Sunday Formation for Adults
Sunday morning formation takes place from 10:10 until 11 a.m.
For adults, this includes the Sunday Forum in the fellowship hall (also livestreamed) and Many Parents, One Vine in Room 14.
In the evening, between the contemplative service of Celtic Evensong and Communion (5:30 p.m. to about 6:30 p.m.) and the sung Compline service (8 to 8:30 p.m.) we offer a series called Trailheads. Those who wish may pick up supper at the Sunday Community Supper and bring it to the Café @ St. Stephen’s where Trailhead sessions take place, 7-7:50 p.m. (Please note that Trailheads does not convene every week; check this page and the Spirit and eSpirit for dates, speakers, and topics.)
Registration is not required for most Sunday formation offerings. The planners of Many Parents, One Vine, remind parents to complete the all-purpose family registration form which includes this offering. Registration is requested for An Introduction to the Episcopal Church. This class is offered a few times a year, sometimes on Sunday mornings, sometimes on weeknights.
The Sunday Forum
10:10 a.m. in the fellowship hall (and livestreamed)
The Sunday Forum returns September 14, 2025 with a parish update on programs, staffing, new signage, finances and more.
On September 21, a three-part series begins on the timely theme “Foundations of Faith in Troubled Times.”
Many Parents, One Vine
10:10 a.m. in Room 14
Planned and led by the Rev. Cate Anthony with Andrew Robertson, Paula Chambers, Scott Mates, Julie and Farmer
This staff and lay-led parenting support group addresses topics relevant to family life. This is a space to grow in faith and connect with other parents in mutual affirmation. Raising children takes a village and together, connected to the vine, we are stronger parents. Members of the leadership team facilitate the Sunday sessions with an opportunity for open dialogue and questions. All are welcome and no registration is required, though it’s helpful to the parent team if you complete the family ministry registration.
Trailheads
Sunday evenings, 7 –7:50 in the Café @ St. Stephen’s
New Lenten series
Praying shapes believing: St. Stephen’s evening services and Holy Week
How we pray shapes what we believe; this is a deep truth that involves the style and content of the worship service as much as how one approaches and participates with the mind, body, and heart. This Lenten series explores aspects of our evening services as well as for Holy Week. Each topic will consider practices to help you deepen or enliven your experience of worship. The final session, held on the threshold of Holy Week, explores its worship services, the rites at the heart of Christian proclamation.
March 1 | Music at the Celtic service and Compline
Explore the soundscapes of our evening services and learn ways to deepen your experience in worship. Diana Chou, associate director of music, and the Rev. Cate Anthony, associate rector, will discuss the intricate choices and intentions that weave together the music of the Celtic service; background about Compline’s chanted prayers and choral music sung by Sanctuary, our mixed a cappella chamber choir; and practices that anyone may try that are based on how they themselves open mind, heart, and spirit to the experience of listening, being present, and participating more deeply in worship.
March 8 | Poetry and prayers of the Celtic service
The Rev. John Jenkins will lead us in examining the opening elements of the Celtic service, all of which are forms of prayer, with a focus on practices to open the mind, heart, and spirit to sacred encounter in worship. All are welcome and all are encouraged to bring a question or observation about the poems, scripture, prayers, reflections, grace, peace, or announcements.
March 15 | ‘This is the table’—Holy Communion
The Rev. John Jenkins will lead this examination of the key parts and theological elements of Holy Communion, with a focus on ways to open the mind, heart, and spirit to sacred encounter in worship. All are welcome and all are encouraged to bring a question or observation about Communion at the Celtic service—the prayers, movements, actions, concluding prayers, blessing, or dismissal.
March 22 | Healing prayer: origins and more
Vicki Garidakos, Catherine Whitham, Henry Burke and the Rev. John Jenkins will discuss the lineage of healing prayer in Christian practice and focus on how to open and present oneself for the healing ministries St. Stephen’s offers at the Celtic service and beyond. All are welcome and all are encouraged to bring a question or observation about healing prayer, the laying on of hands or anointing, or obstacles to receiving the grace of these ministries.
March 29 | Holy Week at St. Stephen’s Church: an exploration of the rites at the heart of Christian hope, life, and worship
At this gathering on the Sunday of the Passion—Palm Sunday, the threshold to Holy Week, the Rev. John Jenkins will discuss the experiential aspects of the worship services of this week. These services proclaim the heart of Christian hope and life in God’s acts to reconcile and heal all of creation. All are welcome and all are encouraged to bring a question or observation about any service or aspect of Holy Week.