The Rev. Dr. Laura Mendenhall, Senior Philanthropy Advisor of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation and former President of Columbia Theological Seminary, will be guest preacher on January 22, 2012, when St. Stephen kicks off its three year capital campaign to replace the sanctuary roof and upgrade our HVAC and energy efficiency. There will only be one worship service on January 22nd, at 10:00 a.m., in the main sanctuary, followed by a luncheon in the Parish Hall, prepared by the Capital Campaign Committee.
“We’re having just one service in hopes of turning out as many people from both services as we can to build a sense of shared fellowship and commitment to the goals of the campaign,” said Roger Rice, co-chair of the Capital Campaign Committee.
Special music will be provided by Bob Richardson, the bagpiper well-known to St. Stephen folks from our Kirkin’ services; and by an oboist. “Highland Cathedral” will be the prelude.
Anne Bourland is coordinating the Kickoff lunch following the service.
That afternoon, capital campaign stewards will begin visiting church members to ask for pledges. The campaign will raise $1.25 million over the next three years.
“This is really a campaign about continuing the legacy and ministry of this church into the 21st Century,” says co-chair Paige Daniel, whose father, Bob Oliver, was on the original sanctuary capital campaign committee. “St. Stephen is doing amazing things like Room in the Inn and Samaritan House. We have this unique building that’s really a landmark in this community. We need to keep on doing those things, and that’s what this campaign is about.”
Dr. Mendenhall is a noted Presbyterian speaker on stewardship and serves as Senior Philanthropic Advisor at TPF, where her job is to encourage philanthropy and inspire legacy giving among Christian families in the synod. She was formerly a co-pastor at Victoria Presbyterian Church. Laura and her husband, Chuck live in Austin, TX and as of September, Laura works on weekends as the part-time Designated Pastor at Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis.