For Parents & Families
Offerings for Parents & Families
Many Parents, One Vine
Sundays at 10:10 a.m. in Room 14 (top floor of the parish house)
Many Parents, One Vine shifts to a series-based format this fall. The opening series will focus on navigating and supporting the mental health of children and teens. We will be joined by two licensed professionals from Summit Emotional Health, and will make space for conversation and resource sharing, as this is a topic that touches every person and family in some way.
Specific topics
September 27: Lowering anxiety and building resilience as children grow (Bryn)
October 4: Break for annual giving campaign presentation the Sunday Forum
October 11: Supporting different ways of thinking and learning among children/youth (Bryn)
October. 18: Teens’ mental health; when to be worried and what to do (Bruce)
October 25: Group discussion and resource sharing, facilitated by St. Stephen’s clergy
Parish Suppers
Sundays, year-round, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, during the program (academic) year, 5:45-6:30 p.m.
Wonderful Wednesdays suppers are a terrific mid-week break for families that provide time to enjoy a meal together without planning, preparing or cleaning up! Read more about these suppers, and our Sunday suppers, here.
Worship for Families
St. Stephen’s Church offers a variety of worship services and all ages are welcome. The one that many families with young children prefer is affectionately known as the “Palmer Hall service,” not only because of the welcome it provides but because of the roles available to children who wish to help lead the service.
The Palmer Hall service also offers a “soft space” for children who need a bit more room to spread out or move during the worship service. The space has a rug, floor cushions, chairs for parents, and a selection of children’s books. In the summer, when this service is not part of the schedule, we move the soft space to our main church where the 10 a.m. summer service and other Sunday services occur.
You can watch a video about the Palmer Hall service below, and read more about it here.
Family Ministry Newsletter
The family ministry team offers a free email newsletter designed to keep you in the loop about regular and special offerings for children and youth, families and parents. Sign up here. We pledge not to give your email address to any outside party, and you may unsubscribe at any time.
Worship for Families
During the program (academic) year from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, we follow this schedule. Many families attend the Palmer Hall service, but children are welcome at all services at St. Stephen’s Church.
8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite Two in Palmer Hall and in the main church (Palmer Hall service usually concludes mid-May)
10:10 a.m. Spiritual formation for all ages
11:15 a.m., Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
5:30 p.m., Celtic Evensong and Communion
8:00 p.m., Compline
Summer schedule
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 5:30 p.m., all in the main church; no Sunday spiritual formation and no Palmer Hall service. The 8 p.m. Compline service does not take place in June or July, but resumes in August.
The Palmer Hall Service
This service will resume with the rest of our regular worship schedule the Sunday after Labor Day.
Family Ministry Discernment Process
St. Stephen’s Church has been engaged in a discernment process over the past year, with involvement by parishioners, clergy and staff, our family ministry guild, and a consultant. The results of that work are linked below.
FAMILY MINISTRY DISCERNMENT SUMMARY