Seasons of the Spirit: Pentecost 1 (Issue 28)

SPIRIT pentecost | Summer 2018

Briget Ganske

S A I N T S T E P H E N ’ s E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H

An ongoing Pentecost S

everal years ago, the American military coined the acronym “VUCA” to describe the world we are living in: Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. It feels like an apt description.

And that’s just Monday morning. Throughout the week, such ministries of compassion, community building, and soulful contemplation continue to connect people from all sorts of backgrounds, races, and creeds in the language of love—an ongoing Pentecost.

In fact, every day seems to bring news of some new outbreak of chaos or disruption—social, political, racial, economic, or climate—and these disruptions have led to increasing anxiety, stress, and division.

Sometimes it feels like a tinder box. Simplistic

By Gary D. Jones solutions are mighty appealing to many in this environment, but most people sense that the volatility and complexity of our day will overwhelm and punish simplistic solutions in the long run.

Once in a while on a Monday at St. Stephen’s, a funeral procession has to make its way through the throng of food ministry volunteers and “shoppers” who are waiting for our grocery store to open. And sometimes on a Saturday, I have to speak to people who are attending a retreat or workshop at St. Stephen’s, asking them to be mindful of the baptisms or the wedding that will take place that day in the church. It gets a little chaotic sometimes. We bump into each other a lot.

Traditional, hierarchical structures and centralized bureaucracies are proving ineffective in this environment. Real power and change are happening on the margins, and leadership that is too brittle and unresponsive won’t be effective.

While organizations have to be guided with vision, they cannot be micromanaged or ruled dogmatically in the VUCA world.

The organizations that will thrive in this environment are those that easily adapt, evolve, and distribute power throughout the organization. Interestingly, and frighteningly, terrorist organizations thrive in this environment. The futurist Bob Johansen has written that we are moving into a time of “extreme disruption and distributed everything.”

The church, of course, is the result of “extreme disruption and distributed everything.” That’s the story of Pentecost: the Holy Spirit not just animating one but all, with “flames like tongues of fire distributed among the disciples, resting on each one.” If there is an organization that should thrive in the VUCA world, it is the church. When the church is thriving, it can be a messy thing. Beautiful, but messy. On that first Day of Pentecost, the scene was so chaotic that some witnesses said it seemed that the disciples had been drinking.

Such seemingly boozy thriving is often what I think we are witnessing at St. Stephen’s Church. You can’t analyze, manage, or control what’s happening at St. Stephen’s. But I think we can catch a vision of what is going on in this community, and maybe we can give ourselves over to its power and allow it to bring about new life in us. As Jesus told Nicodemus, the Spirit wasn’t something he could understand, but he could be “born again.” (And again and again.)

When our missionaries from Argentina, Monica Vega and Heidi Schmidt, were with us in April, Heidi remarked that she was once again moved and invigorated

by St. Stephen’s: “The Sunday Celtic service was just beautiful—gentle light; gentle, soulful words; gentle music; a community gathered in heart, lighting candles for each other and for our world. Prayers rise like incense; it’s a most grace-full experience. Its beauty moves me to tears every time.” Then, she wrote, “On Monday morning, those prayers hit the tarmac, running. The food ministry puts on its apron and begins to pack bags of fruit, visits homes, prepares the grocery store for the folks who come in for a little bit of love and kindness, food for the body and food for the soul.”

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But I’ve noticed what happens when a funeral coincides with the food ministry, how the folks who have come for food will often pause and bow their heads or cover their hearts, while the grieving family makes their way behind the processional cross to the church. On those Saturdays when I tell retreatants about baptisms or a wedding that day, I’ve seen how they will often brighten with delight at the news. Never mind that their retreat is not taking place in a lonely place apart, as they might have thought; instead, it is taking place in the midst of the procession of life, in unexpected beauty and holiness.

So, yes, it gets messy sometimes at St. Stephen’s. We bump into each other a lot.

Some people might say it feels “volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous” at times. But to most of us, thanks to the Spirit that animates us and the vision that guides us, it feels unfailingly beautiful and holy. ✤

in this issue Dennett Slemp retires from VIPCare Capital campaign outreach project begins A new call for Michael Sweeney You’re a catechist (did you know?)

Lent/Easter photo album Books and movies for the season The dreaded words of summer: ‘I’m bored’ Ways to serve others The market enters year 10 with vendors old & new Summer in the Café @ St. Stephen’s Why poetry matters Parish begins ministry assessment The future of war (and why you should care) Environmental stewardship at St. Stephen’s

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Hope incarnate: Dennett Slemp embodies healing Pastoral counselor retires after 46 years with VIPCare the secrets of their hearts with this wise, gentle, and trusted companion.”

Gary continues, “The work that Dennett and other professionals at VIPCare do is, by its nature, confidential. The ways that specific lives are changed are rarely told. But the fact that this sort of quiet and profound healing is going on in our building, I believe, sanctifies all of us.”

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or more than four decades, the Rev. Dennett Slemp has sat in a wooden rocking chair in the office of the Virginia Institute for Pastoral Care at St. Stephen’s Church. The chair has been with VIPCare from the very beginning. Dennett speculates that he could have sat in it when he applied for admission to VIPCare’s pastoral counseling education program in 1969. In any case, he says, “It’s been with me from the very beginning. It’s an old friend.”

Even though the VIPCare counseling office at St. Stephen’s is in a location you may not have noticed— at the Three Chopt Road end of the hall on the top floor of the parish house, above what is now the café—Dennett’s face is probably familiar to you, especially if you are here during the week.

After 46 years as the embodiment of VIPCare at St. Stephen’s, Dennett retired in the spring. His retirement plans include taking long walks, enrolling in creative writing courses, traveling with his wife and children, leading an occasional church service as supply priest, and getting up later in the morning. He also plans to continue the journey he’s helped others travel, one that ultimately helps them, and him, become “more real with one another.”

“Forty-six years,” Gary Jones reflects. “I still can’t get over it. For 46 years, Dennett Slemp has been exercising his ministry of healing at St. Stephen’s in his quiet and unassuming way, with compassion, learning, and insight. So many people, old and young, have found their lives given back to them and renewed, after sharing their life’s journeys and

Dennett says, “When I’m listening to a counselee from that old rocking chair, I’m hearing and visualizing not only the person’s unique and very special personal and family story, but also the culture that always lies in the background of that story. Our culture bases a person’s identity and value on externals such as job, social status, education, income, group affiliations, neighborhoods, and so forth. We often make these externals the basis of our own self-evaluation, and this can make it hard to be comfortable with ourselves and deeply real with one another.”

And yet the church, he points out, describes us not in those external terms, but as “children of God.” So pastoral counseling, in addition to dealing with specific problems and concerns, “leads into growth in who we uniquely and essentially are called to be, in depth, meaning and in wonder.” He points out, “This is congruent with and a part of the mission of the parish church, as experienced in the vital life of St. Stephen’s, to support and guide us to live increasingly by the values of the Kingdom rather than our culture.”

Dennett says that he retires “with much gratitude to St. Stephen’s for the opportunity to provide pastoral counseling to people from all parts of Richmond over such a long time and in such a warm and welcoming environment.”

“Just seeing Dennett coming and going from our church building made me feel better,” Gary says.

“Here’s a man who has taken on the deepest cares and concerns of so many people, for almost half a century, and he only seems to grow in kindness and gentleness.”

“For me,” says Gary, “Dennett Slemp is hope incarnate.” ✤

WHAT IS VIPCare?

Maybe you’ve seen the second floor signage in the stairwell and wondered. The Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, founded in 1967, is a counseling and educational organization.

Since its founding, VIPCare has served more than 100,000 clients by offering therapy that focuses on wholeness and healing. Most of VIPCare’s counselors are ordained clergy, but they don’t preach—they listen.

VIPCare will continue to offer pastoral counseling services at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church with Meredith B. Southwell. Ms. Southwell is a 2009 graduate of the University of Mary Washington and completed her joint Master of Social Work degree at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and the University of North Carolina in 2013. She completed her residency at Wake Forest Baptist Health’s CareNet Counseling, Inc. and recently worked at Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center in Newport News as an outpatient psychotherapist.

“We are so fortunate to have a relationship with VIPCare to which we can refer parishioners who need in-depth counseling. I am always confident when I refer someone to VIPCare,” says the Rev. Penny Nash, associate rector. “No matter what the issue, we know that VIPCare pastoral counselors are well-trained and sensitive and will be able to help those we send to them. They work with us on getting the right counselor for the particular issue and are able to provide services on a sliding scale for those who need financial assistance in getting the care they need.

VIPCare has been there for us at St. Stephen’s as well, providing counsel and coaching to us who offer care to others.”

For more information about VIPCare, or to schedule an appointment at St. Stephen’s or VIPCare’s main office at 2000 Bremo Road, call 804.282.8332, or visit VIPCare online at vipcare.org or on Facebook at Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care. ✤

St. Stephen’s, St. Peter’s found Episcopal Community Services New organization will provide comprehensive services in the East End, beginning with an employment initiative St. Stephen’s centennial capital campaign addressed such issues as refurbishing our worship space, tending to aging mechanical systems, and making worship and gathering spaces more accessible. From the beginning, the campaign has also included funding for a major outreach initiative. One expenditure from this fund has already occurred—support for an elevator at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, who, like St. Stephen’s, wanted their facilities to be more accessible to those with physical limitations. Now, the vestry, staff, and leaders from the City of Richmond and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, are excited to launch the project that will be the main beneficiary of capital campaign outreach funds.

Parish leaders have been working with St. Peter’s Church, the historically African American Episcopal parish in the East End, to establish Episcopal Community Services, a comprehensive organization whose initial focus will be on employment assistance. The development of these plans comes out of an understanding of employment as a thread running through all of our partnerships in the East End. For example, many of the students we work with come from households challenged by unemployment or underemployment.

This new organization—with St. Peter’s priest, the Rev. Andrew Terry, serving as executive director—

Under the guidance of professional staff, volunteers from St. Stephen’s and St. Peter’s will pick up where other employment programs typically must stop, giving detailed attention to résumé writing and interview skills, and coaching and encouragement on “soft skills.” We will provide the moral support, professional guidance, and tangible help needed to reach optimal employment. By engaging deeply with our clients, we hope to join them in overcoming barriers to employment, and continue our relationships with them as they move away from crisis and toward thriving.

The Rev. Andrew Terry

will make use of the city’s expertise in employment assistance, but will go beyond what existing employment programs can offer. Trained volunteers from both parishes will allow for a “high touch” program that can go the extra mile. Clients will come primarily through referrals from our East End partners, Anna Julia Cooper School, Peter Paul Development Center, Fairfield Court Elementary School and St. Peter’s Church. This public/private collaboration will move beyond the limitations of other employment assistance efforts, providing more personal attention to each participant in his or her unique circumstances, along with a compassionate, individualized touch in the work of advocacy and encouragement.

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We will enlist other area congregations as supporters of Episcopal Community Services, and branch out from the core program of employment assistance to other services such as housing, transportation, and childcare. These steps will be guided by what we learn from our engagement with clients. Program development, in other words, will be guided by our daily work with real people as they navigate daily challenges.

Thank you for your generous support of the centennial capital campaign which is making the launch of this exciting venture possible. We will communicate via the Spirit, eSpirit and other vehicles about how you can be involved. ✤ SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT

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A new call for Michael Sweeney Director of family ministry enters Virginia Seminary this fall “I’m so excited—I can hardly wait.”

Those were the first words from Michael Sweeney during a telephone interview soon after his appointment as St. Stephen’s new director of youth ministry in the summer of 2012.

By Sarah Bartenstein In the intervening six years, Michael has gotten married (to Briget Ganske), become a father (to Emmett, now age 2), and has become director of family ministry. During his time with us, we’ve expanded our offerings for children and youth (including opening additional Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atria and expanding the age range for this offering), introduced an ongoing youth ministry assessment process with Ministry Architects, started a fathers Bible study group and a Sunday morning “Many Parents, One Vine” group for parents (the mothers Bible study, begun before Michael arrived, continues), hosted annual “thank you” events for family ministry volunteers, begun regular youth mission trips to the Dominican Republic, held weekly Bible study groups for different age cohorts, developed a unique confirmation preparation program, and helped open a café to provide an inviting space for young people to gather with members of the staff. Ministries that had been here before Michael arrived have flourished, including our acolyte program, the Christmas pageants, and the Stations of the Cross service on Good Friday.

And if that were not enough, Michael has also become known for his excellent preaching and writing.

Now, the Sweeney-Ganske family begins a new chapter as Michael enters Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria this fall with the intention of pursuing ordination. Though we will miss Michael and his family—Briget is herself a gifted writer, Celtic reflector, and is the parish’s photographer and videographer of choice—one of the gifts of his ministry here is the way he has always been preparing it to be shepherded by others. The work with Ministry Architects; the development, training, and nurture of committed volunteers; and the recruitment and mentoring of talented staff all mean that these ministries will continue even when Michael departs.

His last Sunday at St. Stephen’s is June 10.

Michael was working at Camp Bishopswood in Maine when he received the call to come to Richmond. He had also taught at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts, and at the summer arts camp at Deerfield Academy. He predicted back in 2012 that coming here would allow him the best of both words: “I’m going to be able to take some of my favorite things about being a teacher—being able to develop relationships over time, seeing growth over months and years—with the kind of work and programming I’ve done at camp, where kids only stay a week or two.” He coached Ultimate Frisbee, skiing and soccer at Eaglebrook, skills he also used at St. Stephen’s on occasion.

Michael is a graduate of Deerfield Academy (his family is still in Massachusetts) and a magna cum laude graduate of Haverford College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In addition to teaching, coaching, and working at camp, Michael is well-traveled and is fluent in Spanish. That came in handy when he led trips to Azua in the Dominican Republic.

Laurie Rogers, former junior warden and the mother of two young men who had Michael as their youth minister here, said of him, “Michael is that muchneeded, much-sought non-anxious presence. He is

the essence of chill and calm.

He is funny and loving and has created an environment here that invites shared confidences, advice or just a place to hang out. The young people in our parish, our sons included, have flocked to him because of that ability to inspire calm and trust.

That’s saying a lot in a world dominated by social media and busyness—the badge of the overscheduled child.”

Laurie continues, “If you have Michael (holding tomatoes) during last summer’s in-town ‘mission trip’ with ever heard Michael give a St. Stephen’s senior high youth. reflection at the Celtic service, you know what a thoughtful storyteller he is, how Michael reflects, “One of the phrases that will stay profound his message is for a man his age and how with me, written on my heart, from my time at St. passionate he gets about his topic. We’ve been so Stephen’s is Gary’s oft-repeated reminder (inspired lucky to have him at St. Stephen’s for as long as we

by Ephesians 3:20) that ‘God is preparing for us have.” infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.’ St. Stephen’s has been for me proof of this assertion.

Another parent (and current junior warden), Calle Luke, notes, “Michael is the first person our son has “Six years ago,” he recalls, “in the late spring of ever sought out at church, because of his ability to 2012, I was certain that I would be the next director engage so intently in the simple acts of listening and of my beloved summer camp in Maine. I could understanding...traits that make him a good friend hardly imagine any other future for myself. When and mentor.”

I got the call that they’d chosen someone else, I curled up in the fetal position, where I remained for Karen Wise met Michael when he came to St. a few hours. Then I got up, poured myself a bowl of Stephen’s for interviews six years ago. She points out cereal, and realized—with the ease of noticing you’re that it isn’t only young people who appreciate him. hungry—that I wanted to look for a youth ministry position in a church. Within minutes I’d stumbled across the position that seemed to have been literally prepared for me: director of youth ministry at St. Stephen’s. Three weeks later I made my first trip to Richmond.”

“I don’t know what God is preparing for us next, and I’m trying not to think about it too much. You have helped me learn to trust that God’s goodness and grace far exceed my powers of imagination.”

Michael Sweeney

“I had met Michael prior to his arrival and I felt confident that my kids would like him,” she recalls. “I had no idea that everyone in our family would connect and grow from our relationship with him. Each one of us will miss Michael for our own reasons.”

Gary Jones sums up Michael’s effect on the parish like this: “By now, Michael Sweeney’s talented writing, compelling speaking, and magnetic compassion are well known throughout our parish and, thanks to the internet, well beyond. His love and respect for teenagers and their journeys into adulthood was already a passion when he arrived at St. Stephen’s, and it has only blossomed more since then. Michael’s growing attraction to the spiritual lives of young children has been a great blessing for us all, as well.

But most important of all, while Michael is beloved and has considerable personal gifts, he has devoted himself to building a program of ministry to children, youth, and their parents that will far outlast his time with us. This is the mark of a true leader. Too often, a pied piper shines for a few years, and the youth ministry program crashes when the pied piper moves on. Michael has blessed us all by showing a better way.”

Michael still remembers the day he first came to St. Stephen’s. “I called the church from the airport to say that I’d arrived, and Betsy Lee answered.

I remember thinking that I’d never heard such kindness and warmth conveyed through a telephone.

(I still love it every time she calls my office. It’s one of the million things I will miss.)

“Of course, what I will miss most about St. Stephen’s is the people. This has been the most amazing community for me, Briget, and Emmett. Every day now when we pick Emmett up from daycare, he says, ‘Church!’ hoping that it’s Wednesday. Four days out of five, he’s disappointed to learn that we’re going home. This church family has truly been more than we could have asked for.”

Michael concludes, “I don’t know what God is preparing for us next, and I’m trying not to think about it too much. You have helped me learn to trust that God’s goodness and grace far exceed my powers of imagination.” ✤

Michael, Emmett, and Briget S A I N T S T E P H E N ’ s E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H

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You’re already a catechist. Would you like some training?

Summer workshops offer inspiration and affirmation

I thought, too, of the Words of Institution: “Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As we eat the body and drink the blood, we take our place in an ongoing lineage of remembrance, united not only with Christ, but also with all those before and after us, our parents’ parents and our children’s children.

Sunday after Sunday we recount the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. We mimic his gestures; we allow his words to speak through us: “Our Father, who art in heaven...”

We are echoers, catechists. (The word “catechesis” is derived from a Greek word meaning “to echo.”) As Psalm 78 says, we speak what we have heard.

There is often confusion about the word “catechist.” Parents and grandparents have sometimes told me, “Oh, I could never be a teacher. I don’t have that gift.” The truth is, if you are a parent or grandparent, you already are a catechist. Your children echo and mimic you all the time, the good and the bad. That’s what children do; it’s how they learn.

Anna Hurdle (right) leading a workshop for catechists here last summer.

By Michael Sweeney

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ne Sunday morning this spring, I watched as three generations of a family received communion together. The youngest child, a girl of six or seven, walked behind her grandmother as they came forward. Each received the bread, placed into hands held flat and open, then turned and walked to the intinction cup, to dip the bread in the wine.

Grandma held the host, pinched gently between thumb and index finger, her right hand reaching towards the cup, her left hand cupped under the bent right elbow, supporting it.

“The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.”

The girl followed her, the host pinched gently between thumb and index finger, her right hand reaching towards the cup, her left hand cupped under the bent right elbow, supporting it.

“The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.”

It was some moment. Time collapsed. Two people became one. I could see the grandmother as the young girl and the young girl as the grandmother. And beyond both of them the echo of previous generations, beyond form now, yet somehow present, their left hands cupped under bent right elbows, too.

I heard the words of Psalm 78: “That which we have heard and known, and what our forefathers have told us, we will not hide from their children. We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord, and the wonderful works he has done.”

In his groundbreaking work, Soul Searching, Christian Smith sums up years of research like this: “The best social predictor of what the religious and spiritual lives of youth will look like is what the religious and spiritual lives of their parents do look like.” In other words, if you are a parent, you are a catechist.

If you’re interested in becoming an intentional catechist, I encourage you to consider taking the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training course here this summer. It will be a rich week of spiritual formation for you, and a gift to your children, grandchildren, and the children of St. Stephen’s generally. You’ll also get to meet Christians from all over the country—New York, North Carolina, Ohio— who come to Richmond for this special opportunity.

We are, all of us, mouthpieces of the Holy Spirit. It is the message of Pentecost. We are inspired by tongues of fire, given language beyond our human understanding, language to proclaim the wonderful works of the Lord. We have only to listen and echo what we hear. Catechesis training is, as much as anything, a training in listening, so that our echo may be faithful to the source, the true teacher, who is Christ. ✤ WHAT IS CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPherD? Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a unique approach to the spiritual nurture of young children based on the work of Sofia Cavalleti and Maria Montessori. This offering recognizes that children are already in touch with God in their deepest being. It is not “Sunday school,” in the traditional sense, with adults imparting information to children. Rather, adults accompany children on their spiritual journey. Adults who take part in this way find that it profoundly enriches their own spiritual lives. Families whose children spend Sunday mornings in the atrium—the name given to the classroom environment—are similarly affected. At St. Stephen’s, there are atria for children from age 3 through grade 3. ✤

A young person’s perspective on her first mission trip As a child in Palmer Hall Chapel, I remember seeing pictures of St. Stephen’s youth who had just returned from the Dominican Republic. They spoke in the Sunday Forum about their trip and I remember thinking, “When I get older, I want to go there, too.” As I got closer to turning 16, I started talking with Michael Sweeney and Sarah-Keel Crews about going to “the DR.” It is crazy to think that I am finally at the age that I can go.

By Mary Clare Abbott I am ready. Although I don’t know where exactly this journey will lead me, I know that going on this trip will be right because I feel God calling me.

When I was younger, I attended Vacation Bible School at St. Stephen’s and I have so many good memories of that time. Knowing that I could help children in Azua make memories similar to mine really spoke to me. I recall the fun of singing songs such as Beach Beatitudes, playing games, and making new friends. As I think about going to an unfamiliar place, it’s comforting to know I’ll be doing something familiar.

I have heard from family members and friends that going on a mission trip can change your life. I truly believe that this trip will be a great opportunity for me to change my perspective and grow closer to God. I am eager to see how this journey will affect my life. Although I may not realize its impact now, or even right after I get back, I know that as my spiritual journey and life continue, I will look back on this as an important moment.

Although I have never been to the Dominican Republic, and I don’t speak any Spanish, I find comfort in knowing that Vacation Bible School is a place filled with love and people who are there to worship God together. Although we may not speak the same language, we share God’s love. ✤

Youth mission trip at a glance July 17-24, 2018 • Azua, Dominican Republic 11 St. Stephen’s senior high youth Sarah-Keel Crews, minister to children and youth Deb Lawrence, director of outreach Judy Buchanan, vestry member, frequent DR missioner (and fluent in Spanish) Our group will lead Vacation Bible School, worship with our partner/sister churches in Azua and take part in their communal life.

How you can help: • Participate in the July 14 rummage sale by donating items (no clothing, TVs or computers, please) beginning July 9, and by shopping at the sale, 8 a.m.-noon that Saturday.

• Donate supplies (details TBA in the Spirit and eSpirit).

• Keep our group in your prayers.

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SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT

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Family ministry at St. Stephen’s Church Reflections by children, youth and adults about the past year

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inistry to children, youth, and their parents is a major emphasis at St. Stephen’s Church, from our nursery, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Club 45 to youth groups and retreats, youth confirmation preparation, and choirs, from several groups for parents to worship in many forms. Although the family ministry staff is in the midst of change—with the recent arrival of Andy Russell, the addition of the Rev. Becky McDaniel in July, and the departure of long-time staff member Michael Sweeney in June—our commitment to these ministries is stronger than ever. The following comments are from children, youth and adults about things they have appreciated over the past year.

I like Club 45 because everyone is nice and it is fun. I love Club 45 because we get to play 4-square. Eliza Hershey, 4th grade, Collegiate School I love ushering because I love to give back and help out at church! I also love meeting new people and saying hello to everyone in the morning.

Ushering has made me more confident in my leadership abilities.

Parker Hackney, 9th grade, St. Catherine’s School

e March for Our Lives was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am Th now a senior and never have I been so moved by an event or group of peers than I was at this march. There was something about being surrounded by people of all ages, beliefs, and races, walking hand-in-hand with complete strangers, and letting the tears rush down your face in support of someone else that really opened your eyes and made you feel like you are a part of something huge. Sarah Purrington, 12th grade, Maggie Walker Governor’s School I ’ve always enjoyed acolyting at St Stephen’s. There’s something special I feel from carrying the cross and leading the choir and clergy into a service. Serving an intinction cup is very rewarding as I am able to share the good news of Christ with the congregation. I have really had fun with all of my peers in the class of 2018 who also serve at St. Stephen’s.

Quinn Bundy, 12th grade, St. Christopher’s School

fter a busy week of school and extracurriculars, Thursday night Bible study A offers me relaxation and insight that help propel me into Friday and the weekend. I always look forward to bonding with a group that now feels like family, sharing my “highs and lows” of the week, and studying the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Our conversations range from jovial to scholarly to somber, all circling towards a deeper meaning of Christ in our own lives. Thursday night Bible study always proves to be a necessary pause in my week, and it has helped my faith grow tremendously throughout this year. Wescott Lowe, 12th grade, Collegiate School

I n the fall, my 10th grade Sunday school class spent some time determining our spiritual gifts. It was really interesting to see how we responded to getting to know ourselves better and the fruitful discussions that we had about what these gifts mean. Having known most of these youth since they were much younger, it was enriching to discern how each of us has different gifts, and how all are needed in the body of Christ. Laura Wilkinson, Sunday school teacher

raining to be a catechist through the summer formation courses held at T St. Stephen’s has been such a gift. I have learned so much about the way our liturgical practices are so deeply and beautifully rooted in the stories from the life of Jesus. Also, I have been given the chance to slow down my pace. If I can let myself become fully absorbed in the work, then I become aware of my breath and my heartbeat in the present moment. Sarah Moyar-

Thacker, catechist

S erving as a confirmation mentor has been an exceptionally fulfilling experience for me. Over the past three years of teaching, I have learned and gained much more from my confirmands than they have received from me. I have been amazed by the perspective, insightfulness, maturity, and kindness that these children possess. Teaching confirmation has had a profound effect on my outlook and aided in parenting my own children. Cary Wyatt, youth confirmation mentor

Come to Palmer Hall some week. Whether you have a little one or not. In

fact, sit with us! I want you to see and feel how special it is. At this point, my highest hopes for my small children with regard to their faith are that they see church as a place where they feel welcome and cherished, and S A I N T S T E P H E N ’ s E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H

Top to bottom: Andy Russell with Club 45; Stations of the Cross led by St. Stephen’s youth; St. Stephen’s group at the March for Our Lives; acolytes in the Café

they see that worship is full of joy. That is Palmer Hall. It feels like coming home. Taylor Mundy, parent On any given Sunday, my children may mind their manners during church. And I may feel a bit on edge during the service because I don’t know what to expect next from them. However, once Communion is taken, the final song is sung and the blessing has been made, I escort my children upstairs for Sunday school. Then I take advantage of the opportunity to gather with other parents at Many Parents, One Vine (a Sunday morning group for parents). We share our parenting “wins” and “losses” from the week. Our conversations flow into a biblical topic that relates to the season of life we are in together. The time flies by and I feel reconnected to both old and new friends by the end. I also feel nourished by the Spirit and know that this will carry me through the rest of my day and into the new week until we meet again in Room 14. Greta Kidd, parent ✤

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Lent and Easter at St. Stephen’s

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Lenten speakers at St. Stephen’s this year included the Rev. Becca Stevens (4 and 9) who came with several women from Thistle Farms, the entrepreneurial venture she founded that provides employment–and healing and hope–to women leaving their old lives after being trafficked. Many are also in recovery from addiction. Br. Luke Ditewig of the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge, Massachusetts, led a retreat during the first weekend in Lent (8). Holy Week included the Maundy Thursday service followed by an all-night vigil in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (10), adorned with plants to recall the Garden of Gethsemane. The Friday of Easter week brought Carrie Newcomer to St. Stephen’s to perform a benefit concert for international outreach (7). Among the enthusiastic concertgoers were our overseas missionaries, Monica Vega and Heidi Schmidt. Carrie called superfan Heidi to the microphone to sing with her at one point (6). A week later, St. Stephen’s received a visit from the Choir of Canterbury Cathedral–the ‘mother church’ of Anglicanism–for a sold-out concert (1, 2, 3). Members of the choir were hosted by parishioners and staff in their homes during their Richmond stay. The choir visited seven cities during their U.S. tour, and a CD featuring highlights of those concerts is in the works. The Ahmadi family, who are sponsored as refugees in this country by St. Stephen’s Church, are thriving. Father Sultan, son Yusef, and daughter Sana recently stopped in the parish office for a visit with Deb Lawrence and other staff (5). Yusef attends Music Makers classes with his mother Nooria, and Sana is enrolled in St. Stephen’s Preschool. Photos by Briget Ganske (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9), Doug Buerlein (6, 7) and Sarah Bartenstein (5, 10).

S A I NT STEP H EN ’ s EP I SCOP A L C H URC H

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Summer at St. Stephen’s

Vacation Bible School 2017

The annual icon workshop

More events on our Web site, ststephensRVA.org/events

This weekly group, open to all, focuses on specific books of the Bible.

Worship Schedule Saturday Holy Eucharist: Rite Two, 5:30 p.m. in Palmer Hall Chapel

Chi Kung Tuesdays, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Room 18 No registration is necessary; suggested donation is $10 per session.

Sunday beginning May 27 Holy Eucharist: Rite One, 8 a.m. in the church Holy Eucharist: Rite Two, 10 a.m. in the church* Celtic Evensong and Communion, 5:30 p.m. in the church* Sunday Community Supper, 6:30 p.m. (outdoors, weather permitting) Compline, 8 p.m. in the church *nursery available Second Saturdays Centering Prayer continues through the summer on the second Saturday of each month, 9-11 a.m. in Room 14.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training | July 30-August 4, August 6-11 This offering is for adults who want to go deeper in their spiritual lives about what it means to “be like children.” Some will decide to serve as “catechists” (guides) for the young children who participate in our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offering on Sunday mornings. Others may not—but all are welcome and all will benefit. See page 4 for more information, or visit our Web site, ststephensRVA.org/levelone or ststephensRVA.org/leveltwo.

The regular Sunday schedule of services, including the Palmer Hall service at 9, resume September 9, “Rally Day.” Sunday school, the Sunday Forum and other educational offerings return Sunday, September 16.

Icon Writing Workshop | July 22-27, taught by Suzanne Schleck This workshop will take place for the seventh year in a row this summer.

Instructor Suzanne Schleck will return to guide students in “writing” these religious works of art using the traditional materials of egg tempera and gold leaf on wooden panels. The workshop is full, but if you have not reserved a spot and you are interested in participating, call the parish office at 804.288.2867 to be placed on a waiting list.

The May Fair House is closed for the summer and will re-open September 4, the Tuesday after Labor Day at 10 a.m. Wonderful Wednesdays suppers resume September 12.

Parish and Community Events Film Series | Wednesdays in June, 6 p.m.

Free, open to all; see description on facing page.

For Children Vacation Bible School | July 9-13, 8:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

St. Stephen’s Vacation Bible School is open to children age 3 (potty-trained) – rising fifth graders. Youth in grades 6 and up are encouraged to participate as volunteers.

Register your children, and sign up to volunteer, at ststephensRVA.org/vbs.

Holy Baptism | Saturday, June 30, and Saturday, August 11, 10:30 a.m., main church Saturday baptism services are offered several times each year, including twice this summer. Please contact any member of the clergy if you would like to be baptized or have your child baptized. (There is also a Saturday baptism service offered September 22, if neither of these summer dates is possible for your family.)

The daily services of Morning Prayer and Communion (8:10 a.m.) and Evensong (5:30 p.m.) continue Monday through Friday (though no Virginia Girls Choir on Wednesdays until September)

For Youth Each summer, St. Stephen’s youth have the opportunity to take part in a weeklong mission trip. This year, a group will go to the Dominican Republic to lead Vacation Bible School in Azua, where we have two partner churches.

All Ages Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont | June 22-24 Led by the Rev. Steve McGehee, Sarah-Keel Crews, and Andy Russell This weekend for individuals, couples, and families offers large and small group reflection as well as plenty of time to relax, swim, hike, read, nap, explore, and be with family and friends. The early-bird deadline has passed, but if you want to go and you haven’t made a reservation, check with Sarah-Keel Crews to see if space is available.

Groups, Classes, and Retreats While Emmaus Groups and other small groups do not generally meet in the summer, some groups will continue year-round, including the following. (Since group leaders might take vacation at some point, do check in.)

Contemplative Prayer | No registration or experience needed Tuesdays at 8:45 a.m. in the Lounge; led by Millie Cain This group gathers to sit together in silence. We have a short walking meditation and then a contemplative dialogue. We close with silence.

Thursday Bible Study | No registration needed Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Vestry Room; led by Penny Nash

Sunday Community Suppers | 6:30 p.m., year-round These suppers have become an integral part of the Sunday evening experience, and an important form of hospitality for the entire community, including those for whom this may be the only meal they can rely on all week. This is part of our outreach to the larger community, and is a symbol of our church’s ministry to feed all who are hungry.

Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s | Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon In keeping with our commitment to environmental stewardship, wellness, and outreach to the community, St. Stephen’s Church hosts a farmers market every Saturday. Now in its tenth season, the market hosts a wonderful array of vendors offering locally produced seasonal vegetables, fruit, herbs, eggs, poultry, beef, pork, pasta and other foods. In addition, the market features local artisans, locally roasted coffee, and much more.

Rummage Sale | Saturday, July 14 Youth offer this annual rummage sale to raise funds for their mission trip to the Dominican Republic (see page 4). ✤

Photos by Briget Ganske

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Speakers for 2018 and beyond: books for this summer

Several exciting speakers are on tap to come to St. Stephen’s; their books are available in the Bookshop @ St. Stephen’s.

Jean Twenge October 11, 2018 • 7 p.m.

As previously announced, psychologist and researcher Jean Twenge will visit in October to discuss the profound effects of technology, and especially smart phones and social media, on our society in general and young people in particular. Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University, is the author of more than 140 scientific publications and books, including iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy– and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. She has been published and quoted in such periodicals as The Atlantic and The New York Times.

Pico Iyer March 28, 2019 • 7 p.m.

In the very first Lent/Easter edition of Seasons of the Spirit (2012), we reprinted an article from The New York Times titled “The Joy of Quiet” (excerpted from the book by the same title). Its writer, Pico Iyer, had become known not only for his travel writing and novels, but also for his writing and speaking about quiet and stillness. Now he is coming to St. Stephen’s.

Marilynne Robinson October 1, 2020 • 7 p.m.

We are thrilled to announce that novelist Marilynne Robinson will be here in October 2020. Robinson is the author of the bestselling trilogy of novels Gilead (winner of the Pulitzer Prize), Home and Lila, as well as Housekeeping, winner of the PEN/Hemingway Award.

Her essays and nonfiction works include What Are We Doing Here and The Givenness of Things.

Born in Oxford, England to parents from India, Pico Iyer was educated at Eton, Oxford, and Harvard. Since 1992, he has been based in rural Japan with his wife, and spends part of each year in a Benedictine hermitage in California. During a visit to the Eastern U.S. next year, he will come here to speak at a community-wide presentation.

Summer reading: What’s in your book bag?

Reading is not an activity reserved for the summer, but for some of us it seems more pleasurable. With lessintense schedules, travel, and summer vacations, this can be an ideal season for reading. Here are some titles recommended by members of the parish staff. Stop by the Bookshop @ St. Stephen’s for additional ideas.

Steve McGehee In the current age of cultural polarization, people are becoming increasingly disconnected from each other. In Braving the Wilderness, Brené Brown offers insight into how we got where we are and introduces practices that challenge us, but show a way forward to realize true connection and belonging in our lives.

ALLISON SEAY I plan to read anything of Becca Stevens’ I can get my hands on. Right now I’m in the middle of Snake Oil: The Art of Healing and Truth-Telling. I found her visit— not only the forum presentation and sermon, but also just her very presence here—to be inspiring. She’s a wonderful writer, among her many other gifts.

Sarah Bartenstein Leisurely reading for me generally means fiction—and I have several titles in mind for the summer—but two non-fiction books are in my book bag, including Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Cain, an introvert, examines

Fear, anxiety and worry permeate our daily lives. As the senior pastor of a large church in Kansas City, Adam Hamilton surveyed his parishioners, and of the 2,400 who responded to his survey, 80 percent admitted to living with heightened levels of fear. In his book Unafraid, Hamilton gives an informative review of how fear has permeated the culture, while offering a helpful antidote based on Christian principles.

some of the cultural assumptions that lead us to believe that it’s “better” to be an extrovert. She cites research refuting conventional wisdom such as the effectiveness of “brainstorming.” Actually, she says, solitary, quiet time produces better ideas (for introverts and extroverts).

As an “ambivert” (a term Cain uses in the book), I find some of her assertions liberating, and others challenging.

Immediately after hearing Sally Kohn interviewed on the National Public Radio program “1A,” I looked up her new book, The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity. This progressive journalist worked for Fox News and found ways to forge friendships with her colleagues with whom she fundamentally disagreed on important issues. She admits that post-2016, these kinds of relationships are more difficult than ever—and more important. I have been struggling with how, as a person of faith, I can think of and relate to people whose views are so different from mine that the chasm can seem too wide to leap across. I look forward to reading about Kohn’s approach.

True confessions: though I’ve read countless classics for children and youth, either in my own youth or as a parent, somehow I never got to A Wrinkle in Time.

With the release of a major motion picture based on this Madeleine L’Engle classic, I’m reading it now. I’ll have to put off seeing the film in theaters and watch it later on demand, because I’m determined to read the book first.

(Fun fact: L’Engle was an Episcopalian!) ✤

David Bentley Hart’s The Story of Christianity provides a helpful, comprehensive—but highly digestible—overview of the 2,000-year history of the Christian tradition.

Let’s go to the movies! Summer film series planned for Wednesdays During Lent, Gardner Campbell, associate professor of English at Virginia Commonwealth University, taught a series in the Sunday Forum on John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” He was such a hit, we’re offering another opportunity for you to learn from this engaging speaker and teacher. On Wednesday evenings in June, we’ll show classic films—some older, some newer—in the Large Fellowship Hall, with introductions by Campbell and a brief discussion time afterwards.

You may purchase supper in the Café @ St. Stephen’s and bring it into the “theater,” or bring your own dinner. (There is no charge to see the films.) Though Wonderful Wednesdays suppers conclude in the spring, you might think of this as the Wonderful Wednesdays Film Series, June 6, 13, 20, and 27, at 6 p.m. No sign-up is needed–just come!

Allison Seay, associate for religion and the arts, took a film class from Campbell when she was a student at the University of Mary Washington. She says that she learned more from that course than any other she took at Mary Washington. ✤ S A I N T S T E P H E N ’ s E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H

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Films will include: • Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt (it’s Hitchcock–enough said); • American Graffiti, the 1973 film that introduced the 1950s to a new generation (and spawned the TV series Happy Days); • Fast, Cheap and Out of Control by the Oscarwinning documentarian Errol Morris; • Arrival, the Academy Award-nominated film in which a linguistics professor (Amy Adams) learns to communicate with extraterrestrials; think poignant human drama more than sci-fi.

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Summer ahs…or summer ughs?

Ways to encourage re-creation during school vacations

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hen the end of the school year approaches, which of these applies to you?

teacher. Even if we’re working, the long summer days provide plenty of daylight for play at the end of the day. What could be more fun than the entire family going before or after dinner for a swim or bike ride?

Ahh, summer! We look forward to having time to play in the yard, go to the swimming pool, take family vacations, enjoy a more relaxed plan for each day.

Ugh, summer! We dread having no schedule. It can be hard for children and parents. If a parent is working outside the home, having to organize children’s lives can be nerve-wracking and guiltinducing.

By Marion Chenault

Make plans now (if you haven’t already) so your summer can be one of those “ahhh” summers. To do that, be sure to align your plans with your values.

If being together as a family is high on your priority list, that value will determine what goes on the calendar first. Will your family take long weekends, a week (or better yet, two) to go to the river, the lake, the beach, the mountains or to have a stay-cation and play together? Will your plans be with your immediate family or with the extended family?

If sharing your passion with your child is important, focus on that. Plant a garden together, climb a mountain, go fishing or teach your child photography. Share interests and share jobs. Small children love to feel they are helping. Getting in the habit of contributing to the family early helps older children continue to participate in the household later. Little ones can pick up sticks before you mow.

Older ones can mow.

Playing is a necessity for all children for their physical, social and emotional health.

Free your baby from the bucket seat where she doesn’t get the tummy play she needs to develop strong head, neck and arm muscles. Put him on a blanket to begin reaching and scooting and take him outside to feel the grass and touch the dirt.

Children of all ages need to “go out and play.” According to early childhood specialists and pediatricians, children need a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity daily. It’s better yet for them to be outside the majority of the day.

Outside time provides the chance to use the big muscles (and the small ones), the opportunity to get sunshine (vitamin D) and play in the dirt, and the freedom to be creative, away from adult structure and direction.

Sending children outside also gives parents a moment without children underfoot, a time to sit outdoors and perhaps even relax in the sun while the children play.

“We’re watching the children” is a great reason to read a book on the lawn!

As children get older their play space needs to become larger and more adventurous. As they age we want to give them more independence, freedom and responsibility. Boundaries may move from the back yard to one side of the block, to walking to a friend’s house when you feel your child is ready to cross streets. It would be frightening to think the first time your child has a large corral is when he/she has a driver’s license.

Summer is a great time to learn skills such as how to swim or ride a bike. It’s a time to hone soccer, tennis, art or drama skills. It may be that we are our children’s

There are summer classes and camps that can teach just about anything you can imagine. Some of us will sign our children up for swim teams. With practice and meets, being on a swim team can fill your child’s calendar. It’s a great way for children to hone their strokes, satisfy their competitive natures and excel in an area besides school. The same is true for camps that focus on sports, drama, computers, nature, climbing, sailing, kayaking or some other activity or interest. Whatever your child wants to learn and practice, there is probably a camp for it.

For children seven years and older, there are overnight camps, when you and your child are comfortable with your child’s going away. There’s nothing like overnight camp for children to learn independence, meet those from different places, and try new things. Be sure to look into our diocesan camps at Shrine Mont.

Many of us became readers over the summer, when no one made us do it. Puzzles and games teach strategy and patience. Most fun of all are the games the children organize. Adults assume baseball is played with a ball and a bat. With a little time and a lot of freedom to work it out together, a group of children can create a wicked game using lacrosse sticks, tennis balls and bases. We learned Red Rover from each other. Catching lightning bugs is a favorite summer game.

Parents hate to hear, “I’m bored.” Another way to respond to those words is to realize that in boredom children become their most creative…unless we parents think it’s our job to see that our children are never bored. If we’re solving the boredom issue, expect to hear that lament more often.

What’s missing from all of this? Electronics. How we love them! How we hate them! Our children are extremely comfortable using phones and computers.

There is so much value in the logic of coding and gaming on electronic devices, but spending all day on devices crowds out creativity, learning other skills, and practicing social norms learned by interacting with others.

How you help your child organize screen time depends on your priorities. Be clear and consistent with these rules, enforcing them with as little discussion as possible.

Of course, if you’re constantly on your phone, don’t expect your child to see any merit in time away from his.

Summer is a time literally to “re-create.” Each of us, no matter our age, is better able to function after we’ve been physical and playful and after we’ve changed, even for a short while, the direction of our thinking. Enjoy your children; recreate with them and give them a chance to recharge their non-electronic batteries during the long, delightful summer days soon upon us. ✤ Marion Chenault has been director of St. Stephen’s Preschool, a ministry of St. Stephen’s Church, since January 2001, and previously served as director of Richmond Child Development Center’s Ellwood House, which she co-founded in 1982. St. Stephen’s Preschool is accredited by the National Accreditation Commission of Early Care and Education Programs and has been serving children ages one through six in the Richmond community since 1971. Our nationally accredited, play-centered program incorporates the very best ideas from Montessori, Piaget, and Reggio Emilia, and includes the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Learn more at ststephensRVA.org/ preschool, including how to schedule a tour and apply for a spot for your child.

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Briget Ganske

Serve others this summer Volunteer Stukie Valentine challenges students to match him at push-ups during last summer’s math camp at St. Stephen’s. (You’d only need to serve breakfast, though.)

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ven for those no longer on a school schedule, summer usually promises a less hectic pace and more time for family, for reading, for travel, for rest—and perhaps for volunteering. For those who are still on a school schedule, taking part in volunteer work is not only a nice thing to do—it can provide some helpful structure in the midst of weeks of free time, as well as community service hours.

PETER PAUL DEVELOPMENT CENTER SUMMER PROMISE When: June 27-August 17 What’s needed: volunteers to read with students during lunch weekdays at the Peter Paul Development Center and help with the day camp at Roslyn in August.

Contact: Jessica Smith [jsmith]

St. Stephen’s Church offers a wealth of opportunities for giving of ourselves in the service of others, and the frequency of your participation is usually flexible, as your schedule permits. If you can do something every week, great; if you can come once a month, that’s fine, too. Following are some suggestions. All of these activities are suitable for adults, most are suitable for high school students, and some can involve the entire family.

MATH CAMP AT ST. STEPHEN’S When: July 30-August 3, 8:15-9:45 a.m.

What’s needed: volunteers (grades 9 and up) to help prepare and serve breakfast to Peter Paul students participating in the morning-long math camp.

Contact: Deb Lawrence [dlawrence]

Staff contacts can be reached by phone at 288.2867, or by email using the first initial and last name @ststephensRVA.org.

FARMERS MARKET @ ST. STEPHEN’S When: Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

What’s needed: volunteers to serve two-hour shifts for various tasks, including set-up; welcoming and providing information; walking through the market to find out what vendors might need, such as change, or a quick break to go to the rest room; clean-up. Orientation is provided.

Contact: Moriah Karn [mkarn] MARKET GLEANING When: Saturdays between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

What’s needed: gleaners to roll a cart through the farmers market to collect donated produce, eggs, bread and other foods from vendors with unsold items, then take the donations to the food pantry in the basement.

Contact: Jessica Smith [jsmith] FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTION When: Mondays, 9-11 a.m. or 12:45-3 p.m.

What’s needed: volunteers to gather food donations from around the church, stock the “store” shelves, and prepare the store and paper bags for afternoon shoppers. In the afternoon, we need volunteers to help check in pantry clients and assist them with their shopping.

Contact: Jessica Smith [jsmith]

DRIVERS FOR WESTMINSTER-CANTERBURY RESIDENTS When: Sunday mornings, about four times per year What’s needed: drivers to take one of St. Stephen’s vans to WestminsterCanterbury to pick up residents for our 10 a.m. summer Sunday service, and take them home afterwards. When we are fully staffed with volunteer drivers, the commitment is about four times a year.

Contact: Betsy Lee [blee] VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS When: July 9-13, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

What’s needed: adults and youth (grades 6-12) to help in a variety of roles: teachers, classroom assistants, snack coordinators, and helpers with music, games, and arts and crafts. Ideally volunteers are able to help for the whole week, but partial week volunteers are welcome, too.

Contact: Sarah-Keel Crews [skcrews] CARITAS WEEK When: August 25 – August 31 What’s needed: volunteers to prepare and serve dinner, prepare bag lunches for our CARITAS guests, deliver and pick up cots; and stay overnight with CARITAS staff.

Contact: Deb Lawrence [dlawrence] ✤

SUNDAY COMMUNITY SUPPER PREPARATION When: Sundays, 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.

What’s needed: volunteers to prepare supper in St. Stephen’s kitchen with guidance and support from church staff members; they also set up, serve, and clean up with help from staff. Individuals or groups may volunteer.

Contact: Penny Nash [pnash] MEAL PREP FOR SIDE BY SIDE When: Third Tuesday of the month What’s needed: volunteers to prepare and deliver suppers to Side by Side (formerly ROSMY, an organization providing support to LGBTQ youth). Delivery time is between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m.

Contact: Deb Lawrence [dlawrence] Too many cooks in the kitchen? Nah! S A I N T S T E P H E N ’ s E P I S C O PA L C H U R C H

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Market moves back outdoors for year 10

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he Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s has begun its 10th year. The market transitioned from the cold-weather indoor set-up to its outdoor home on April 14 (a week later than planned,

By Moriah Karn thanks to some winter precipitation). Our vendors have come to feel like family—one which is always happy to have new members. We’re proud and grateful to be able to provide such a wide array of high-quality products. In addition to produce, meat, poultry, and seafood, we sell soap, jewelry, pasta, eggs, cheese, soup, bread, pastries, sandwiches, socks and scarves, stuffed animals, jams and jellies, honey, flowers, herbs, teas, lotions, flour, and baskets.

If there is something you would like to see at our market that you haven’t found, please contact me at mkarn@ststephensRVA.org. We accept applications on a rolling basis and will be glad to host a few more excellent farmers and other sellers.

We are glad that so many long-term purveyors are with us again. These include familiar farms: Agriberry, Black Boar Farm, Broadfork Farm, Byrd Farm, Crumptown Farm, Deer Run Farm, Elk Island Produce, Faith Farm, G. Flores Produce, Harlow Ridge Farm, Medina and Son, Prospect Hill Farm, ShireFolk Farm, 22 Oaks, and Swift Creek Berry Farm. Edwards Seafood returns with fresh, local products. Several craftspeople and artisans offer jewelry, clothing, crafts, and art: Beading Creations, Classic Baby, Inside Out by Irina, KR2 Knitting, Lovely 2 Look At, Prime Cut Crafts, Shady Nook Alpacas,

and Tuckahoe Plantation Handcrafts. You won’t have to toil away in a hot kitchen if you buy from the many excellent chefs, bakers and cooks at the market: Artann’s, Birdie’s Pimento Cheese, C’est Bon, Curds and Whey, Fruitfinity, Much and Stuff, My Empanada, Red Cap Patisserie, Simply Vettore, Truly Scrumptious, Unkol Chuck’s Brunswick Stew, and Wild Earth Fermentation. Your pup will be delighted that Dogtown Lounge is here with natural treats.

Sharp Again will be on hand to keep kitchen knives and garden implements in good condition. And the Virginia Girls Choir will return to sell their freshlysqueezed limeades as a fundraiser.

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New additions for the outdoor months include Crazy Farm, Creighton Farm, Liberty Tree Farms, the Mushroom Cowboy (formerly Urban Choice Mushrooms), Pleasant Fields Farm, Pulp Fiction LLC, Raven’s Feather Farm, Salsas Don Sebastian, SouperChef G, and Sweet Gum Botanicals. (Some of these names may be familiar since they took part in our indoor market during the winter.)

This year we won’t need to have a coffee table since we have a café in the parish house. It’s a short walk from the market tables to the Café @ St. Stephen’s— which is air conditioned. In addition to introducing people to the café, we hope this will provide an opportunity for folks who aren’t familiar with the church to see some of what we do as they walk through the parish house—and perhaps decide to participate in some way. There will still be tables and chairs set up near the music tent, so you can enjoy a snack or limeade while listening to talented musicians.

Hours for spring, summer and early fall are 8 a.m. until noon. Parking is free, and well-behaved dogs on leashes are some of our best customers. Strollers are fine, too. Many families love to walk or bike to our market. We hope to see you there. ✤

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Returning vendors like Broadfork Farm (2) and Medina and Son (3) are joined this summer by new vendors such as Crazy Farm (1). Photos by Sarah Bartenstein

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Coming this fall: Bluegrass, green grass Bluegrass Bash, golf tournament raise funds for outreach while inviting the community to join the fun

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or the past five years, St. Stephen’s has kicked off its new program year in the fall with two events designed to offer fun and fellowship for the entire community while raising additional funds for outreach. We’ve got many of the details nailed down for this September’s events, so it’s time to save the dates and start talking up these events to friends, neighbors and colleagues. Everyone is welcome, and in fact, these are great ways to introduce people to St. Stephen’s Church.

On Friday, September 14, the Bluegrass Bash returns, from 5 until 8 p.m. in the church parking lot. Headlining this year is Commonwealth Bluegrass Band. The all-ages event features food trucks, local beer and wine as well as non-alcoholic beverages, and free activities for kids. Help us spread the word about this community-wide offering. Admission prices remain the same as last year: advance tickets are $7 for children (ages 2-11), $15 for ages 12 and up, and the family maximum is $30. Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance, since prices go up the day of the event ($10/$20/$40). You may purchase tickets in the parish office, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or at ststephensRVA.org/bluegrass this summer.

The following week, our outreach golf tournament takes place, Thursday, September 20 at Meadowbrook Country Club, with lunch at noon and a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. Why not arrange a foursome? You can also register individually and we will team you up with other players. It’s an afternoon of fun and good-natured competition, all to support outreach. Whether you play or not, many sponsorship opportunities are available. Information and registration are available at ststephensRVA.org/golf and at the outreach table near the elevator and the parish office. ✤

Spring and summer come to our café

By Moriah Karn

Who knows—if you become a regular, you might even have a drink named after you. Just ask about the Barbara, the Mac or the Gary!

Along with iced drinks, some things to look forward to in the coming months are flat bread pizzas, openfaced sandwiches, new smoothie flavors, and seasonal salads. You might even find a nice cold bowl of gazpacho in the café by the time tomato season rolls around. We continue to work with local farmers and vendors to provide healthy, tasty food as well as indulgent treats, like King of Pops popsicles and Nightingale ice cream sandwiches from local companies.

lids, straws, and cutlery we use for serving food in the café. All food scraps—even meat—as well as food containers can be deposited in the middle can. If you have any questions, please speak to a café staff member.

Please make sure you put food waste and compostable containers into the cans labeled “compost,” not only in the café but also at parish suppers and other events. This is an important way that St. Stephen’s Church cares for creation—we need your help to make it effective.

We welcome your input and have a suggestion box for your comments. If you are wondering how the café can become a part of your student’s after-school routine (and once school is out for the summer, their after-practice or after-work routine), look no further than our gift cards. A few clever parents have already started this habit, loading a café card for their child or teen, and sending them our way. We are always happy to have a post-school rush, and you can usually find a member of our family ministries staff hanging out in the café. They love interacting with youth in this beautiful space.

You might have noticed a new composting system, not only in the café but also at Wednesday and Sunday suppers and around the church. We have begun working with a local company called Natural Organic Process Enterprises (N.O.P.E.) who pick up the material and take it to an industrial facility where it is turned into compost.

You might be accustomed to composting at home where you are somewhat limited. With this system, we can dispose of all of the compostable cups, sleeves,

The café is here to foster community, support local food vendors, provide healthy food and beverages, practice environmental stewardship—all as part of our mission to serve as a 21st century village green. If you and your friends are looking for a place to meet for lunch, coffee or tea, or a quiet spot to read, knit or just enjoy a coffee drink, please stop by. We are so happy to be a part of this daily reminder of goodness in the world. ✤

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he Café @ St. Stephen’s is ready for its first spring and summer, with iced coffee and tea, plenty of refrigerated beverages and treats, and café tables with umbrellas and chairs.

If you haven’t met all of the café staff, please come in and introduce yourself.

The café’s outdoor entrance has new railings, along with this charming detail (thanks, Donny Dunn). Outdoor tables are for sun lovers, indoor seating for those who prefer AC.

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Dear Diary

A meditation on ministry, the muse, and why poetry matters

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here was a stretch of a few years where I got a new diary at Christmas and proclaimed my new year’s resolution that I would write in it faithfully before bed each night. And I did… until about March, at which point it would start to feel like homework I was putting off and my entries got farther and farther apart, less and less detailed. Every couple of days I might scribble something down—what I’d had for dinner (spaghetti, probably), what I was reading (Nancy Drew), if I had plans that weekend (I didn’t). Even now, despite my nostalgia, rereading the notes from my 10- or 12-year-old self, I’m pretty bored.

Where it gets interesting, though—and where I have written so earnestly that often there is evidence of my re-sharpened pencil a couple pages in—is when I’m upset: I’m mad at my sisters; a boy likes me and I like—no, hate—no, like the boy; my cat runs away; I’m switching schools; my aunt’s moving in.

And later, my great-grandmother dies, I’m terrified of death, and I have nightmares that haunt me nearly 30 years later. In other words, it’s when the inertia of my life has been interrupted and the order of things rearranged, that I need to sit down and write for as long as I need to write until I sort it all out as much as it can be sorted.

By Allison Seay

“How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?” writes E.M. Forster and that was as true then as it is now, years later. I don’t write dutifully every day; I write when I need to figure out what I think and I write when I am moved to write. This practice is probably true for many people, and quite often what moves us is not the daily routine, not pleasantness, but dramatic shifting: bliss, maybe, or maybe when the bottom’s fallen out, when we’re lost, or shocked, or delivered life-altering news and the whole landscape of our lives has been changed.

In my case anyway, what moves me is not prettiness, but beauty; not like, but love; not sadness, but agony; not worry, but terror; not observation, but experience; not the idea of God, but God. But the muse is never predictable either. There are times I am so moved, the world so intense, that I cannot find the language I need. Years ago, when I was suffering from an acute depression, I could hardly wash my hair much less write a poem, could hardly get up for a drink of water, much less pick up something to read.

Things were only barely bearable and it was only afterwards, climbing out of that ravine, that I could find words to wonder how I got myself into such a state in the first place. Of course, in the state itself, you cannot imagine a state otherwise and when you are despairing, it is difficult to remember that there is anything left but pain. Surviving despair: that is where I found poetry, and the marriage between art and suffering became the only real thing I knew of which to speak or write. Art is proof that hope is alive.

I know that for many, writing poetry works as a kind of therapy. It has not been the case for me. In fact, when I have been in the depths of despair, writing poetry has endangered my spirit far more than it protected or healed it. Not only have I not found writing to be soothing in any way, I have found it instead by turns ominous, fruitless, solipsistic, pitiable, trivial. I remember talking to a therapist once who suggested I try coloring and I broke down in tears. Though she meant well, and though I am aware it works (thank God it works) for some people, I could no sooner color my way out of the ravine than I could cut off one of my own limbs.

What I have come to learn the hard way is that if art has an opposite, it is despair. The subject, its content, may be despairing, even hopeless, but the act of it, the existence of it all, is opposite whatever the pain that inspired it. Louise Gluck writes beautifully, “what was difficult / was the travel, which / on arrival is forgotten.”

This makes poetry seem like a very dramatic affair. And so it is for me, a far cry from the burden of my nightly “Dear Diary.” I have thought for a long time about an oft-heard criticism from my students—“why does this have to be so intense?” they’d say—and I decided that I would absorb it not as a complaint but as affirmation that I was teaching well. After all, intensity does not mean without pleasure. It does not mean without joy. Why not treat art with this kind of reverence, with a life-or-death seriousness? Why not attempt to understand art’s place in our lives as a kind of worship, if not a kind of religion? How could such a mission be anything less than intense? And what higher calling is there than to tend to the work of the soul? It is ancient work and also work I am privileged and humbled to pursue.

The poetry ministry at St. Stephen’s is still taking shape, still evolving. It is a great gift to me to be one of its stewards. I believe there is a muse in all of us and though she might stay silent, she never abandons. She is born of the divine and dwelling within each of us. It could not be a more intense endeavor. ✤

Positioning ourselves for a rapidly-changing landscape Two-year ministry assessment in the works

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t. Stephen’s Church is embarking on a two-year process to assess our ministries and envision ways to position them for the future to ensure the continued vitality of the parish.

Just as we tended to aspects of our physical plant during the capital campaign and renovation project, we will examine everything from worship to pastoral care, from youth ministry to outreach, to ensure that we are well-positioned to reach people in a world where the pace of change continues to accelerate.

Susan Wilkes is the consultant for this process. This parishioner is a consultant with extensive experience in assessment and strategic planning. She helped facilitate “Appreciative Inquiry,” a different kind of assessment process, at St. Stephen’s several years ago. Wilkes is working with a steering committee composed of parishioners John Bates, Becky Boyers, Braxton Hill, Allison Koschak and Betsy Tyson.

Bates and Hill also serve on the vestry, Bates as senior warden and Hill as register.

Lay leaders or representatives of various ministry groups at St. Stephen’s have attended an initial meeting with Wilkes, the steering committee, and Gary Jones, to learn about this process and plan its first steps. Everyone in the parish will eventually be able to participate in some way.

Each group will do a self-evaluation consisting of these steps: A. Introduction: the purpose and history of the

ministry

B. Present position: where the ministry is now, its

strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and challenges C. Present environment: what is going on in society and culture

D. Assumptions for the future: how we expect society

and culture to change, and how those changes affect our ministry or call for new responses E. Hopes and objectives: what we hope this ministry will become F. Work plan: how and when we hope our objectives will be achieved, who will do the work, and what will the cost be

This process is similar to the ones undertaken by the parish in the 1980s. Since the pace of societal change has accelerated so radically, however, we are placing less emphasis on the development of a specific “Work Plan” and focusing more on a re-orienting evaluation that will allow us to take stock of our present ministries and remain flexible with regard to the future.

Additional information about this process and ways you can be involved will be announced in the fall. ✤

National outreach efforts continue addressing needs after natural disasters

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he focus of our national outreach efforts for more than a decade has been post-disaster relief in areas of the country devastated by floods, hurricanes and tornados.

Unfortunately, there is never a lack of communities in need of such assistance. This fall, St. Stephen’s will send a team back to the Greenbrier County area of West Virginia which was hit by massive floods and mudslides in June 2016. Work is ongoing and volunteer help is still needed.

In addition, we are planning a trip to the Houston area devastated by Hurricane Harvey. We are working through the Episcopal Diocese of Texas in Houston and the highly respected St. Bernard Project to determine where a St. Stephen’s volunteer team will be placed to provide badly needed recovery and rebuilding assistance.

We will have more information on volunteer opportunities and trip dates to West Virginia and Houston soon. If you have questions, please contact Deb Lawrence, dlawrence@ststephensRVA.org or 804.288.2867. ✤

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SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT

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Pentagon expert to discuss the future of war Paul Scharre to discuss book ‘Army of None’ on May 31

we are dealing with readily accessible technology—the same kind that is used for self-driving cars and facial recognition in our phones—that can be used to deploy swarms of small, autonomous drones that are capable of taking out entire cities. Can they be hacked, recalled or stopped?

Scharre will be at St. Stephen’s on Thursday, May 31, at 7 p.m. to discuss his findings, answer your questions, and sign copies of his book.

After 9/11, throngs of people came back to church.

The same thing has happened after shootings like the one at Virginia Tech. Churches help us to return to God and what matters most in our lives, to reclaim the sanctity of human life, reaffirm core human values, and embrace our precious loved ones again, those people in our lives whom we sometimes overlook in our busyness. The post-9/11 world is changing rapidly, and after a disaster, we come to church to re-center ourselves and to reclaim our humanity.

Artificial intelligence is making the future of war almost unthinkable. Technological change is outpacing discussions about how humanity will control it. As frightening as the prospect of nuclear war is, nation states can be monitored, with verifiable treaties. Now

But churches are also places where faithful people come to learn and work to avoid disasters before they happen. Jesus urged us to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Paul Scharre writes and speaks with

Making progress on environmental initiatives St. Stephen’s environmental stewardship project team met recently to review progress on several initiatives that were introduced over the summer and fall of 2017. Here is an update on some of the projects undertaken: • The solar panels are installed and producing energy. The buildings and grounds committee is tracking electrical use and we will keep parishioners informed on the energy savings from the panels.

• We continue to add dual receptacles for recycling and garbage. Our coffee cups are compostable so parishioners can help by looking for the proper receptacles on Sunday and throughout the week.

• We have contracted with N.O.P.E. (Natural Organic Process Enterprises) who has developed a food scrap and organics recycling program for St. Stephen’s. This is a significant step to reclaim the compostable waste from our kitchen and café.

• St. Stephen’s has become a smoke-free campus.

Emily Krudys to be ordained

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arishioner Emily Krudys, who has been sponsored in the ordination process

by St. Stephen’s Church, has completed her discernment and is about to finish her seminary education. We are delighted that Emily has been approved for ordination in a diocesan service at Church of the Epiphany in Herndon, Virginia, along with 11 other women and men, on Saturday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m. You are invited to this service.

Sarah Bartenstein

Parish churches have an important role in presenting and preparing people for ordination. A discernment committee composed of parishioners, as well as the vestry and our clergy all take part in this process in some way.

Solar panels installed on the roof of the parish house are not only increasing energy efficiency and lowering energy bills–they are also expected to extend the life of the roof.

Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer, page 827

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This event is free and open to the public. We encourage you to sign up to give us a rough idea of how many people to expect, at ststephensRVA. org/war. Copies of Scharre’s book are available for purchase before and during the event, and you may have yours signed by the author. The list price is $27.99, and we will have copies available for $25. All bookshop sales benefit St. Stephen’s ministries. ✤

Emily will be ordained to the transitional diaconate, meaning she will serve as a deacon for a period of time before being ordained a priest.

• We continue to explore ways to recycle rain water to irrigate areas of the campus that are not watered by the sprinkler system.

Members of the project team will continue to explore ways we can be responsible stewards of God’s creation, both of St. Stephen’s campus and in our individual lives, so that we can restore and preserve this gift for future generations.✤

compelling urgency and authority about our need, in this era of technological change, to reclaim the role of the human heart. If anyone should be interested in joining this discussion, it is people of faith. The world needs us to be knowledgeable and engaged.

Cayce Ramey

Paul Sharre, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, has written a new book we all should read—though most of us probably won’t want to. Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War is beautifully written by this former U.S. Army Ranger and Pentagon official, but it’s about something we wish were relegated strictly to science fiction: autonomous weapons that are not supervised by human beings and that are too fast for humans to respond to. But this is no longer science fiction—it’s a present-day reality for which we are not prepared.

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Emily says, “St Stephen’s has nurtured and sustained me along this journey, and I am forever grateful.”

Emily, who did her parish field work at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on the Boulevard in Richmond, has been involved in St. Stephen’s ministries in numerous ways over the years. She has served on the vestry, traveled to South Africa with a pilgrimage team, taken part in Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC) and parish weekends at Shrine Mont, served as a mentor for St. Stephen’s youth in Journey to Adulthood, and engaged in many volunteer activities.

Please keep Emily and her family—her husband Mark and their daughters Katherine and Hannah— in your prayers. ✤

15

Seasons of the Spirit Pentecost 1/Summer 2018

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Issue Number 28

Richmond, Virginia 23226

6000 Grove Avenue ststephensRVA.org

Parish Staff

Presorted First Class Mail U.S. Postage

PAID

Richmond, VA Permit # 320

To reach a staff member, call 804.288.2867. To send an email to a member of the staff, use the initial and name provided in parentheses, with @ststephensRVA.org. (If no email is listed, it means that the staff member does not have a St. Stephen’s email address.)

Vestry

Term Expires 2019 John Bates, Senior Warden Judy Buchanan Marie Carter Calle Luke, Junior Warden Mac McElroy David Wise

Term expires 2020 Melinda Hardy Braxton Hill, Register Richard Kay Martha Orr Proutt Cyndy Seal Chip Tompkins Term expires 2021 Mary Bacon, Treasurer Orran Brown Sr. Robert Dibble Mollie Hines Mitchell Alston Williams Wesley Wright

Seasons of the Spirit Sarah Bartenstein, editor Steven Longstaff, designer

Contributors: Mary Clare Abbott, Doug Buerlein, Marion Chenault, Briget Ganske, Gary D. Jones, Moriah Karn, Stephen Y. McGehee, Allison Seay, Michael Sweeney

Becky McDaniel begins ministry here July 1 The Rev. Becky McDaniel, whose call to St. Stephen’s was announced in the last edition of Seasons of the Spirit, will begin her ministry here this summer. Her first day at St. Stephen’s is Sunday, July 1; be sure to welcome her to this parish where she will lead one of the most important areas of our community’s life, family ministry.

Becky was lower school chaplain at Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Atlanta when Gary Jones extended the call to join the staff here. This University of Virginia graduate holds a master’s degree in education from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Divinity from the School of Theology at the Uni- Sarah-Keel Crews, Andy Russell, Becky McDaniel, versity of the South (Sewanee). She brings a wealth Michael Sweeney of knowledge and experience to St. Stephen’s clergy team, and to our work with children, youth, and their families. She has visited St. Stephen’s often over the past several month to work with our family ministry staff on the transition as Michael Sweeney leaves and she comes on board. Welcome, Becky! ✤

Vestry elects lay delegates for diocesan convention

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t. Stephen’s Church is part of the Diocese of Virginia, one of the oldest and largest dioceses in the Episcopal Church. Being part of a diocese provides a connection not only to other parishes in geographic proximity to us, but to Episcopalians throughout the United States and beyond. Each year, the diocese holds a convention in Richmond or in Northern Virginia to which parishes send representatives to discuss the life of the diocese, make decisions about its governance, learn from one another, and worship and pray together. As the largest church in the diocese, St. Stephen’s has an important leadership role, and our delegation is especially large–12 lay delegates along with our clergy.

In April, the vestry elected delegates for the convention that will gather in Richmond November 1-3, 2018: Sarah Bartenstein, John Bates, Mary Holly Bigelow, Judy Buchanan, JB Burtch, Marie Carter, Todd Culbertson, Nancy Hein, James Hoffman, Mac McElroy, John Sherman, and Martha Sherman. Our alternate delegate is Beverly Bates. This convention will include a rare event: the election of a bishop suffragan to work with the Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston, the diocesan (head) bishop, and the Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, bishop suffragan (a bishop elected to assist the diocesan). More information about this process is at thediocese.net.

Though the delegate positions have been filled, there is room for additional alternate delegates who serve if a delegate is unable to. If you’d like to be considered for election as an alternate delegate, please contact John Bates, our senior warden, at jbates@mcguirewoods.com. ✤

Bishop Johnston to visit, confirm youth and adults On Sunday, May 20, the Day of Pentecost—one of the three major feasts of the church year, with Christmas and Easter—the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, our diocesan bishop, will visit St. Stephen’s Church. The annual visit from a bishop is a reminder of our role as one of 180 parish churches that make up the Diocese of Virginia. While he is with us, the bishop will celebrate the Eucharist and preach, and he will confirm youth, and confirm, receive or reaffirm adults. Look for photos of this event on our social media channels, and in the next edition of Seasons of the Spirit. ✤

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Sarah Bartenstein

Janet S. Allen (jallen), Associate for Development & Operations Stan Barnett (sbarnett), Coordinator of Kitchen Ministry Sarah R. Bartenstein (sbartenstein), Director of Communication Deonte Campbell, Sexton Marion S. Chenault (mchenault), Preschool Director (2886401) Dawn Childs (dchilds), Assistant for Children’s Music Ministry Donald Clements, Sexton Kerry Court (kcourt), Director, Virginia Girls Choir Sarah-Keel Crews (skcrews), Minister to Children and Youth Sean Dobb, Sexton Chris Edwards (cedwards), Director, St. Stephen’s Choir Melissa Hipes (mhipes), Finance Manager Chris Holman, Sexton The Rev. Gary D. Jones (gjones), Rector Moriah Karn (mkarn), Café Manager, Market Manager Deborah Lawrence (dlawrence), Director of Outreach Betsy Lee (blee), Office Manager Becky Lehman (blehman), Assistant for Hospitality & Communication Becky McDaniel (bmcdaniel), Director of Family Ministry (July 1) Christi McFadden (cmcfadden), Finance Assistant The Rev. Stephen Y. McGehee (smcgehee), Associate Rector The Rev. Claudia W. Merritt (cmerritt), Priest Associate The Rev. Penny A. Nash (pnash), Associate Rector Ben Nelson (bnelson), Sexton, Pressman, Sunday Community Supper Chef Matthew Oltmann, Sexton Andy Russell (arussell), Minister to Children and Youth The Rev. William L. Sachs (bsachs), Priest Associate Allison Seay (aseay), Associate for Religion & the Arts Steven Simon (ssimon), Facilities Manager Michael Simpson, Director of Celtic Service Musicians Jessica Framme Smith (jsmith), Outreach Assistant Elizabeth Spell (weddings), Wedding Coordinator Garner Stewart (farmersmarket), Assistant Market Manager Wei-Li Suen, Palmer Hall accompanist Michael E. Sweeney (msweeney), Director of Family Ministry Greg Vick (gvick), Principal Organist