Wednesday evenings for adults
Wednesday evening is 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.
Discerning what is important: Approaches to end-of-life decision making
Three Wednesday evenings in Palmer Hall
Five Wishes
April 22 at 6:30 p.m.
The Rev. Cate Anthony and the Rev. Faith Fitzgerald will lead the first session of this three-part series. Faith is Director of Pastoral Care at Westminster-Canterbury Richmond. Cate and Faith will explore issues and questions that arise at the end of one’s life. Using the Five Wishes advanced care planning model, Cate and Faith will think about the many dimensions of end-of-life decision making.
Five Wishes was developed as the first advance care plan to address personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes, in addition to medical treatment. It’s called the “living will with heart and soul.” All are welcome to join this important conversation.
Aging with dignity: lessons and resources from the SPAN Center
April 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Amy Strite, Executive Director of the SPAN Center, will join us for the second session of this series. The Span Center serves as the Capital Area Agency on Aging for Central Virginia. They help older adults, as well as individuals with disabilities, maintain their independence and enhance their quality of life wherever possible, while providing essential support to caregivers. Amy will share the mission of the SPAN center and the work they do in support of older adults and caregivers. She will also provide an overview of their programs, addressing the ways that the SPAN Center supports the well-being, dignity, and connection of older adults while addressing the impact of agism and why it matters in how we care for and value one another.
Amy Strite joined the SPAN Center in 2022 with over 30 years of non-profit leadership experience. In addition to her work with the SPAN Center, Amy serves on the boards of Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the Capital Region Workforce Partnership, and Legal Services Corporation of Virginia. Amy holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from West Virginia University and a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Amy and her family are active members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Estate Planning
May 6 at 6:30 p.m.
In the final session of this series, join Newnie Rogers for a presentation and conversation about estate planning. Newnie presented here last year and was so well-received that we’ve invited her back.
Being With: Creation | Wednesdays, January 21, 28, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. in Palmer Hall
Building on the Rev. Samuel Wells’ visit to St. Stephen’s in November 2025, this class will use his Being With curriculum to dive into questions about creation care, a theology of creation, and how Christians can contend with the climate crisis. Being With: Creation sessions will include a time of shared wondering, a short “talk,” and time for reflective conversation. Sessions will be moderated by the Rev. Cate Anthony. All are welcome.
January 21: A Crisis for Christians
January 28: Enjoying Creation
February 4: What can we do?