Community Life

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

We remember the Christian tradition of abstaining from meat and dairy products during the penitential season of Lent by observing Shrove Tuesday on the evening before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.  We share in a pancake supper as we remember that many of our Christian forebears made pancakes to use up butter and milk in preparation for the Lenten fast.

Lenten Soup Suppers

During Lent, we share simple suppers, which usually include Bible Study.  We meet weekly, and we welcome everyone to join us.

Palm Sunday Procession

Remembering Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem on his way to the crucifixion, we process into the church on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter.  On this day, the mood turns from festive to solemn as Holy Week begins.

Maundy Thursday

Celebrated on the Thursday immediately before Easter, we gather for a simple meal and a service of Holy Eucharist.  On this day, we remember the mandatum, or mandate, given to the disciples by Jesus, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15),  We also remember that on this day, Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist, blessing, breaking and sharing bread and wine with his disciples and instructing them to “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

Good Friday

On Good Friday, Jesus died for us.  We remember this in solemn three-hour service which includes The Stations of the Cross, a meditation on the Cross, and a “mass of the pre-sanctified” during which already-consecrated bread and wine are shared.

The Great Vigil of Easter

As we await the day of the resurrection, we share with the early church in the Great Vigil of Easter.  We share our salvation story from the Old Testament, celebrate the sacrament of baptism, and then we ring the bells, light the lights and celebrate Easter!

The Flowering of the Easter Cross

Easter! Resurrection! New life! Easter is even a bit more festive when the flowered cross enters the church.  Each of us is invited to bring flowers from our own gardens, which are used to decorate the flowered cross.

The Kirkin’ of the Tartans

At St. Stephen’s we have adapted a tradition which originally celebrated the heritage of the Scots.  We kirk (bless) family tartans, and then we share stories and material objects from our family histories, Scottish or not!

All Saints’ Day

On the first Sunday in November, we celebrate All Saints’ Sunday, We commemorate all those who have gone before us into eternal life.  In our liturgy, this memorial takes form as we read the necrology, the list of those dear to us who have gone on before.