MINISTRIES

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Baptisms as an infant or an adult can be made in arrangements with the Priest.  This usually involves a period to help you understand the Christian faith you are entering into and, therefore, the promises you are making for yourself or on behalf of your child.  

On the 4th Sunday of each month our 9.30 am Sunday service becomes a Messy Church.  Messy Church is church for families who may not find other forms of church appealing and who don’t yet belong to a church.  It includes hands-on creative experiences, a celebration and a meal. 

It does not prioritise either the needs of children or adults but intentionally welcomes and provides for all ages.

There is no Messy Church during school holidays. 

A Holy Communion service at 8 am is conducted before Messy Church. 

Our Children's programme takes place during our 9.30 am worship time when it is not Messy Church and during school terms. Children begin with parents in the church service and then leave after a brief Kids' Talk when the adult teaching time takes place.  Children return to be with their parents for Holy Communion.  

Our Youth programme takes place during our 9.30 am worship on the 2nd Sunday of the month during school terms. Youth return to be with their parents for Holy Communion.

Discipleship is key to being a Christian; an opportunity to grow in our knowledge and love of God and his Son Jesus Christ.  Discipleship groups meet in private homes and in church locations to explore our experience of life and how God is revealed in and through that supported by our knowledge of the bible.

Playgroup  is for babies to pre-schoolers with their mother/father or carers.  

The programme is balanced and covers the following area:

Physically: with toys, games and other indoor activities

Intellectually: by drawing, colouring, using puzzles or creative "art"

Emotionally: through fun, play and socialising

Spiritually: with a story, song, child's prayer or theme activity

Cost  $5 per session per family

The Playgroup is provided in a safe caring environment and will also provide opportunities to meet and make friends with other parents. 

Please note playgroup does not meet during school holidays 

 Alpha is a series of group Conversations that explore the Christian faith in a friendly environment.  Next Series starting Wednesday April 30th 6:30 pm 

Men from all age groups meet for breakfast on the 4th Saturday of each month, 8.00 am, alternating between the Church Hall and another food establishment for breakfast.  This is an opportunity for men to gather and talk about the things men talk about.

Our Meditation Group meet every Thursday 10:00 am . This is followed by our Prayer Group at 11:00 am. Please feel to join us for either mediation, prayer or both of these ministries.

Please note these ministries do not meet during school holidays 

Our gardens are here for all to use. 

In this fast-paced world in which we now life, we need simple, beautiful places like gardens that draw us in to slow ourselves down, still the busy mind and connect us again with our deep resources.

There is no right way to walk a labyrinth!

You only have to enter and follow the path.

However, your walk can encompass a variety of attitudes.

It may be joyous or somber. It might be thoughtful or prayerful. 

You may use it as a walking meditation.

Adults are often serious in the labyrinth. 

Children most often run in and around, enjoying.

When you walk a labyrinth choose your attitude.

Make it serious, prayerful, or playful, Play music or sing. 

Move consciously and slowly, allowing the Divine to guide and teach.

Let the path teach its own lessons.

There is no one correct message.

The turning circuits of a labyrinth remind us that life is change, transformation, and repentance (that is, metanoia or turning around).

You also might like to try the link below from Richard Rohr's Daily Mediations 

 Concrete Participation – Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations - YouTube 

 Weddings can take place at any time during the year in mutual agreement with the Priest.  Weddings usually take place within the Church Building, but arrangements can be made for other locations with agreement. Weddings of divorced people is permissible in the Diocese of Melbourne, with permission of the Bishop.

Weddings include a marriage preparation course to help you understand where you and your partner are in your relationship with one another. 

Confirmation is the service where those who were baptised as infants get to make the promises of baptism for themselves, declaring publicly that that they are followers of Jesus.  

Confirmation takes place at the age when a person is considered to be mature and can make a decision of faith for themselves.  

The service is dependent upon the bishop being present.

Loneliness is a significant experience for  many within our society as a result of a dispersed and mobile community.  Whether living in their own home or an aged care facility there is a need for those who are infirm to have continued interaction with their faith community.  St Stephens provides Holy Communions once a month in homes, by arrangement.

We also conduct services of Holy Communion, with singing, at the Residential Aged Care facilities at The Belmont, according to the Aged Care Facility schedule, as well as regular visitations by members of the congregation and friends.

St Stephen's supports the Wellspring Initiative which is a ministry based in Phnom Penh Cambodia.  The Cambodian team work alongside poor communities. They proved groceries, Medial needs, Counselling and Share the Love of God. From their Wellspring Centre they run weekly discipleship groups, Clinics, Literacy and English classes.  

Check them out FACEBOOK: Wellspring Initiative Cambodia 

They have also established Morijana an ethical fashion business based in Phnom Penh Cambodia where they work to develop, mentor and empower Cambodian women to realise their full potential. Morijana clothes are made, pattern designed and managed by Cambodian women. 

St Stephen's supports the Meals Programme at Christ Church, Geelong, through provision of casseroles on a monthly roster. We provide cakes and slices on a fortnightly basis.

Go to 'Community Ministries' at Christ Church, Geelong, on the link below.

Through St Andrews Corio, we assist in resourcing and staffing the free 'op shop' for clothing, manchester, and furniture, for all refugees, irrespective of faith expression or country of origin.  This is our part of the work of Geelong Refugee Assistance Programme.