Martin Smith at St. Stephen's Church
Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, 2023
We are glad to begin the season of Advent with a special guest, the Rev. Martin Smith, priest, teacher, retreat leader and author.
Quiet Day: Advent Grace for Starting Over
Saturday, December 2 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Online registration has closed; if you wish to sign up call the parish office at 804.288.2867 by 4 p.m. Friday.
The freshness of God’s patience is most real to us when we accept the call once again to open a new chapter, make a fresh beginning, making ourselves available to God’s desire to be in us and with us. Join us, and invite your friends, for an interlude of reflection and prayer at this Advent time of starting over. Martin will give three talks to stimulate our prayer and thought, and we will cherish this rare occasion to be quiet together. Our time will close with an opportunity for questions and sharing. Registration is required for this quiet day.
Outline of the day
9 a.m.--Welcome
9:30 a.m.--First Address, followed by quiet time for prayer
11 a.m.--Second Address, followed by quiet time for prayer
12:15 p.m.--Lunch (in quiet with music)
1 p.m.--Third Address, followed by quiet time for prayer
2:15 p.m.--Session for sharing and questions, closing prayers
3 p.m.--Depart
Registration
Online registration has closed. If you wish to attend and have not registered, please call the parish office by 4 p.m. Friday, December 2, at 804.288.2867. The cost of $30 includes lunch. Please write a check payable to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and bring it to the office on Friday, or bring it with you on Saturday morning.
The First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 3
Martin will preach at the morning services, speak in the Sunday Forum, and be the celebrant and reflector at the Celtic service.
Sunday Forum at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall: 'Deepening our Faith in the Salvation of All'
How many thousands turn away from hearing the gospel because they think that the doctrine that God will condemn millions to unending torture in hell is central to Christianity? In this forum we will explore how deeply grounded, especially in the mystical tradition, is the conviction summed up in Julian of Norwich’s famous words “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” In believing that God’s love shall ultimately overcome all resistance and estrangement, we are siding with great teachers and saints past and present. No registration is needed for the Sunday Forum.
About Martin Smith
Martin Smith is widely known throughout the Episcopal Church for his roving ministry of lecturing, preaching and retreat leading, and as an author exploring contemporary spirituality in such popular books as A Season for the Spirit, The Word is Very Near You, Compass and Stars, and many others. He is based in Washington, D.C., where he served until his retirement as senior associate rector of St. Columba’s Church.