Adult Formation and Fellowship
St. Stephen’s Church offers a wide array of opportunities for adults
to grow in faith with others.
Groups and Offerings for Adults
St. Stephen’s is a large church where a variety of groups help people feel connected through fellowship, study, prayer, and more, whether you’re looking for a group of young adults, senior adults, men, women, parents. . . we provide a variety of ways for you to get to know others, to know yourself better, to learn something new, and to grow closer to God.
Small Groups
St. Stephen’s Church has a robust small groups ministry. Read more about the variety of groups by clicking the button.
Bible Study
A Thursday morning Bible study convenes for several weeks at a time, focusing on a particular book of the Bible or a specific theme. This group is led by St. Stephen’s clergy. Upcoming dates and themes are posted here and in the Spirit and eSpirit.
January 16-May 15 (no group on April 17) at 10 a.m. in Room 14
Through the winter and spring, we will dive into the books of Genesis and Exodus. As we marvel at the ancient world, we will witness the origins of God’s covenant with humanity and learn how to participate in God’s covenantal life. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary; attendance at every session is not required to participate. No registration is needed.
The Women of St. Stephen’s
The Women of St. Stephen’s host monthly programs and speakers, as well as outreach activities, trips and tours, social gatherings, and more. They also run a gift shop that raises funds for community grants. While leadership for these offerings is provided by women, everything is open to all.
Young Adults
Adults of all ages are welcome in the groups and classes described here. In addition, we have groups and events that are planned especially for young adults. While the definition of “young” is up to you, we invite adults who are single, partnered, with or without children, and generally speaking, in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Young adult offerings can include such things as small groups, book groups, social events, outreach and service projects, and more. They are announced in our weekly communications and through young adult email blasts.
Senior Adults
Adults of all ages take part in nearly everything we offer at St. Stephen’s Church, from small groups to the Women of St. Stephen’s, outreach ministries to cooking parish suppers or May Fair House foods, attending the parish weekend at Shrine Mont and Bible study–to name just some of these activities. Some groups and activities, however, are especially for senior adults.
St. Stephen’s clergy regularly visit Westminster-Canterbury or Cedarfield where many St. Stephen’s parishioners live. Our clergy lead worship services at Westminster-Canterbury, and work in partnership with area churches to provide support at Cedarfield, and attend events for our parishioners at both retirement communities.
Our Sunday Forum series on mental health includes a presentation on February 9 about mental wellness as we grow older, and a Wednesday evening series, “As We Age,” is exploring several different aspects of the second half of life.
A relatively new group calling themselves EpiscoPals is comprised of retired parishioners who enjoy providing support to the staff and our food ministry.
A new group coming in 2025 will focus on the Spirituality of Aging. Learn more about all of these offerings here.
Men’s Prayer Groups
Small groups of men gather weekly for prayer and fellowship. These groups meet Thursdays at 9 a.m. in the lounge, and Fridays at 8:15 a.m. in the library. All are welcome, and no registration is needed.
Sunday Formation
Sunday Forum
The Sunday Forum features members of our clergy and others from within the parish, as well as guest speakers, presenting on a variety of topics. The forum gathers on Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall between the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services during the program year (September through May). No sign-up is needed.
An Introduction to the Episcopal Church
This class is especially for those who are new to the Episcopal Church, but it can be an enriching experience for any who simply want to deepen their knowledge or who’d like a refresher. It serves as preparation for adults to be confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church during our annual visit from one of our bishops. Sometimes the class is offered on weekday evenings, at other times it’s offered Sunday mornings. We post upcoming class dates and times here, and announce them in the Spirit and eSpirit.
Next class: Sunday evenings at 7 p.m., March 9 – April 27, 2025 (no class Easter Day, April 20); led by St. Stephen’s clergy. Read more and register using the button below.
Many Parents, One Vine
Many Parents, One Vine gathers in Room 14 on Sundays between the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services during the school year. This is a parenting support group which uses podcasts, readings, and guest speakers to launch discussions, while remaining open to addressing topics that may arise within individual families or the community at large. No registration or prior attendance is required to participate.
Trailheads
Trailheads is a Sunday evening offering, taking place between the Celtic service and Compline. A trailhead is both a meeting place for hikers and a point of departure for an encounter. Likewise, on Sunday evenings we gather–sometimes in the Café @ St. Stephen’s, sometimes in Palmer Hall–to learn, share, and connect at the intersections of Christian life, practice, and faith. Bring your meal from the Sunday Community Supper if you like. Trailheads does not convene every week, so watch the Spirit and eSpirit for upcoming Trailheads offerings.
Wednesdays
Wednesday evening is another gathering time for St. Stephen’s, with a mid-week supper, youth choir rehearsal, and several small groups. This is also a time when we offer occasional programs, listed below; watch the Spirit and eSpirit for additional announcements.
The menu for the mid-week supper (September-May) is available each week on this page.
Wednesdays this winter and spring
January 15 and January 22 | 6:30 p.m.
Seeing the World Through Spiritual Lenses
On January 15, parishioner Kim Schmidt, a skilled and in-demand professional photographer, will present “Photography as a Tool for Creative Worship, Connection and Community.” Kim has an impressive portfolio including work with various educational and nonprofit organizations. Her photographs encompass a variety of personal, cultural, and social situations. She is at home with notable public figures and with people on the streets facing basic life challenges. This visual storyteller captures images of daily struggle as well as change and the people who inspire it.
On January 22, Roman Williams will present “Seeing the Sacred through Interfaith Lenses.” A few years ago, Roman led a project in interfaith relations that included Richmond and convened at St. Stephen’s Church. Just a few weeks ago, Sacred Snaps, the co-authored book describing the project, appeared in print. Photovoice–of which Roman is founder–is a process that invites people to use their smartphone cameras to compose photos of their everyday lives, then share their stories with people from different religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds. Through this process participants develop relationships across difference that build religious empathy and vision for the common good. Roman holds a Ph.D. in the sociology of religion from Boston University and a Th.M. focused on global religions from Gordon-Conwell Seminary. He has been a college teacher and academic administrator.
All are invited to these programs. Please bring a camera (a camera phone is fine).
January 29
CrossOver Healthcare Ministry
Learn about this Richmond nonprofit organization that provides high-quality medical care to uninsured people and those on Medicaid when Jackie Griggs, their director of resource development and communications, visits St. Stephen’s. CrossOver has received grants and volunteer support from St. Stephen’s and the Women of St. Stephen’s over the years. No registration is needed for this free event hosted by the Women of St. Stephen’s.
February 2, 9, 16, 23
As We Age: A Wednesday Evening Series
The challenges are obvious. Yet, as we age, opportunities surface and wait for us to grasp them. By faith, aging can be a redemptive journey toward wholeness. The spiritual possibilities can blossom as at no other phase of life. In a series of presentations over the four Wednesday evenings of February, we can discover the true meaning of aging, and recognize that at any stage of life we can discover God as never before.
On Wednesday, February 5, Bill Sachs will draw on Richard Rohr’s book, Falling Upward. Rohr speaks of a “spirituality for the two halves of life” in which simplistic views of gain and loss prove unreliable. Aging is a spiritual journey, an unavoidable trek that is filled with possibilities for freedom and discovery. Thus, Bill’s title is “Aging as a Spiritual Journey.”
On February 12, we will hear a doctor’s view of aging. “Aging as a Physical Journey” seems to be an obvious topic. But Amy McConnell, MD, will describe not simply how our bodies age, but how we can manage our health to offer the fullest possible life.
On February 19, the Rev. Shirley Smith Graham, who serves on the staff of the Diocese of Virginia, will join us for “God is Not Elsewhere: Realizing the Rich Spiritual Lives of Older Adults,” she will underscore the discoveries possible. Shirley brings considerable experience in personal and congregational development, as her breadth of insight will reveal.
On February 26, the last presentation in the series, parishioner Lynn Ivey will describe the practical dimensions of caring for a loved one. “Aging Independence Begins with a Safe Home” will draw together the hopes and concerns this series has described. We will find the spiritual through the practical, the possibilities through the hurdles. Within aging’s obvious aspects, God calls us toward our true selves.
Join us at 6:30 p.m. in Palmer Hall, following our midweek parish supper in the fellowship hall. All are invited, and no registration is needed.
March 5 is Ash Wednesday; there will be no Wednesday supper or programs that evening.
March 12 and 19 and April 2 and 9
Hymns for Lent
In 2022, Christopher Lindbloom gave a presentation on Advent hymns that was so well-received that we followed it with Wednesday evening presentations on the same topic. This spring, Chris will offer a four-week series on hymns used in Lent. (Please note that between the first two and the second two presentations, there will be a break for a concert featuring Sanctuary.)
March 26 (7 p.m.)
Labyrinth concert featuring Sanctuary
For the first time, Sanctuary, our Compline Choir, will offer a concert during Lent. The program is inspired by the meditative practice of walking the labyrinth. Details are on our concerts page.
April 2 and 9
Final two sessions of Chris Lindbloom’s series on hymns for Lent