🌻 Join us for an Evangelism Workshop: 7/12 at 10:30 a.m. 🌻
News & Notes
help local kids get off to “BRIGHT BEGINNINGS”
help local kids get off to “BRIGHT BEGINNINGS”
help local kids get off to “BRIGHT BEGINNINGS”
While summer has just gotten started for many of us, our local youth will be back in school NEXT MONTH!!!
It’s the time of year that we have an opportunity to help our less fortunate neighbors by giving kids a bright beginning to the school year. Bright Beginnings is a YMCA initiative that equips children with school supplies and clothing to ensure they start the school year off right.
For the past four years, St. Stephen’s generous donations have enabled many Northumberland children go shopping for new school clothes and have fully supplied back backs ready to start a new year. Last year, thanks to you and a match from vestry, we were able to sponsor over half the children enrolled in the program!
If you would like to donate to St. Stephen’s donation to Bright Beginnings, you may place a check in the collection plate on Sunday with “Bright Beginnings” in the memo line, leave it on Chris’ desk in the parish office, or mail it to the church (P. O. Box 40, Heathsville). Sponsorship per child is $200, but any amount is welcome and appreciated. As one of our donors has said, “It’s really important for kids to get a good start. Having a good education has been so foundational for me.”
Each child in the program is partnered with a “shopping buddy” volunteer and together they purchase school clothing paid for through sponsorships such as ours. If you are interested in shopping with the kids, please let me know. Those who have gotten involved in the past have found it to be a rewarding experience.
The shopping trip this year is July 31st.
Thank you!
A Fire at the haven!
help local kids get off to “BRIGHT BEGINNINGS”
help local kids get off to “BRIGHT BEGINNINGS”
Recently, a fire damaged part of the privacy fence and storage shed at The Haven. While we're grateful the damage was limited, these structures play an important role in helping us provide a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for survivors and their children.
Our privacy fence helps protect the confidentiality and peace of mind of those staying with us. Our shed stores essential supplies, maintenance equipment, and items that help keep our shelter and grounds running smoothly every day.
Now, we need your help to restore what was damaged.
Every gift—no matter the size—brings us one step closer to repairing these essential spaces so we can continue focusing on what matters most: supporting survivors on their journey toward safety and healing.
If you're able, please consider making a donation today. Together, we can rebuild more than a fence and a shed – we can help preserve the safety, privacy, and dignity that every survivor deserves.
Donate online below. If you would like to mail a check, please mail it to PO BOX 1267 with "safe spaces" in the memo line.
Opportunities for Worship and Fellowship
Bible Centered book Club
The Gospel of Matthew: Our Summer Bible Study
Join us this Wednesday for our summer book study on the Gospel of Matthew.
All are welcome to our summer Bible Study. Please come and study the First Gospel together with us on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 to noon in the vestry room. Together, we aim to find out what we can learn about true discipleship in the present age through shared study from Matthew’s record of Jesus’s teachings.
In the third session to be Wed, July 15, we will be focusing on chapters five and six of Matthew:
- Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes
- Matthew 5:13-20 Fulfilling the Law
- Matthew 5:21-26 On Murder and Reconciliation
- Matthew 5:27-37 On Adultery and Oaths
- Matthew 5:38-48 Loving Your Enemies
- Matthew 6:1-6 Piety in Secret
- Matthew 6:7-15 The Lord's Prayer
- Matthew 6:16-24 On Fasting and Lasting Treasure
- Matthew 6:25-34 Do Not Worry
Safe Church Training Session
St. Stephen’s will be hosting a Safe Church Training Session for lay leaders and employees on Wednesday, July 22 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Safe Church Training is required for all or Lay Eucharistic Ministers, lay leaders, and employees of the Episcopal Church in Virginia. It can be completed online. The in-person session is for those who prefer to complete the training with support in person. Our regional deacon, the Rev. Deborah Lockhart, will be on hand to answer questions. Each participant must bring a laptop, tablet, or phone to complete the training. Please get in touch with David if you have any questions.
Yearly Calendar 2026
January 2026
Annual Meeting: January 11
Directly following the service at 10:30am
February
Ash Wednesday Services: The Imposition of Ashes, February 18, 12pm & 7pm
March
Palm Sunday: Holy Eucharist Rite 1, March 29, 9am
April
Holy Week:
Maundy Thursday Service: April 2, 6pm
Stations of the Cross: April 3, 11:30am
Good Friday Service: April 3, 12pm
Easter Vigil: Holy Saturday, 7:30 pm
Easter Sunday: Holy Eucharist Rite II, 9am
Celtic Service: April 19
Farmer's Market: April 25, 9am-1pm
May
Farmer's Market: May 23, 9-1pm
St.Stephen's Strawberry Festival: May 23, 8:30am-2:30pm
June
Farmer's Market: June 27, 9-1pm
July
Farmer's Market: July 25, 9-1pm
August
Celtic Service: August 16
Farmer's Market: August 22, 9-1pm
September
Farmer's Market: September 26, 9-1pm
October
Celtic Service: October 18
Farmer's Market with Blessing of the Animals: October 24, 9-1pm
December
Oysters & Oldies: December 5, at Roanoke Farms, 12:00-3:00pm
Lessons and Carols: December 20, 4:00pm
Christmas Eve: December 24, 5:00pm
Christmas Day: December 25, 10:00 am