Daughters of the King lift up your prayers

An introduction to centering prayer

Two workshops offered this fall

St. Stephen’s has a robust contemplative prayer community and is pleased to invite parishioners and community members to explore the gifts of a centering prayer practice through two fall workshops.

Centering prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with him, a deepening of one’s relationship with God, and a disciplined path to deepen that relationship.

During each of the three-hour introductions we will share the guidelines of centering prayer developed by Fr. Thomas Keating and the Contemplative Outreach ministry he fostered. We will talk about how to respond to thoughts you have when trying to be still. We will also discuss the effect that centering prayer has in daily life and ways of fostering this practice in your own life.

St. Stephen’s Church offers a variety of opportunities to connect and practice with others in the contemplative community both online and in person. Learn more at ststephensRVA.org/

contemplative.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PRACTICE OF CENTERING PRAYER

9 a.m.-noon Saturday, September 18 Saturday, October 16 Facilitated by Contemplative Outreach of Richmond Register at ststephensRVA.org/centering-workshops Questions: The Rev. John Jenkins, jjenkins@ststephensRVA.org

Praying in private

Daughters of the King pray daily in response to your requests

St. Stephen’s Church offers many opportunities to engage in prayer and a variety of ways to pray with others: daily Morning Prayer (in person and online) in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, small groups, listening to Compline, using the parish prayer list, sharing in the Prayers of the People in worship, taking part in our healing prayer ministry, participating in a contemplative group.

There is also a unique group that prays in private: the Daughters of the King. This is an order for women with members who are Episcopalian, Anglican, Lutheran and Roman Catholic. Its members participate in a ministry of intercessory prayer held in strict

By Sherlyn Dibble

confidence, because sometimes people who desire prayer also desire privacy.

The members of St. Stephen’s chapter, named for St. Thérèrese of Liseaux, receive confidential requests from the clergy, from black prayer boxes found in the parish house, and through submissions via the church Web site (ststephensRVA. org/prayerrequest). People often make requests in person after recognizing a Daughter by the distinctive cross she wears.

If you are interested in specifics about the ministry of the Daughters, watch for information in The Spirit (the printed Sunday newsletter/ insert) and the eSpirit, the Wednesday morning email newsletter. We welcome your questions and your prayers. A discernment period for women interested in joining this order will be held this fall.

Bring your questions to the inquirers class

What does it mean to be an Episcopalian?

Traditionally, St. Stephen’s Church offers an “inquirers class” three times a year—once in the fall, once in the winter, and once in the spring. Beginning Wednesday, September 29, our vicar, the Rev. Will Stanley, will teach this eight-week class for adults. It is our hope and expectation that these sessions will occur in person, meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Palmer Hall.

The course will explore the essentials of what it means to be a Christian in the Anglican tradition. How we Episcopalians read scripture, and how we engage with both historic tradition and God’s gift of reason will be among the important topics we cover. The course will conclude on Wednesday, November 17 with an interactive tour of the church, culminating with an instructed Eucharist.

This course is for: • any adult seeking to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal

Church or renew their baptismal vows; • anyone new to the Episcopal tradition or simply seeking to know more; or • anyone seeking an interesting and helpful refresher course. The rites of Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows are episcopal (lower case “e”) services, meaning that they take place in the presence of a bishop, as a sign of the unity of the whole church. We expect that one of the bishops of the Diocese of Virginia will make an episcopal visit in May 2022, so anyone who completes this course would qualify to pursue one of these opportunities.

We know that many come to a course like this one with questions. And we are eager to hear them! There will be ample opportunity to pose them throughout the course. To prepare for each session, attendees will be provided excerpts from a small gem of a book, Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers: Exploring Christian Faith by Ian S. Markham and C.K. Robertson. While participants are not required to purchase this book, it is readily available online from many retailers (and most local independent booksellers are happy to place a special order for you). It makes a great addition to any library!

There is no cap on the number of participants and there is no charge for the course. It is helpful, however, if you register in advance, at ststephensRVA.org/inquirers-registration, or by calling 804.288.2867.

Unpacking parables

Reading group to discuss ‘Short Stories by Jesus’

Jesus taught us many things in parables. Even those who do not attend church or read the Bible regularly are familiar with some of these stories. Many of us have heard them so many times, we know them by heart. Sometimes their familiarity dulls our ability to take in their richness. One way to broaden our understanding is to ask ourselves, “What would the parables have sounded like to the people who heard them in the first century?” These are enduring stories that still speak to us today, but are there ways we can hear them with fresh ears?

By Claudia Merritt

Amy-Jill Levine, a noted scholar, author, and teacher with a world-wide reputation, is the University Professor of New Testament and Jewish studies at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Levine has written a wonderful book about Jesus and his parables called Short Stories by Jesus. She explores how of the parables may have sounded to first century Jewish ears and how this may open the parables for us. I will offer a group this fall to read and discuss this book, October 19 and 25, and November 2 and 9, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. There is no charge to join but please do sign up in advance at ststephensrva. org/parables, or by calling the parish office, 804.288.2867.