Come to the Live Nativity

Palmer Hall al fresco

Families with young children enjoyed this open-air service (but we’re glad to go back indoors!)

In September, we began holding the Palmer Hall service outdoors to safeguard the health of children too young to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This worship experience—held under a large tent—was enriching and well received by those who had missed being together over the past year.

As this edition of Seasons of the Spirit was headed to the printer, the weather was turning colder and COVID numbers were trending downward, and we were making plans to move back into Palmer Hall Chapel. To keep attendance numbers at a safe level in that relatively small space, we will require advance registration; details are in the Spirit and eSpirit. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and are so glad to be together again!

The Palmer Hall service, offered at 9 a.m. on Sundays, September through May, is designed particularly with families in mind, especially those with babies and young children. The liturgy is from the Book of Common Prayer (Holy Eucharist: Rite Two), with music and other elements selected to make it especially accessible to children. Of course, anyone of any age may register and attend.

THE LIVE NATIVITY RETURNS

We are excited to announce that Evie and her friends will be back for a live nativity on Tuesday, December 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Evie is the donkey who visits St. Stephen’s for Palm Sunday and came last year for our first live nativity. Last year’s offering was so well-received that we are happy to continue this new tradition. We are still unable to offer an indoor children’s pageant since young children have not been vaccinated. Instead, we invite children to participate in this live nativity, and we invite everyone to come and see it.

Information about how children can sign up to participate will be available in the Spirit, the eSpirit, and the family ministry email newsletter.

Unlike last year, we will not have advance sign-up for those who wish to tour church grounds during the live nativity—you may come anytime during the two-hour period.