On Sunday, Feb. 26, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 651
Broadway will be hosting a visit from the Assisting Bishop of the
Diocese of El Camino Real, 53 congregations located along the
Central Coast from Santa Clara County in the north
 to San Luis Obispo County in the south.
On Sunday, Feb. 26, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 651 Broadway will be hosting a visit from the Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real, 53 congregations located along the Central Coast from Santa Clara County in the north to San Luis Obispo County in the south.
Bishops are crucial in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. Not only are they chief administrative officers, but they serve spiritually in the “Apostolic Succession,” teaching the faith as successors to St. Peter and the original apostles.
Visiting Sunday is the Rt. Rev. Sylvestre Romero. Bishop Romero was born in Belize and grew up a Roman Catholic. He later moved to Guatemala and became a member of the Anglican Communion.
After serving as a priest in Guatemala for 12 years, Romero moved to California and became active in various ministries. In 1994 he returned to Central American and was consecrated as Anglican Bishop of Belize. Romero returned to California in December 2004 to become Assisting Bishop while this diocese seeks a permanent bishop.
Romero will be celebrating the 10am Eucharist in English. At noon he will celebrate a special Mass to mark the first anniversary of Santa Maria Magdalena, a Latino congregation that worships in St. Stephen’s and shares the life and ministry of its congregation.
To learn more about Bishop Romero’s visit or about the congregations of St. Stephen, call 842-4415.
Another local church, Gilroy Presbyterian Church at 6000 Miller Ave., will hold its 15th successive Faith Renewal Dinner and Program on Saturday, March 4.
An evangelism team visited the church 16 years ago and presented a special weekend called “Faith Renewal.” The event was so rewarding and fun that the church’s members decided to put on a similar event each year using local talent. An annual tradition was born.
Every year, chefs from the Gilroy Garlic Festival’s Gourmet Alley prepare a meal with a different theme. This year, a “cowboy meal,” featuring New York steak, will be served at 5:30pm.Â
At 7pm, everyone will go into the church for an inspirational program. Three people will share brief testimonies about the role of faith in their lives, followed by some group singing. There will also be a break for a fun activity, something to surprise and delight participants.
At the end of the two-hour program, everyone will return to the fellowship hall for ice cream sundaes.
There is no charge to attend, and free child care will be provided by members of the church’s youth group. At the end of the evening, participants will have the opportunity to make a voluntary donation to help reimburse expenses.
Anyone is welcome to attend the meal, but reservations are requested to ensure enough food is prepared. No reservations are required to attend the program only. For more information or to reserve space, call 842-3000.
