Stewardship Resources

The Meaning of St. Stephen's

What Does St. Stephen's Memorial Anglican Church
Mean To You?

Parish Council Members of St. Stephen's Memorial were asked the question, "What does St. Stephen's Memorial Anglican Church mean to you?" Listed below are some of their responses.

Members of Parish Council include: Chuck McEwan – People’s Warden, Beth McKinley – Deputy People’s Warden, Berend Schieven – Rector’s Warden and Synod Delegate, Marnie McEwen – Deputy Rector’s Warden, Sheila Wilton – Treasurer and Synod Delegate, Laurie Roberts – Council Member, Joanna Santos-Brown – Council Member, John Heddle – Council Member, Lynda Sheils – Council Member, Al Graystone – Synod Delegate, Sandy Otte – Alternate Synod Delegate, The Rev. Peggy Cassin – Deacon (ex-officio member), The Rev. Michael Ferris – Honorary Assistant (ex-officio member), The Rev. Keith Nethery – Rector

• St. Stephen's, next to my family, is the most important part of my life. The St. Stephen's family and friends we have made are the greatest thing that ever happened and it was all because of some caring people when we first arrived.

• St Stephen's is a place that I can go to be with friends who have the same values that I do. It is a place of refuge where during a time of great distress I know I will recieve the support so greatly needed, as was proved during a serious illness and seeing how members support others in need.

• I was invited and introduced to the St. Stephen’s church and community by our friends that already attended St. Stephen's.  We had much in common with them and had been seeking a church that represented our family and our beliefs and their opinion had meant a great deal to us when we considered attending services at St. Stephen’s.  St. Stephen’s has been a welcoming, inclusive and positive spiritual place for my family and I. We believe in the same spiritual goals as well as the community outreach that the church strongly supports in its mission.  We hope to continue to contribute to the church and its community for years to come.

• For many years now (since Easter 1978), St. Stephen's has been a spiritual home and refuge to me. Over the years, the members of our parish family have grown to be some of my most treasured friends, people with whom I can share my faith.

• I find St. Stephen's to be a very friendly church and I look forward to going every Sunday for worshipping and fellowship with my fellow Christians.

• In a word, St Stephen’s Memorial, means family to me. It was founded by veterans, and my parents were among the founders of this Church. The government settled returned soldiers (of WW II) on the land in the area surrounding what became the church. All these families needed a church, for their faith, their families and to help them overcome the trauma that many of them suffered as a result of their war experiences. The only problem was that there was no Church. They banded together (they were all from different denominations) and petitioned all the main stream churches to satisfy their spiritual needs. The church that complied with their wishes and desires and with the least conditions was the Anglican Church of Canada.  As a result, the first year this Church opened its doors, there was a continual succession of conversions to Anglicanism. I grew up in this church, attended all eight grades of Sunday School, was Confirmed by Bishop ‘Gorgeous George’ Luxton, joined and progressed through Wolf Cubs followed by graduation to Boy Scouts followed by X Group (the ancestor of Rovers). So to me St Stephen’s Memorial is family.

• St. Stephen’s is a welcoming church where one can easily grow in both spiritual and personal relationships. The three worship services held range from reflective to educational to vibrant, allowing one a choice that best satisfies their needs. The membership mirrors the diversity of people and relationships that make-up the community that surround us; keeping alive the founding members goal to be open and inclusive of all people.

• 1. Over the many years, many members of the Parish have become very close friends. This Parish Family has become strong spiritual, moral and physical bonds who have become a support to my family and me through all situations, from joy to sorrow, good and bad, sickness and health.

2. The Parish has given me an opportunity to explore my faith. It has allowed me to study, to learn through teaching, to participate in dialog and discussion on matters of faith, Bible teachings, interpretations, and application of faith in daily life and living a life of faith.

3. The Parish has provided me with an opportunity to have regular “quite times”, where I am able to “listen to God”, to express my inner thoughts and prayers in a manner difficult outside of the Church.

4. The Parish provides me with regular updates on Bible readings, and different interpretations, expanding my understanding of the scriptures.

• It is my spirtual being, solitude, and grounding in my life. I feel when I come on Sunday it is my week beginning and the mid-week service adds to this comfort.  During this busy life they are a few hours that  I can regroup and realize what life is suppose to be about, and hopefully, make it a better place not only for myself but those around me.

• St. Stephen’s means to me... a new beginning. Easter 1998, I rediscovered Christ and that started me on my journey with Jesus.

• To me, St. Stephen's is my extended family. It is the one place in society where I feel needed, valued, respected and loved. It is a place where I find peace, reflection, meaningful dialogue and spiritual growth. 

* Please Note: Some comments may have been edited for personal content, so that the comments remain anonymous. Comments are from "Lay" members of Parish Council.