St. Stephen's E-News

• Presiding Bishop: According to An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, the presiding bishop is the "Chief Pastor and Primate of the Episcopal Church. The office evolved originally from a rule of the House of Bishops in 1789 making its presiding officer the senior member in terms of date of consecration. In 1919 the office was made elective and invested with executive responsibility for all departments of the church's work. The first election of a Presiding Bishop by General Convention took place in 1925. Since 1943 the Presiding Bishop has been required to resign diocesan jurisdiction upon election. As 'Chief Pastor,' the Presiding Bishop is charged with initiating and developing church policy and strategy, speaking God's Word to the church and the world, and visiting every diocese of the church. The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Washington, D.C., is the official seat of the Presiding Bishop. The office of the Presiding Bishop is located at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City. The present term of office for the Presiding Bishop is nine years." To see more information about presiding bishops, go to a Glossary of Terms on the Episcopal Church's website--but maybe not today. The website has been down all day. 😔
• Marsha Adams: Marsha was a long time member of St. Stephen's before she moved to Russellville. I am heartbroken to announce that Marsha died on Sunday, which was her birthday. Her funeral will be at Trinity Episcopal in Pine Bluff.
• Coffee Hour Stacy and George Coleman will be hosting Coffee Hour on May 5--or Cinco de Mayo for those who celebrate:-)
• Thank You from Kairos: Ed Rhodes, who is chair of the Tucker Kairos team, sent us a lovely thank you note. Scroll down to see it.
• Mother's Day Diaper Drive Update: Last year, we gathered 1,364 diapers for our St. Francis House diaper drive. So far, we have 837.
• Altar Flowers: Your next opportunity to dedicate flowers for the altar is May 26. Be sure to sign up on the poster in the Welcome Center and let Anita Williams know if you have special requests.
  
• Five Chosen to Stand for the office of Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. See the article below for names and links to learn more about each one.
• No Facebook Live on Sunday, April 28. Our internet was having a hissy fit or something. Randall Curtis laid hands on the camera, so we believe it's working now. Sorry we missed you, online friends, on on the Fifth Sunday of Easter.
• Dad Joke of Eastertide: What do rabbits say before they eat? “Lettuce pray.”
• Recipe of the Week: Layered Potato Cups with Spring Herbs and Leeks I got this recipe from one of my favorite websites: Skinnytaste. It was my dish for our potluck on Sunday. Click on the picture in the recipe below to go to the website. Send me your favorite potluck recipes, and I'll publish them in the newsletter!

Thank you and Don and all of St Stephen’s for the blessing of your support for the Kairos ministry at Tucker! As you probably know, we had our closing of Kairos weekend #46 yesterday and already prepping for K47 in early October. I’ll be contacting Don before long to ask about reservations for Saturdays in August and/or September. This support from you two and St Stephen’s is absolutely crucial for this ministry. As we approach our 50th weekend, it’s only natural to look back in gratitude to our supporters and especially those upon whose shoulders we now stand such as Jim Dalton and several of his friends who are still great supporters of this ministry.

May 2: Kent Eden

• May 5: The Sixth Sunday of Easter. Rev. Joyce Dalton will be celebrating, and Sharry Hageman will be reading the sermon. Readings can be found here.
• May 5: Last day to donate to St. Francis House Diaper Drive
  

• May 7: D.O.K. has tentatively scheduled a Discernment Study (Yes, that's a Tuesday.), which will continue through July 23. The training will be here at St. Stephen's, and it will be from 2-3 pm.

• May 12: Mother's Day--We're celebrating with a "Mochas with Moms" event. Yes, D.O.K.'s famous mocha punch will be making an appearance, and the Men's Group will be providing snacks and serving! AND it's our final Sunday with Rev. Sandra Curtis.

• May 19: PENTECOST SUNDAY! Wear red!

• May 19: Third Sunday Rite 1 service at 8:00--no communion

1. Cereal
2. Crackers
3. Soup, stew, chili
4. Meat items
5. Peanut butter and jelly--and maybe a loaf of bread 🍞

The Episcopal Church's Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop has announced the names of the bishops it will nominate to succeed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Click on the name to see the bio for each. If you join us for our weekday services, you'll know we've been praying for each of these bishops, and we will, of course, continue to do so. Let's all pray for these bishops, their families, and dioceses as the church continues its discernment.

The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, Diocese of Nebraska

The Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Diocese of Pennsylvania

The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, Diocese of Atlanta

The Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe, Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania

The Rt. Rev. DeDe Duncan-Probe, Diocese of Central New York

Ingredients

▢Olive oil spray

▢4 cups sliced leeks, sliced 1/4-inch thick (from about 3 to 4—white and lighter green parts only)

▢1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt

▢3/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

▢2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/16 inch thick*

▢1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

▢1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

▢3 1/2 ounces garlic and herb cheese, such as Alouette Garlic Herb Spread Cheese, Goat Cheese or Boursin (I used the Alouette spread)

Directions

1. Preheat over to 375°F.
2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with foil liners. Lightly spray the liners with olive oil—use a brush if needed to ensure the sides are coated. Set aside.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; spritz with the olive oil.
4. Add the leeks, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until leeks are soft, 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and divide leeks into 12 equal portions, set aside.
5. Toss potato slices, thyme, 1 tablespoon parsley, remaining 1 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl.
6. Evenly divide 1/3 of the potato slices and layer in the bottom of the prepared muffin cups
7. Place about 1/2 of each portion of leeks (about 3/4 teaspoon), spreading out over the potato layer. Add another third of potatoes to the cups.
8. Evenly divide the goat cheese and press to spread out onto the potato layer (about a heaping teaspoon per muffin cup). Add the remaining leeks and then top each cup with the remaining potatoes.
9. Lightly spray the tops of each muffin cup with olive oil and cover the muffin tin with foil.
10. Bake for 30 minutes then remove foil and bake until potatoes are tender and easily pieces with knife, about 10 additional minutes.

Tuesday and Thursday:

• 8 am Java with Joyce Morning Devotion and Reflection
• 7 pm Twilight with Toby (or his alternate) Compline

Saturday: Late-night with Laura--Compline at 8 pm with cameo appearances by Episcopal Kitty, aka Sasha

Intercessory prayers at each of these services

• Here is all the info you need to find or contact us at St. Stephen's.

  We don't have a Twitter account, but you can find us on Instagram by searching for churchststephensepiscopal.

  Send prayer list requests to decafmycoffeeplz@gmail.com .

  Join us on Sundays either in person or Facebook Live.

  Email: saintstephensjacksonville@gmail.com
  Website: https://www.ststephensjacksonville.com/
  Location: 2413 Northeastern Ave, Jacksonville, AR 72076, USA
  Phone: (501) 982-8701
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StStephensEpiscopalJacksonville/

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your

servant Marsha. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of

your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your

own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy,

into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the

glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.