Week of Compassion

The Week of Compassion: November 8-15, 2026

In the midst of a divisive and anxious climate in the United States and throughout the world, St. Stephen’s Church strives to ground our common life in one shared ministry to be a community of hospitality, healing, and hope, sharing the love of Christ. For the third year, St. Stephen’s will hold a “Week of Compassion” to demonstrate and celebrate that we are all children of God, called together in common mission.

The Week of Compassion begins with a commemoration of our patron saint, who was the first deacon in the early church. We transfer our celebration of the Feast of St. Stephen to Sunday, November 8, from December 26. While we seek to practice compassion year-round, this week helps us focus our attention on the example set by Stephen, whose story in the Acts of the Apostles is one of servanthood.

The week will also provide ways to focus our attention on unity and healing through service to the community and one another. Specific events and service opportunities are below.

Sunday, November 8: St. Stephen’s Day, transferred

On Sunday, our worship will celebrate St. Stephen’s Day and Stephen’s role as the church’s first deacon, as told in the Acts of the Apostles.

In the Sunday Forum, St. Stephen’s missionaries, Heidi Schmidt and Monica Vega, will share about their ministry in Jujuy, Argentina where they work closely with women and children who suffer the effects of violence and addiction to drugs and alcohol. In collaboration with the community, Heidi and Monica engage in projects that create a safe space and physical shelter and provide practical help to build new lives. 10:10-11 a.m. in the fellowship hall; open to all.

Family ministry service activity: During the Sunday morning formation hour (10:10-11 a.m.), children, youth, and parents will gather to make winter break backpacks for Fairfield Court Elementary students, emergency pet kits for the pantry at Atlantic Outreach Group, cards for Thanksgiving boxes, and prepare a meal for the Pace Center to feed VCU students experiencing food insecurity. No sign-up required.

Thanksgiving boxes: On Sunday we will begin distribution of empty boxes for parishioners to take home and pack with ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal (a shopping list will be provided). If they wish, they may also decorate the boxes before returning them to church. Grab a box from the outreach table. Filled boxes are due at St. Stephen’s by Sunday, November 23.

Monday, November 9

St. Stephen’s food pantry: Up to four people may join members of the St. Stephen’s food pantry volunteer team to help visitors select food during the weekly food pantry distribution. 12:20-3:30 p.m. Registration is required.

‘Recipes of the World’ release: Members of our food pantry community graciously shared recipes that Manager Anna Jones has gathered into a recipe booklet. The finished product showcases the breadth of pantry patrons’ lived food experiences and will be distributed free of charge during regular food pantry hours, 1-3 p.m. 

Tuesday, November 10

CrossOver Clinic: St. Stephen’s parishioners are invited to set up and be present at a diabetes education and awareness display table at the Henrico clinic and to hand out information. Brief online training is provided by the clinic, and no medical knowledge is required of volunteers, just a willingness to help. Shifts are 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.; please select one. Registration required.

Self-compassion wellness event: Too often, we are compassionate and caring for others while neglecting ourselves. In this Week of Compassion, take care of yourself with an hour self-care chair class with yoga teacher and massage therapist Robin Raver. With more than 30 years of experience, Robin combines basic stretches, movements, and self-massage techniques to reduce tension and increase mobility. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Café @ St. Stephen’s. Come early for coffee and fellowship. Registration requested.

‘Let the Little Children Come to Me’: This program, offered by the Women of St. Stephen’s, recalls Matthew 19:14 by focusing two organizations doing extraordinary work to heal and revitalize the lives of children in Richmond: Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and Richmond Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN). A representative from Children’s Hospital will share ways they strive to nurture every child by providing comprehensive medical care within a safe, kid-friendly space where families can stay close during treatment. An advocate from Richmond SCAN will share information about their compassionate approach to preventing and treating child abuse.  6:30-8:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided. Free and open to all.

 

Wednesday, November 11

Shalom Farms workday: Join us for a morning spent volunteering at Shalom Farms’ North Side urban farm. This event is appropriate for ages 4 to 104. Tasks might include planting and/or harvesting fall crops, weeding, or washing and packing produce. Shalom Farms not only grows food for people with limited access to fresh produce, but also provides ecological, agricultural, and nutritional education for the community. 8:45 a.m.-noon. Registration required.

Thursday, November 12

Morning Prayer and coffee conversations: Join representatives from St. Stephen’s creation care committee and racial healing commission for Morning Prayer in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (8:10 a.m.) followed by coffee in the Café @ St. Stephen’s. We’ll have conversations in the library and the courtyard, and visit our new native plant garden. You’ll learn more about these ministries and consider whether you might wish to take part.

St. Stephen’s Evensong: The service of Choral Evensong (sung Evening Prayer) is a jewel of the Anglican musical and liturgical tradition. This musical offering will be a celebration of our parish’s patron, St. Stephen. The service will last no longer than 40 minutes and will include music of Margaret Burk, Harold Friedell, and Ernest Bullock. Donations of nonperishable items are requested for the food pantry and will be brought forward during the offering. 6 p.m. in the main church; free and open to all.

St. Stephen’s food pantry: Up to 12 people are invited to help organize and shelve pantry items donated by St. Catherine’s students and families and by those attending Evensong. 7-8:30 p.m. Registration required.

Saturday, November 14

Rebuilding Together Richmond: Join a team from St. Stephen’s Church making repairs to a home in Petersburg. We will meet at the house at 8:30 a.m. and work until the afternoon. Lunch will be provided. Details, including the address, will be provided after the required registration.

Gleaning: Two people are invited to join veteran gleaners to collect donations of produce, meat, etc., from vendors at the farmers market and store them for use in Monday’s food pantry distribution. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Registration required.

Sunday, November 15

Monica Vega, one of St. Stephen’s Church’s two missionaries in Argentina, will preach at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services; Heidi Schmidt, our other missionary, will lead the “wondering” in the 9 a.m. Palmer Hall service and will also provide a reflection at the 5:30 p.m. service of Celtic Evensong and Communion. In the Sunday Forum, we’ll hear from Tommy Blain, new head of School at the Anna Julia Cooper School. 10:10-11 a.m. in the fellowship hall; no sign-up required.