Meet St. Stephen's, Durham

By The Rev. Bob Kaynor

St. Stephen’s is recognized for its welcome, the beauty of its space, its music, its art and stained glass windows, its preschool and its grounds.  We began life as a parish in 1959 and celebrate our 59th anniversary this year.  While much has happened in that period of time, more is happening right now for which we give great thanks.

The month of May began with a visit from our new diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman.  The prayers the bishop says to confirm and receive people into the Episcopal Church are very important and include these words: “Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before them.…” (BCP p. 418).  The covenant has been made and is now being renewed. Commitment to that covenant calls forth the desire to serve in the ways God has set forth in their lives. We are not finished products and we are not perfect, but we are being perfected in all that we do and all that we are. It is a journey worth taking, and as members of Christ’s body we gather to recognize this and support those who have chosen to do likewise in this Church and in our parish. Our community of faith is being revitalized and renewed before our very eyes!

It is natural to think about renewal in the springtime as the earth shakes off the dormancy of winter, and at St. Stephen’s, renewal is happening in other ways, as well. Our Spring Yard Sale was a wonderful event, and perhaps the most special part of it was watching all of our volunteers working together, getting to know each other and having a great time in the process. Our donors were especially gratified to see that the things they contributed were purchased by others who really wanted them, or by knowing that everything had a purpose and was put to good use.

As I look out my office window I see that the Preschool Garden is growing and being renewed, too, and I am reminded that it needs tending just as all gardens do. Farmer Phil notes that it is important to connect children with the earth, to help them understand that the ground is not simply something upon which they walk or stand. Our children come from different social, ethnic, racial, religious and regional backgrounds, but they all share together in their fascination with watching things grow and bringing home the fruits of the earth.

May we all join in spirit with the bishop as he prays for the renewal of the covenant in those newly received, and may the renewal of our own baptismal vows be heartfelt, that we are empowered by God’s Spirit to fulfill the call to service we have each been given.

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