Seasons of the Spirit updates
The best-laid plans are nothing in the face of a deadly pandemic.
When Seasons of the Spirit was put together over the summer, from writing to editing to graphic design, printing to mailing, we had every hope and expectation that life at St. Stephen’s would return to something more akin to pre-pandemic life.
Unfortunately, the surge in COVID-19 cases in our area, spurred by the Delta variant and the lower-than-hoped rates of vaccination, mean that some plans have had to be adjusted.
The good news is that many of the offerings mentioned in the fall edition of our quarterly magazine will take place. Some will be held in different locations than those stated in magazine articles. Some will be held without changes—other than the requirement that all must wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, and that we must again be careful to keep our distance from one another.
Here’s a list of things which will change in some manner from what appears in Seasons of the Spirit, in order of their appearance.
Of course, things may change yet again. The pandemic has taken us on many twists and turns. The best way to make sure you have the latest information is to subscribe to the eSpirit, the weekly newsletter sent every Wednesday morning. If you are not receiving it, please subscribe here--it’s free! We will also update this page of the Web site as needed.
Page 5: This article is about the Rev. Cate Anthony's Episcopal Church Foundation Ministry Fellowship. Details and registration are now available for the Lombard Peace Education Center workshop on October 2; follow this link. The listening sessions mentioned in the article have been postponed.
Page 6: The Three Choirs Evensong is postponed; we plan for other events to go on as scheduled.
Pages 8-15: Ministry to children and youth
The Palmer Hall service will take place, but this fall it will be held outdoors under a large tent.
Holy Baptism is still scheduled to take place on the dates listed, with everyone masked and distanced.
The nursery cannot, unfortunately, open at this time.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atria will not be open this fall. Elements of this spiritual formation approach will be incorporated into the Palmer Hall service.
Confirmation and youth formation will take place, since those above age 12 can be vaccinated
Page 16: Our missionaries in Argentina
Our missionaries Heidi Schmidt and Monica Vega will not be here in person; we will have a Zoom conversation with them on September 22. Visit this page of our Web site to learn how to participate.
Page 20: Healing prayer
The article about healing prayer ministers did not provide a specific date when they would return to the Celtic service; we still do not know when it will be safe to bring this element back to the service.
Pages 22 and 23: Adult formation
The inquirers class will take place as scheduled; it will be held in the nave (the church) and will be livestreamed; details and registration
The group discussing Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine will take place (masked and distanced); details and registration
The Sunday Forum will take place as scheduled; it will be held in the nave (the church) and will be livestreamed
The journaling group will take place (masked and distanced); details and registration
Page 29
Regular worship schedule is as printed, but the locations for the Palmer Hall service and the Sunday Forum have changed, as noted above.
Pages 30 and 31: Women of St. Stephen's and May Fair House
The Women’s Forum will take place, but it will be in the church (not the fellowship hall) until further notice.
May Fair House will still open on September 14. All staff, volunteers, and customers must be masked at all times. Staff and volunteers (including cooks) will all be vaccinated, as will all volunteers for any service or ministry at St. Stephen’s Church.
The latest information about health and safety measures is here.