Rally Day / Backpack Blessings / Fall Program Guide

Saint Stephen’s,

 The most wonderful day is here!  I love the start of a new school year.  There is excitement because we start over and begin fresh.  We can set new patterns, reach new goals, build new friendships, and do not have to be bound to the way things have always been.  If you want to make Sunday school a habit, now is your chance.  If you want to make regular church attendance your thing, there is not a better time to begin.  Rally Day is here; a wonderful time to find something new.  There is a lot in this email, and I will try to put everything you need in these bullet points:

  • The Fall Program Guide is now available.  You can download it here.  It is over 30 pages filled with the programs and offerings of Saint Stephen’s.

  • During the 10:15am service, students and teachers of all ages will be invited forward to have their backpacks, school bags, briefcases or just themselves to be blessed and receive a special blessing tag.

  • During the 10:15am service, we will take a special parish wide picture, and I am hopeful to make this a regular tradition to watch our church grow.

  • As you leave the service, you are invited to take a Swag Bag from one of the ushers which you may find helpful as you gather information and different goodies. 

  • Following the service, we will have a potluck lunch.  The church will provide fried chicken, water, and tea.  You can drop your food off before the service, and we will have staff at the elevator to help you when you arrive.

  • During lunch, you are invited to wander and learn about all of the programs of our church.  You can go ahead and see a map of where the ministries will be located here. 

  • On the stage in the Parish Hall, you will be able to pick up other fun swag such as a cup, phone wallet, car decal, notepad, and Wednesday Night Live magnet.

  • Additionally, you may have your picture taken for our Church Directory App.

  • Also, on the stage, you can register to win that very morning an evening for two in the downtown Hilton and a $50 gift card to the Lab Restaurant for a good in-town getaway. 

It is going to be an awesome and energy filled Sunday, and I am excited about beginning the program year with each of you.  We will formally launch Sunday and Wednesday programs after Labor Day and Rally Day will help you learn all about the different offerings.  It’s a great time to find something new, whether that is being an Usher, or a Lay Eucharistic Minister, or signing up for a weekday small group.  Come and join the excitement at Saint Stephen’s.

 Faithfully,

 The Rev. John B. Burruss

John Burruss