May 7, 2012 by admin.

“Rev. Dave” was spotlighted Saturday in the Daily News in a wonderful article by Carol Waterloo Frazier.

You can download a scan of the article here.

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April 13, 2012 by admin.

“Father Joe” Koch died Thursday, April 12, 2012 in Jefferson Regional Medical Center at age 84.

Koch, of Elizabeth Township, was born in McKeesport on May 7, 1927, the son of the late James and Gladys Koch. A graduate of Trinity Episcopal Seminary, he was ordained as a deacon at St. Stephen’s in 1987 and as a priest in 2006. He was serving as priest of Transfiguration Church in Clairton at the time of his death.

A veteran of World War II, where he served in the Merchant Marines, “Father Joe” retired from General Motors’ Pittsburgh Plant (Fisher Body) after 45 years’ service.

A member of F&AM Aliquippa Lodge and American Legion Post 0331 in Trafford, “Father Joe” is survived by his wife, the former Lillian Mae Dutko; sons, Joseph J. Koch, of Columbia Station, Ohio; Lawrence K. Koch, of Monaca, Beaver County; and Robert B. Koch, of West Newton; a daughter, Christine Fox of St. Joseph, Mich.; a brother, James B. Koch, of Mentor, Ohio; grandchildren, a great-grandson, and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, George Koch.

Father Joe’s funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Stephen’s with the Most Rev. Robert Duncan officiating, assisted by the Rev. Karl Petterson. Internment to follow at the columbarium of St. Stephen’s. There is no public visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Transfiguration Anglican Church, 447 Halcomb Ave., Clairton, PA 15025. Arrangements are in charge of Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Boston, Elizabeth Township.

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April 4, 2012 by admin.

Congratulations to parishioner and acolyte Aaron Matta, who has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Just two percent of Boy Scouts in the United States achieve Eagle rank.

Aaron began scouting in first grade as a Tiger Cub in Pack 98. He received his Arrow of Light award and advanced into Boy Scout Troop 679 in fifth grade.

Since joining Troop 679, Aaron has served as a Troop Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. He is also a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Aaron has worked on numerous community projects with the scouts over his 12 years as a member.

Aaron is a three-year letterman and starting goalkeeper for the Elizabeth-Forward High School soccer team, four-year letterman on the track team in pole vaulting, a member of the Elizabeth-Forward Soccer Association, and goalkeeper for the Pittsburgh Football Club, Junior Hounds. He is on the Honor Roll at Elizabeth-Forward, an athletic scholar award winner and an all-tournament player award winner.

Aaron is a member of the co-ed volleyball team, SADD, Physics Club, Interact Club and TFIM Club, and president of the Ski Club. He has volunteered for nine years with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. He is a recipient of the Bishop’s Award for Service.

In his spare time, Aaron likes to snowboard, play dek hockey and go fishing. He is a certified lifeguard and is currently employed by Brandywine Agency. He will be attending Penn State Erie—Behrend College, where he will be majoring in engineering and has been recruited to play on the campus’ soccer team.

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April 4, 2012 by admin.

• Vestry meetings will now be on Tuesdays. Fr. Dave suggested that the Vestry continue to meet throughout the summer.
• John Ochap was elected Junior Warden; Pat Greene will continue as Church Clerk.
• Karen Slobodian was appointed by Fr. Dave as Senior Warden.
• Denise Ritter was appointed chair of the Communications Committee; Ethel Balas was appointed chair of the Pastoral Care Committee.
• Fr. Dave will distribute his schedule to the Vestry members two months ahead of time.
• Lani Temple is in the process of completing the grant application for the new roof.
• The next Vestry meeting will be April 10.

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April 4, 2012 by admin.

Maundy Thursday — Agape Meal/Stripping of the Altar: 6:30 p.m.

Good Friday — 12 p.m.

Easter Sunday — 8 a.m. (Rite I), 10 a.m. (Rite II) 
(Easter tea to follow at 11:30 a.m.)

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March 21, 2012 by admin.

Save $1.50 on any dinner this Friday (March 23) and next Friday (March 30) at our fish fry. Click the coupon, print it out, and bring it with you. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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March 12, 2012 by admin.

The March 2012 newsletter is now online. You will need a PDF reader (such as Adobe Reader) to view the file.

Download the March 2012 Newsletter (PDF)

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March 12, 2012 by admin.

Palm Sunday, April 1

• Holy Eucharist, Rite I: 8 a.m.
• Procession of Palms: 9:45 a.m.
• Holy Eucharist, Rite II/Passion Reading: 10 a.m.

Maundy Thursday, April 5

• Agape Meal/Holy Eucharist/Stripping of the Altar: 6:30 p.m.

Good Friday, April 6

• Good Friday Services: 12 noon
• Fish Fry: 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 8

• Holy Eucharist, Rite I: 8 a.m.
• Holy Eucharist, Rite II: 10 a.m.

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March 12, 2012 by admin.

By the Rev. David L. Kinsey

Every day should be a reason for celebrating the numerous gifts which God has bestowed upon each of us. We recently celebrated several festive occasions—Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah and New Year’s. These festive occasions are all about renewal, loving one another and giving thanks for the innumerable benefits each of us have received. However, if everyone stands in line to receive we could not receive the benefits of another person’s love since everyone is standing in line—waiting to receive.

There are two types of people in this world. Takers and Givers. We are born into this world as takers. Understandably so. We can do nothing for ourselves. We cannot feed, clothe  or bathe ourselves, so we depend on our parents or guardians to do these things for us. As we grow older, it is the responsibility of our parents to help us shed the takers’ needs and develop us as givers. My parents taught me well. “David, don’t give until it hurts, give until it feels good.”

How well I remember the process of transforming from a taker to a giver. I found comfort in having Mom and Dad do everything for me. So the process was gradual and yes, often painful. But I saw the blessings bestowed upon my parents by God because of their generosity. Their entire life was based on reaching out and touching the hearts of all they met. My Mom and Dad were God’s Masterpiece. And you—you were born with the “need to be loved” and you never lose that need. You too, when born, are God’s Masterpiece.

Unfortunately, somewhere on life’s highway, some individuals take the “Scenic Route of Life.” They have no desire to move from taker to giver. It’s all about ME and what can you do for ME. They live life with their hand out expecting help from everyone, including their family, the church, the synagogue and the government. How sad. What a waste of the potential of developing a talent that God has given them.

While everyone is born with the need to be loved, everyone’s greatest fear—for their entire life—is rejection. Perhaps the root of the problem has been rejection. Perhaps they were not afforded the opportunity of parental guidance. I have seen so many lives changed from takers to givers because they see the value in the importance of giving.

So if you see someone in need, don’t give them a fish—rather, teach them to fish. That is your Godly responsibility. And besides, someday they will love you for it.

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February 28, 2012 by admin.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Price, Jr., provisional Bishop of Pittsburgh, will visit St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, March 4 for the 10 a.m. service. A reception will follow in the church undercroft.

Dr. Price has served as provisional bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh since October 2009.

His visit will be hosted by the Rev. David L. Kinsey, who was named Priest-in-Charge of St. Stephen’s by Dr. Price on Feb. 1, 2012.

Bishop suffragan, or assistant bishop, in the Diocese of Southern Ohio since 1994, Dr. Price has taken as his primary ministry the Diocese of Pittsburgh until a new permanent bishop is elected and installed. He also serves as secretary of the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops and was appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Windsor Report Reception Committee.

A new Bishop of Pittsburgh is to be elected by the Diocese in April, and consecrated in October.

Dr. Price was born in Charleston, W.Va. He is a graduate of the General Theological Seminary and Marshall University and was ordained deacon and priest in West Virginia in 1968 and bishop suffragan in Southern Ohio in 1994.

Sunday’s visit is Dr. Price’s second formal trip to McKeesport since his installation.

He and his wife, Mariann Prosser, currently divide their time between homes in Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio. They have two grown children.

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