend of Bob Cindi Salmons 1/17
Eddie, father of Geor ge Drew Littlewood 1/17
Edwin, br other of Clyde Jackson Grau 1/17
Fagan-Solis family, r elatives of Kate Donald Serafin 1/18
Gwendoline, mother of Wendy John Thomas 1/18
Henderson, grandson of Betty Sue Allard 1/19
Iris, mother of Jeanna Cathy Lavin 1/22
Jane, niece of Scott Michael Fisher 1/22
Jon, grandson of Scott Sydney Vermillion 1/22
Judy, fr iend of Bob & Car la
Evan Shearer 1/24
Kathleen, fr iend of Pr iscilla & Der ek
Kathleen, fr iend of Cindi
Christian Keedy 1/24
Leon, father of Tamiko Mary Fry Haywood 1/26
Leslie, gr eat-niece of Derek Evan Ballew 1/28
Lyn, mother of Becky Anne Hutchins 1/30
Mary, fr iend of Clair e Jackie Pollard 1/31
Meghan, niece/goddaughter of Nancy Helena Stark 1/31
Nicholas, fr iend of Sue Madison Stark 1/31
Owen, step-brother of Tom
Peter, fr iend of Pr iscilla & Der ek
Pieter, fr iend of Wendy
Ray, son-in-law of Mary Ann
Roy, fr iend of Peggy Ann & Tom Vaughan 1/14
Walt, father of J ulie Donna & Walter James 1/15
William, fr iend of Mar lene Sally & John Graham 1/20
Margaret & Drew Vermillion 1/30
In the diocesan cycle of prayer: Amanda & Mal Watlington 1/30
Week of January 3: Chur ch of the Ascension For k,
Advance; Christ Church, Albemarle; All Souls’, Ansonville
Week of January 10: Good Shepher d, Asheboro;
St. John’s, Battleboro; Church of the Holy Comforter, Bur- If you have a prayer request for a loved one or yourself
lington and would like to be included in the Prayer Network’s
Week of January 17: St. Paul’s, Cary; Chapel of the Cross, daily prayers, please contact Holly Latty-Mann, Martina
Chapel Hill; Church of the Holy Family, Chapel Hill Gardner-Woods, Claire (cmd@med.unc.edu) or the
Church Office. For prayers in the Sunday service’s
Week of January 24: Church of the Advocate, Chapel Intercessions (Prayers of the People), please contact
Hill; Chapel of Christ The King, Charlotte; Christ Church, Claire, or the Church Office. To request a
Charlotte Eucharistic visit or other needs for yourself or loved one,
Week of January 31: Church of the Holy Comforter, Char- please contact Claire.
lotte; St. John’s, Charlotte; St. Martin’s, Charlotte
Stephen’s Window 11 January 2021Non-Profit Organization
US Postage
PAID
Return Service Requested Durham, NC 27705
Permit No. 59
St. Stephen's is a parish within the
Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, part
of the world-wide Anglican Communion.
www.dionc.org
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman
Bishop Diocesan
The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple
Bishop Suffragan
St. Stephen’s Staff
The Rev. Pat Grace
Interim Rector
pat.grace@ssecdurham.org
The Rev. Stephen J. Elkins-Williams
Priest-in-Residence
stephenj.ew@gmail.com
The Rev. Dr. Derek Shows
Priest Associate
Dr. Joseph Kitchen
Music Director and Organist
jwkitchen@earthlink.net
Dr. Daniel Monek
Choir Director
dgmonek@ncsu.edu
Dr. Jeremy Godwin
Director of Christian Education
jeremy.godwin@ssecdurham.org
Stephanie Metzen
Youth Director
stephanie.metzen@ssecdurham.org
Burke Raper
Business Manager
burke.raper@ssecdurham.org
Angelica Kendall
Parish Secretary
office@ssecdurham.org
Tamiko Sanders
Preschool Director
tamiko.sanders@ssecdurham.org
Kevin Kelly
Sexton
kevin.kelly@ssecdurham.org
Clyde Stephens The 61st Vestry and Officers of St. Stephen’s
Parish Life and Staff Assistant
Cathy Lavin Lizzie Almasy, Kathy McPherson
Senior Warden Clerk Lucy Petruccelli
Ian Shearer, Katherine Bick Drayton Virkler
Junior Warden Michele Hayward Norm Woods
Jim Stewart, Liz Jones
Treasurer Christian Keedy
January 2021 12 Stephen’s WindowYou can also read
