Week of Compassion

Sunday, November 9: St. Stephen’s Day, transferred

On Sunday, our worship will celebrate St. Stephen’s Day and Stephen’s role as the church’s first deacon, as told in the Acts of the Apostles. Monica Vega, one of St. Stephen’s Church’s two missionaries in Argentina, will preach at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services; Heidi Schmidt, our other missionary, will lead the “wondering” in the 9 a.m. Palmer Hall service. Jennifer Bousquet, director of outreach and engagement, will provide a reflection at the 5:30 p.m. service of Celtic Evensong and Communion.

The Sunday Forum will present a panel discussion as the first in a series titled “Living in Love: Being with One Another.” Panelists are Heidi Schmidt and Monica Vega, St. Stephen’s missionaries in Argentina; Deb Lawrence, the executive director of ReWork Richmond; a ReWork member; and David Waidelich of FeedMore. 10:10-11 a.m. in the fellowship hall; no sign-up required.

Family ministry service activity: During the Sunday morning formation hour (10:10-11 a.m.), children and parents will gather to pack winter break backpacks for students at Fairfield Court Elementary School. They will also make cards for homebound seniors of the parish, and cards to place in Thanksgiving boxes. They will assemble pet kits for Atlantic Outreach Group (pet food, a bottle of water, a pet toy, and a leash). No sign-up required.

Thanksgiving boxes: On Sunday we will begin distribution of empty boxes for parishioners to take home and pack with ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal (a shopping list will be provided). If they wish, they may also decorate the boxes before bringing them back to church. Filled boxes are due at St. Stephen’s by Sunday, November 23.

Monday, November 10

St. Stephen’s fruit ministry invites people to accompany them to deliver fruit and visit with people at the Highland Park and the Rosa senior apartments in the East End. 9:30 a.m. to noon. Sign up required (space is limited to two people).

St. Stephen’s food pantry: up to four people may join members of St. Stephen’s food pantry volunteer team to help visitors select food during the weekly pantry distribution. 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sign up required (space is limited to four people).

Cook a meal for Caritas: A team will cook dinner for the 85 residents of the women’s shelter and the Healing Place for women (residential recovery program). 9 to 11 a.m. Consider joining the tour of the Caritas facility afterwards. Sign up for each activity is required; the cooking team is limited to four sign-ups. Information and sign up for the tour is listed in the next paragraph.

Site visit to Caritas: Tour the Caritas facility which opened in 2020. You will get an inside look at the shelter, the Healing Place, the furniture bank, the Works program, and recovery residences. Learn about the mission and impact of Caritas. Noon to 1 p.m. Sign up required (space is limited to five participants).

Tuesday, November 11

Serve snacks to students 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 school in 2009 and parishioners remain involved as tutors, supporters, board members, and more. 9:15 to 11 a.m. Consider staying for the “Lunch and Learn” afterward. Sign up is required for each (space for the snack activity is limited to four participants).

Lunch and Learn at Anna Julia Cooper School: There’s no better way to learn about the mission of this school than to see it in person. Observe the classrooms and tour the facility, learn about the school’s culture, and understand enrollment and tuition funding models. 11 a.m. to noon. Sign up required (space is limited to five participants for the Lunch and Learn).

Wednesday, November 12

Morning Prayer and racial healing conversation: Join representatives from St. Stephen’s racial healing commission for Morning Prayer in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (8:10 a.m.) followed by coffee and conversation in the Café @ St. Stephen’s. You’ll learn about this important ministry and consider whether you might wish to take part.

Food ministry: Join parishioners who deliver groceries to five families who live on the Southside who can’t make it to our pantry. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Sign up required (space is limited to two participants).

Site visit to Up RVA: Up RVA provides low-income students from Richmond’s East End with the tools, resources, and support to succeed in independent schools, college, and beyond. Learn how this organization, which has its roots in supporting students from Anna Julia Cooper School as they transition into area high schools, has expanded to accompany students on the journey to college and employment. 3 to 4 p.m. Sign up required.

Book study: The Rev. Cate Anthony will lead a class on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. following the mid-week parish supper. On November 5 and 12, the class will focus on a book by the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, our guest speaker and preacher for the Week of Compassion (description below). On November 19, the class will reflect on Sam’s visit and lecture and imagine together how to live out the theology of “Being With” in our lives today. No sign-up is required.

Thursday, November 13

Site visit to ReWork Richmond: At their office in the East End, learn more about ReWork Richmond, a unique, comprehensive employment support initiative which St. Stephen’s Church helped found. Sign up required.

Site visit to Shalom Farms: Join representatives of the creation care committee to learn more about the North Side farm which not only grows food but also provides ecological, agricultural, and nutritional education for the community. 11 a.m. to noon. Families with young children are welcome to participate. Sign up required (space limited to 10 people).

St. Stephen’s food pantry: up to 10 people are invited to help organize and shelve pantry items donated by students and families during the annual fall food drive of St. Catherine’s School. 3 to 4 p.m. Sign up required.