Greetings, all! I am the Rev. Dr. Teresa Danieley. Please call me Pastor Teresa. I am so excited to be the new Transitional Priest-in-Charge here at St. Stephen’s and the Vine Episcopal Church, which means that I will be here with you as a half-time priest for at least two years. You all have many assets and many gifts as a congregation already, which is a wonderful foundation upon which to build and expand your ministries – from food ministries to worship services.
Although I am only working here half-time, my priority is to get to know the people who worship here on Sundays and everyone who participates in ministries at St. Stephen’s and the Vine. While I will be available at other times, I will definitely be around St. Stephen’s and the Vine on most Sundays and Tuesdays.
Starting Tuesday, October 28, you will find me most Tuesday mornings from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. at The Garden Studio Cafe at the corner of N. Florissant & Darst for open “office hours.” And, I am available for pastoral visits and set appointments, as well. Please email me at teresa@ststephensandthevine.org or call me at 314-503-7415 to schedule an appointment or pastoral visit.
Notes on Worship in October and November:
As part of my commitment to being half-time, I will not be working at St. Stephen’s and the Vine every single Sunday morning. In general, I will preside three times a month and preach twice a month.
In the next few weeks, the leadership of the 10 a.m. worship service will include the Rev. Loretta Go as preacher and deacon on October 26 and the Rev. Michael Dunnington as preacher and presider on November 2. In addition, Lay Reader Stephen Robin will officiate at Morning Prayer on November 16.
AND I have spoken with several of you about the possibility of trying a different style of worship at a time other than 10 a.m. on Sunday morning during Advent, which starts November 30. One possibility is to have a shorter, meditative worship opportunity using an ancient Bible Study method with candles and icons called “Lectio Divina.” (The linked article is just an example of one of many ways to engage in Lectio Divina). Now – the big question is – Do you want to do Lectio Divina on Saturdays at 5 p.m.? Or Sundays at 8:30 a.m.? Let me know your preference by email by Sunday, November 9, at 12 noon – put “Lectio Divina” in the subject line. Thanks!
Pastor Teresa
teresa@ststephensandthevine.org