ststephensoxford

Rector’s Message

Let us pray: For the Parish (BCP, 817) Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heartContinue reading “Rector’s Message”

The Seasons of Our Common Life

By the Rev. Dr. Lorraine Ljunggren July Newsletter (Download) When I stop to think about it, December 1st of 2019 seems as if it was only yesterday. That day marked the beginning of our time together as priest and parish – as priest and community of God’s people here at St. Stephen’s in Oxford. YouContinue reading “The Seasons of Our Common Life”

Embodying Faith in Changing Times

This edition of our newsletter contains a very meaningful offering from the young people of St. Stephen’s. They are sharing with us how living in the midst of our current stay-at-home order has shaped, and continues to shape, their journeys of faith. Thank you sincerely, to our youth. Our prayers continue to surround them andContinue reading “Embodying Faith in Changing Times”

An Awareness We Are in this Life Together: Pandemics Can Do That

We are well aware we are living, breathing creatures. Sometimes wemay take for granted life and breath. But, there is something about a world-wide crisis that brings us up short, gets our attention in ways of which we may be unaware on most ‘ordinary days.’ These are not ‘ordinary days.’ While we may be rushingContinue reading “An Awareness We Are in this Life Together: Pandemics Can Do That”

What is Poverty?

Outreach Ministry of St. Stephen’s OxfordArea Congregations in Ministry (Granville County Food Bank) Who comes to ACIM?On two days recently, a volunteer jotted down a few facts about the clients he was talking to—when they were born, female or male, how many in their household. The sample (26) is way too small, but it isContinue reading “What is Poverty?”

Our Journey of Lent

Some of us have heard the old saying, “You can’t get there from here.” In the days before GPS it was a response to someone asking directions on how to get from point A to point B. The old saying put a person on notice that there wasn’t one, simple, direct highway or road orContinue reading “Our Journey of Lent”

St. Stephen’s Calls Interim Rector

Please welcome the Rev. Dr. Lorraine Ljunggren (LUN gren) as our Interim Rector. Her first Sunday at St. Stephen’s will be Advent 1, December 1st. We’ll have lunch after the 10:30 service to greet & welcome Rev. Lorraine. Your Vestry was unanimous in issuing this call. We are fortunate to have someone with Rev. Lorraine’sContinue reading “St. Stephen’s Calls Interim Rector”

Greetings

First, thank you to the Vestry for calling me to serve alongside you as your Interim Rector in this unexpected but exciting season at St. Stephen’s! Second, my Swedish last name is easier to pronounce than it appears at first glance. It’s as easy as pretending the ‘j’ isn’t there. I’m a two-time graduate ofContinue reading “Greetings”

The Secret Beauty

It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to be Rector of St. Stephen’s Oxford. To be a part of the rich history and tradition going back to 1823 is very special. And, I thank God for all that we have accomplished together in ministry. Yes, the past eleven years have beenContinue reading “The Secret Beauty”

Contentment

1 Timothy 6:6-8 tells us, ”Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” The truth is we are never satisfied. As Max LucadoContinue reading “Contentment”