Welcome to the Family Ministries Hub
Here you can find all of the great things we have planned three months out, discover continuing ministries and studies, and sign up to learn more.
Family Worship
Every second Sunday from 9:15-10:15 AM (Breakfast for all served at 8:30 AM). (All ages)
What is family worship?
Do you have the wiggles? Do sermons that are too long make you need to do something with your hands? Or maybe you’re hungry?!
Join us on second Sundays for our family worship service! Breakfast is served from 8:30-10 AM and worship runs from 9:15-10 AM. We have crafts you can do anytime during the service, we sit at tables, have some great contemporary music, a short sermon, some discussion, and then we take communion and clean up!
Always Happening
Click the arrow to read about our perpetual opportunities. These ministries, studies, and programs are scheduled every month at the same times.
Our UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship) or youth group meets on the first and third Sundays of the month from 5-7PM in the church Youth Room.
A typical youth evening consists of several energetic and wacky group games, a short devotional study, and dinner for everyone who comes.
Youth group is open for all 6th-12th grade students, is free of charge, and has no membership requirement at St. Stephen’s or any church.
The details of Combined UMYF are largely the same as UMYF above with a few differences. First of all, Combined UMYF happens on the second Sunday of the month from 5-7PM.
The biggest difference is that Combined UMYF travels with St. Stephen’s, St. Mark’s in The Heights, and Westbury UMC taking turns to host. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for the location information for the current month.
We Didn’t Forget the Older Family Members Either…
Rev. Nathan hosts a twice monthly Bible Study at Great Heights Brewing Company on the second and fourth Sundays. At the study, the group takes on Biblical and worldly questions and ideas in a relaxed come as you are and come and go as you are able setting.
Each study begins around 5Pm and wraps up by 7PM. To receive reminders about when this group meets click here.
Rev. Nathan also hosts a Q&A + IPA most Thursdays (check here for the most up to date scheduling) from 3-5PM also at Great Heights. Unlike the slightly more structured Sunday Bible Study, Q&A + IPA is an opportunity to ask about anything, church or otherwise.
September 2023
We have everything we need Sept you
Sept 8: Family Game Night (All Ages)
Let the Games begin! On Friday, September 8th, St. Stephens will have a family game night. A fun evening of board games, pool, Mario Kart, foosball, and more. Food will be available to purchase but this event is otherwise free for the community. For questions, please email [email protected]
Walk-ups are welcome but if you can, register here so we can get a better headcount for food and refreshments.
Sept 12: Messy Church (Pre-K - 5th Grade)
Messy Church is back!
After a long summer without everyone’s favorite worship service, the crafting, singing, dining, and fun (uh, ing?) is back!
Join us on Tuesday, September 12th from 5:30-7 for crafts, activities, child led worship skits, and dinner for the whole family. All free.
No registration is required.
Begins Sept 19: Musical Theater Class (K-5th Grade)
The Musical Theater Class meets every Tuesday beginning September 19, 2023 and ending with a holiday-themed performance on December 5, 2023 (11 weeks – no class on Nov. 21).
The class includes vocal music training, dance instruction, theater techniques, audition experience, interactive games and more!
There are two different times you can choose from:
K-2nd: Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 PM, or Thursdays 4:45-5:45 PM
3rd-5th: Tuesdays 4:45-5:45 PM, or Thursdays 3:30-4:30 PM
To learn more and to register, click here.
Begins Sept 21: Songplay (Infants - Pre-K 4)
SongPlay! is for infants through age 4 with a parent or caregiver. Classes are 45 minutes followed by snack time, and siblings may participate in the same class.
The 10 week session begins on September 21 and ends on November 30 (no class on Nov. 23). Each student must be registered, except infants 8 months and younger may attend free with their registered sibling.
There are 3 different times you can choose from:
Tuesdays 9:15-10:15 am, Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 am, and Thursdays 9:15-10:15 am.
To learn more and to register, click here.
Sept 21: Community Conversations: Why Play is Important for Childre
In the first of our Community Conversations, we’ll look at why Play is Important for Children and their development.
Come and join us for an informative and engaging panel presentation on why “play” is important for young children.
Community conversations are free of charge and childcare is available. No registration is required.
Sept 22: St. Stephen's at the Ballpark: Astros v Royals (All Ages)
Come join us Friday, September 22nd at Minute Maid Park as the Astros take on the Royals hoping to cement their place in the playoffs this October.
St. Stephen’s will be taking a group of up to 19 people to the game. Adults of all ages are invited to join us, bring the kids too.
To register, click here.
Sept 28: Young Adult Meet and Greet at Valencias (Young Adults)
Young and working adults from St. Stephen’s and the community are invited for a dinner and meet & greet at Valencias on September 28th at 6:30 PM.
No registration is required but if you would like more information about the event, email [email protected]
October 2023
(Not so) Spooky Season at St. Stephen's
Oct 3: Messy Church (pre-K-5th Grade)
Join us on Tuesday, October 3rd from 5:30-7 for crafts, activities, child led worship skits, and dinner for the whole family. All free.
No registration is required.
Oct 14: Big Garage Sale (All Ages)
A fun community garage sale! Vendor Booth indoor space is available. A table and chairs will be provided. A great opportunity for new businesses, community businesses, or craft vendors.
No registration required.
Oct 29: Trunk or Treat (All Ages)
Sunday, October 29th is our Annual Community Trunk or Treat. Join us from 3-6 PM for lots of decorated trunks, a giant inflatable, prizes, and of course, candy. We’ll also have allergy friendly options.
All free.
If you would like to bring a truck to the event, you can email Steven Fisher at [email protected]
November 2023
Thankful to host you
Nov 4: Youth Mission Trip: Shamba Ya Amani Farm (6th-12th Grade)
Our combined youth group (featuring St. Mark’s, St. Matthew’s, Grace, St. Philip’s, Westbury, and ourselves) will gather at the Shamba Ya Amani Farm of Peace on Saturday, November 4th.
This is a mission work day and we will work under the direction of FAM Houston.
Carpools will be available. Please register so we can ensure we have enough seatbelts available.
Nov 7: Messy Church (Pre-K - 5th Grade)
Join us on Tuesday, November 7th from 5:30-7 for crafts, activities, child led worship skits, and dinner for the whole family. All free.
No registration required.
Nov 16: Community Conversations: Wills and Probate for Young and Old (All Ages)
In this Community Conversation, we’ll speak with a local attorney about the importance of having a will. It is vital that people of all ages have directives for when we are gone. This program will serve to answer questions and get people on the right path to having their own wills.
Community conversations are free of charge and childcare is available. No registration is required.
December 2023
Ho-Ho-Hot off the Press
Dec 5: Messy Christmas (Pre-k-5th Grade)
Join us on Tuesday, December 5th from 5:30-7 for our annual Messy Christmas. We’ll have Christmas crafts, activities, child led worship skits, photo booths, and dinner for the whole family. All free.
There’ll maybe be a surprise or two as well…
No registration required.
Dec 8-9: Stevens Elementary Christmas Baskets Service Project (All Ages)
Every year at Christmas time we provide up to forty families at Stevens Elementary with gifts, clothes, and food. We are always looking for helpers and volunteers to help this ministry run smoothly.
If you would like to help you can do so in the following ways:
Donate
Shop for clothes, gifts, or toys (shopping lists provided – fully reimbursed)
Help pack up boxes of food.
Be present at the distribution.
Food packing takes place on Friday, December 8th at 9 am. The food and gift distribution takes place Saturday, December 9th from 9 am to noon. If you are able to speak Spanish that’s a bigger bonus!
If you’re interested in assisting with any part of this ministry, email our Family Ministries Director, Steven Fisher at [email protected]
Dec 10: Christmas Youth Party (6th-12th Grade)
It’s our annual Christmas youth group (UMYF) Spectacular.
Home of the Five Below white Elephant gift exchange. Pastor Nathan will be cooking dinner too (he doesn’t even know yet).
All 6th-12th graders and their friends are welcome to join us in their pajamas for our Christmas youth group family picture.