MINISTRIES
Lifelong Learning
Ministries are listed in alphabetical order as you scroll down this page.
Or, click on a Ministry within the category list for more information.
We welcome new members to all ministries, and also encourage you fill in our
Commitment to Ministry Form
noting ministries that you would like to join now, or may be interested in for the future.
Read about the many ministries of St. Stephen’s, and prayerfully reflect on how
God is calling you to participate in the life of the parish.
ALTAR GUILD
"Since coming to St. Stephens’s, meeting new friends and serving this beautiful church through the Altar Guild has been a joy.” - Donna Bosholm
The Altar Guild is a volunteer group of women and men in the parish whose ministry is most sacred and vital. Their duty is to assist the Rector in creating worship services for all that are both spiritual and beautiful. The Altar Guild members care for the altar, vestments, and altar linens of the parish. Altar Guild members prepare the sanctuary for the services, including preparing the altar for the Eucharist, clean up afterwards, and also prepare the sanctuary for special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, funerals, and weddings.
These are the folks who not only know the names of the parts of the church, they know the church seasons, colors, names of vestments, linens, and holy hardware, and the most widely used church symbols. Interested? As a team member on the rotating schedule, your shift would usually take two hours a month—one hour to setup and one hour to cleanup. On-the-job training and a mentor are provided. Come and volunteer to “take care of The Lord’s table.”
​
For more information on how to get started, contact co-chairs:
Sondra Blanford and Mary McIntosh
AMIGOS DE JESUS
(En Español)
​
Amigos de Jesús es un ministerio sin fines de lucro 501(c)3 con las asistencia de varias Iglesias cristianas cercanas. El ministerio se ofrece a la comunidad hispana de Wimberley, basado en la enseñanza encontrada en Mateo 25:40 – “Todo lo que hicieron a mis hermanos a mí me lo hicieron.”
Amigos de Jesús enfoca en cinco asuntos:
-
El proveer alimentación y necesidades diarias incluso abanicos eléctricos durante el verano y calentadores elétricos durante el invierno
-
El proveer ayuda con emergencias medicas
-
El proveer bicicletas
-
El proveer oportunidades educativas y oportunidades de enriquecimiento
-
El proveer ropa tales como abrigos invernales y guantas
En general Amigos de Jesús trata de mejorar la cualidad de la vida de los servidos. Además Amigos de Jesús apoya y coordina con grupos tales como el Barnabas Connection y el ministerio de la Iglesia Cypress Creek de Actos Buenos y Semillas Buenas.
​
Para más información, contacta con: Mike Kemp.
(In English)
​
Amigos de Jesus is a St. Stephen's outreach ministry and a 501(c)(3) non-profit with assistance from a number of different Christian area churches. The ministry reaches out to the Hispanic community in Wimberley. Its mission is based upon Matthew 25:40: "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me."
Amigos de Jesus efforts are focused in 5 areas:
​
-
Providing food and daily essentials including electric fans in the summer and electric heaters in the winter
-
Helping with emergency medical issues
-
Providing bikes
-
Providing educational and enrichment opportunities
-
Providing clothing such as winter coats, gloves, etc.
In general Amigos de Jesus attempts to improve the quality of life of those we serve. In addition, Amigos de Jesus supports and coordinates with such groups as the Barnabas Connection and the Cypress Creek Church ministry of Good Deeds and Good Seeds.
For information, please contact Mike Kemp.
A/V TEAM
Join the A/V team, led by Eli Ridout, to help St. Stephen with their Sunday live-stream. All experience levels with technology are encouraged to volunteer, as the system is very automated and well-documented. You may train as a team with a friend or family member, then you and your preferred A/V partner can choose one Sunday a month to serve!
For more information, contact: Eli Ridout, A/V Coordinator
ALEXIS POINTE OUTREACH
Our activities at Alexis Pointe include:
​
-
Gospel Sing-Alongs: We gather with the residents every other month, on the 2nd Thursday, from 4:00-4:45 pm. Musicians Joe Blandford, Tom Dawson & Carole Hofstad, along with volunteer singers from St. Stephens and Alexis Pointe residents make a "joyful noise" with favorite hymns. If you are interested in joining in, the Sing Alongs for 2024 are:
-
March 14
-
May 9
-
July 11
-
September 12
-
November 14
-
December 12 (special Christmas Carol Sing-Along!)
-
​
-
​​Buddy Program: Volunteers visit at any time during weekdays and serve as buddies to brighten the day of residents in both assisted living and the memory care unit. Buddies and residents visit, read, sing, and pray together. They also take walks around the facility or participate in activities that are taking place. This ministry is sponsored by Community of Hope but is open to any interested parishioner
​​
-
Therapy Dog Visits: Libby, a golden retriever therapy dog makes twice monthly visits. She spends time in the resident’s rooms, when requested, allowing for “one-on-one” time
For more information and to volunteer, contact Cassie Gresham.
BIBLE BABES
Join the Bible Babes on Monday, a true sisterhood of women who faithfully come together to study the Bible, pray together and celebrate in fellowship our common love of Christ and one another. The group includes women of the Presbyterian Church and Methodist Church as well as St. Stephen's, and is open to all women!
​​
Bible Babes meet on Mondays in the church conference room from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm from September until May; for more information, contact Becky Denton or Cindy Taylor.
CEMETERY
The cemetery ministry is overseen by a board of trustees, which oversees the plot and niche sales and general maintenance of the cemetery grounds of St. Stephen's.
​
For more information, contact: Todd Schmidt
CHRIST-CENTERED PRAYER
Christ-Centered Prayer sessions are get-togethers to share our lives, laugh, read messages from inspired contemplatives, and then spend 20 minutes in communal meditation. We stop whatever we are doing to give God our attention, sit in silence, love Him and let Him love us. "Be still and know that I AM God." (Psalm 46:10) Newcomers are always welcome, and may be given a quick lesson in contemplative prayer during the session, before we meditate. Most of us who meditate daily on our own are granted a sense of well-being. Unlike intercessory prayers for one another, during a meditation we "listen," as we focus our hearts with gratitude on the indwelling Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ for our very breath of life.
​
". . . because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." (John 14:19-20)
​
Christ-Centered Prayer meets in person on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm.
​
For more information, contact Sharon Carter
COMMUNITY OF HOPE INTERNATIONAL
Community of Hope International equips lay people to serve in all forms of pastoral care. Pastoral care is when a person is being “present” in a listening, compassionate, non-controlling manner to an individual or group for the purpose of consciously or unconsciously representing God to them, and seeking to respond to their spiritual needs.
​
Through ongoing, spiritual formation and practical lessons on care giving, members learn to match theological insights and spiritual practices with their experiences of ministering to others and giving spiritual guidance. Pastoral care settings include, but are not limited to those who are homebound, in hospitals, in assisted living, or anyone experiencing illness or a loss of any kind. This care includes regular therapy dog visits to Alexis Pointe Assisted Living and Deercreek Nursing & Rehabilitation.
​
If you are interested in being part of the Community of Hope International, or if you should have a need for a lay Chaplain, please contact Carolyn Galle, Cassie Gresham, or Marsha Acock.
COMMUNION BREAD BAKERS
Volunteer to be a bread baker for the communion bread that is shared during worship. Bakers serve for one month, on a rotating basis.
​
For more information please contact the Church Office.
CRISIS BREADBASKET
The Wimberley Crisis BreadBasket is comprised of neighbors helping neighbors by providing food and encouragement. Their mission is:
-
To provide food on a short-term basis for economically disadvantaged persons and families who reside in the Wimberley, Texas area, and who shall list a Wimberley, Texas address and telephone number, if available or live in the WISD School district.
-
To collect, receive and store food donated by any person, firm, corporation or charitable institution.
-
To accept monetary donations from any person, corporation or charitable institution for the purchase of food or to defray expenses of the Crisis Bread Basket.
-
To encourage and provide support for families with long-term needs to transition to other agencies.
​
Also, we have a new opportunity to work with Crisis Breadbasket and our brothers and sisters from several other Wimberley churches to provide food to needy school children during the Christmas holidays. Deliveries will be made on December 22nd and 29th. Pick-up will be made at Crisis Breadbasket by 11:00am each of those days. This food distribution will be much like the one we did over the summer months.
​
For more information contact office@ststeve.org.
CURSILLO
Cursillo is a Spanish word which means a short course. In this case it is a short course in Christian, Apostolic Living. Participants in the Cursillo weekend gain tools and "rules of life" for living their Christian faith in order to enthusiastically share the joy of knowing Christ with others in their everyday environments. Cursillo is a laity-led weekend and is patterned on Jesus' example of searching out and calling groups of potential leaders, training them and then sending them out to bring the world to Him.
The Cursillo weekend begins on Thursday evening and ends on Sunday afternoon. Participants listen to talks presented by the team members and engage in discussion, study, reflection, fellowship and worship (and enjoy most excellent culinary treats prepared by our diocesan chefs). The weekend begins with introspection and is filled with music, fun, and fellowship with others from across the diocese.
If you are interested in attending a Cursillo or for more information on how to participate please contact Katy Shugart. Our Cursillo reunion group meets on Thursdays at 10:00 am.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
The Daughters of the King (DOK) is a group of women participating in various ministries of the church who meet together and pray for the mission of the church, with an emphasis on the sevenfold gifts of the spirit.
The Daughters of the King is a sisterhood of members who have trained for three months and vow to observe the Order's Rule of Prayer and Rule of Service, the Benedictine Rule of Life. The focus of this group is prayer and ministry.
For information on how to participate contact: Robyn Bitzkie.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
St. Stephen's is proud to have its own chapter of National Episcopal Church Women. The ECW mission is "to develop relationships throughout the Community, to create events to raise funds to address the needs of St. Stephen's Church and School, and the community at large."
​
Board Members include: Carroll Dolezal, Sharon Lucier, Esther Purcell, Barbara Rodgers, Kristen Schmidt, Sherri Schmitt, Joann Seeberger, and Elisa Webster.
​
If interested, please contact Sherri Schmitt.
FEAST OF FRIENDS
The "Feast of Friends" small-group ministry is meeting again this Fall, once a month during the months of October through December.
​
Contact Beth Jordan if you would like more information!
GREAT GENERATIONS
GARDENING ANGELS
A group of volunteers of all ages meets on a project-by-project basis to maintain the various gardening areas around the church campus, including the Courtyard and Nursery gardens. Projects are underway on select Saturdays.
​
For more information, contact: Joe Blanford.
GREAT GENERATIONS
Great Generations Gathering provides a venue where retired, or not-retired people can come together to exchange the richness of their lives and to express thanks to God for their blessings in a variety of ways. EVERYONE is invited and there are no obligations or requirements for participation in the program.
Great Generations gathers every 3rd Wednesday at 11:30 am; we may have short informative and/or entertaining programs each month in addition to singing and enjoying the music of others.
​
A luncheon is provided. The main course is provided through funds provided by the "kitty' which is optional for people to contribute to; sides and desserts are provided by attendees on an optional basis. We will visit and enjoy life together! Great Generations is a fellowship ministry open to All, including friends and family! You are always welcome, whether you are bringing a side or dessert, or not!
​
Great Generations is a fellowship-based gathering, which has occurred monthly for more than 10 years, with the premise that getting to know others better in an unstructured setting helps to create an atmosphere of loving relationship among participants, which is essential to the foundational well-being of our parish family and beyond.
For information on how to participate contact Carroll Dolezal.
GriefShare
After the funeral, when the cards and flowers stop coming, most of the people around you return to their normal lives. But your grief continues and you feel alone. Often, friends and family want to help you, but don’t know how. That’s the reason for GriefShare.
Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and have successfully rebuilt their lives. We understand how you feel because we’ve been in the same place. We will walk with you on the long path through grief toward healing and hope for the future.
Our group provides help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend in a safe confidential environment.
The weekly sessions are designed to be “self-contained” and yet “open” like an emergency room, meaning that a person can join at any point during the 13-week cycle. Some participants have repeated the sessions. Timing is personal to grief.
​
If you, or someone you know, feel you might benefit from these sessions, please contact Evie Martin or call St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Office, 512.847.9956, to leave your contact information.
​
The next session begins January 9, 2024!
HELPING HANDS
Assist in maintenance of church grounds and facilities. And, assist church members in need with their home maintenance.
When there is a room at the church that needs painted, we paint it. When there is a tree that needs trimmed back at the church we do that. When there is a church member that needs maintenance help around their house doing basic things or overseeing a contractor for something major, we do that.
Contact Terry Jordan to volunteer, or if you need our Helping Hands!
HOLY GROUNDS (Coffee Hour!)
Join the team of Holy Grounds Hosts help welcome visitors and newcomers to St. Stephen's church after the 10:30am Sunday morning service with a coffee social. Many of our St. Stephen's congregation share their gift of giving through this Coffee Hour ministry. Individuals serve as often as they wish by signing up to host on a certain day. Volunteer hosts are always appreciated.
For information on how to participate contact the Church Office at 512-847-9956 or office@ststeve.org
KITCHEN ANGELS
We all enjoy the snacks provided in McArthur Hall during coffee hour and church special events. Back in the kitchen there is another group of volunteers, the Kitchen Angels, that keep the pantries, counters, sinks, appliances, and linens neat, tidy, and organized. This sparkling ministry even takes home a full laundry basket of soiled dish towels to wash, dry, fold, and then return to McArthur Hall for the next round of snacking.
If you are interested in signing up solo or with a buddy, you, too, can gain the sweet title of “Kitchen Angel.” Training and instructions are readily available. Simply contact Evie Martin and Mary McIntosh to show you the ropes.
MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
The Men's Tuesday Bible Study group brings together members who discuss what they have learned, share and learn from each other, all in a confidential setting. An ecumenical group, members are from both St. Stephen's and from other religious affiliations.​
​
The group meets every Tuesday morning beginning at 8:30 am at a private home in Driftwood, close to the church.
​
Contact Dick Dziezyk for more information.
ORDER OF NAUCRATIUS
The Order of Naucratius is an organization of hunters and fishers who share their harvests with those who are hungry. Throughout the Gospel accounts, Jesus takes food, he blesses it, breaks it up, and gives it to the people. This is not his work alone, he also instructs his followers to do the same. St. Naucratius follows the Lord's instruction to "do this in remembrance of me."
St. Stephen's chapter of the Order of Naucratius supports Amigos de Jesus or other food distribution organizations. For more information on how to participate, contact Dave Boyd.
PRAYER SHAWL
Prayer shawls are made and given to let those who are having a hard time, either medically or in other challenges in life, know that they are being prayed for and loved.
Shawls are also helpful for warmth in cold hospital rooms. We meet each Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the church in McArthur Hall.
Regardless of your needlecraft skills, we’d love to have you join us in this worthwhile ministry. Beginner or Pro . . . we don’t care. If you are just learning to knit or crochet, we’ll help you through the rough patches. And if you are a pro, we’d appreciate your expertise and welcome your help in teaching those of us with less experience.
For information on how to participate contact Nancy Henson.
PRAYER WARRIORS
Through intercessory prayer, the Prayer Warriors fulfill all requests for parishioners, their families, and former parishioners who are in need of prayer. More than 150 Prayer Warriors pray for each person on our prayer list.
To request prayers, use the button provided, or email the Church Office.
ROADSIDE CLEANUP
Wear the vest!
Discover the before and after of Roadside Cleanup!
Would you like to make a difference to our beautiful Wimberley Valley Community? Discover the before and after of Roadside Cleanup. We clean two sections of highway (about five miles) four times a year as part of the Texas Department of Transportation's "Adopt a Highway" Program. Serve God, our wonderful church and community, and get gentle exercise and fresh air all at the same time? After no more than two hours our roadside is transformed. This will put a smile on your face. Satisfaction guaranteed!
​
Save the dates on your calendar for all of the 2024 cleanups!
-
March 2, 2024
-
June 8, 2024
-
September 14, 2024
-
December 14, 2024
SEEKERS
Formerly known as Bible Babes, our Thursday group of women meet weekly to study the Bible and other insightful books from varied sources and religions to broaden our Christian journey. Open to All Women!
The Seekers are currently studying “Becoming Human," and meet at 1:00 pm each Thursday in Meeting Room 1. For additional information, please contact Nancy Jenkins. Make plans to join us this Fall!
ST. STEPHEN'S SANTA
St. Stephen’s Santa ministry was created to help provide needy families in the Wimberley community with gifts and food for Christmas. The children of these families are “adopted” by our church members, who then donate money or purchase gifts for them. All gifts, along with a full Christmas meal, will be delivered to the families before Christmas Day. The Santa Ministry is an opportunity for EVERYONE to take part in the spirit of giving during the Christmas season.
Plan on helping the Santa Ministry in 2023:
​
-
“Adopt" a family by taking an ornament off the tree in the Chapel or Church
narthex -
Bring gifts to McArthur Hall by the designated date
-
Make monetary donations in any amount
-
Donate gift wrapping supplies: boxes, wrapping paper, tape, etc.
-
Wrap gifts and/or sort food on immediately following both services
on a Sunday soon thereafter
Volunteers are also needed to help shop for gifts, and on Santa Distribution Day directing traffic and load gifts. For more information, contact Sharon Krebs.
TRAILBLAZERS
THE NATURE TRAIL was built in 2002-2003 by the Trailblazers and is maintained by this ministry led by Art Crowe. The Trail is open to the general public dawn to dusk year-round. It is about two miles long. Along the way you will notice bas-relief ceramic icons, representing the 14 Stations of the Cross on the way up the hill and the 14 Stations of the Cross on the way down. The icons were designed by a group of St. Stephen’s artists under the direction of Carroll Dolezal. The niches protecting the icons were constructed by the Trailblazers, as was the outdoor chapel. There is an area on the trail, past the fountain, that is dedicated to all Episcopal priests who have served St. Stephen’s.
​The Trailblazers is the ministry behind St. Steve's nature trail and labyrinth.
THE LABYRINTH is an archetype, a divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world. It was created and maintained by the Trailblazers ministry, led by Art Crowe. It is open the public from dawn to dusk year round. By walking our replica of the Chartres Labyrinth, laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral around 1220, you are rediscovering a long forgotten mystical tradition that is insisting to be reborn.
Guidelines for the walk: Clear your mind and become aware of your breath. Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to go. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives; it touches our sorrows and releases our joys. Walk it with an open mind and an open heart. You may “pass” people or let others step around you, whichever is easiest, at the turns. The path is two-way; those going in will meet those coming out. Do what feels natural when this happens.
You may think of walking the labyrinth in three stages:
-
Purgation: a releasing, a letting go of the details of your life. This is an act of shedding thoughts and emotions. It quiets and empties the mind as you walk into the labyrinth.
-
Illumination: may occur when you reach the center. Stay there as long as you like. It is a place of meditation and prayer. Receive what is there for you to receive.​
-
Union: which is joining God, the divine healing force at work in the world. Each time you walk out of the labyrinth you become more empowered to find and do the work you feel your soul reaching for.
YOGA
Join us for Gentle Yoga on the mat or in the chair. Please bring your own mat. Classes are held on Tuesdays at 4:00 pm in McArthur Hall. Pay what you want; a portion of the proceeds are donated to the church.
​
All are welcome to Gentle Yoga. These classes are open to the public and available for all abilities. No experience is necessary. We use yoga to sharpen our focus, improve our posture, and to help us heal the aches and pains of body and heart.
For those that would like additional yoga routines to do on their own, please see the Gentle and Chair Yoga YouTube playlists below. These recorded videos may be viewed in any order.
For more information, contact: Carla Daws
