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Recent editions of Seasons of the Spirit, St. Stephen's magazine, are linked on THIS PAGE.

December 12, 2023: Advent and Christmas offerings

Be sure to visit the Advent and Christmas pages of our website for the most complete and up-to-date information about services and other offerings during Advent and Christmas. You'll find details about pageants, holiday office schedules, services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, music, childcare, livestreaming and more. And please note that this year, December 24 is not only Christmas Eve, it's the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and that affects our worship schedule that day. Read more:

• Advent at St. Stephen's
• Christmas at St. Stephen's

September 22,2023: Market and café to be closed this Saturday

While the Farmers Market @ St. Stephen's remains open rain or shine, with the declaration of a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia due to the effects of Hurricane Ophelia, we have decided not to hold the market or open the Café @ St. Stephen's this Saturday, September 23. Please stay safe!

August 17, 2023: Rector calls Caroline Harris as youth ministry coordinator

We are delighted that Caroline Harris has accepted a call from the Rev. John D. Rohrs, rector, to serve as youth ministry coordinator beginning this fall. Caroline is a 2023 graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, where she received a bachelor of arts in anthropology and sociology; she minored in health equity and religious studies, and studied in Prague during her junior year. Caroline grew up at St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington, N.C., and spent her summers at Camp Trinity in the Diocese of East Carolina, first as a camper and later as a staff member. 

"I’m thrilled that Caroline Harris has been called to serve as our youth ministry coordinator," said the Rev. William S. Stanley, vicar. "She brings energy, enthusiasm, and deep care for the spiritual lives of young people and their families. Caroline knows and loves the Episcopal Church and we at St Stephen’s feel privileged that she is coming into our midst, especially at this time." 

Will noted, "As many of you know, since the onset of the pandemic we at St Stephen’s have been building a solid and sustainable foundation for our holistic approach to ministry with children, young people, and their families. The growth and development of the family ministry guild has been an important feature of that process, as well as the recruitment and retention of key staff members to enable that work to flourish. Caroline Harris is the latest member of that important team. Staff and lay leadership are working hand in hand—it’s a beautiful thing to see." 

He explained, "As a sign of our commitment to this work, part of my role as vicar will now include helping lead and support this partnership of staff and lay leaders. This models similar shifts in the growth and development of standing committees that will meet on our Quarterly Ministry Nights. It’s just the latest sign of the new thing God is doing here. The excitement is palpable!"

During the interview process, Caroline met with members of the family ministry staff and the family ministry guild. The day after she finished her work at Camp Trinity for the summer, she came to Richmond to meet youth and parents. All came away from their interactions excited about Caroline.

Valerie Abbott, who co-chairs St. Stephen’s family ministry guild, said, “Caroline clearly enjoys exploring God’s word and his work in the world through the lens of a young Christian. She is a fierce advocate for today’s adolescents while simultaneously offering her humble heart to God’s call. Her energy and enthusiasm for youth ministry is unmatched. Youth and families will be drawn to her kindness, compassion, and spiritual curiosity.” 

Ashley Tunner and her 17-year-old daughter met Caroline during her visit to St. Stephen’s. “We found her to have a bubbly personality and positive energy that will, in my daughter’s words, ‘make it fun to acolyte or go to youth group.’ We look forward to her arrival.”

Whitney Van Der Hyde is a member of St. Stephen’s vestry and regularly attends the Palmer Hall service with her husband and two children. As a member of the search committee, Whitney found Caroline “charismatic, warm and friendly.” She added, “I think she will relate well with the youth of our church and she models how to live into one’s faith in this world.” 

“Caroline was engaging in conversation not only with the youth who had an opportunity to meet her, but also the adults,” said parishioner Greta Kidd, the mother of two teenage daughters. “She has a love of music—Taylor is on the list—and a heart for social equity. Most importantly, my girls walked away from meeting her saying that she seems cool and real and they would be comfortable talking with her about anything as they get to know her.”

Caroline's official first day has not been decided, but she will be with us in time for the beginning of the new program year in September, and she plans to be at St. Stephen's for some portion of the family ministry kick-off on August 26.

August 14, 2023: September 16 fun run and 5K to benefit Lara Teague Curry Memorial Fund

September 16 at Trinity United Methodist Church | More details and sign-up

St. Stephen’s parishioner and Douglas Freeman High School teacher Lara Teague Curry died in October 2022. After her death, the Teague and Curry families established a memorial fund through the Henrico Education Foundation to support students in Henrico County. 

An upcoming event is designed to benefit the Lara Teague Curry Memorial Fund: Douglas Freeman High School, the Henrico Education Foundation, River Road Church, Baptist, Third Church, Trinity United Methodist Church, Henrico Mental Health and Development Services and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are holding the Lara Teague Curry Memorial 5K on September 16 at Trinity United Methodist Church. St. Stephen’s Church is honored to be a sponsor for this event. 

Details and registration are here. If  you’re not a runner, look for information on volunteering.

January 12, 2023: Dogwood Preschool to relocate at St. Stephen's Church

• Preschool will move in July 2023
• School to remain independent and will be called Dogwood Preschool at St. Stephen's
• Print-friendly copy

For 50 years, St. Stephen’s was home to an outstanding preschool for the benefit of the children of the parish and the wider community. In 2020, the school closed temporarily as the COVID-19 pandemic affected public and private schools throughout the United States. Later that year St. Stephen’s announced the preschool would remain closed for the 2020-21 school year and that a decision on its future would follow a period of discernment. 

During that time, Dogwood Preschool was born, growing out of a desire by families and staff of the former St. Stephen’s Preschool to continue and build on the work of that beloved program. Its approach, philosophy and even some of its leaders and staff will be familiar to those who’ve had a past relationship with the church’s preschool. 

The Rev. John Rohrs, who arrived as rector of St. Stephen’s in early September 2022, notes that during the ‘meet and greet’ sessions taking place throughout the fall, “the preschool came up again and again.” 

He says, “It was clear to me how meaningful the preschool ministry had been for many of our parishioners.” 

During this time, Andy Luke, a member of the vestry, current junior warden, and a former president of the St. Stephen’s Preschool board of advisors, had stayed in touch with many in the former preschool community, including leadership at Dogwood. 

“We did not begin conversations with Dogwood with any expectation of their move to St. Stephen’s, but to engage its leaders and the broader preschool community in conversation. Many were saddened by the loss of the preschool and hopeful that one day it might return. But we knew we first needed to heal as a community before moving forward." 

Andy continues, “Along the way we learned from Dogwood leadership that the program was growing and needed more space. The team indicated that the space once occupied by St. Stephen’s Preschool would be ideal as it had been designed for that purpose.” 

Still, says John, “We took things slowly, wanting to be sure that we were doing this for the right reasons. The decision couldn’t be driven by nostalgia; it had to be the right choice for Dogwood and for St. Stephen’s.” 

“As an independent school,” says John, “they’ve done tremendous work in establishing themselves as Dogwood School over these last few years. We had to determine what a new partnership would look like, and how we would share space and decisions and resources.” 

Dogwood will lease space downstairs in our parish house, with the initial three-year term, beginning July 1, 2023. 

“We have every intention of this being a long-term relationship with leases that renew over time,” says John. 

The school is recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as a licensed Child Day Center. The Dogwood School, Inc. doing business as Dogwood Preschool is a Virginia non-stock corporation recognized as a tax-exempt non-profit under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. It is governed by a board of directors. 

When Dogwood moves to St. Stephen’s, it will continue as an independent preschool located at St. Stephen’s Church and will continue to have its own board of directors. The rector of St. Stephen’s or his designee will have a seat on that board, as will a current vestry member. 

The school will be known as Dogwood Preschool at St. Stephen’s. 

Dogwood provides high-quality early childhood education to children of residents of greater Richmond. Each classroom offers age-appropriate educational choices designed to draw in each individual child. Choices include cognitive, fine motor, gross motor, practical life, art, music, reading, and more. The program is based on the best features of well-regarded early childhood education philosophies including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Piaget. 

Dogwood Preschool is a non-denominational Christian preschool and children are offered the foundational principles of Christianity through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd—the same Montessori-based spiritual formation program St. Stephen’s Church uses. Dogwood celebrates and embraces children from any religious or non-religious background. 

John expressed thanks to wardens Dick Hamrick and Andy Luke for their diligence during the discernment process. “They have worked tirelessly to balance this great opportunity with the needs and interests of the church.” 

John also expresses deep gratitude to Dogwood Preschool’s director and St. Stephen’s parishioner Kate Batten, board chair Kari Teagno Hyman, and program director Marion Chenault. Marion is a St. Stephen’s parishioner and served as director of St. Stephen’s Preschool until her retirement in 2019. 

“They have been so faithful throughout this process and they represent the wonderful leadership and future of this school.” 

Kate and Kari echo the enthusiasm of St. Stephen's leadership. "We are so excited, and look forward to making a new home at St. Stephen's Church," Kate says. Kari agrees, adding, "St. Stephen's has been a pleasure to work with."

John notes that this new arrangement “will be different than it was before when St. Stephen’s managed a preschool as one of its own ministries, but that’s not a bad thing. At my last church we leased space to an independent preschool that had been there for more than 80 years. We had the benefits of a great partnership but the church didn’t have the challenges of managing and financing the program, hiring teachers, and so forth. It worked really well there and I think it will work well here.” 

“I am really excited about this partnership. We toured the school and saw their students and teachers. We know they will bring great joy and life to our classrooms downstairs, and we look forward to inviting those children and families into the fuller life of St. Stephen’s, if they are interested.” 

Parents who are interested in applying for a place for their children at Dogwood Preschool @ St. Stephen’s should contact the school directly; information is at dogwoodpreschool.org. 

As he thinks about this new relationship and the name of the new preschool to which St. Stephen’s will be home, John reflects on the legend of the dogwood tree: 

“Some people find meaning in the marks of the dogwood flowers and their resemblance to a cross, in conjunction with their blooming time around Easter. It’s not lost on me that after a difficult departure from St. Stephen’s Church, the Dogwood Preschool was reborn–resurrected, you might say–and is now coming back to be a source of new life on our campus.”

January 4, 2023: Godspeed, Caroline Moses

Caroline Moses, who joined St. Stephen’s staff as accounting manager in March, has decided to leave her position to start her own business, where she will focus on working with small, not-for-profit organizations who can benefit from her expertise. Her last day at St. Stephen’s will be January 31.

Caroline, whose experience includes working for Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Richmond, was hired by Mike Koschak when he served as interim director of church operations. She has many years of financial and administrative experience, including working with mission-focused organizations. 

Caroline has made significant contributions to the financial and administrative team at St. Stephen’s, not only because she is so capable, but because of the warm, cheerful disposition and positive attitude that quickly endeared her to co-workers and parishioners alike.

We are deeply grateful to Caroline for playing a key role during a time of transition, and for doing it so gracefully.
“We will miss Caroline in the office, and we are grateful for her tremendous ministry this past year,” said the Rev. John Rohrs, rector of St. Stephen’s Church. “St. Stephen’s is a large parish with complex finances, and Caroline did great work to manage accounts, build trust, and sustain our financial health in the midst of a transition and a pandemic. We wish her gratitude and godspeed.”

Penn Rogers, vestry member and parish treasurer, said, “Caroline rose to the challenges of 2022 with dedication, perseverance, and good humor. St. Stephen’s will continue to benefit from her efforts as we move forward.”

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work at St. Stephen’s,” said Caroline. “This was a wonderful opportunity for me to further my knowledge and experience. More importantly, it allowed me to work with an amazing community of people. I truly appreciate all those I have worked with. The kindness and support shown to me reflect the caring church family that is uniquely St. Stephen’s. As we all embark on a new year, I wish everyone peace, good health and much happiness.

“Most sincerely and from my heart, thank you.”

While Fred Staley, our executive director of church operations, works with John to make plans for staffing our finance office, parishioners can feel confident in directing any questions they may have to Fred, whether about their own pledges and gifts, or the parish’s financial picture. Fred can be reached at 804.288.2867 or fstaley@ststephensRVA.org.

November 14, 2022: A message from the clergy of St. Stephen's Church

Dear People of St. Stephen’s, 

We write to you as news of the shooting last night at the University of Virginia continues to unfold. Some of you were up all night, speaking with children and grandchildren sheltering in place on campus. Some of you have other connections to UVa and thus are experiencing pain and a sense of violation that your beloved school has been the setting of such violence. And some of you may have no connection to UVa, but nonetheless woke up to turn on the national news and see that yet another act of gun violence has occurred, this time just an hour down I-64. 

We as your clergy leaders write to offer our prayers and support in this time of tragedy. We remind you that we are available for conversation and prayer by calling the parish office at (804) 288-2867. After office hours, one of us is always available for pastoral emergencies and can be contacted by following the prompts on our voicemail. We have already been in touch with some current UVa families and will continue to reach out to folks in the coming days. 

We love you and we offer ourselves as safe places for your pain, anger, and fear. We also commend the below words from Bishop Susan Goff, our spiritual leader here in the Diocese of Virginia. 

May the Prince of Peace continue to be our guide in the days to come. 

Yours in Christ,

A message and prayer from Bishop Susan Goff:

Dear People of the Diocese of Virginia,

As we continue to hear news about the shooting at the University of Virginia last night, we lament. We cry with broken hearts for those who have died and those who are injured, and for the students, faculty and staff of UVa who remain in lock down at this hour. We cry that gun violence continues in our communities and that it touches, one way or another, the lives of all of us. In our pain, our anger and our fear, we pray: 

Holy God, source of all hope and all peace, we come before you yet once more in the hours after a school shooting, this time at the University of Virginia, this time within our own Diocese. We lament with broken hearts as we hold up to you the young people who have died, those who are injured, and all who are in fear and grief as the lockdown continues. We hold up to you as well all first responders and the officers who continue the search for the shooter. Be with our Canterbury House students, our campus chaplains at St. Paul’s Memorial and Christ Church, the clergy and staff of all our Charlottesville congregations, and all whose lives are touched by their ministries. Be with all students, faculty and staff of UVa. Give us strength through prayer, clarity of mind to know how to respond in love, compassion for all your people and, please God, a commitment to doing everything possible to end gun violence in our schools and towns and cities once and for all, so that your people may live in safety at school and in all the places that their lives take them. We pray this all in the name of the Prince of Peace, whose heart broke on the cross so that ours might be healed, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

As we learn other concrete ways in which the support of our diocesan community will be needed and helpful, we will let you know. God bless us all. 

Faithfully yours,

Bishop Goff

October 7, 2022: Rector calls Fred Staley as executive director of operations

The Rev. John D. Rohrs, rector of St. Stephen’s Church, has called Fred E. Staley Jr. to serve as executive director of church operations. Fred, who has served in a similar role for the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, since 2013, will begin his work here in early November.

During the interim period at St. Stephen’s, parish leaders identified a need for a director of operations to manage financial, facilities, administrative, and human resource matters, while the vicar manages programmatic, sacramental, and pastoral areas of our parish life, at the direction of the rector. Mike Koschak, who filled the role for two other Episcopal churches in Richmond, agreed to serve on an interim basis. The search began over the summer for a person to fill the role, culminating in the call of Fred Staley.

“We are thrilled to welcome Fred to the staff,” said John. “His management expertise, experience in the Episcopal Church, and gentle, steady demeanor will be a real gift to the life of St. Stephen’s. Everyone who met him was excited about the possibility of Fred joining us and helping usher in a new era of vitality and collaborative ministry.”

As associate for administration at Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Fred has functioned as chief operating officer for a parish whose budget is comparable to St. Stephen’s, has managed 20 full time and eight part-time staff, as well as volunteers, and has overseen maintenance of the physical plant. Bethesda-by-the-Sea also has one of the nation’s leading retail thrift shops with more than $1 million annually .

His previous experience includes serving as business manager for a Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee, administrative and financial management positions in secular settings, including his family’s business, Staley Marble & Granite in Knoxville.

He is active in several church-related professional networks, including the Episcopal Parish Network (formerly the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes), to which St. Stephen’s belongs. Fred serves on their board and is assistant treasurer.

Fred graduated cum laude from King College in Bristol, Tennessee, and holds an MBA from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.

Fred’s wife, Debbie, works from home as a health and life insurance agent, a freelance editor, a writing coach, and is herself is an award-winning published author. Fred and Debbie have one son, Ethan, who lives with his wife Shelby in Nashville. Fred and Debbie are also the parents to two precious dachshunds, Buster and Phillie, who was named for Fred’s beloved Philadelphia Phillies.

Fred says, "I never expected to leave Bethesda-by-the-Sea but God's call for me to come to St. Stephen's is strong and clear. I am excited to get to know St. Stephen's, the place, and especially the people. I look forward to working with the parish as we achieve the vision of the future under the leadership of John Rohrs." 

The Rev. Canon James Harlan served as rector of Bethesda-by-the-Sea before being called to serve on the bishop’s staff in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. He says, “Fred Staley brings to his work an uncommon combination of extensive business experience, thorough knowledge of church accounting and financial standards, a wise and caring touch in personnel matters, a pastoral heart, and a love of Jesus.”

Canon Harland notes, “Even though he didn’t grow up Episcopalian, his appreciation of our tradition enables him to help other church leaders see the challenges and opportunities in our distinctive mission. Fred understands his work in church administration as much as a calling from God as any ordained person sees their work. He can integrate pastoral, theological, and administrative perspectives to enable the most effective planning and implementation of ministries.

“I believe all our clergy and other staff were better able to carry out their ministries with Fred’s sharing in leadership, and I was and still am a better priest and Christian for his collegiality and friendship. I’m excited that St. Stephen’s gets to benefit from Fred’s ministry in this new season of leadership.”

July 25, 2022: We have a new rector!

With great joy the vestry of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church announces that the Rev. John D. Rohrs has accepted the call to serve as ninth rector of this parish.

John has been rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk, in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, since 2009. Before that, he was associate rector at Christ Church, Raleigh, N.C.

John and his wife Andie—also an Episcopal priest—have been married for 19 years and have three children: Anna, age 14, and twins Tom and Will who turn 12 next week.

John is a native of Stillwater, Oklahoma (coincidentally where our music director Brent te Velde is from). Andie is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and has been serving as an associate rector at St. Andrew’s. When the Rohrs were in Raleigh, Andie was chaplain at Saint Mary’s School.

John is a 1999 graduate of Duke University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history magna cum laude and minored in economics. In 2007, he earned a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke. John earned a master of divinity, summa cum laude, from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in 2005. He was ordained as a transitional deacon in June 2005, and priest in February 2006.

He has extensive community and diocesan leadership experience and is the current dean of the Norfolk Convocation in the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

John says, “I first visited St. Stephen’s for the ‘Going Forward Together’ conference in 2006, one year out of seminary, and I was struck by the beauty of the Celtic service and by the church’s culture of innovation and outreach. I have long admired your parish, and I am honored and excited to join you as your next rector. I look forward to getting to know you and sharing in ministry together.” 

The call came as the result of eight months of work on the part of the discernment committee, led by Jay Moore and Shelley Spalding. Jay said, “After several rounds of interviews with many highly qualified candidates, the discernment committee unanimously determined that John was the right choice for St. Stephen’s at this time. His warm and engaging demeanor together with a keen intellect and his collaborative leadership and management skills make him ideally suited to be our next rector.”

Shelley added. “From very early in our conversations with John it was clear he embraced so many aspects of St. Stephen’s that make us truly special, like our traditional and contemplative worship services. While serving as rector at St. Andrew’s, he has worked to balance worship and spiritual formation with meaningful engagement in the world through outreach. That vision aligns so well with what is at the core of St. Stephen’s.”

The co-chairs also noted John’s passion for family ministry and a successful track record of bringing young families into the church.

“We cannot wait for the parish to meet him!” said Shelley.

“The Rev. John Rohrs is a dynamic, creative priest who has served the Diocese of Southern Virginia with grace and energy,” said the Rt. Rev. Susan Haynes, Episcopal Bishop of Southern Virginia. “In addition to his faithful service to his parish, John has served the diocese as chair of our Repairers of the Breach Commission for Racial Justice and Reconciliation, building bridges and restoring hope as we confront our past and seek healing. Additionally, he has served as dean of his regional convocation in Norfolk, aiding the bishop in care of clergy and lay people alike and advancing the initiatives of the diocese. We are excited for John and his family as they embark on this new chapter in their life’s journey with St. Stephen’s in Richmond.”          

Senior warden Dick Hamrick said, “I am grateful for the period of discernment that allowed us to examine our parish in depth, and to consider who we are after two years of pandemic. While we may have a few worldly scars, our church is not much changed by what we believe to really matter. We have been blessed by exceptional clergy and rectors who have left St. Stephen’s elevated in spirit. John will build on this legacy. We are lucky to have John, Andie, Anna, Will and Tom in our parish family.”

The vestry expresses its gratitude for the members of the discernment committee for their thoughtful and faithful work. In addition to Jay and Shelley, the committee included Gussie Bannard, Robert Birdsey, Becky Boyers, Bob Dibble, Thomas Goode, Richard Kay, Sharon Machrone, Mary Ashburn Pearson, and Martha Proutt.

We’re also happy that John will begin his ministry among us this fall as a new program year gets underway. His first Sunday at St. Stephen’s will be September 11, 2022—the first Sunday of the new program year—and he plans to preach during the morning services.

We ask for your prayers for John, his family and for St. Andrew’s as they enter their time of transition.

June 4, 2022: The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson elected bishop diocesan

At the special convention called to elect a new bishop diocesan, delegates from the parishes of the Diocese of Virginia, including St. Stephen's, elected the Rev. Canon  Mark Stevenson on the second ballot. Information about Canon Stevenson and about the election is available here.

St. Stephen's delegates present at the convention were Gussie Bannard, Sarah Bartenstein, JB Burtch, Bill Davis, Lynn Ivey, Allen Jamerson, Allison Koschak, Cotesworth Pinckney, Aleta Richards, Pen Rogers, and Meg Tucker.

May 18, 2022: Election of the 14th Bishop of Virginia to be held June 4

The Diocese of Virginia will elect a new bishop on Saturday, June 4, at a gathering to be held at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School in Alexandria. Information about the process and the nominees, a list of St. Stephen's delegates, and more, is available here.

When there is an election, we will announce the results here and on our Facebook page. 

March 27, 2022: Chalice to be re-introduced during Maundy Thursday service

Thursday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m.      

“In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it in remembrance of me’.” (I Corinthians 11: 25.) This is the earliest account Jesus’ instructions at the Last Supper, along with his words about the bread. Bread, of the earth, and wine, a conveyor of joy. Together they are life-giving. 

We hear these words each time we celebrate the Eucharist and receive God’s gifts in the sacraments. We take these words to heart because they allow us to abide in Jesus’ life and he in ours. Since the onset of COVID 19, although we proclaim Jesus’ words over the wine, we have only been able to receive the bread. Now, for those who wish, we can receive both bread and wine at Communion. We will return to this practice on Maundy Thursday, when Jesus uttered these very words to his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. Now we, Jesus’ current disciples, also gather with him at the table.

Before the pandemic it had been our custom at St. Stephen’s to consume the wine either by drinking from the chalice or dipping the wafer in a small intinction cup set aside for that purpose. At this time, both chalices for sipping and intinction cups for dipping will be available at the two communion stations at the foot of the chancel steps; chalices (but not intinction cups) will also be available in both side chapels.

Not everyone will be comfortable consuming the wine at this time. You may choose to receive the wafer only; for centuries this was the only way many people received the Sacrament. Anyone who receives bread alone can be assured that this is a full Communion. Some people may wish to drink from the chalice; others may simply want to make the sign of the cross. Both are appropriate responses to Christ’s presence.

St. Stephen's clergy welcome conversations with anyone who would like to talk about these changes. We will use these practices for a number of weeks, as we continue to discern the best path forward.

February 22, 2022: Adjustments to masking guidelines, resumption of parish suppers, and other changes take effect March 1

Beginning Tuesday, March 1, St. Stephen's Church will make several changes to policies that have been in effect in recent weeks and months.

Lent 2022 marks two years since we went from life as we knew it to something completely different—but we hope and believe it also marks the turning of a corner onto the path towards normalcy.  

As we’ve announced previously, the leadership of St. Stephen’s Church continues to adjust health and safety guidelines in response to the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also know that people are weary not only of various restrictions, but eager to be together in person. Nowhere is this truer than in our community of faith.

With the waning of the Omicron surge we believe we are in place to adjust our approach.

While we’ve been offering in-person worship for nearly a year, and Sunday morning formation for many months (with some pauses), we have not been holding some of the fellowship events that the people of St. Stephen’s cherish and rely on.

Beginning Shrove Tuesday, March 1, we will change our mask policy. Masks are preferred and appreciated, but not required.

Vested worship leaders—clergy, choir, vergers, acolytes, lay ministers—will continue to wear masks during worship for now. Members of the congregation will not have to wear masks, however.

The first indoor worship services we’ll hold using these new guidelines will be our Ash Wednesday services on March 2.

We will also permit gatherings in the Large Fellowship Hall. The Women’s Forum will begin meeting there Tuesday, March 1.

An exception will be the Sunday Forum. Holding the forum in the church means that we can livestream it for those who do not attend in person 

Perhaps most welcome of all, we will resume parish suppers on Wednesday, March 9. The Wonderful Wednesdays supper will return, as will the Sunday Community Supper on Sunday, March 13. In both cases, we will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, weather permitting. But since indoor seating will now be available, we will not need to cancel parish suppers because of rain (or snow).

Meetings will be permitted in the parish house, with prior reservations. (Call the parish office at 804.288.2867 to reserve space.)

We’ve recently resumed our Sunday formation offerings for children and youth, and those will continue.

We’re grateful to be in a position to continue the process of re-opening just as Lent begins. Several Lenten offerings are planned and you can read about those in the forthcoming edition of our Seasons of the Spirit magazine, the weekly printed Spirit newsletter, the weekly eSpirit newsletter, and on our Web site

We know that for many in our community, these measures will be happy news—and that for others, the knowledge that not everyone will be masked will be a cause for concern and perhaps even a reason to stay away. This has been one of the most difficult things about this pandemic. Please know that we are aware of differing feelings and comfort levels in our church family, and we respect them. We will continue to offer livestreamed services and hope that, for now, this will be a way for those staying home to feel connected.

We don’t know where the pandemic will take us, but we may need to prudently adjust our strategies as circumstance change, as we have done throughout this time.

A print-friendly version of this announcement is here.

February 4, 2022: Revised health measures take effect February 7

On Thursday, February 3, we sent a special edition of the eSpirit describing the revised health and safety measures which will be in effect beginning Monday, February 7. The text is also published in the February 6 edition of the Spirit, our weekly printed newsletter. A print-friendly version of the statement is available here.

January 19, 2022: Health measures remain in place until February 6

An updated version of the communication we sent earlier this month, detailing health and safety measures, is available here.

January 14, 2022: Services this Sunday

• We will hold our regular services at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. (main church and Palmer Hall), 11:15 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• The 11:15 a.m., 5:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. services will be livestreamed.

• The Sunday Forum and formation for children and youth have been paused, as announced previously.

If road conditions are unsafe, or if you do not feel confident about driving, please stay home and join a service via livestream. And if you know people who do not use email or the internet, please share this information with them.

Updates to our plans, if any, will be communicated:

• on this page
• in our telephone greeting (804.288.2867)
• by email
• on Facebook

An important reminder: We do not communicate inclement weather plans through local news broadcasts. If you see or hear a reference to "St. Stephen's" or "St. Stephen's Episcopal Church" among church closings on television or radio, that's not us! There are other St. Stephen's churches in the region. Please use our communications named above for the latest information.

January 7, 2022: Health and safety measures

The leadership of St. Stephen's Church is taking new health and safety measures in response to the surge in COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalizations in our area. You can read more here.

January 4, 2022: Weather advisory

The parish office will be closed today. Road conditions remain unsafe, and while our sextons did a fine job on Monday of clearing walkways and the parking lot of snow, these surfaces remain icy and dangerous. We will update this page with plans for Wednesday once these are decided. Please stay at home and be safe!

January 2, 2022: Latest safety measures

Our in-person worship will continue, along with livestreams of our services. With the surge in COVID infections locally, we ask you not only to wear a mask anytime you are indoors at St. Stephen's, but that you wear an N95 or KN95 mask, and/or that you double mask. Please remember to wear your mask over your mouth and nose.

We have also marked off seating to facilitate safe distancing. Please do you part by keeping a safe distance from others when you are here. Thank you!

Further updates will be provided on this page as they're available.

December 21, 2021: The Live Nativity is ON for tonight

We've received many calls from folks wondering if the Live Nativity will go on as scheduled this evening, since it's drizzling. The answer is YES! Don your rain gear and come out to enjoy this lovely new tradition between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

December 17, 2021: Christmas at St. Stephen's Church

We're delighted to be able to worship in person this Christmas. We are aware of increases in COVID cases in our region and for the most well-attended services, we are requiring advance registration to keep numbers in a safe range. Masks are required for all, regardless of vaccination status. Please read more here.

October 22, 2021: Update on seating in the church

Beginning Sunday, October 24, we will open every row of seating in the church, rather than marking off every other row. We’ve observed that in some cases, this actually contributed to less distancing, since people have been compelled to crowd into fewer pews. Please continue to practice safe distancing from people who are not in your household or “pod,” and continue to wear a mask (ensure it covers your nose and mouth) regardless of your vaccination status.

Details of other health and safety precautions are noted in the September 3 post (below).  

September 3, 2021: Latest update on health and safety measures

The pandemic that we had hoped was under control has surged in recent weeks. All of us hoped to be able to continue to relax requirements we had put in place but it is clear that new measures are called for. This is a summary of the plans made by parish staff in consultation with the vestry and our medical advisor. This page will continue to be the source for the most up-to-date information as we continue to adjust to changing data. 

Masks and vaccination status
Effective September 7, everyone entering St. Stephen’s buildings for worship, to visit the parish office, the Café @ St. Stephen’s or the May Fair House, to join a meeting, prayer group or small group in the parish house, or for any other reason, must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.

All volunteers–worship leaders (including greeters, ushers, readers, eucharistic ministers, acolytes, etc.), kitchen volunteers, May Fair House volunteers and staff–must show proof of vaccination before being scheduled to serve. All parish staff (clergy, office staff, sextons, baristas, etc.) are already fully vaccinated.

Worship
In addition to masking and vaccination requirements, we will mark off every other pew in the church to facilitate greater distance between people in pews. We are seating choir members further apart in the chancel. We are grateful to be able to continue congregational singing. We will livestream the 11:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. services for those who are not comfortable being here in person.

The Palmer Hall service will resume Sundays at 9 a.m. Because this liturgy is designed for families with younger children, we are especially concerned about safety. Palmer Hall Chapel is a smaller space than the church, so this service will take place in a tent set up next to the café. We’ll gather September 12 at 9 a.m. to learn how this service will be adapted for its new setting, and begin holding the service September 19. As already noted in our weekly communications, we will not have children’s choirs this fall for safety reasons. 

Faith formation, Forum, classes, and groups
The Sunday Forum (10:10 a.m.) will take place in the church to allow more space between those attending. It will be livestreamed for those who cannot be present in person.

The Wednesday evening Inquirers Class will meet in the church and will be livestreamed.

Small groups may meet in the parish house, with individuals safely distanced and masked at all times. Rooms must be reserved in advance by calling the parish office.

Large groups may not meet in the parish house.

Youth formation will take place, since teens are able to be vaccinated. 

Child care, the atria 
We are, unfortunately, not able to provide child care at this time. Because children under 12 are not able to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the Delta variant appears to have more adverse affects for children than the original virus did, we are not confident we can safely provide a nursery during worship services and the Sunday Forum. Likewise, we do not believe it is safe to open the atria for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at this time. We will be incorporating aspects of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd into the Palmer Hall service.

The Palmer Hall service is, of course, particularly comfortable for families with young children, and we hope this will be helpful to those who prefer not to take their children into the main church for services--though children are certainly welcome in those services.

Parents who have relied on child care during the Sunday Forum may wish to take advantage of the livestream of that offering, or the recording that is posted later in the day.

We look forward to the time that we can provide child care again and are grateful for your patience and understanding.   

Suppers
The Sunday Community Supper will continue outdoors. The Wonderful Wednesday supper will not be offered this fall since it would involve a large number of people gathering in the Fellowship Hall unmasked. (October 22 update: suppers have concluded for the fall, since the sun sets so much earlier. We'll bring them back in 2022.)

Health and safety in the new program year from StStephensRVA on Vimeo.

August 4, 2021: New information about masks at St. Stephen’s

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but the interests of others. PHILIPPIANS 2: 3, 4

As widely reported in the news media in recent days, cases of covid-19, particularly the Delta variant, are surging throughout the country, and are on the rise in our area. The Rev. Patrick J. Wingo, our interim rector, the Rev. William S. Stanley, our vicar, and Allison Koschak, our senior warden, have conferred with our medical advisor about prudent steps to take to keep each other safe.

While many in our parish are vaccinated, others are not–including children under the age of 12–and recent data suggest that while the vaccines offer substantial protection against serious illness, they do not necessarily prevent the transmission of the highly contagious Delta variant from person to person.

At this time, our expectation is that all people–regardless of vaccination status–will be masked while indoors at St. Stephen’s, whether in the parish house, the café, or the church.

The parish staff, all of whom are vaccinated, have resumed wearing masks indoors. All those with a leadership role in worship–clergy, readers, singers, acolytes, vergers, greeters, ushers–will be masked before and during the service, regardless of vaccination status. Participants with a speaking role may remove their mask while speaking.

While we are disappointed that the progression of the virus has made this necessary, we are also grateful that we are still able to be together to worship in the church.

Love one another as I have loved you. JOHN 15:12

To watch a video of Pat and Will discussing this change, follow this link.

July 30, 2021: Health and safety protocols at St. Stephen's Church

A special edition of the eSpirit went out today with the following message: 

As widely reported in the past 24 hours, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is issuing new findings about the spread of COVID-19, especially strains such as the Delta variant. 

Our bishop has strongly urged congregations to adjust their protocols based on the latest data in their localities. This week, the City of Richmond and nearby counties have, unfortunately, moved from "moderate" to "substantial" new cases. 

All clergy and other worship leaders, regardless of vaccination status, will wear masks this Sunday. Even if you are fully vaccinated, we encourage you to consider wearing a mask this Sunday to keep yourself and others safe. 

Early next week, parish leaders will meet with our medical advisor to discuss how St. Stephen's Church will respond more fully to this latest public health data. We will communicate with you via another special edition of the eSpirit following that consultation. 

We know that this is a difficult time, and that it is disappointing that we may need to reinstate some of the protocols we had relaxed in recent weeks and months. As always, the health and well-being of all God's children is our primary concern, and we appreciate your flexibility, patience, and cooperation, and of course, your prayers.

June 27, 2021: Update on masks

Fully-vaccinated people may be indoors at St. Stephen's without masks beginning July 1; those who are not fully vaccinated should continue to be masked indoors in the parish house and the church

Our community continues to make progress in the post-pandemic world, with a high percentage of adults receiving vaccinations in Richmond (and in Virginia), and reduction in the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the city.

St. Stephen’s Church was the first Episcopal church in Richmond to welcome people back indoors for worship, with several limitations in place. Just before Memorial Day, we were thrilled to announce the lifting of most of those restrictions, such as limits on the number of people allowed in the church, seating reservations, and—most gratifying of all—reintroducing congregational singing and our full St. Stephen’s Choir.

Like our neighbor Episcopal churches, including St. Mary’s on River Road and St. Paul’s downtown, we continued to require that all wear masks. We looked forward to the time that new cases of the virus in our city would drop to levels low enough to make it prudent to lift this last restriction.

Your vestry and staff believe that day is nearly here. Beginning Thursday, July 1, we will no longer require that masks be worn indoors at St. Stephen’s by those who have been fully vaccinated.

Remembering that our youngest members are not yet vaccinated, and that there are some in our community who are immunocompromised or have other medical conditions which put them at risk, many vaccinated people will choose to wear masks, and we support this wholeheartedly. We ask that any who are not fully vaccinated, for whatever reason, remain masked indoors at church. But for those who are fully vaccinated, we will not require masks.

We understand that our parish includes people of varying views about wearing masks in public spaces. At all times, our concern has been for the well-being of our entire community. We will continue to monitor public health data, and while we fervently hope that the need to reinstate any of the restrictions we have now lifted will not arise, that concern for the well-being of all will continue to govern our decisions.

A note about Communion: We will continue to distribute Communion in one kind (bread only), but you will now be able to consume it at the Communion rail immediately after you receive it, rather than waiting until you return to your seat.

May 25, 2021: Changes to schedule and protocols for indoor worship

During a special called meeting May 24, the vestry of St. Stephen's Church affirmed new plans for worship this Sunday and beyond. As public health data, and recommendations from the CDC, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Diocese of Virginia continue to change, we are able to make several adjustments in our protocols for gathering indoors. In addition to guidance from these sources, our decisions are informed by public health metrics that we have been monitoring for months now. Here is a link to the pandemics Web site of Brown University's School of Public Health, whose data we follow. 

The City of Richmond is now in a "yellow zone" for new infections. We’ve determined that a reasonable time to forego mask requirements is when Richmond reaches the "green zone" for at least seven consecutive days. If conditions worsen, however, we will reinstate some protocols. 

For now, we will continue to require all to wear masks while worshiping indoors, regardless of vaccination status. We neither wish to exclude people who have not been vaccinated, including children under 12, nor to ask for proof of vaccination before admitting anyone to public worship. 

Other guidelines are being relaxed:

• Beginning this week, none of our worship services require sign-up.

• You may sit anywhere in the nave or side chapels (we will not leave every other pew vacant).

• Congregational singing will be permitted--again, with masks properly in place, covering both the nose and mouth.

• Beginning this Sunday, May 30, we will have the St. Stephen’s Choir leading our music (masked, until Richmond is in the green zone). 

Also beginning this Sunday, we will move to our traditional summer worship schedule, with services at

• 8 a.m.

• 10 a.m.

• 5:30 p.m. 

Please be sensitive to others whose health concerns may be different from your own, and refrain from hugging or hand-shaking. 

We anticipate that relaxation of some guidelines will cause some in our community to feel less comfortable attending in-person worship. Beginning this Sunday, we will not only livestream a morning service (the 10 a.m.), but will also livestream the 5:30 p.m. service. 

Beginning in July, two offerings that people have missed very much will return: the Sunday Community Supper, outdoors, after the Celtic service; and at 8 p.m., our sung service of Compline. (As a reminder, Compline is sung only by the choir. Those who attend the service do not speak or sing.) 

Beyond worship
Beginning Tuesday, June 1, we plan to open the doors to the parish house and the church during the week. Masks will be required in all but private gatherings until we are in the green zone. So, for example, as you walk down the hall, or to the restroom, or into the parish office, please wear a mask. When you arrive at the location of your meeting or small group, your group may decide whether or not to wear masks during your time together, remembering to put them back on once you leave your meeting room.

We are deeply grateful that trends continue to move in a positive direction, and we appreciate your flexibility, patience, and understanding as we adapt to these changes.

May 7, 2021: Vestry calls interim rector

St. Stephen's vestry has called the Rev. Patrick J. Wingo as interim rector to work with clergy and staff during the transition begun when the Rev. Gary Jones retired as rector of St. Stephen's Church. You can read the announcement sent to parishioners here.

April 27, 2021: Agreement with St. Catherine's School extended

St. Stephen’s and our neighbor, St. Catherine’s School, have adopted a two-year agreement for the school to lease the space traditionally used for our preschool on a temporary basis, while St. Stephen’s continues to discern how we can build on the preschool ministry. 

St. Stephen’s Preschool has a long and cherished place in the life and ministry of St. Stephen’s Church. Its excellent staff and educational program are beloved not only by parishioners but by the larger community, and it has been our intention all along to reopen our vibrant preschool as soon as possible.

Last year, when the pandemic was forcing shutdowns across the nation, church leaders weighed many factors, including expert medical advice, and very reluctantly decided to close the school for the 2020-21 school year, making the best decision with the information available at the time. Our intention was to spend that year strategically planning improvements to our preschool spaces, improving the air quality and circulation, and planning for any possible additions or enhancements to our already stellar preschool staff and program. Regrettably, we had to alert preschool parents (and prospective parents) in January that re-opening in the fall could not be assured.

The pandemic continues to present unique challenges for churches, schools, and other organizations. St. Catherine’s School was in need of additional space to allow its in-person instruction to continue as safely as possible. Leasing this currently-unused space presents a helpful, if temporary, solution for these two neighbors and partners in ministry and is also a sound business decision, while the church continues its work of planning to reopen our highly valued preschool.

The rector and parish leaders have all along affirmed the central importance of our preschool ministry, and it was never anyone’s intention to close our beloved preschool permanently. The challenges of the pandemic have been considerable, but the commitment to ministry, especially with children, has never wavered. We will use this time of transition at St. Stephen’s as an opportunity to discern how we can build on the extraordinary school we have had for many years. We hope to appoint an advisory committee this fall to make recommendations to the vestry.

April 21, 2021: Small groups may now reserve space for meetings

The parish staff has been contacting conveners and group leaders, but if you lead a small group and have not heard from the staff, you may call the parish office to find out what times and spaces are available. (If you are a member of a group, please contact your group's leader or convener for information.) 

Here are some things to know before you call: 

• Groups must reserve space in advance;

• Selected rooms will be available (some spaces where groups have met in the past are not available at this time);

• The total number of people permitted in the parish house at one time is limited;

• Masks must be worn at all times while you are indoors;

• You must maintain safe distance within your group;

• Some outdoor spaces are available, but should be reserved in advance as indoor spaces are;

• We are unable to accommodate large groups or non-St. Stephen's groups at this time; we look forward to the time when we are again able to offer this hospitality! 

You may have other questions, as well. Please call the parish office at 804.288.2867 for additional information and to ask about reserving a place for your small group to meet.

March 30, 2021: Indoor worship returns

Beginning Easter Day 2021, St. Stephen's Church will offer several indoor worship services. Pre-registration is required since the numbers allowed indoors are limited. Read more here.

February 18, 2021: Office and café to open at 10 a.m.; no Morning Prayer

The parish office and the Café @ St. Stephen's will open at 10 a.m. Friday, to allow some time for temperatures to warm a bit and make travel safer. The office remains closed to the public due to the pandemic, but the phone will be staffed beginning at 10 a.m. The café offers online ordering and curbside pick-up, and suppers-to-go will be available. 

This means that we will not livestream Morning Prayer on Friday. If you would like to say Morning Prayer at home, you can find the service on page 75 in the Book of Common Prayer. The readings appointed for Friday are:

• Psalms 95 and 31
• Deuteronomy 7:12-16
• Titus 2:1-15
• John 1:35-42

If you do not have a Bible at home, you can find these texts here.

The Farmers Market @ St. Stephen's will be open on Saturday, as will the café.

February 17, 2021: Office and café to be closed Thursday; no Morning Prayer

In light of the weather forecast which calls for dangerous travel conditions, the parish office will be closed on Thursday, February 18; there will be no Morning Prayer and the café will be closed for the day.

February 9, 2021: Gary Jones announces retirement as rector of St. Stephen's

In a communication to the parish today, the Rev. Gary D. Jones, who has served as rector of this 4700-member church for nearly 16 years, announced his plans to retire from that ministry. Gary will conclude his ministry at St. Stephen's on April 30, 2021. Read messages from Gary and from the wardens of St. Stephen's vestry, Allison Koschak and Lynn Ivey, below.

• Letter from the rector
• Letter from the wardens

The announcement was sent through a special edition of the eSpirit, and a letter mailed via USPS to those on the parish mailing list. 

January 8, 2021: St. Stephen’s Church providing temporary classroom space for St. Catherine’s School

St. Stephen’s Church’s will provide temporary classroom space for St. Catherine’s School in our preschool this winter.

Since our preschool space is not being used during the current academic year, we are delighted to be able to provide temporary classrooms for approximately 60 St. Catherine’s School fifth-grade students, beginning the week of January 11, 2021. We’re grateful to be in a position to assist our neighbor, with whom we have had a long and fruitful relationship, as they seek to provide the safest possible environment for students and faculty. The most recent surge in COVID cases prompted the school to approach St. Stephen’s about using our preschool classrooms on a temporary basis, until the surge abates. 

St. Catherine’s has been a partner in ministry with St. Stephen’s for many years, with our clergy regularly speaking in chapel and classroom settings, and we regularly exchange resources. St. Catherine’s has worshiped in our church on special occasions for over 100 years, and the school has regularly offered space to the church in our times of need. During our centennial renovation, we had a memorable and inspiring celebration of Easter Day in the St. Catherine’s gymnasium. This is truly a life-giving relationship.

In this historic pandemic, St. Catherine’s has been able to put their considerable resources and expertise to work, in order to provide the safest possible environment for teachers and learners alike. At St. Stephen’s, they will constitute a separate “pod” during the pandemic, exclusively using a separate entrance. All associated with this fifth-grade pod will remain in the preschool space downstairs. The school will arrange for their own cleaning and other functions in order to maintain separation from our parish staff.

Parish leaders continue to consider options for the preschool for 2021-22 year. Since we know that this is the time of year when families must make decisions about preschool for their children, we have notified the preschool community that we are not accepting applications or deposits for 2021 at this time. 

St. Stephen’s Church has a long and venerable history of excellence in childcare and preschool ministries, and we are determined to continue that legacy. The worldwide pandemic has led us to evaluate how to offer the best possible program, and it is not clear to us that we will be able to announce anything in time for parents to make their decisions for the coming year. 

In the meantime, we are happy to be able to support educational excellence and the safety of students and their teachers by inviting St. Catherine’s School to use our preschool space on a temporary basis.

News about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting St. Stephen's offerings

All updates can be found here.

September 15, 2020

Read about the new weekly rhythm of parish life for Fall 2020 and beyond.

The May Fair House will begin offering phone orders and curbside service on October 5. Read more.