Information about this Friday’s funeral
As you may know from the Prayers of the People in last Sunday’s services, St. Stephen’s pastoral email, or from other communications, Avery Peay, a member of St. Stephen’s ninth grade Confirmation class and a freshman at St. Christopher’s School, died May 9. A service of thanksgiving for Avery’s life will take place this Friday, May 15, at 2 p.m. at St. Stephen’s. Because we expect large attendance, we are providing the following important details in advance.
If the church fills up, additional seating with liturgical programs and a video feed will be available in the Large Fellowship Hall and Palmer Hall. St. Catherine’s School and St. Christopher’s School will also provide seating, programs, and the livestream in their chapels.
In addition to reserved seating for Avery’s family, several pews will be reserved for members of the Confirmation class and 9th grade St. Christopher’s students on the pulpit side of the main church. If any for whom these seats are reserved prefer to sit with their families, they may. The reserved pews, however, will accommodate only the St. Christopher’s ninth graders and St. Stephen’s youth confirmands.
The main church will be closed after Morning Prayer (8:10-8:50 a.m.) and will remain closed until 12:30 p.m. to allow preparations to take place. Please do not enter the church before 12:30 when ushers and staff will open the doors for you.
Parking will be at a premium. If you are coming to St. Stephen’s for a purpose other than this service and need to park here, we ask that you move your car before 12:30.
If you plan to watch the service on livestream rather than attend in person, visit our website at ststephensRVA.org/memorial-stream. A PDF of the service bulletin will be linked on that page by Friday.
A reception will follow the service at the Country Club of Virginia’s Westhampton campus. Please walk to the reception if you are able. Security guards will be available to direct traffic.
We are grateful to St. Christopher’s and St. Catherine’s schools for their support and collaboration, and to Dogwood Preschool and St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church for adjusting their Friday schedules to accommodate the significant number of people we expect.
Please keep Avery’s family and loved ones in your prayers, and pray for those to be confirmed at St. Stephen’s this Sunday.