Golf tournament raises funds for outreach

Annual fundraiser takes place Thursday, October 13

GOOD TO KNOW Thursday, October 13 at Belmont Golf

Course, 1600 Hilliard Rd. 1:00 p.m.–Registration; snacks available 1:00-2:00 p.m.—optional putting contest 2:00 p.m.–Shotgun Start, Captain’s Choice Brief reception follows the tournament; cash bar

Bridget Ganske

For many years, St. Stephen’s has hosted a golf tournament in the fall to provide an afternoon of fun and fellowship while raising funds for outreach above what is allocated by the vestry from your annual pledges.

Like so many things, the golf outing took a break during the pandemic in 2020, but as an outdoor event, it was back in 2021. This year’s tournament will be different in a few ways, but the two most important things about it—having fun and raising funds—remain the same.

This year’s outing will take place on Thursday, October 13, in a new location, Belmont Golf Course on Hilliard Road. Players will enjoy 12 holes of golf on a beautifully refurbished course.

While box lunches will not be part of the day this year, snacks will be available during registration, and the event begins an hour later than it has in the past since folks will eat lunch before they come. The awards reception that takes place at the conclusion of the day will feature a cash bar. An added event takes place from 1 to 2 p.m.: an optional putting contest.

Registration fees remain at $125 for individual players or $400 for a foursome. You can register on your own and we’ll put you with three other players, or you can gather a foursome yourself.

There are several sponsorship opportunities for those who’d like to support outreach ministries in this way. These are available to individuals, businesses, and organizations.

Like everything at St. Stephen’s Church, the golf outing is open to everyone, not just to parishioners. (Sometimes people come to play golf with us and decide to join the church!) So spread the word to family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Register no later than October 1 at ststephensRVA.org/golf. If you prefer the analog approach, pick up a brochure (or several) at the outreach table in the parish house. It’s located near the office and Palmer Hall, directly across from the elevator.

Registration fees

Single player, $125 Foursome, $400

Sponsorships available

Tournament Sponsor, $2500 Welcome Cart Sponsor, $1000 Awards Reception Sponsor, $1000 Halfway House Sponsor, $1000 The Ringer Sponsor, $500 Hole Sponsor, $100

Register by October 1 at ststephensRVA. org/golf or pick up a brochure/ registration form at the outreach table in the parish house.

Questions: Nancy Thompson, Outreach Committee Chair, ntpaperplus@

comcast.net

ReWork, continued from page 16

determine the vehicle’s value and its tax deduction status, evaluating its roadworthiness, and transferring the title. We’ll pick up the vehicle and even introduce you to the ReWork member who will be putting it to good use. Contact Mark Murphy, markmurphydmm@gmail.com or 203.249.2164.

We also seek committed volunteers to provide career and financial coaching, to assist with resume writing and interview skills, or to connect us to potential employer partners. To explore how your generosity and skills can help, contact me at deb.lawrence@reworkrichmond.org or 804.869.3704.

‘The Bash’ features music, fun, food and fellowship!

Friday, September 23, 2022, from 5 to 8 p.m.

For many years, St. Stephen’s Bluegrass Bash provided fun for the entire family—and the entire community—with live music, food and drink, and activities for kids. This year, we’ll bring back this wonderful, laid-back evening, which also raises funds for outreach ministries. It will be a wonderful kick-off for a new program year and a way to welcome people to St. Stephen’s Church who may not be part of this parish.

There will be some changes from previous events, including branching out a bit with the music which will be more eclectic than in the past. So we’ve renamed the event “The Bash.”

This year’s music is by the Bart Chucker Band, playing a variety of genres—Americana, rock, pop, from the Rolling Stones to Johnny Cash to Prince! The group performs across the state and often appear at River City Roll, the Irish Festival, and University of Richmond events.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-12, or $50 for a family; children under 3 get in free. Tickets are available at ststephensRVA.org/bash and include admission, music, and activities. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks offering a variety of choices, as well as beverage vendors (wine, beer, water, soft drinks). Some of these include Carytown Burgers and Fries, DeVoeDid (traditional southern cuisine) and the Gratefull Grill (specialty grilled cheese sandwiches). King of Pops (specialty popsicles) will also be there. We’ll have wine for sale, and Taps to Go will sell beer. IDs will be checked!

You’ll be able to park free on the streets around St. Stephen’s and in a portion of the parking lot, but it’s a good idea to carpool if you can, or to walk if you live nearby.

Kids will be able to enjoy a bounce house, along with other activities and games. No coolers are permitted, but lawn chairs, blankets and dancin’ shoes are encouraged.

Please invite friends, neighbors, relatives and colleagues. The more, the merrier. This is for the entire community!

Christkindlmarkets return

Holiday markets feature local artisans and craft vendors

The Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s will host two Christkindlmarkets for holiday shopping and cheer. We did this for the first time last year, and the two markets were a tremendous hit. Not only do they provide a pleasant way to shop for the holidays, but they offer an important outlet for local artists.

Inspired by the Christmas markets in German town squares, these holiday craft markets feature familiar artisans from our weekly farmers market, as well as craft vendors from the wider community. You can expect a variety of jewelry, pottery, fine art, fiber arts, and more. The markets will be in the parking lot, so bundle up and come sip some cider and enjoy holiday shopping with your friends and family.

Staff and vestry consult with security experts

St. Stephen’s Church is known for being an open, welcoming parish. Almost every door to the parish house and church are unlocked early in the morning and remain open well into the evening as people attend small groups, classes, 12-step meetings, special events, worship services, and to visit our café. Parishioners, staff, and visitors appreciate the accessibility of our facilities.

At the same time, the painful reality is that recent events around our country and the world, including gun violence in houses of worship, call for a reevaluation of our security. St. Stephen’s is committed to retaining its hospitable environment while taking steps to make all here feel safe. We are taking steps to provide a safer environment for all, based on staff and vestry consultation with security experts.

First, we have two fully-trained plainclothes security officers present at all Sunday services. Both officers are in constant radio communication with each other and our facilities staff, who are also equipped with radios.

Second, our facilities staff undertake hourly walks around the perimeter of the parish property and throughout the interior, monitoring activity and looking for anything that appears out of the ordinary.

Third, we have begun a “rolling” door-locking program. As activities in the building slow throughout the day into evening, our facilities staff are locking less-used entrances.

On weekdays, we’re asking visitors, including groups who use our space for meetings, to stop by the church office when they enter so we can have a good idea of how many people are here at any one time.

We are implementing an emergency response plan with procedures for a wide array of situations. We will train staff on this plan which includes CPR and defibrillator training. We will also train ushers and other volunteers.

In addition, we are introducing a new system of locks on the church doors to allow for an unobtrusive “lockdown” of the church and parish house in the rare event of an incident occurring outside our buildings. (People inside will be able to exit if they wish, but no one will be able to enter.) This will allow parishioners and clergy to continue a service without interruption while ensuring everyone’s safety. We are considering installing exterior security cameras, as well.

With our security consultants we will continue to adapt our plans as seems prudent. We want all to feel—and to be—safe while they are at St. Stephen’s Church.

By Larry Bidwell

Larry Bidwell is the facilities manager for St. Stephen’s Church.

So-called heat islands in our region are concentrated in areas populated by the poor and people of color, correlating to redlined neighborhoods.

Climate change and race

What does climate change have to do with race? Why do many people talk about “climate justice”? Learn more about how these issues are related in an upcoming discussion to be hosted by St. Stephen’s environmental stewardship ministry on Thursday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Large Fellowship Hall.

Titled “Race, Heat, and Climate Change in Richmond,” this will be a public conversation between Jeremy Hoffman and Amy Wentz. Dr. Hoffman is the chief climate scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia, and Ms. Wentz is co-founder and co-director of Southside Releaf. They will discuss the ways that urban heat, climate change, and racial inequality are connected in our city.

Dr. Hoffman is the author of a scientific paper demonstrating correlations between urban “heat islands” and redlined neighborhoods in Richmond which has received widespread media coverage— including by the New York Times—and which has been emulated in other cities. Ms. Wentz’s non-profit has used Dr. Hoffman’s research to help guide efforts to restore tree canopy in Richmond’s South Side.