Week of Compassion - St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

The Week of Compassion: November 9-17, 2024

Many Americans are anxious about the contentious climate in which the presidential campaign is taking place this year. St. Stephen’s is a “big tent” Episcopal church where people of varied political leanings worship, pray, sing, study, eat, and work together. As Election Day draws near, the parish offers a variety of ways for us to remember that we are all children of God, called into common mission together.

The centerpiece is the “Week of Compassion,” which is planned to bring us together as a parish family and remind us of our common ground in mission and love and service; and to celebrate our many outreach ministries and provide opportunities to open those ministries to new parishioners and community members. The Week of Compassion is intentionally scheduled for the week after our local, state, and national elections. We who are many are one Body in Christ, for we all share in one faith and one hope.

Opportunities during the Week of Compassion

Please note: some of the following activities require advance registration; if a registration link is provided, please be sure to sign up. Many of these settings cannot accommodate an unlimited or unexpected number of participants. If no registration link is provided, there’s no limit on participation.

Saturday, November 9
Rebuilding Together Richmond workday
We usually work with this organization in spring, making repairs to homes in Richmond. During the Week of Compassion, we’ll work on a house in Petersburg and would like 8 to 12 participants. There are tasks for workers with construction skills as well as those who simply want to help wherever they’re needed. This is suitable for adults and youth of high school age. Please use RTR’s sign-up link.

Our team will meet outside the Café @t St. Stephen’s at 7:30 a.m. on the build day. If you prefer to drive on your own, please contact the parish office for the address. Matthew Mika is the parish coordinator for this workday.

If you’d like to provide coffee, bagels, or other morning fare for our crew, and you can be at St. Stephen’s by 7:15 a.m. to deliver it, please sign up here.

Sunday, November 10
St. Stephen’s Day
During our worship services we’ll celebrate St. Stephen’s Day* and Stephen’s role as a deacon in the church. The Rev. John Rohrs will preach in the morning services and the Rev. John Jenkins will give the reflection at the Celtic service.

In the Sunday Forum, parishioner Deb Lawrence, the director of ReWork Richmond; Mike Maruca, head of Anna Julia Cooper School; and Heidi Schmidt and Monica Vega, our missionaries in Argentina, will speak.

In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Youth Bible Study, and Many Parents One Vine, we will hold a joint parent/child service activity with the Rev. Abby Kocher, Caroline Harris, and the Rev. Cate Anthony. The location is Room 14 during the formation hour, 10:10–11 a.m.

*St. Stephen’s Day is traditionally observed December 26. Since that is the day after Christmas Day, it’s not the best time to plan something to honor him! We will transfer his day to November 10 this year.

Monday, November 11
Food Ministries
Monday’s activities will focus on our food ministries, and we’ll provide brief orientation sessions for those who are new to these ministries, as well as hands-on opportunities for all.

Anna Jones will provide orientation for our food pantry, which opens to the public each Monday afternoon.

Monday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., up to six volunteers will gather in St. Stephen’s kitchen to prepare a lunch for Tuesday delivery to for community members of The Lighthouse RVA. Donnan O’Keefe will coordinate this project.

Tuesday, November 12
ReWork Richmond
ReWork Richmond, a comprehensive employment support initiative that St. Stephen’s helped found, is offering a tour and information session at their office at 2123 Fairmount Avenue. Participants should meet at the ReWork office at 10 a.m. for the information session, which will run until 11:30 a.m. Donnan O’Keefe is coordinating this visit, and is willing to drive a group to ReWork for those who prefer to meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. Sign up to take part in this tour/information center here.

Wednesday, November 13
Sacramental Citizenship
The Sacramental Citizenship class with the Rev. Cate Anthony will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Palmer Hall following the Wonderful Wednesdays supper. Cate’s six-week class begins October 16 and requires advance registration, but the session on November 13 will be open to all, even if you are not participating in the ongoing class. The focus that evening will be on post-election tools and strategies for civil discourse and living compassionately in divided political times.

Thursday, November 14
Anna Julia Cooper School
We’ll have a Lunch and Learn tour/orientation at Anna Julia Cooper School, an independent, tuition-free K-8 school in the East End of Richmond. St. Stephen’s Church helped launch this outstanding school in 2009 and individual members remain involved as tutors, board members, and supporters. This lunch and learn opportunity is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants may meet at the school, 2100 N. 29th Street, and check in at the main office for directions. Donnan O’Keefe is also willing to give a ride to those who wish to meet at St. Stephen’s at 10:30 a.m. To take part in this tour, sign up here.

Guest speaker
Dr. Paul Hardy, founder and director of Recovery for Life, a leading substance abuse recovery program in Virginia Beach, will speak on self-compassion, managing stress and anger, and practicing forgiveness. This event takes place in the large fellowship hall from 6 to 7 p.m. Parishioner Jim Johnson is coordinating this event. Registration is not required, but it is helpful; sign up here.

Friday, November 15, 10 a.m.-noon
Food pantry organization

Food pantry volunteers – new or returning – are invited to help organize and shelve pantry items donated by St. Catherine’s School students and families during their annual fall food drive. Join Anna Jones from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning with a brief orientation for new volunteers/visitors. Sign up in advance here.

Saturday, November 16
Workday at the Sons and Daughters of Ham Cemetery
The Friends of the Sons and Daughters of Ham Cemetery will offer an opportunity tailored especially for our Week of Compassion as they continue the restoration of this cemetery. Ham Cemetery is the final resting place of a number of freed black men and women and is located near St. Stephen’s Church and the University of Richmond.

From 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., we will weed, plant, move a storage shed, and do some clean-up at the end of the growing season. You may come for the whole afternoon or for whatever time you are able. No skilled gardening experience is required. If you have them, please bring shovels, rakes, loppers or other gardening tools. A blower or broom would be helpful as well. Gloves will be available. Please bring a refillable water bottle. Please sign up here.

Sunday, November 17
Our missionaries in our worship services, and a guest speaker in the Sunday Forum
In the Sunday Forum at 10:10 a.m., our guest speaker will be Tim Roberts, an archaeologist for the Ham Cemetery restoration.

Our missionaries will take part in morning and evening services. Monica Vega will preach at 9 and 11:15 a.m., while Heidi Schmidt will guide the “Wondering” in the 9 a.m. Palmer Hall service and give the reflection at the 5:30 p.m. Celtic service. The outreach committee will host a reception following the 11:15 a.m. service.

Other offerings

In addition to the Week of Compassion, St. Stephen’s is providing the following during the weeks before and after the election:

Sunday Forum: God’s American Purpose
A four-part series led by the Rev. Bill Sachs in the fellowship hall at 10:10 a.m. No sign-up is needed. Speakers and topics are here.

Sacramental Citizenship
The Rev. Cate Anthony will lead this weekly class beginning Wednesday, October 16, at 6:30 p.m. The class is for anyone wondering how to live faithfully in our current political climate. There is no limit on the class size but advance registration is required. Details are here. (Scroll to the bottom of the page to the section on Wednesday evenings.)

Sunday Evening Trailheads: Contemplative Prayer
On Sundays, October 27, November 3 and 10, from 7 to 7:45 p.m.–the two Sundays before and the one following Election Day–the Rev. John Jenkins will hold contemplative prayer (silent prayer) meetings open to all. During this time, we will hold Christ’s peace and pray for healing in the life of the nation and the world. All are welcome, and John will offer a brief overview for those who have no prior experience with contemplative prayer. The “sit” (length of prayer time) will continue for 20 minutes, and participants may quietly depart at any time. A Zoom option will also be available using this link.

A Case for Love
On Monday evening, October 28, at 6 p.m., we’ll screen the documentary “A Case for Love,” based on the teaching of the Most Rev. Michael Curry, the 27th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. In a time of national chaos and lack of unity, a film crew travels the United States searching for people living their lives selflessly. The team interviews random people on the street as well as well-known figures. Where have they witnessed unselfish love? Where have they seen its absence? Finally, watch Bishop Curry place all we’ve seen into context. The screening is free and we’ll serve popcorn and lemonade. Sign-up is requested so we’ll know how many chairs to set up.

Trailheads: post-election conversations
Sundays, November 17 and 24 | 7-7:50 p.m.
Billy Peebles, a St. Stephen’s parishioner who has taught American history as well as religion in middle school and high school for some 40 years, will present a two-part series, “What History teaches us about honest and thoughtful engagement during polarizing times.” He will draw on edifying examples of past leaders who sought to steer us through contentious and complex times and issues. We’ll discuss how we might consider applying their examples to navigating the divisive issues we have before us today. No sign-up is needed.