The schedule of events
The Philadelphia Eleven screening | April 26, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Philadelphia Eleven is a documentary about the first women ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church. Our evening will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. with the documentary screening beginning at 6:30 p.m. After the screening, we will have a 45-minute panel conversation featuring the Rev. Whitney Edwards, vicar of Varina Episcopal Church; the Rev. Claudia Merritt, former St. Stephen's associate; and the Rev. Cate Anthony, a current associate rector here.
Faithful Women, Sacred Lives | April 27, 9 a.m. to noon
The Rev. Cate Anthony and the Women of St. Stephen's will host a women's retreat celebrating the faith and ministries of the women of our community. Participants will have time for reflection, conversation, and prayer. No prior experience required; all are welcome.
Women's Luncheon | April 27, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Following the women's retreat, the Women of St. Stephen's will host a celebratory luncheon for the women of our community. All are welcome; attendance at the retreat is not required to attend the luncheon.
Celebrating the Clergywomen of St. Stephen's | Sunday, April 28
We are excited to welcome the Rev. Weezie Blanchard back to St. Stephen's as our preacher at the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services on April 26. Weezie served at St. Stephen's from 2007 to 2014, first as deacon, then as associate rector, and finally as vicar. She recently retired as rector of Church of the Ascension in Denver, Colorado.
During the Sunday Forum on April 28 at 10:10 a.m. in the fellowship hall, the Rev. John Rohrs, rector, will moderate a panel conversation featuring the Rev. Weezie Blanchard, the Rev. Margaret Austin, and the Rev. Cate Anthony. Together, these former and present St. Stephen's clergy will reflecct on the contemporary experience of women clergy, and imagine the future of women's ministry in the church. This forum will include time for questions from the audience. No registration is needed for this event.
At the Celtic service, we will welcome the Rev. Penny Nash back as our reflector. Penny is the interim rector at St. James's in Richmond; she served as associate rector at St. Stephen's from 2014 to 2020, and had special responsibility for the "evening community," including the Celtic service, the Sunday Community Supper, and Compline.