2025 Habitat Home Build

 

Dear Saint Stephen’s Community, 

There is an old saying that has guided our parish since the beginning - “to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus Christ.” This year, our vestry has committed to living into this in a radical way: to build an entire house for a family. Today, we are excited to share an incredible volunteer opportunity with you all. We will be partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build a home in memory of our parishioner Barbarann (BA) Beckett-Gaines, who died in March 2024. Part of her gift to Saint Stephen’s was to leave her home to the church. As such, it feels appropriate that we build a house for another family.

With her servant’s heart in mind, we will gather as the hands and feet of Christ to construct the BA Beckett-Gaines Legacy Home for the Carlisle family. On Thursday, March 13, Saint Stephen’s staff and vestry members will break ground with the Carlisles. We have committed to staffing teams for five weekends in the spring, and we need your help to fill as many volunteer slots as possible! Big tasks are more accessible when we do them for a purpose, and caring for our neighbors, while honoring BA, is a gift we can all give to her legacy. 

We ask that you pray for the Carlisle family and all who will help in construction. The Holy Spirit will be connecting us in beautiful ways, and we are excited to get started! Look below to learn more about the build, get information on volunteering, and sign up for a specific weekend. Kathleen Franklin, Parish Life Coordinator (kathleen@ssechurch.org), can field your questions about how to help the Saint Stephen’s teams or support the work of Habitat for Humanity. 

Blessings and peace, 

The Rev. Sally Herring and Kathleen Franklin 

Details for the Build: 

  • Build days are Friday – Saturday, from 8 am - 3 pm with a lunch break. 

  • Your “coordinator” will touch base about timing and if half-days are allowed, what to bring for lunch, or if lunch is being provided for you the week of your volunteer date. 

  • The build site is off I-459 at Exit 6 (Morgan Road), in a new development called Hopewell Crossings in Bessemer: Lot 38 or 3996 Morning Hope Drive, Bessemer, AL 35022.  

  • **Please note: this address is not in any GPS, but another location marker will be given out when you sign up to volunteer; look for flags outside of the development and sign. 

  • For questions about volunteering with another parish or the overall signup process, contact Kathleen Franklin

Volunteer Information: 

  • The maximum number of workers per day is 25 people; the minimum is 10 workers. 

  • EVERYONE must sign a waiver prior to being onsite. Onsite volunteers must be age 14+.  

  • We are looking for a few more volunteers to be the "coordinator" for a weekend, which requires communication with the volunteers alongside Kathleen Franklin. People can also volunteer through Habitat at our site through their website. We are only committing to Fridays and Saturdays of our weekends. 

Other Ways to Support: 

During April, you may bring these items to the Outreach Alcove: 

  • Pantry necessities (e.g., paper towels, toilet paper, etc.). 

  • Kitchen items (e.g., plates, pots, pans, utensils, etc.). 

  • Household items (e.g., lamps, side tables, dressers, etc.). 

**A more detailed list will be distributed in April. **