The Women
of St. Stephen’s
The group known as the Women of St. Stephen’s has been in existence for nearly all of St. Stephen’s Church’s history and has been instrumental in strengthening our ministries.
The Women of St. Stephen’s
Before women could be elected to vestries, serve as lay readers, acolytes, or in other worship roles, or pursue Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church, they found many other ways to serve. They also became excellent fundraisers for the ministries of the church! Today lay and ordained women are involved in every aspect of church life, including leadership roles. Many parishes continue the legacy of their predecessors through a group known as “The Episcopal Church Women,” or ECW for short, doing important work locally, nationally, and internationally. At St. Stephen’s, that group is known as the Women of St. Stephen’s, and they are engaged in a variety of ministries. They also run the May Fair House, a food and gift shop which raises tens of thousands of dollars for community outreach every year.
During the program year the group hosts the Women’s Forum. These gatherings are on the first Tuesday of the month and you and your friends are cordially invited to attend (men are most welcome, as well). In addition to the fun, fellowship and education of the forum, there are numerous volunteer possibilities through the Women of St. Stephen’s.
How do you join the Women of St. Stephen’s? If you are a woman and you’re at St. Stephen’s Church, you are already considered a member of this group.
Not only that, but men are also invited to take part in everything this group offers, including cooking for the May Fair House or volunteering in the shop, attending the monthly Women’s Forum, or going on trips and tours sponsored by the group.
If you’d like to receive periodic emails about the forum, the May Fair House, volunteer opportunities, and other activities of the Women of St. Stephen’s, click on the button to sign up.
The May Fair House
The Women of St. Stephen’s run the May Fair House, a food and gift shop whose proceeds fund outreach grants made by the “WOSS” grants committee.
Hours of operation are:
September through May
Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon
Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The shop is closed Mondays and whenever the parish office is closed for a holiday or inclement weather.
June, July, and August
During the summer, the shop is open from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays during the farmers market. It’s closed on weekdays and Sundays in the summer.
Trips and Tours
The Women of St. Stephen’s sponsor trips and tours to provide opportunities for fellowship as well as to raise additional funds for their outreach grants. These include overnight trips as well as day trips, with transportation, attractions, and some meals included in the fees. Information about upcoming trips is provided in the Spirit, the eSpirit, and the email newsletter of the Women of St. Stephen’s. An upcoming trip is listed below.
Programs hosted by
the Women of St. Stephen’s
Programs for fall 2025 through spring 2026 are listed below. ALL programs are for EVERYONE–not just women and not just members of St. Stephen’s Church!
- Unless otherwise indicated, there is no charge and no registration required. Guests are always welcome–bring a neighbor, friend, or your spouse.
- Printed brochures listing these events are available at Information Central outside the parish office. (Here’s a PDF version.)
- Be sure to sign up for the Women of St. Stephen’s email newsletter here so that you’re up to date if changes are made to the location of a program, or if inclement weather causes a program to be postponed.
October 7, 2025: Crafting Fall Beauty with Kate Vernon
Gather, 9:30 a.m.; program, 10 a.m.; the Fellowship Hall
Kate Vernon from The Arrangers Market, family-owned and operated in Richmond, will provide a program on container gardening. She will build and demonstrate unique arrangements for fall decorating with easy-to-use containers that are simple, sophisticated, and celebrate nature.
November 4, 2025: Financial Expertise for Women with Liz Brown
Gather, 6:30 p.m.; program, 7 p.m.; the Fellowship Hall
St. Stephen’s parishioner Liz Brown is an Associate Financial Advisor at Davenport. Women tend to invest 40 percent less than men, but typically live longer and have a greater need for post-retirement income. We will learn about the different factors that affect women throughout their investment years, and the implications for how women should structure a financial plan. Liz has a B.S. in commerce from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Chicago. She also serves the Women of St. Stephen’s as grants co-chair. This vital program will provide essential information for all ages.
December 2, 2025: Advent Music Program
11 a.m. in the church; luncheon follows in the Fellowship Hall
A delightful beginning to Advent, this program will feature seasonal music provided by the talented St. Andrew’s School choir and St. Stephen’s musicians. Our traditional holiday luncheon will follow. The music program is free and open to all, but there is a fee for luncheon. Watch for registration details in the Spirit, the eSpirit, and the Women of St. Stephen’s email newsletter.
January 6, 2026: A message of hope with Art for the Journey
Gather, 9:30 a.m.; program, 10 a.m.; the Fellowship Hall
Art for the Journey is dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of art to support those facing challenges, including illness, trauma, and loss. Through innovative programs and workshops, they provide a safe space for self-expression, healing, and connection. Programs are provided to different target audiences including women at The Lighthouse RVA, those who are incarcerated, veterans, and youth, including students at Anna Julia Cooper School. Art for the Journey has exhibited work by many of these groups in our gallery and cafe, and they are receipients of grant support from the Women of St. Stephen’s.
February 3, 2026: Creative Gatherings Bringing Friends Together
5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Our speaker for this annual dinner is Foxie Morgan. She is a noted floral designer and owner of Pharsalia, the historic home and flower farm near the Blue Ridge Mountains which has been the destination for day trips hosted by the Women of St. Stephen’s. More details, the fee for dinner, and registration information will be available in early January.
March 3, 2026: The Travels of Paul with Bishop Gayle Harris
Gather, 9:30 a.m.; program, 10 a.m.; the Fellowship Hall
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris has followed in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and will discuss his profound impact on the spread of the early church. Bishop Harris joined the Diocese of Virginia as Assistant Bishop in 2023. She was previously elected Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts in June 2002 and was ordained and consecrated in January 2003. Bishop Harris has served us in multiple roles and parishes. We are pleased to have Bishop Harris with us to share this dynamic program. Please bring a friend to hear Bishop Harris’ message.
April 7, 2026: Meditations on Eastertide with Angier Brock
Gather, 9:30 a.m.; program, 10 a.m.; the Fellowship Hall
We are excited to have Angier Brock return after her visit to St. Stephen’s in 2024. Easter Day is only the beginning! A fifty-day feast known as Eastertide (or Easter season, Easter time, the Great Fifty Days, Paschaltide, Paschal season) takes us from Easter Day until the Day of Pentecost. Retired after more than 30 years of teaching, Angier is a communicant of Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown, where she serves as EFM mentor and entering prayer facilitator. Over two dozen of her hymn and anthem texts, set to music by various British and American composers, have been sung at worship services and concerts in the U.S. and abroad. Angier, who has an M.A. in Christian education and M.F.A. in creative writing is an experienced retreat and workshop leader.
May 12, 2026: 10 a.m. closing service followed by lunch
Roslyn, the diocesan conference and retreat center
Gather in the Bishop’s Chapel at Roslyn (8727 River Road) for Holy Eucharist, followed by a light luncheon in a beautiful natural setting. All are welcome at the service in the Bishop’s Chapel and luncheon with new and old friends. No fee or registration.
Grants
The Women of St. Stephen’s award grants with the proceeds from May Fair House sales and trips and tours. Co-chairs of the grants committee are Liz Brown and Meredith Hanbury.
The latest awards total $43,000.
Grant Application
The deadline for grant applications each year is August 22.
Whichever version of the application you use–one PDF with fillable fields, or the one for completing by hand–please note that we ask you to submit the application electronically to [email protected] and to mail a hard copy to WOSS Grants, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226. (For example, if you use the form that has fields, email the completed form, and print a copy to send via U.S. Mail. If you use the form that’s completed by hand, please scan it to email, and mail the hard copy.)
Stay in Touch
Sign up for the Women of St. Stephen’s monthly email newsletter for updates on events, volunteer opportunities, and more.