S. Stephen's

Organizations, Education, Committees & Opportunities to Serve

S. Stephen's Church in Providence 114 George Street Providence, Rhode Island

Hosted by Homestead

Occasional Adult Instruction Class led by Fr. Alexander for adults interested in Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception into the Episcopal Church, as well as for long-standing church members interested in a refresher on the basics of the Faith.

Epiphany Soup Kitchen at S. Stephen's Church in Providence serves needy guests each week. A team from S. Stephen’s staffs the meal site from 2:00 to 6:00 pm on assigned Saturdays. These are the dates for 2012: April 28, June 16, August 18, October 20 and December 1. All are welcome and encouraged to serve.

Narthex Sitting – To keep the church open to visitors, parishioners volunteer to sit in the narthex – i.e., the area just inside the main doors of the church – for one or two hours every week at set times. We need volunteers.

Lectionary Bible Study – Led by Father Alexander, will meet at a future time. To be announced.

Sunday School Classes are offered during the first half of the 10:00 am Mass. Volunteers are always needed to teach and help out. The Young People’s Fellowship organizes activities for those of Middle and High School age. Confirmation Classes are organized and led by the Rector.

The Altar Guild cares for the vestments, linens, and vessels used in worship. Rotating volunteer teams set up for and clean up after each Sunday 10:00 am Mass. The Guild has occasional meetings and organizes clean-up days followed by lunch and fellowship.

Acolytes (also known as Servers) assist the clergy at the altar. The Solemn High Mass requires a team of six servers in addition to the priest and deacon. At Low Mass there is generally one server, in addition to the priest.

Coffee Hour – A rota of volunteers sets up the coffee urns and provides refreshments for the coffee hour in the Narthex following 8:00 am Low Mass and in the Great Hall following the 10:00 am Solemn High Mass.

Ushers welcome worshipers to our principal services, distribute service programs, take the collection, and stand ready to assist members of the congregation.

Society of Mary meets the first Saturday of every month for recitation of the Rosary, followed by coffee, refreshments, and a meeting. The Society plans various activities through the year related to devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Schola Cantorum sings the finest liturgical music of the Western tradition, from medieval plainchant to contemporary. Our professional choir comprises both paid and volunteer singers. Admission is by audition.

Except where otherwise noted, all of the following organizations and activities are open to all comers and are eager to welcome new volunteers and participants. To find out more about any of the following, please contact the Parish Office.

The S. Stephen is the parish newsletter, published seasonally from September through June. Submissions of written pieces or news items from parishioners are welcome.

Lectors read the scripture lessons during Masses. Volunteers offer to read at the daily and both Sunday Masses.

Episcopal Charities –The parish contributes every year to this worthy cause with donations to the charities supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. Volunteers do the work of this committee.

Christmas Pageant is offered before Family Mass on Christmas Eve every year. The production is acted by Parish children and organized and directed by adult volunteers.

New Year's Day Dinner–A parish tradition is the preparation and serving of a meal for the needy on New Year's Day. Volunteers meet to plan, cook, and serve our guests. Clothing and toiletries are collected and offered as gifts.

Annual Parish Barbecue is held in June. A cook-out/eat-in for the entire parish. Volunteers provide food, grilling skills, time and energy to produce this enjoyable meal.

Guild of All Souls: S. Stephen, Proto-martyr is a prayer guild within the Anglican Communion seeking to promote the Church's teaching regarding intercessory prayer for the dying and for the repose of the souls of the departed. The guild meets the first Sunday of the month in rotation with the other devotional societies.

The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament: Holy Nativity Ward is a devotional society of the Anglican Communion. It's principle object is the honor due the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of His Body and Blood. Watch for scheduled meetings.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is held annually on the eve of Ash Wednesday. The Sunday School kids make the pancakes and serve at this well attended event.

www.sstephens.org is the address for our parish website. Pictures from parish events are always a welcome addition. We also have an Announcements Blog and a Facebook Page.