“God took ‘Mankind’ and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order.”

Genesis 2:15 The Message (MSG)

Some reflections today on politics, the craft of preaching, and the Nativity of John the Baptist.

Saint Stephen’s is seeking two Associate Rectors. This link has more information how to apply.

The Rev. Jamie McAdams accepts a call to be the next Rector of St. Francis, Indian Springs.  Please read letters from Jamie and John here explaining more about this transition.

On June 16, Saint Stephen’s will host a “Blessing of the Bees” following the 10:15am service.

Following in the footsteps of other churches around the world, a group of volunteers have been working to establish four honeybee hives at the back of Billy Hodges' Land, across the street from Saint Stephen’s. 

The Caring Tree will be a permanent fixture for the year with the ‘leaves’ changing monthly.  Each leaf (tag) will list what is needed – a specific item or possibly a way to serve – from the agency that is our focus for the month.   FOR JUNE - Personal Overnight Items for Family Promise.

I want to share that the Rev. Ron DelBene has accepted my invitation to affiliate with Saint Stephen’s.

…by reducing our debt service, we would be able to support three full-time clergy members without any increase in pledges. By moving to three full-time clergy, we can have a better system of pastoral care that tends to the spiritual needs of those in our community especially those with long-term spiritual care needs that require regular home visits.  By supporting three full-time clergy we can better welcome and care for families and children.

Four weeks every year, Saint Stephen’s joins with 13 other local churches in the Birmingham area to host Family Promise - a program for families who need some temporary shelter and meals to help get back on their feet.

…listen to the stories that Doug has shared about our community.  Whether you have been at Saint Stephen’s for 46 years, or just a few weeks, they are the story of us and how God has touched our lives, and the lives in our community.  

The unique quality of St. Stephen’s and our love of nature, makes us an ideal place to start a new ministry called Holy Hikes Birmingham.  A Holy Hike will be conducted once a month in trails all across the Birmingham area. The hikes will stretch from March until October with a break in July for the holiday and Alabama heat.  Each Holy Hike will be three to five miles in length and will either be easy or moderate in difficulty.

I believe that our faith calls us to take seriously our relationship with the created world, and that includes talking about what we are experiencing and learning. Lent is also a time when we reflect on how we can live better…

This is Laundry Love. Every other month St. Stephen’s will head to the Imperial Laundry-mat in Woodlawn to share the gift of clean clothes.

Most importantly besides the physical labor, we heard their stories , met more of their extended families, broke bread together and listened as they described their community…

I am delighted to share that we have developed a partnership with Snow’s Bend Farm, a certified organic farm just outside of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

The Children’s Ministry program is thrilled to announce that Maggie Widman will be the new Nursery Director at Saint Stephen’s. 

I am eager to share with you our 2019 PEW to 50K Campaign: Read, Pray, Serve.  It will be exciting to see what will happen if Saint Stephen’s commits to 50,000 hours of worshiping, of growing through Christian Formation, and sharing our love through service in 2019.  

Why in the world would a church have a drum circle!

Ways to support those affected by Hurricane Michael.