Christ & Saint Stephen's Church

06/11/2026

Collect ~ June 11: SAINT BARNABAS THE APOSTLE

GRANT, O GOD, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Paolo Veronese, Barnabas curing the sick, c. 1566. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen, Normandy, France.

06/10/2026

Here is the Pentecost III, Proper 6, Year A, RCL SCRIPTURE & SAINTS Edition of the CSSeNews for Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Under the Crabapple Tree in the Garden at Christ & Saint Stephen’s.

06/10/2026

Collect ~ June 10: EPHREM OF NISIBIS, Deacon and Poet, 373

POUR OUT UPON US, O LORD, that same Spirit by which your deacon Ephrem declared the mysteries of faith in sacred song; that, with gladdened hearts, we too might proclaim the riches of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Artist unknown, Ephrem the Syrian, mosaic, 11th century. Nea Moni of Chios, Greece.

06/09/2026

We named our chapel the St. Cyprian’s Chapel in memory of one of the Episcopal Churches that was destroyed. Some of their parishioners wound up at Christ & Saint Stephen’s.

06/09/2026

Collect ~ June 9: COLUMBA OF IONA, Monastic, 597

O GOD, who by the preaching of your servant Columba caused the light of the Gospel to shine in Scotland: Grant, we pray, that, remembering his life and labors, we may show our thankfulness to you by following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

John Duncan, St Columba Bidding Farewell To The White Horse, Scottish, oil and tempera on canvas, 1925. Private Collection.

06/08/2026

Collect ~ June 8: MELANIA THE ELDER, Monastic, 410

MOST HIGH AND MERCIFUL GOD, who called your servant Melania to forsake earthly comforts in order to devote herself to studying the scriptures and to welcoming the poor: Instruct us in the ways of poverty and the grace of hospitality, that we might comfort those who have no place to rest and teach the way of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Artist unknown, Melania the Elder, contemporary icon.

06/07/2026

The Collect ~ Proper 5

O GOD, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Master of James IV of Scotland, The Holy Trinity Enthroned, tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment, c. 1510–1520. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California.

‘The inscription is on an illiusionistic “scroll” made to seem pinned to the page. The words in red are Die dominica h**e de sancta trinitate ad matutinam, “The hours for Trinity Sunday in the morning.” The words in black are the customary opening for morning prayers, Domine l***a mea aperies, “O Lord, open my lips.” ’ — www.christianiconography.info/Wikimedia%20Commons/trinityFlemish.html

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

https://relevantmagazine.com/current/science/the-neuroscience-of-encountering-god/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSQgQtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5TVpmQ1FmMDBsZEFPVlJ4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnyeq600Iw7I7mkWkRksU5vGHhct4b_QaBRFdfYLRwgPloRAdV7e2ncjYKfp_aem_FcJ6_T6g2GGomFcZ5xYuXQ

06/05/2026

Here is the Pentecost II, Proper 5, Year A, RCL Announcements Edition of the CSSeNews for Friday, June 5, 2026

Peony in the Garden at Christ & Saint Stephen’s.