Author: Father Stephen

Father Stephen started serving as the rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on January 10, 2020. Prior to that position he served as priest-in-charge in Miles City and Forsyth, Montana. He is originally from West Virginia and has experience in youth ministry, mission work and more.

Saint Stephen’s Day

“The Stoning of Saint Stephen” by Rembrandt, 1625

Churchy Term of the Day – Stephen, Saint, Deacon and Martyr

First Christian martyr. He was a Hellenist, a Greek-speaking Jew born and reared outside Palestine. His name is Greek, meaning “crown.” He was one of the seven chosen by the Jerusalem congregation to see that the Hellenistic Jewish Christians got their fair share of the contributions. Stephen’s preaching caused a revolution in the attitude of some of the Jewish people toward the young Christian church. There was a period of persecution which scattered Christians into many parts of the world outside Jerusalem. The young Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, witnessed Stephen’s stoning and heard the martyr’s prayer for his enemies. Saul eventually took up the work cut short by Stephen’s death. Tradition says that Stephen’s burial place was discovered on Dec. 5, 415, and that his bones were moved to Jerusalem on Dec. 26. Some scholars say that Dec. 26 was chosen as St. Stephen’s Day because he was the first martyr for Christ and that he appropriately appears first in the procession of saints who surround the cradle of Christ. Stephen is commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on Dec. 26.

from Don S. Armentrout’s An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians Church Publishing Inc., 2000.

Prayer for Saint Stephen’s Day

We give you thanks, 0 Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

A Word from Father Stephen

Greetings! I write today to inform all of you that on Thursday around 2 pm I tested positive for COVID.  I began experiencing mild symptoms Wednesday morning.  I truly felt it was just a head cold and therefore didn’t do much different.  That was a mistake.  Around noon on Thursday I learned that a number of people who were at the ordination last Saturday had tested positive.  The list of those infected includes our bishop, Mother Melinda, and our own Rev. Joan Yetter.  So far, no one has shown significant symptoms – at least, that I know of.  I am still just experiencing mild symptoms and have been in contact with my doctor’s office.  

So what does this mean for everyone else? Assuming I was exposed on Saturday morning, I would not likely have been contagious last Sunday.  So, if you were at church last Sunday, you are extremely unlikely to have contracted COVID from me.  I have been in touch with everyone I had contact with Tuesday through Thursday morning.  I encourage people to test and make the best decisions they can for their own health; however, I hope no one feels unsafe at church.  

Assuming I have recovered fine by early next week, all will be well for Christmas Eve and Christmas.  I plan to resume wearing a mask when in close contact with others during worship, just out of an abundance of caution.  This Sunday, Doris Gerstner has offered to lead an adapted form of Morning Prayer.  I hope that y’all will come out for worship as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior.  

Stay safe and warm,

– Father Stephen

Christmas Letter

Christmas 2022

Dear friends in Christ,

Another year in the life of the Church has begun and now we are well into the season of Advent.  This is a season for reflection and repentance as we prepare to celebrate and give thanks for the coming of the Son of God at His birth and when he will come again. 

During these holy days we are also called on to share with others.  As we shift from Advent to Christmas, we are called on to remember a family of refugees who couldn’t find any room in the inn many years ago.  In that spirit and while also recognizing the critical housing crisis facing Billings, we are taking up a special collection for two programs that work to provide aid to those in crisis. 

First, this year we will continue to be supporting of the wonderful work of the Tumbleweed Program.  Tumbleweed provides services to runaway, homeless, and vulnerable youth, and their families.  This is a vital ministry and service. 

Second, we are seeking to support the work of two Billings Clinic nurses who gather supplies and funds to furnish backpacks with essentials for those who are homeless or in crisis.  The work of these nurses was covered by a local news station.  One of the nurses, Taylor Gayvert, said, “It’s near and dear to our hearts. Something as simple as a backpack filled with a couple things, it really meant a lot.”

If you are interested in supporting these important ministries, please make out your check to the church and list “Homeless” on the memo line. 

As we prepare to honor the coming of our Lord, it is my privilege to invite you to join us for worship all of which will be offered in-person, streamed live on Facebook and later uploaded to YouTube:

Saturday, December 24

            5 pm                Holy Eucharist Rite I celebrating the Nativity of our Lord

Sunday, December 25

            10 am               Holy Eucharist Rite I celebrating the Nativity of our Lord

Sunday, January 1

            10 am               Holy Eucharist Rite I celebrating The Feast of The Holy Name  

Lovingly yours in Christ,

Father Stephen