St. Stephen's is an open and welcoming, Christ-centered community where people of all ages and abilities can find caring and acceptance, be formed and nurtured in faith, and go out into our local community to make a difference in the name of the Gospel.

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A New Vicar for St. Stephen’s - Very Rev. John P. Downey

I am very grateful and happy that I will be the Vicar at St. Stephen’s beginning January 1. Sharon joins me in this happiness as we have found a true congregational home at St. Stephen’s. During my time on diocesan staff, I had the opportunity to work with eight churches over four years. I really appreciated that experience, but I also became aware that I wanted to get back in some way to the full life of a congregation.  When I heard that St. Stephen’s was going to be open, the conversations began which led to me being “priest in residence” for most of the past year and now Vicar.

A Vicar is appointed by the Bishop to serve as priest in charge in a mission congregation. I look forward to assuming a larger role and responsibility in the days ahead. As this will be a part-time position, the strong lay leadership and participation which have been characteristic of St. Stephen’s will remain vitally important.

From the beginning, I have sensed that all this has been stirred up by the Holy Spirit. We can trust that God has a hopeful future for St. Stephen’s as we walk together into the next chapter or our life and mission.