Midnight Run
The next Midnight Run is this Friday, May 9th. Donations are being accepted until May 7th. Needed: spring/summer men’s clothes, toiletries, backpacks. Drop-off is in North Hall, 3rd floor. Contact Vince Carrozzi 431-6067 or Cuyler 438-3789 ext. 12 with questions.

CYCLONE RELIEF
Episcopal Relief and Development is providing emergency assistance to communities in Burma affected by Cyclone Nargis. The storm, packing winds up to 120 miles per hour, swept through the country on Saturday, leaving at least 23,000 people dead and 41,000 people missing. The situation in Burma is dire. At best, the infrastructure in Burma is marginal and the storm has placed an unbearable strain on already limited services. Power outages and scattered debris across the country continue to hamper recovery efforts. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of homes were destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without shelter. Working with our partner, the Anglican Church of Burma, Episcopal Relief and Development is sending funds to secure shelter, food water and other relief needs for people displaced by the Cyclone. To help people affected by the cyclone in Burma, please make a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development's "Myanmar & Cyclone Response Fund" online at http://www.er-d.org, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development "Myanmar & Cyclone Response" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

CONFIRMATION
On May 17 at 4pm St. Stephen's will host Retired Bishop Clarence N. Coleridge as he confirms members of the 9th grade confirmation class as well as several adults who have completed an Adult Inquirer's Class. All parishioners are invited to attend. Those 9th graders choosing to be confirmed will have completed a year of church school Sunday mornings and two evening classes, attended two retreats, participated in extra activities such as the 30 Hour Famine, written a test and an essay, and been interviewed by clergy and Cuyler. We'll continue to emphasize to confirmands that confirmation is merely at the beginning of a life-long dedication to Jesus and his church. Please pray for our young members that God will continue to strengthen them in faith and use them for his glory all their days. A special thanks to Cindy Johnstone, Vince Carrozzi and Rich Duncan for providing leadership to the Class of '08.

CHURCH SCHOOL CHILDREN
Food Donations: Mission is asking the Sunday School students for food donations for The Daily Bread Food Pantry at St. James in Danbury. Items may be left in the boxes in the Narthex and in the North Hall basket anytime during the month of April. They are in need of fruit juice, canned fruit and meals-in-a-can (like stew).

WELCOMING CHILDREN TO GOD’S TABLE
Mark, Emily and Libby will lead a class for children and their parents on participating in the sacrament of Holy Communion after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, May 18th. The class will take place in the church. For more information, please contact Rev. Emily at the church office: 438-3789 or through her e-mail: erichards@ststephens-ridgefield.org.

Field of Flags Dedication Service
On Sunday, May 18th at noon the First Congregational Church at 103 Main St. will host a silent, non-political, yet poignant reminder of the cost of war. Each flag is dedicated to a soldier lost in Afghanistan or Iraq. Light refreshments in the parlor starting at 11:00am. For more information call the FCC church office 438-8077

Mary Brewster Event
The Mary Brewster Committee hopes you'll attend a full moon, fireside, drumming circle on Tuesday, 5/20/08, at Bluestone Farm. The event is from 6:30-8:30. You can carpool with others from the church parking lot or make your own way to 118 Federal Hill Road, Brewster, NY 10509. For more information please call Bluestone at 845-278-9777.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - June 23-27
Registration continues for parishioner’s and others who are interested. Registration forms are available in North Hall, South Hall or the Narthex. They can also be emailed if you’d like to drop an email to lsassano@ststephens-ridgefield.org. Teens and adults ~ let us know if you can help out!

PRISON MINISTRY WEEK!
We are still looking for host families, drivers and volunteers to help out with our Summer Prison Ministry Week July 6-10 . Please contact Marion Roth at 438-1588 or Rev. Emily Richards at 438-3789 or erichards@ststephens-ridgefield.org with any questions you may have or to find out how you can get more involved in this ministry.

Nutmeg Festival News - “Celebrating Ridgefield’s 300 Years”

It’s Drop-off Time Again!!
Our second drop off is next Saturday, May 10th from 9-1. Bring those items you’ve been saving down to the back of South Hall. We are looking for gently-used furniture, antiques, working electronics, tools, sports equipment, White Elephant items, ladies hats and handbags, evening accessories, candles, picture frames, toys, games, books, artwork, jewelry, you name it! BUT we can not take humidifiers, computer monitors, plumbing fixtures, mattresses, exercise machines, home health equipment, car batteries or tires, encyclopedias, text books, and dictionaries

Silent donations to support the Festival
Over the years, individual parishioners and friends of the congregation have made anonymous donations to help cover the costs of our expenses such as Raffle Gifts and items provided to the Silent Auction. If this is an area where you could help us, please let us know.

Booth Chair Meeting
There will be a meeting this Tuesday, May 13th from 7:30pm until 8:30pm for those who have volunteered to head-up the various booths at this year's festival. Please join us in room D of North Hall for this important planning meeting.