The Sunday Forum
The Sunday Forum
10:10 a.m. in the fellowship hall (and livestreamed) resuming September 14, 2025.
No registration is needed.
The overarching theme for the Forum this semester is Principles of the Christian Life: Faith, Hope, and Love.
September 14: Opening Forum–A Parish Update
For the first Sunday Forum of the fall season, senior staff and vestry leaders will share a parish update, covering a range of topics. We will introduce new staff members, highlight a number of key capital improvement projects, give an update on our financial audits and related matters, share information and images of our new logo and signage project, and more. Please plan to join us!
Forum Series: Foundations of Faith in Troubled Times
September 21, 28, October 5
September 21: Keeping our Faith Alive
Join St. Stephen’s clergy as we begin this series with a panel conversation about the theological roots of our personal faith. What theology, scripture, or other facet of faith do we return to as a bolster to our spirits in troubled times? Participants will have a chance to reflect on the roots of their own personal faith lives and share ruminations with fellow parishioners.
September 28 : Promoting Peace and the Church’s Mission
A year ago, we welcomed Richard Sewell to our Sunday Forum by video. Dean of St. George’s College, Jerusalem, and a priest of the Church of England, Richard brought us insights about conflict in the Middle East from the perspective of faith. Given the presence of our church’s ministries in that region, the war in Gaza is seen in a different perspective. On September 28, again by video, Richard returns to our forum to extend the central question: as Christians, what can we do to promote peace? In conversation with John Rohrs and Bill Sachs, Richard will sharpen our thinking about the church’s mission. Join the forum and deepen your sense of faith community amid conflict.
October 5: Religious Faith and Modern American Life
Few people have the perspective on religious faith and American life now that the Rev. Peter Marty has cultivated. At a time of division and suspicion of difference, he maintains an informed balance, guided by his faith and commitment to Christian mission. Editor and publisher of The Christian Century magazine, a leading mainstream publication, Peter models balance and empathy. On October 5, we will get the benefit of his wisdom. He will preach at the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services and speak at our morning forum. A Lutheran pastor who has led large parishes, he brings special interest in churches such as St. Stephen’s. Be sure to worship and to join the forum that morning. It will be a warm and thoughtful time. Read more about Peter Marty here.
Forum series: Abounding in Hope
October 12, 19, 26, and November 2
October 12: Hope at the local level
We find ourselves living in a tumultuous chapter of our nation’s life. How does this tumult affect local organizations and communities, and where do those communities find hope even as they combat political and social turmoil? Join Sheila Herlihy Hennessee, Director of Faith Organizing at the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, and Jonathan Zur, CEO and President of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, for a conversation about hope at the local level.
October 19: Abound in Hope
On Sunday, October 19, St. Stephen’s Church will launch its 2026 “Abound in Hope” annual giving campaign. In the fifteenth chapter of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul writes, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” St. Stephen’s mission is to live as a community of hospitality, healing, and hope, sharing the love of Christ. We are drawn in each week for worship and fellowship; then the Holy Spirit sends us out in love and compassion. Through it all, in Paul’s words, we abound in hope.
Join campaign co-chairs Wortie Ferrell, Becky Boyers, and Andrew Robertson for events throughout the day to learn more about how you can abound in hope. Presentations in the Sunday Forum in the morning and supper in the evening will describe the campaign’s priorities, and all services will feature inspired preaching and reflections on this important theme.
October 26: Where hope begins
These days it can seem impossible to have hope. It feel beyond our reach, until we ask how we can live as Christians now. The Rev. Bill Sachs will help us to take this leap, explaining that hope is neither naive nor reckless. Genuine hope can be grasped by faith. We begin by listening for God’s call to make life better together. Hope deepens with incremental steps toward new understanding of each other.
November 2: Hope through the ages; stories from the Old Testament
What stories of hope do we find in the Bible? Join us for this presentation by Jacqueline Lapsley, President and Professor of Old Testament in the Walter W. Moore and Charles E. S. Kraemer Presidential Chairs at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond. Through a study of the prophets of the Hebrew Bible, we will learn how the faithful who came before us thought about and found hope. During table conversation, participants will have the opportunity to share their own stories as well.