About Us
ST STEPHEN EPISCOPAL CHURCh
| A Faith Community in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island |
| For emergency clergy contact, call Rev Rachel Taber-Hamilton (360) 632 0489 |
| Clergy: The Rev Rachel Taber-Hamilton |
St Stephen Episcopal Church (All Saints Chapel) 555 S. E. Regatta Dr., Oak Harbor, WA |
| For Information call 360-279-0715 Send Mail to: St Stephen Episcopal Church P.O. Box 2754 Oak Harbor, WA 98277 |
Our Mission Statement:
people to unity with God and each other in Christ. Our Core Values:
essential: • Christ Centeredness:
and worship, and will always strive to show love, inclusiveness, kindness, faithfulness, and forgiveness to all people as Christ has taught us.
faithful, and true to our God, our church and each other, practicing good stewardship of God’s creation, ourselves and our resources.
with respect, acceptance, empathy, awareness, justice, extending compassionate understanding to the differences of persons and ideas.
speak compassionately, to be open and aware of others, to welcome questions, to enter into dialogue openly and without prejudice, and to develop honest self reflection. • Compassion
with those who suffer any alienation, lack or hurt; extending comfort and giving generously to those who are struggling while giving thanks for God’s blessings and gifts. |
| St Stephen Episcopal Church meets in All Saints Chapel across the parking lot from what was once the main sanctuary of the church. You may wonder why we are meeting in the chapel instead of the main sanctuary. In 2004, the group that was operating as the vestry of St Stephen Episcopal Church voted to leave the Episcopal Church and establish themselves under a foreign bishop in Brazil, thus forming a group called, "St. Stephen’s Anglican Church". They continue to occupy the large church buildings, claiming ownership. The Episcopalians who did not agree with those actions found themselves searching for an opportunity to worship together. We were “a church without walls”, and in 2005 we began celebrating the Eucharist in private homes. With support from retired Bishop Sandy Hampton,The Rev Charles Forbes, and The Rev Rachel Taber-Hamilton, we formed a new vestry and began rebuilding our congregation. After meeting in private homes for 1 1/2 years, we were allowed back into All Saint's Chapel in January 2007 to worship in the first St Stephen Episcopal church building built in the 50's and now used as a chapel/columbarium. Even though the agreement reached between the diocese and the so-called "Anglican group" states we should share the main church building "in the spirit of reconciliation", as of Oct 2007 the Episcopal congregation has been allowed to use the main church building four times. For each event held in the main sanctuary, we have been told the time and given specific instructions on how we could use the facility. Two of those services were funerals for previous members of St Stephen Episcopal Church; the other two services include a baptism and the celebration of a new ministry when The Rev Rachel Taber-Hamilton was installed as Rector of the congregation. The "so called Anglican" congregation holds the "book" which has all baptismal, confirmation, marriage and death records for the St Stephen Episcopal congregation since 1954, and now on their website they claim the history of St Stephen Episcopal Church and its first vicar as their history. In spite of these inconveniences, our congregation continues to grow. We now number 40, and more are joining us each Sunday. We continue to worship in the 19 x 19 ft chapel, using the seven pews which were left for our use. We are cramped in our worship place, but we welcome you to join us at St Stephen Episcopal Church in Oak Harbor, and we hope you may find a spiritual home with us. |
| After the so-called Anglican group changed their affiliation from the Episcopal Church to the Diocese of Ricife, Brazil, their leadership disposed of the Episcopal Church sign by throwing it on the ground behind the chapel where it stayed until the Faithful Remnant rescued it. |
All Saint's Chapel Door
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Formation of St Stephen Episcopal Church:
church office.
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St Stephen Episcopal Church, Oak Harbor, is a fully supporting member of the Episcopal Church, U.S.A.. We are not affiliated with the Anglican Communion Network, nor with any schismatic or reform movement or group which protests the Faith and Practice of the Episcopal Church, U.S.A.. We are a family centered, lay led, clergy guided, Christ governed community of Christians. We invite you to join us in our worship and service of Almighty God. Episcopal worship is rooted in an appreciation of the Holiness of God. A God who communicates himself, and yet is beyond our knowing. Divinity expressed in the humanity of Jesus has opened our way to the heart of God. Baptism is our intentional immersion into the Love of God. Our responsive relationship is sealed in the outward and visual sign of baptism. It is an eternal covenant and an inward grace is bestowed. |
| Operating Instructions from the Bishop 1. If you have a problem with me, come to me(privately). 2. If I have a problem with you, I will come to you(privately). 3. If someone has a problem with me and comes to you, send them to me (I'll do the same for you). 4. If someone consistently will not come to me, say, "Let's go to Steve together. I am sure he will see us about this." (I will do the same for you). 5. Be careful how you interpret me - I'd rather do that. On matters that are unclear, do not feel pressured to interpret my feelings or thoughts. It is easy to misinterpret intentions. 6. I will be careful how I interpret you. 7. If it's confidential, don't tell. If you or anyone comes to me in confidence,I won't tell unless a) the person is going to harm himself/herself, b) the person is going to physically harm someone else, c) a child has been physically or sexually abused. I expect the same from you. 8. I do not read unsigned letters or notes. 9. I do not manipulate; I will not be manipulated; do not let others manipulate you. Do not let others manipulate me through you. I will not "preach" at you. I will leave conviction to the Holy Spirit (she does it better anyway). 10. When in doubt, just say it. The only dumb questions are those that don't get asked. Our relationships with one another, at the end of the day, are the most important things, so if you have a concern, pray, and then (if led) speak up. If I can answer it without misrepresenting something, someone, or breaking a confidence, I will. |
Pray daily for the return of our church home.
| Welcome To My Church...I am an Episcopalian. My church welcomes everyone. We explore our spirituality in individual ways, but we all meet at the Communion table each week, celebrating our faith with each other. I attend St Stephen Parish in Oak Harbor. You can find Episcopalians like me in many churches in Western Washington. Contact us at chaplain@whidbey.com |
