Children's choir program adds to strength of music at St. Stephen's
One of our great strengths as a congregation is our fine music program. We are delighted to announce that Alison Askeland has joined our staff as choir director for children and youth.
The children's choir will meet each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Classroom #3 in the education wing. Help us spread the word about the wonderful opportunity for children to receive excellent instruction from an outstanding teacher and musician. The children's choir not only has one of the finest directors in the state, but will also benefit from the highest quality accompanists in Ann Long and Sharon Bolster.
Ann Long is well known at St. Stephen's for her superb musicianship and keyboard skills. She also works as an accompanist for choral groups in the Longview schools during the day.
Sharon Bolster, who will share accompaniment work with the children, teaches elementary music in the public schools of St. Helens, Oregon.
Alison Askeland was born in Montana and attended school there. She has a degree in music education and specializes in choral conducting. Alison teaches choral music at R. A. Long High School and has proven herself as one of the premier choral directors in the state. Her students love her and she works so well with all ages.
Again, we urge you to to tell others about this program. The children's choir is not limited to kids with parents who attend St. Stephen's. Those from the general community who wish to allow their kids to learn how to sing and to have a choral singing experience should be invited to bring their kids for the 9:45 a.m. rehearsal each Sunday. There is no charge. Some larger cities offer privately operated children's choirs, many with steep tuitions.
Howard Meharg, music director at St. Stephen's, says, "I know of a number of private children's choir programs with tuition running several hundred dollars per year. St. Stephen's is offering a program with top level leadership in Alison, Sharon, and Ann that should be attractive for parents...it's just a matter of getting the word out."
Fun! Faith! Food! This Fall!
Wednesday Nights at
Stephen's Table
Fall Faith Formation Program
No Shopping, No Cooking, No Problem!
Bring the kids, bring your friends, relax and enjoy
Drop in for Eucharist, or come for dinner, stay for fellowship and faith growing experiences for all ages. Short units (six weeks) of age specific classes alternate with intergenerational events.
Evening Schedule
* 5:30 Eucharist
* 6:00 Gather and connect
* 6:15 Dinner and community gathering (we'll save a plate for the late!)
* 7:00 - 8:00 Learning, sharing, growing in faith programs (age specific
groups in six weeks units for kids, teens, and adults, alternating with
short intergenerational units)
Fall Calendar
Kick-off Intergenerational Events - September 24, October 1
Fall Francistide unit: October 8-November 12: Planetary Spirituality - Celebrating
Creation and our place in it. Age-specific small groups
Thanksgiving Break - November 24
Advent Intergenerational Events:
December 3, 10, 17 - Care packages for Community House, Labyrinth and Prayer,
Christmas Party
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
presents
a Sunday Evening
Contemplative Arts Series
Fall, 2008
Prepare for the coming week with these
weekly half hour evening prayer and arts experiences to center the soul
and nurture the heart
featuring
Men's Compline Choir
The traditional final prayer service of the day, chanted and sung
Women's Taize Choir
Modern and ancient sounds blend in chant with silent meditation
Walking the Labyrinth
Acoustic music accompanies simple reflective spiritual practice
Visual Arts Meditation
Ancient images meet emerging technology
Angie Warning/office – awarning@sslv.org or sslvadmin@comcast.net
Fr. Richard Green– rgreen@sslv.org or frrichard@comcast.net
Mo. Kathleen Patton– kpatton@sslv.org or mokpatton@comcast.net
Deacon John Ackermann – jfackermann@msn.com
Howard Meharg, Music --howard@sslv.org or hkmeharg@comcast.net
Ann Long, Treasurer - along@sslv.org
Tracy Husmann, Librarian - library@sslv.org