The Palmer Hall Service
9 a.m. on Sundays during the program year (September through May)
On Sundays at St. Stephen's, we offer several services of worship: four in the morning and two in the evening. At 9:00 a.m., there are simultaneous services in the main church and Palmer Hall, the beloved chapel located inside the parish house, and which served as the original church building for St. Stephen's. Children are most welcome at either one; the service in the main church feels more transcendent to some, the one in Palmer Hall more conversational and informal.
The Palmer Hall service, offered September through May, is designed particularly with families in mind, especially those with babies and young children. The liturgy follows the familiar form of Holy Eucharist found in the Book of Common Prayer and draws on a variety of elements from all over the world to make it more accessible to children.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to watch a video with the Rev. Cate Anthony about what the Palmer Hall service is like and why we offer it.
(From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the morning services are at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and there is no Palmer Hall service.)
Serving in Palmer Hall
In Palmer Hall, besides the celebrant and deacon, leadership roles are filled by children and their parents. The following opportunities are available to you. After you have read these descriptions, please contact the Rev. Cate Anthony to let her know what roles you are interested in.
Chalice Bearers
Chalice bearers serve the wine during Holy Communion from the chalice and the intinction cup.
Acolytes
Acolytes are important servers at the altar before and during the celebration of Holy Eucharist. There are a variety of roles an acolyte may perform, including carrying the cross or torches, bearing the Gospel Book in procession, or reading the first lesson.
Ushers
Ushers are often the very first people that a newcomer or visitor meets at St. Stephen’s. Greeters and ushers are important representatives of our welcome and hospitality to those who are neighbors and strangers. Adults serving in this role help children greet and hand out bulletins prior to the service and organize the collection of the offering.
Altar Guild
The Palmer Hall altar guild prepares the vessels for communion and sets the altar before the service begins. They ensure that the necessary materials are on the table and ready to be administered during the service. After the service, they clean the vessels, care for the linens, and carefully dispose of consecrated wine. They maintain the cleanliness and organization of the sacristy, and our readiness to worship again.
Palmer Hall Chapel
Palmer Hall, as shown in this photo, was the first building for St. Stephen's Church, constructed in 1911. When the larger, Gothic structure was built in the 1930s, the original church was used as a chapel. Eventually it was named "Palmer Hall" in honor of the Rev. Giles Palmer, rector from 1921 until 1946.
Video
Watch a video featuring the Rev. Cate Anthony talking about this special service.
Contact
The Rev. Cate Anthony, Associate Priest
Email | Phone 804.288.2867