What we're reading

As we have done for the past several years, we invite you to read along with other parishioners and friends of St. Stephen's Church. This summer's recommendation is Life After Life.

Stop by the bookstore located in St. Stephen's parish office. This store is a natural outgrowth of the growing demand by our parishioners and visitors for books, from originally stocking works by visiting authors, to offering books recommended by clergy and staff, to Advent and Lenten selections and books for various groups and classes. In addition to a wonderful selection of books, the store offers St. Stephen’s Blend coffee, olive oil from the Middle East, candles, notecards and prayer beads. Staff members in the office can help you with your purchases during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but the shop is open anytime the church is open. In addition, a selection of items from the bookstore is available in the Large Fellowship Hall on Sundays.

St. Stephen's has been blessed by the presence of wonderful guest speakers, including clergy, theologians, writers and monks. We have copies of books for sale in the parish office, most below retail.

In addition to books by St. Stephen's speakers, we offer a broad selection of other books as well, many of which have been read and recommended by our clergy and staff.

Two St. Stephen's CD's are available in the bookshop, both for $15 per copy (or buy a set for $25). "An Unexpected Christmas" is the 2010 release by the Virginia Girls Choir and Ana Hernandez. "Sanctuary" is the 2012 CD by St. Stephen's Compline choir; read more here.

For more information about the bookshop, call Gene LeCouteur or Martha-Lynn Corner at 804.288.2867.

Rob Bell, What We Talk About When We Talk About God

There is an obvious disconnect between notions of God as a backward, vengeful, tribal artifact and the fact that so many are continually drawn towards faith and reverence. Can there be a new conversation about God? Might it be large enough to not just hold science and modernity but encompass God's role in shaping our future? Bell's newest offering explores these questions and more in his typically thought-provoking, conversational style.

Jerusalem: A Cookbook

Any and all work towards healing the divisions and conflicts in Israel is cause for rejoicing. In this cookbook, one Jewish and one Arab chef explore a cuisine that is both uniquely Jerusalem and equally enriched by both traditions. Visually stunning food photography accompanies the reviews. This is a book as pleasing to hold and flip through as the dishes are to recreate, as several staff can attest.

Marianne Williamson, Illuminata: A Return to Prayer

This is a collection of prayers intended to shape daily living. Introduced with reflections on the place of spiritual energy and drive in reshaping both ourselves and society, these prayers-- which are for indiviuals, couples, parents, and children-- are lyrical and poetic. Also included is a section on blessing rites of passage such as the birth of a child, the marriage or divorce of a couple, and the memorial of a loved one.   

 The Rector Recommends

Books used in the Inquirers Class

Gary Jones recommends several books each time he teaches an Inquirers Class for those who are new to the Episcopal Church, or those who are interested in learning more about it. These include the "beach books" mentioned above, as well as the following:

Those Episkopols by Dennis Maynard
With humor and insight, Dennis Maynard explains why the Episcopal Church, deeply rooted in scripture, tradition and reason, will not accept simplistic answers to complex questions.

The Episcopal Handbook
Morehouse Publishing
A guide to Episcopal Church culture, with a glossary of Episcopal worship terms, diagrams, illustrations and more

A People Called Episcopalians: A Brief Introduction to Our Peculiar Way of Life by the Rev. Dr. John Westerhoff
A series of essays on what it means to be an Episcopalian: Anglican Identity, Anglican Authority, Anglican Spirituality, Anglican Temperament, and Anglican Polity. Includes a glossary.

A Dictionary for Episcopalians by John N. Wall 
From “Abbey” to “Year, Church” (there are no z’s!)

Praying Our Days: A Guide and Companion by Frank Griswold
This book is the first new devotional resource of its kind for Episcopalians in more than two generations. It includes devotions to mark the rhythm of the day (brief prayers at fixed hours); the mystery of time and the rhythm of the week, the months, and the Christian year; self-examination and preparation for reconciliation and the Eucharist; intercessory prayers; devotions to the Mother of Jesus; praying with the saints; plus praying with icons. Each section of the book will open with a brief introduction and teaching by Bishop Griswold [former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church], guiding the reader in the effective use of the material.

This is just a partial list of what's available in the bookshop! We're open year-round, whenever the church is open.