Welcome to Saint Stephen's
Welcome! We are an exciting and vibrant congregation committed to doing God's work.
The mission of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. St. Stephen's pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel and promotes justice, peace and love. St. Stephen's carries out this mission through the ministry of all its members. There are many parish ministries that are looking for a few more hands to make us even better, As you explore our web site, please email us with any questions you may have. It is our sincere hope that you will join us for worship and fellowship right after the service. 
Come Worship With Us
The Holy Eucharist is celebrated at two services, with music and nursery care at the latter. Any baptized Christian is welcome to receive Communion.
Welcome Visitors!
Check out our Welcome Visitors! page for answers to your Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact Us
3 John Street Westborough, MA 01581 |
Phone: (508) 366-4134 Fax: (508) 616-0820 E-mail: St. Stephen's Church |
What's Happening...
Click here for the Parish Calendar
Parish Yard Sale- Saturday, May 19 - 9am to 1pm
Come to the Yard and Rummage Sale to be held on Saturday, May 19th from 9 AM - 1 PM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Along with a Grandma’s attic of fabulous finds, treasures available for purchase will include clothing, household goods, books, furniture, costume jewelry, baby and children’s toys and accessories.
The money collected from the yard sale will go in part to support the Youth Group on their mission trip to Portland, ME where they will work with refugees from Africa and the poor through a group called The Root Cellar. For additional information please call the church office.
FROM THE DIOCESAN TRANSITION COMMITTEE
Search Committee Announces Candidates for Ninth Bishop
The Search, Transition, and Standing Committees of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts joyfully announce the candidates for the 9th bishop of the diocese:
• The Very Rev. Richard A. Demarest, 55, Dean, St.Michael's Cathedral, Boise, Idaho (Diocese of Idaho)
• The Rev. Dr. Douglas John Fisher, 57, Rector, Grace Church, Millbrook, New York (Diocese of New York)
• The Rev. Nancy Gossling, 60, Rector, St. James' Church, Glastonbury, Connecticut (Diocese of Connecticut)
• The Very Rev. Ron W. Griffin, 58, Rector, Christ Church, Eureka, California (Diocese of Northern California)
• The Very Rev. Mark B. Pendleton, 49, Dean, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, Connecticut (Diocese of Connecticut)
The website dedicated to the search for our next bishop is found at www.wmassbishopsearch.org. Check the site for more information about the candidates, the 10-day petition process, the June 2 election, and the December 1 ordination.
Walk Abouts and Collecting Questions for the Candidates
The Transition Committee has planned four “Walk Abouts” during the week of May 21 to allow delegates to the electing convention (to be held June 2nd) and other interested members of the Diocese to meet and hear from those individuals presented as candidates for Bishop of Western Massachusetts. During the Walk About events, a variety of questions will be asked of the nominees so that attendees may get to know them. We are currently soliciting questions to be used at these events. Questions may be submitted via the Bishop Search website, found at www.wmassbishopsearch.org. Click on “Do You Have Questions for the Candidates?” The deadline for submission is Tuesday, May 1. There will also be opportunity to submit questions at the Walk About registrations. Walk Abouts are scheduled as follows:
Monday, May 21 St. Stephen’s Church, Pittsfield, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 22 Church of the Atonement, Westfield, 10 a.m.
St. James Church, Greenfield, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 24 Church of the Nativity, Northborough, 7 p.m.
Registration begins one half hour before the time of the event. All venues are handicapped accessible and have ample parking. All are welcome!
The Rev. Tanya R. Wallace
Rector, All Saints’ Church, South Hadley
St. Joseph’s Day Italian Dinner at St. Stephen’s Church
Parishioners, friends and guests of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church enjoyed St. Stephen’s celebration of St. Joseph’s Day, Patron Saint of Sicily on Saturday, March 24th. A delicious Italian meal with trimmings was served.
In the photo, the parishioners are enjoying their Italian dinner and the community spirit.
Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession)
Sometimes people feel the need to get something off their chests, to be assured of God’s forgiveness, and to start again with a clean slate. Sacramental confession is one traditional way to do that, and it is especially appropriate during Lent. Anglicans have generally described confession saying, “Some should, All can, None must.” That is, confession is always available but is never required. To learn more see our rite for Reconciliation of a Penitent on page 446-448 of the Book of Common Prayer. If you are interested in learning more, please speak with Fr. Jesse.
Ash Wednesday Observance at the Westborough Train Station
Commuters at the Westborough Train Station were greeted by The Reverends Jesse Abell (St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Westborough) and Robert Williams (St. John’s Episcopal Church in Millville) on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd. The two priests offered the imposition of ashes to interested commuters who may not have had the ability to go to church that day. It is a tradition for Christians to observe the beginning of Lent by having their foreheads marked with ash. This event is part of the Ashes To Go initiative to bring Lent traditions and spirituality from the church to the places where people go every day. Read more about Ashes to Go.
St Stephen's Children's Visit to Whitney Place and the Willows
with Valentine Gifts for Our Shut-Ins
Several of the St Stephen's Church School children took an active role in a special Valentine’s Day gift program for the church's parishioners who are in Whitney Place and the Willows and cannot get to church. The children wrote their own messages and cards, packed Valentine Gift bags and distributed the gifts to the recipients. Their natural warmth and love for these seniors was much appreciated.
In the photo, Eleanor Legg receives a Valentine Gift Bag from Tim Moss, Maura, Robie and David Mulligan at Whitney Place Assisted Living Facility.
Supporting the Troops through St Stephen’s Episcopal Church
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church has been supporting our troops by adopting a series of soldiers and sending each one emails, cards and care packages of requested items.
With the good news of many of our soldiers returning and shorter deployments for the rest, St. Stephen’s continues this mission with now a new soldier.
This new soldier is a woman, stationed for 6 months in Afghanistan with a unit of male and female soldiers, living in tents far from stores. She is very happy to share the care packages we send with the rest of her unit.
The soldiers particularly love Jerky but are also requesting the following items: any personal hygiene item such as baby wipes, shampoo, conditioner, body washes, razors, shaving cream (although no aerosols can be mailed) and feminine products. They ask for non-perishable food items such as instant coffee, hot chocolate, granola bars, jerky, candy, gum and items to keep their mouth wet.
St. Stephens would especially like to thank the Westborough Food pantry for donating care packages for the soldiers to St. Stephen’s which have already been shipped.
Please help St Stephen’s in supporting our troops. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church from 9 AM until noon, Monday through Friday. For additional information please call the church office at 508-366-4134. Thank you.
St Stephen’s Episcopal Church Parishioners Host “Our Father’s Table“
The parishioners of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church hosted the community supper at “Our Father’s Table”, an interfaith feeding program in Marlborough on Monday, January 30, 2012. The program serves a free dinner to any who come through the door but predominantly serves the homeless. St. Stephen’s parishioners brought and served nearly 80 meals to those in need. Once the work was done, parishioners socialized with the people who came to eat. St. Stephen’s hosts the dinner about four times a year as part of its program to help those in need. For more information please check out St. Stephen’s website www.ststeph.com under Mission and Outreach.
Valentine’s Day Preparations at St. Stephen’s
Each year, Valentine Care Packages are created and stuffed with goodies by parishioners of St. Stephen’s and delivered to those members of the congregation who are in college, in nursing homes or are sick. The packages and boxes are filled with hand-made Valentine cards, cookies and candy to let the person know that he or she is missed. Seen here, Elaine Sanborn, a parishioner of St. Stephen’s, is writing a Valentine’s note to be included in the Valentine gift bag.
Bob Williams Priested
On Saturday, January 21, the Rt. Rev. Gordon Scruton, Bishop of Western Massachusetts, ordained Robert Roy Williams to the sacred priesthood at St. John’s Church in Millville.
Bob and his wife Sharon were members of St. Stephen’s parish for over 15 years, and Bob was sponsored for ordination by St. Stephen’s. Bob has been serving the parish of St. John’s for the past five years, first as lay vicar and then as deacon.
The ordination liturgy involved a mixture of participants from both St. Stephen’s and St. John’s, as well as visitors from around the Diocese. Though the morning was snow-filled and chilly, over 110 people gathered to join in the joyous celebration.
Bishop Scruton presided at the liturgy, with our rector, the Rev. Jesse Abell, serving as Master of Ceremonies. The Rev. Dr. Will Bergmann, dean of East and South Worcester Deanery (of which Millville and Westborough are a part) and rector of Good Shepherd, Clinton, preached the ordination sermon. Music was provided by the Choir of St. Stephen’s with our own Marla Farrow providing the organ accompaniment.
As part of the ordination ceremony, the newly ordained Fr. Bob was vested in a chasuble and stole provided by St. Stephen’s as an ordination gift. He was also presented with a new communion set (chalice, paten, and ciborium) purchased by his family as an ordination gift. A reception followed immediately in the parish hall, with a second reception held that evening at St. Stephen’s.
Installation of St Stephen’s New Priest, Reverend Jesse Abell
On Sunday, November 6th, 2011, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church installed their new priest, The Reverend Jesse Abell in a special service entitled “The Renewal of Ministry with the Welcoming of a New Rector”.
As part of this special service a Letter of Institution from the Bishop was read affirming the Bishop’s approval of the installation. Various members of the congregation presented Fr. Jesse with the Symbols of Ministry - a bible, a prayer book, a stole, anointing oil for healing, and the bread and wine. The baptismal vows of all the participants of the service were renewed as part of the service.
The Celebrant of the service was Archdeacon William Coyne, representing Bishop Scruton who was unable to attend due to a death in his family. The sermon was given by The Reverend Steven Giovangelo, a mentor and close friend of Fr. Jesse from the Diocese of Indianapolis, where Fr. Jesse previously served. The Reverend Dr. W. Bergmann of Good Shepherd, Clinton, was the Master of Ceremonies. The Reverend Deacon Robert Williams, Vicar of St. John’s, Millville, a former parishioner and currently sponsored by St. Stephen’s, helped in the service.
Father Jesse was chosen by St. Stephen’s to be their permanent priest following a year long search after their previous priest, The Reverend Bill Martin, retired.St. Stephen's Welcomes Fr. Jesse Abell
Fr. Jesse Abell comes to us from the Diocese of Indianapolis by way of Omaha, Nebraska.
Fr. Jesse is a native of Indiana and grew up in the small town of Greensburg. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Indiana Wesleyan University and his master’s degree in Psychology and Religion at the University of Cambridge in England. He subsequently attended seminary at Sewanee and was ordained in the Diocese of Northern Indiana. Read more...
Blessing of the Pets
On Sunday, October 9, 2011, St. Stephen’s parishioners and members of the community brought their pets, reminders of deceased pets, and stuffed animals to be blessed at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
This year, the annual event was held on the Sunday following the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a Saint known for his love of animals.
Time and Talent Opportunities
Recognizing that stewardship entails more than matters of finance, the Stewardship Committee has spent time during its monthly meetings this year reviewing these and has recast them as opportunities for parishioners to share their time and talents with the St. Stephen’s family. Read more on the Activities page.