Young adults invited to peer groups

At St. Stephen’s Church, we are ever seeking to cultivate connection for every member of our community. This fall, we’re giving dedicated attention to the spiritual and relational formation of St. Stephen’s young adult members. Of course, given the overall demographics of the Episcopal Church (according to a 2019 study by political scientist Ryan Burge, the average age of an Episcopalian is 69!), “young adult” denotes a broad range of ages from about 22 years old (post-college) to early or mid-40s. In this way, we might understand “young adult” as indicative of a particular life-stage: adults in the first years of settling into autonomous life, or in the first years of creating a family or new home for themselves. Even within the umbrella of young adulthood there exist a plethora of lifestyles!

To honor this variety, we seek to create spaces for young adults to gather with peers for formation and fellowship. We imagine regular programming and opportunities for fun, as well as small groups for closer connection among people of similar life stages. In all of this, our goal is simply to ensure that St. Stephen’s is a welcoming and steady home for young people who love Jesus. If you identify as a young adult and are interested in getting involved in young adult ministry here at St. Stephen’s, please be in touch with Will Stanley (wstanley@ststephensrva.org) or me (canthony@ ststephensrva.org).

Sunday Forum, continued from page 7 largely online from their private spaces, it is important to explore the primacy in classic Christianity of the offering of the body, in gathered physical worship, the use of all the senses in ritual, and in communal embodied interaction. The Incarnation challenges everything, and in this presentation, Martin Smith will present some talking points about the dangers of “disembodying” our faith, worship and practice. The Church has both resisted, and succumbed to, many movements towards “disincarnating” our faith in the past, and these struggles can shed light on the discernment we need about venturing into the virtual, digital realm without naïveté.

Martin Smith is widely known throughout the Episcopal Church for his roving ministry of lecturing, preaching and retreat leading, and as an author exploring contemporary spirituality whose books include A Season for the Spirit; The Word is Very Near You; Compass and Stars; and Go in Peace (with the Rev. Julia Gatta). He is based in Washington D.C., where he served until his retirement as senior associate rector of St Columba’s parish.

Wonder, faith, and the Episcopal way of Christianity

The inquirers class

By the Rev. John Jenkins

St. Stephen’s inquirers class is a pathway for growth in spirituality, understanding, and faith. It is ideal for those newer to the Episcopal Church as well as anyone who desires to participate in a rite of initiation such as Baptism, Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation. Some long-time Episcopalians like to participate in the inquirers class as a refresher or to deepen their knowledge of our tradition.

The class will meet Wednesdays beginning September 14,

6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

There are no church membership requirements or qualifications to participate in the course. Those who are considering or who will participate in one of the initiation rites should participate in all sessions. The classes are based on Jenifer Gamber’s Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church, available online through Church Publishing Incorporated.

Since parents are their children’s primary faith teachers and models, we issue a special invitation to parents of children and youth to participate in this class. Our youth Confirmation class will use a teenager’s version of Gamber’s book, so parent participation is a powerful way to support and grow alongside your child as they prepare for Confirmation. (Youth Confirmation preparation follows a different schedule from the inquirers class; see the article on page 9.)

The Rev. Will Stanley and I will teach this class for adults on Wednesday evenings throughout the fall. At its conclusion, interested participants may form or join small groups organized around shared interests in order to continue the faith journey in a supportive community.

Links to registration, book ordering, and details about the various rites of initiation are available at ststephensRVA.org/ inquirers.