Small Groups
An expansive approach
Registration: September 2-21
St. Stephen’s Church is excited to unveil our lineup of fall 2025 small groups!
In our expanded framework, small groups fall into three particular streams:
- Emmaus groups
- Focus groups
- Being With groups
Emmaus groups and focus groups will run between the week of October 5 and the week of December 7, inclusive. No prior experience is necessary. Being With groups will resume in the spring of 2026. You can indicate your interest in any of these groups (including 2026 Being With groups) on the registration form.
Emmaus Groups
Emmaus groups gather 6-12 people regularly for a time of prayer, conversation, and fellowship. Groups pattern their life together around the Four Pillars: spiritual connection, mutual care and support, prayer, and service. Some groups may be intergenerational and include people from a variety of backgrounds; others may serve as affinity groups for people of a common experience or identity. These groups may be time-limited or may meet for the long-term at the discretion of members and facilitators. A variety of groups are open for fall 2025.
Being With Groups
Being With groups gather 5-15 people who want to deepen their relationship with Jesus and with fellow Christians. Group gatherings are guided by Being With, a Christian formation curriculum designed by the Rev. Sam Wells. About the program, Wells says, “To find the meaning of life we need each other. We need to spend time being present and attentive to others who may be different to us, to ourselves, and to the world around us. As we do this we can discover a way to be attentive to God and discover that God is present to us… Being With aims… to create the opportunity for this to happen.” Being With groups are on hiatus this fall and will return in spring 2026.
Focus Groups
Focus groups gather 5 to 15 people around a particular topic: a book, a course, a spiritual practice, etc. The purpose of these groups is to foster ownership of faith through dedicated study or practice, all while supported by others on the same journey of faith. Focus groups of different topic may pop up throughout the program year. In most cases, these groups have no prerequisite other than a curious mind and attentive heart. See the tabbed content below for group descriptions.
Focus Groups
Tuesdays 2 to 3 p.m., October 14 – November 18
We all have occasional moments of clarity, enthusiasm, and insight, when everything makes sense. Wordsworth called them “spots of time.” In scripture, some of these moments are also frightening and convincing. For all of us, these moments may be life affirming and even life changing. Of course, these experiences are difficult to describe. We will read and discuss a variety of attempts to articulate the inarticulable. The goal is to become aware of these attempts and to build a language to think through our own moments.
Spirituality and Purpose in Later Life
Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. to noon, October 7 – November 18
This seven-week program will provide a space for building community among older adults as we explore the challenges and rewards of aging within a spiritual context. Together we will explore questions such as: Who am I as I age? How do I face new challenges at this time of life? How do I “let go” and shift from doing to being? What is my passion and purpose? How is God summoning me now? The program will emphasize group participation, supported by short readings and videos, poetry and prayer, and exploration of various contemplative practices.
Awakened Faith: Confronting Racism with Gospel Values
Thursdays 10 to 11:30 a.m., October 16 – December 11
Please join us for a book study and discussion small group. Together we will seek to understand the history of the white church’s complicity in establishing and sustaining systemic racism. We will look inward to identify our own biases as we also dive into the Gospel’s call to justice, especially racial justice. Participants will develop the ability to have productive conversations about race using new insights and their own Christian values.
The Labyrinth: Walking a Sacred Path
Wednesdays 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., October 29 – November 19
Are you curious about our new labyrinth and wonder how to use this ancient spiritual tool in your life? Come join us for an interactive discussion of Lauren Artress’s book, Walking a Sacred Path — Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool. At the time of its publication, Artress was Canon for Spiritual Ministries at Grace Cathedral (Episcopal) in San Francisco. Her book makes a good case for the labyrinth as a sacred space, as an embodied ritual, that unlocks the imagination and the inner resources of soul. Participants should acquire the book before the class begins and have read the first two chapters before the first session. (See note at the bottom of this page for information about purchasing books.) Following the conclusion of the class, we will have an opportunity to enjoy an Advent Walk on our very own St. Stephen’s labyrinth. Walking the Labyrinth has reemerged today as a metaphor for the spiritual journey and a powerful tool for transformation. Come join us and see.
Register between September 2 and September 21 for an Emmaus group and/or a focus group.
(The drop-in groups in the next section do not require registration.)
Drop-In Focus Groups
Some groups meet regularly throughout the year and are open to all on a drop-in basis; each is described briefly below (click on the purple bar to read about a group). No registration is needed for these groups.
Mondays and Fridays, 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the Lounge
If you’re longing for communion and community in silence, this group offers contemplative prayer and dialogue on Monday and Friday mornings in the Lounge. A bell rings to begin the silence. After a 30-minute sit, participants have contemplative dialogue and a short sit to end the meetings at 10:15 a.m. These meetings are open to all who seek a contemplative community.
To find the Lounge, enter the parish house from our large parking lot. At the top of the steps, turn left.
Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in Room 3
The Greek Bible study group gathers for an hour to read and discuss lectionary passages assigned for coming Sunday in koine Greek, the language used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament. Discussions are designed to help participants develop a deeper interest and familiarity with the texts we read and hear during worship services. Ideally participants should come to the program with a background in Bible Greek, but that is not a requirement.
Sundays at 10:10 a.m. in Room 14
Many Parents, One Vine is our Sunday morning formation group for parents. It is a time of mutual support and fellowship as we reflect on the challenges and blessings of parenting faithfully in the modern age. This fall, the group will use the Episcopal Church’s Transforming Questions curriculum to dive deep into big questions of faith: Who is Jesus? How should we read the Bible? Does God answer prayer? Why do bad things happen? Where do we go when we die? Together we will explore answers to these questions. The Transforming Questions series takes place on Sundays September 28, October 5, 12, 26, and November 2. On other Sundays, the group is invited to join the Sunday forum in the Large Fellowship Hall. Please see the Many Parents One Vine schedule for more details.
Thursdays at 9 a.m., Fridays at 8:15 a.m. in the Library
Small groups of men gather weekly for prayer and fellowship. These groups meet Thursdays at 9 a.m. in the lounge and Fridays at 8:15 a.m. in the library.
Thursdays at 10 a.m., September 25-November 20, in Room 14
Join St. Stephens’ clergy and other intrepid parishioners for our Thursday Bible Study beginning on September 25 at 10 a.m. and continuing through November 20. This fall we will study the Revelation to John, the very last book of the Bible. Mysterious and intimidating, Revelation overflows with images and ideas that confound our modern sensibilities, including dragons, angels, and Armageddon! Together we will dive into John’s Revelation, discovering what messages this story has for us today. No prior experience is required to participate. Questions? Contact the Rev. Cate Anthony.
Books
Some groups require one or more books. If you do not have the book, you may be able to obtain it from your local public library, either in print or as an ebook through the Libby app. If not, or if you prefer to own a copy, consider supporting a local business like Shelf Life Books (in Carytown–formerly called Chop Suey Books), Book People, Fountain Books, or your favorite bookshop. Most local booksellers are happy to order a book for you if they do not have it in stock. If you prefer shopping online, Bookshop.org, sources books from independent booksellers. Thriftbooks is a good source for used books.