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
Building Our Future - Update
The Stewardship Committee invites everyone to a meeting Sunday, February 12th at 10:45 in Fay Hall. This meeting will be the first of four this year to update the parish on the results of your input during the 2011 "Building Our Future" meetings with Fr. Jesse. The topic of the first meeting will be communications, what the parish members suggested, what has been accomplished to date and what are our future action plans. Please come, enjoy fellowship after the 9:30 service and together we can build a solid future for St. Stephen’s.
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.
St Stephen’s Episcopal Church Adopts a New American Solder in Afghanistan
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church continues to support our troops by its latest adoption of a new soldier stationed in the mountains of Afghanistan. The Peace and Justice Committee of St. Stephen’s has arranged for the adoption through a well known soldier organization and committed to sending at least one letter a week and one package a month to the soldier.
The newly adopted soldier is a captain who has 50 men and 50 women in her group. She writes “We are doing great here in Afghanistan despite the location and environment. Yes we have received some of the care packages you all sent and I would like to say thank you on behalf of myself and the Soldiers.
…….The Soldiers here enjoyed some much needed down time during the holidays. We too have experienced snow since the 1st of November. Being located in the mountains makes for a cold winter and very unpredictable weather. I must say that any items sent will greatly appreciated. Thank you..”
The soldiers love to receive these packages and letters because they help keep their spirits up, brighten their days and remind them of home. A list of the most requested items include toothpaste, Frisbees, sunscreen, batteries (AA and AAA), baby wipes to clean themselves when water is not available, basic hygiene items, muscle magazines, sports magazines, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, National Geographic and news magazines. Treats and snacks are always welcomed. Popular books, popular music on CDs and current movies on DVDs are also appreciated. In fact, almost anything is appreciated by the soldiers. The list is of requested items is available at the Church’s office or the Peace and Justice table set up in Fay Hall.
Anyone wishing to help support this project at St. Stephen’s can pick up a copy of the list and/or leave items to be sent to the soldiers at the Church office or the Peace and Justice table in Fay Hall. To help defray the cost to mail the packages to the soldiers, St. Stephen’s would be happy to accept donations, made out to St. Stephen’s with the memo “Soldier Care Packages” on the check. Please contact Ruth or the Church office at 508-366-4134 with any questions.
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.