Ways to stay connected

Stay connected

Between issues of this magazine, be sure you stay in touch

If you are one of the countless people who are staying in touch with colleagues, friends and family members through electronic means—Zoom, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, social media channels, video, email—you may well be tired of these platforms by now. We’re delighted to provide this print magazine as another means of communication.

By Sarah Bartenstein

When it comes to technology and print, though, it’s not either/ or, but both/and. It’s more important than ever to make sure that you’re taking full advantage of St. Stephen’s communications vehicles. We are excited about the new magazine you’re holding. Since the next one comes out in early Advent, be sure you’re visiting our Web site, that you’re subscribed to one or more of our email newsletters, and if you are a Facebook or Instagram user, that you’re following St. Stephen’s Church on those channels.

Pandemic time is unpredictable. Staff, vestry, and other parish leaders work hard to plan well—knowing all the while that circumstances beyond our control can change those plans. We love print, but technology is how we deliver news quickly.

Here are ways you can stay in touch:

EMAIL NEWSLETTERS

The eSpirit If you want to receive just one email newsletter from St. Stephen’s Church, this is the one to choose. The eSpirit comes out each Wednesday at 6 a.m. and includes a wide variety of announcements. The eSpirit subscription list is also used to send the Sunday morning email with links to that day’s worship video and the accompanying PDF program. It’s also the primary list we use for special or late-breaking announcements.

Other newsletters include: • F armers market news • The Weekly Bible Study • W ellspring, the weekly poetry guide • R ector’s blog • Family ministry • Y oung adult ministry • W omen of St. Stephen’s

Read about all our email newsletters, and subscribe, at ststephensRVA.org/email. You do not have to be a member of St. Stephen’s to receive these free newsletters. We will never give your email address to an outside party, and you may unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time.

WEB SITE

St. Stephen’s is on the Web at ststephensRVA.org. Our Web site is the place to find information about upcoming events (including virtual ones), to listen to past sermons, Celtic service reflections, and sung Compline services; to get information about vendors who will be at the farmers market in the coming week; to submit an online prayer request, a pledge, or a pledge payment or other contribution. You’ll find order forms for needlepoint kneelers, contact information for various ministries, the latest Weekly Bible Study guide and Wellspring poetry guide; names of current vestry members; links to prayer resources; a link to the latest worship video; and much more. Spend some time browsing the Web site.

SOCIAL MEDIA

St. Stephen’s Church has a Facebook page and an Instagram account; search for StStephensRVA.

Also on Instagram: the Café @ St. Stephen’s, the Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s, Instagrove6000 (youth), the May Fair House.

Also on Facebook: Compline, the Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s, the May Fair House, Virginia Girls Choir, Young Adults.

VIDEO

St. Stephen’s has a Vimeo channel and a YouTube Channel (both are StStephensRVA)

When it comes to technology and print, it’s not either/or, but both/and. It’s more important than ever to make sure that you’re taking full advantage of parish communications vehicles.