Our Blog
Weekly reflections, updates, and news about our St. Stephen’s Community.
The Gifts of the Spirit in a Post-COVID World
This Sunday we will gather at one service at 9:30 a.m. outside on the playground to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. As you remember, Pentecost marks the beginning of the Church. The disciples gathered in Jerusalem and received the Holy Spirit so that all who were...
Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven
On Wednesday morning, the day after the massacre of 19 children and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas, I was leading chapel for students at our day school, children who were 15 months-12 years old. Many of the students and all the teachers were aware of the shooting. All of...
The Peace that Passes Understanding
I think it is no accident that when Jesus is saying goodbye to his friends before his death, he offers them the gift of peace. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be...
Ashley Dellagiacoma Joins St. Stephen’s as Associate Rector
After a nationwide search for an associate rector, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church has extended a call to Ashley Dellagiacoma, and she has accepted. Ashley will join the St. Stephen's community on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 Ashley, a native Houstonian, is currently...
Entering into Mystery: the Wonder of the Triduum
There are few times in our lives when we enter so fully into an experience that time seems to stand still; we are transfixed in the moment (or days). Childbirth, falling in love, attending to a dying loved one, recovering from a critical illness are examples of...
Knowing and Not Saying
One of the signs of wisdom is that a person can know or recognize a truth, without having to say it to a person or group who cannot, or will not listen. They simply know it. My middle sister, Helen, exhibits this kind of wisdom when we are together in the kitchen...
St. Stephen’s Community Cares For Refugees Here at Home
During April, the three Abrahamic faiths will be observing some of their holiest days. Easter, Passover, and Ramadan will be observed in the same two week period. These holidays call people to remember those who are oppressed, enslaved, victims of state violence, and...
Looking at Others and the World: What’s your Point of View?
From now on, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2...
What Relationship Does God Have with Evil?
One of the most vexing questions that human beings have about God is the relationship of the Divine to evil. If God is all powerful and all loving, why does God allow evil to happen, especially to good people? These questions are known in theology as...
Freedom and Mandates
This week Bishop Andy Doyle issued a statement to the heads of congregations in the Diocese of Texas: As you well know, we have turned the decision-making regarding COVID protocols over to you as heads of congregations and institutions. I want to let you know that the...