Welcome

Rector Greetings

Many old, mainline churches have developed a bad reputation, and they got it the old-fashioned way - they earned it. If you enjoy arguing about church finances, people's sexuality, and who is morally superior, while you slog through boring services with dreadful music in your dress-up clothes, you should fit right in with most mainline church-goers. But if you want to go deeper, if you have a hunch that God is a mysterious reality beyond all creeds, if you sometimes have a sense of wonder, joy and beauty that could only be from God, and if you want to cultivate spiritual disciplines that will heighten your experience of God and sustain you in a more compassionate and meaningful life … well, you might not fit in so well in many mainline churches. Sad, but true.

My earnest hope is that St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a place where all people, regardless of their background or experience, will be encouraged in an authentic journey of faith. St. Stephen's a large Episcopal parish church in the Diocese of Virginia. Our worship is steeped in ancient tradition and enlivened by fresh manifestations of the Holy Spirit. A brief service of Daily Morning Prayer each weekday ensures that the Holy Scripture is read systematically and pondered prayerfully throughout the year, and the weekly celebrations of the Eucharist ground our life in the real presence of Jesus. Throughout the year we also offer spiritual formation and Christian education opportunities designed not only to engage our minds with the things of God but also to quicken our spiritual faculties, so that we might discern God's presence and activity in our day to day lives and in the larger, complex world in which we live. Our goal is not simply to help people experience God in church (though we hope they do); rather, our primary goal is to help people experience God within us and all about us, as the One "in whom we live and move and have our being."

This church does not exist for its members. That's what clubs are for, and there are plenty of those around. Instead, this church exists for the world, the world for which our Lord gave his life. In other words, if you are not a member of St. Stephen's Church, you should know that this church is here for you. And if you decide to become a member, we will heartily welcome you in our ministry of learning to love and serve the world as Christ loved and served us.

So, poke around on our Web site, and send us an e-mail. Join in any of our worship services or other activities that look interesting to you. Relax and make yourself at home. Call on us anytime you have a question or need help - the lay and clergy staff here are faithful and devoted people who take genuine delight in helping. And most of all, give yourself over to the transforming experience of God in our worship, our fellowship, our Bible studies, and our ministries of compassion here in Richmond and around the world. This church exists for you, and no one belongs here more.

The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

Gary D. Jones
Rector