Editor/Creator:    Patrice Y. Toney  Main Photographer:    Melton Sadler   Contributors to this Issue:   Rev. Hector Sintim    Melton Sadler    Elnora Gore    Alvah Whealton       

Please email pictures and       submissions for the Grape­vine to: ptoney1@aol.com  

• Priest’s Advent Message  • Advent Series  • 2012 Vestry Members  • ECM Reflections  • Wedding Ceremony   • Baptismal Rites  • Crop Walk 2011  • Outstanding Student Award ­ Janiya Davis 

 • Episcopal Church Men Weekend Celebration 

 • Clergy Appreciation and Heritage Sunday  

 

Holy Eucharist  Sundays, 11:00am Service 

 Mid­week Service Wednesdays, 12 noon 

 Sunday School 

Sunday Mornings, 10am  

Prayer and Bible Study   

 

(336) 724­2416 Rev. Dr. Hector Sintim Priest­in­Charge 

Join us for ourJoin us for our  Services and Study Series Services and Study Series   St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church  

810 N Highland Ave, Winston­Salem, NC 27101 

Advent celebration and traditions can vary from place to place, influ-enced by culture, reason, tradition and liturgy. However, some tradi-tions have come to be common throughout the Church Universal The word 'Advent' comes from the Latin word 'Advents,' meaning 'coming.' Advent is a season that makes the beginning of a new litur-gical year for most Christians, and encompasses the span of time from the fourth Sunday before Christmas, until the Nativity of Our Lord is celebrated. During this season, the liturgical color for is pur-ple. However, most churches use royal blue to mark this season. Compare to Lent, Advent is a preparatory season, a period of getting ready for the great visitor into our hearts and in our lives. A time where we enter into the closets of our lives to remove old “stuffs” in

order to prepare ourselves worthily to celebrate the Lord's coming into the world as the incarnate God of love to all humankind. Thus, to make one’s souls fitting abodes for the Redeemer’s coming in Holy Communion through grace with his people who are called by his name and Who are obedient to his will for them, and finally to make ourselves ready for His coming as judge, at death and at the end of the world. In other words, It is mak-ing a way for our Lord birth so that he will get a place in our lives to live. This season has significance because it is a season of looking forward and waiting for something greater; both for annual celebration of the event of Christ's birth, and for the time when Christ will come and dwell among his people again. Over the years, the themes and traditions of the Advent season have evolved through-out the history of the liturgical season with different themes and meaning. The early Ad-vent season was mainly penitential, close to the theme of the Lenten season - looking at the dark areas of our lives and asking the Savior to be the light. Speaking in general to-day, a penitential theme still exists, blended with the theme of prayerful, spiritual prepara-tion for the second and final coming of the Lord, as well as the joyful preparation for the annual festive remembrance of the Incarnation and Christ's birth. The Advent wreath which is vital to this season , is made of evergreen boughs, symbolizing everlasting life that Christ have come to give humankind. The symbolic circle of the wrath represents the continuous love of God, with no beginning and no end, as well as the soul's immortality. Love with no break, with no conflict, love with no any negative interference or influence. The candles are traditionally lit in the following order: purple, purple, pink, purple, white. The first is called the "Candle of Hope." It symbolizes faith in God through Jesus keeping his promises to humanity everywhere. The second is called the "Candle of Preparation," reminding Christians to "get ready" to receive God‘s incarnate son into their lives. The third candle is the "Candle of Joy." This recalls the angels singing joyfully about the birth of Christ as a way of their witness to the world of a new King who has come to liberate his people from the hands of the evil one - the land of slavery into the promise land. The fourth candle, the "Candle of Love," reminds Christians that God loves them enough to send his only Son to Earth as their savior and Redeemer, and reminding them that all are Welcome irrespective of their past, or present. The "Christ Candle," the white candle in the center, stands for Jesus Christ himself, who is the same today , yesterday and will be tremor for the future, forever.

WHAT HOPE IT HAS FOR US TODAY IN AN ERA OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND UNFA-VOURABLE POLITICAL CLIMATE GLOBALLY

Living in unkind political climate, economic hardship, with unemployment rating very high in the history of this nation, couple with world political unrest and global financial bankruptcy, Advent reminds us to keep our minds, souls, hearts, emotions, emptiness, desires fixed on Jesus. This will enable the promises of God to be fulfilled within us as we continue to have faith in Him and trust him on day to day basis in our live. Time as we know it will come to an end, the kingdom of God will be definitively established, and the general judgment will be revealed- whatever, we might be dealing with as an individ-ual, family or an a family are only for a season and not long. Our forbearers gave each other a warning and a message of hope as they sang, "We shall overcome, we shall overcome some day- soon" The Advent season points us to the precepts of the Lord‘s love and concern for all , who said, "Know that l am with you always and will keep you wherever you go , and will bring you back to this land ( the land peace, abundance, employment, love, good rela-tionship…), for l will not leave you until l have done what l have promise you" (Genesis 28:15). Advent reminds us that this is a time to have faith in the Lord and in all that you do, a time to prepared at all times for the blessings, love , forgiveness and joy in God. In this season, God continues to be Emmanuel. God is always with us. This is our hope for this time. All is going to be well is the message you have to continue to proclaim to yourself and to the people around you - ALL IS GOING TO BE WELL. In the sacramental life of the Church, Jesus has given us this assurance, yet some say that they cannot feel it. Jesus is asking us to accept Him and trust Him and Him only in any circumstance that we may find ourselves in today or tomorrow as He has chosen to present Himself to us in everything that we do or at any time that we call on Him. God is with us in the Sacrament of Baptism, making us His children and assuring us that we are loved by Him and that we are always welcome to Him at anytime. God is with us in the Sacrament of Confirmation, giving us the anointing of the Holy Spirit to participate in the mission of the Church and in the cares of the world. God is with us in the Sacra-ment of the Eucharist, offering His Body and Blood as an assurance that is love is total and without reservation for all who will come to receive Him and call unto Him. During this season of Advent, God is nourishing us with His very life though signs that we can see, feel, experience, taste, hear or touch. What an awesome and a loving Gift. Our Lord Jesus Christ is Emmanuel everyday and for eternity for everyone who wishes to receive Him from now to the end of life. In this advent season, let us remind ourselves in the message of the great compassion of our God, the experience of living a reconciled relationship with God and with each other is made available to us everyday. In what has been called the "great commission," God has appointed each one to be an instrument of blessing and positive change through which every person will experience, understand and accept this gracious offer of knowing that GOD FOR US ALL AND EACH ONE FOR ONE ANOTHER. The sacramental life of the Church, instituted by Christ, is part of the proclamation of His Gospel to the whole nation, of people everywhere. In this Advent season, let the message of the Advent season speak to you in ways that go beyond the celebration of Christmas by educating someone of how to deal or face the issues of today, equipping someone by telling them your story of hope, encourage someone with your experience and empower yourself and others of positive words. May the good Lord continue to bless, guide, encourage and lead you to have faith in Him and we may make all the ef-forts of walking the walk and talking the talk in making a difference in someone’s life in the world to day.

Rev. Dr Hector Sintim

SAINT STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH  

ADVENT SERIES “YOU, YOUR HEALTH AND 

SPIRITUALITY” 

Nov. 30th ‐ Mr.  Ira Palmer   “Self  Spiritual Group Meditation” 

 Dec. 7th ‐ “Communication”  

Between Generations ‐ Youth & Adults  

Dec 14th ‐ Father Lawrence  Womack “Relationship with God and  

Your Spirituality”  

Dec. 21st ‐ Dr. Eric Saddler    “Healthy Teeth for a Life Time” 

 Dec. 24th ‐  Christmas Eve Service Lessons and carols with exchange of 

gifts and food.  

Pictured from left to right: Betty Dillard, Donyetta Drumgoole, Dr. Dwedor Morais Ford, Aston King, Jr., William Murchison, Sylvia Sprinkle Hamlin, Melton Sadler, III, and Bernice Toney. Many thanks to: Timothy Brown, Elnora Gore and Harold Kennedy, III, who rotated off the vestry, for their time, efforts and dedication to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

By Alvah Whealton   

I did not know Mr. John Worsley well, and I still donʹt know him nearly as well as I would like.  I observed him coming forward with the idea of a car wash.   I watched him spearhead the project, coordinating with Mr. Murchison, Mr. King and myself. He was also contacting people be‐hind the scenes, motivating them to come forward at the car wash.   I was not convinced that the car wash would come off, but on that Friday it all came together just like Mr. Worsley said, and just the way he worked to cause it to come together. On the day of the car wash, I was particularly impressed with the way he dealt with the youth. He cre‐ated an atmosphere  that enabled him to convert some of their playful‐ness into hard work, without suppressing that sense of playfulness. It was a joy to watch him working with those kids.  Only a small number of men took part in the planning of the car wash, 

and I saw little evidence that we would have enough people to do the work, especially since we were planning to be there for twelve hours, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  At the same time, Mr. Worsley was tweaking the plans to try to get the maximum number of customers possible.  I could only foresee too many cars and too few workers.  I confess that I went into a serious depression the week preceding the car wash.  I could only hope that something would happen to cancel it.  On the day it finally took place, I managed to show up, however.  Things started out slowly, with only several of us in attendance at first. My sense of dread seemed to have been quite justified at that point. But as more cars began to come in to be washed, more people from St. Stephenʹs began to appear for work. Throughout the twelve hour period we always had enough bodies to do the work.  Mr. Murchison, Mr. Gore, Mr. King  and Mr. Delph seemed to forget how old they were and continued working hour after hour.   Mr. Worsley, God bless him, worked like a thoroughbred the entire 12 hours, while keeping the kids busy and keeping the work flow organized.  I completely gave out before the half‐way point and did nothing after‐ward but count the money that kept coming in.  

The day seemed to me to have been a miracle. On top of everything else, the day we picked in late June turned out to be a very mild day with regard to the heat, and  there was a nice breeze most of the day.  Will there be another car wash in 2012?  Miracles are singular events.  I donʹt bet on lightening strikes or miracles. And unless Mr. Worsley just loves pain, Iʹm not sure I would ask him to go though all that again. 

Wedding Ceremony

For Kyleen and Chuck

November 5th,, 2011 marked the date of the

wedding ceremony uniting Kyleen Tiel Reid and Chuck Dubois Jones, at Goler Memorial AME Zion Church. Reverend

Dr. Seth O. Lartey officiated. The wedding reception followed at the

Holiday Inn Select. Kyleen is the daughter of

Earleen Reid and the granddaughter of Edmund

and Helen Thompson. We extend our sincere congratulations to the newlyweds and wish

them God Speed as they enter their new life

together.

BAPTISMAL RITES HELD AT ST. STEPHEN’S  

 

St. Stephen’s was recently blessed with the Baptisms of two children.  Elena Monae Delph‐Vargas, the daughter of Angelique Delph and granddaughter of Curtis Delph, was officially welcomed as one of God’s chosen, on December 4th at St. Stephen’s.    Selonia Teresa McMillan, daughter of Loni Worsley and Sedrick McMillian, and granddaughter of Carrie and John Worsley, received the Sacrament of Baptist on December 11th.  We are extremely pleased and honored to welcome both babies into the family of God.  We also congratulate all parents and grandparents. 

By Elnora Gore  

St. Stephen’s helped to fight hunger “one step at a time,” by participating in the CROP HUBGER WALK which supported the programs of Church World Service and the food pantries of Crisis Control Ministry & Sunny‐side Ministry. A group of sixteen walkers gathered on Sunday, Octo‐ber 16th at 2:30pm at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum Annex sponsored by members of the church and the com‐munity.  They walked two miles in a perfect weather provided day to symbolize the many miles that some persons must walk to get clean water and food.  

Walkers were: Monica Flower, Ma‐son, Anesco and Marley; Lynn and William C. Stevenson; Mary, Rhyes and Neenah Anderson; Janya Davis, Regan Starkie, Jr., Harvey Hughes, Jr., Andrew Cooper and Elnora, Mi‐chael and Michaelanthony Gore. Thank you walkers and sponsors for contributing $348.00.  

Walkers were sent off during the church service with a Crop Hunger Walk Litany. The congregation said,” May our efforts help to bring food to the hungry and hope for the despair‐ing.” The leader said,” May your steps lead you to greater compassion for a hurting world.” Amen! 

Men’s Weekend Observed  

The weekend of October 29‐30 was observed as Men’s Week‐end at St. Stephen’s Church.  On Saturday, a Men’s Breakfast was conducted and the featured speaker was Michael Clements, Vice President of the Winston‐Salem Foundation.  Several guests attended along with a number of St. Stephen’s Church Men, to make the occasion a memorable one. On Sunday the observance continued, with the Rev. Dr.     Clifford C. Coles serving as both Celebrant and Speaker.          Reverend Coles is a former priest at St. Stephen’s and now  resides in Rocky Mount, NC.