St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and University Center

09/15/2026

Please join us in praying throughout the Season of Creation, a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together.

Earlier this summer, Bishop White encouraged church leaders to consider celebration of the Season of Creation in their local contexts and specifically authorized the Episcopal liturgies offered to commemorate this season in prayer and worship. Learn more here: https://buff.ly/pk6gJD6

Learn more about the Season of Creation at seasonofcreation.org.

07/22/2026

Today the Church remembers Mary Magdalene, a faithful disciple of Jesus and the first witness to the resurrection.

In the Gospel, Mary comes to the tomb while it is still dark and finds that the stone has been removed. She remains there in grief, searching for the body of Jesus, until the risen Christ calls her by name. In that moment, sorrow is transformed into recognition, and Mary is sent to share the good news with the disciples.

Mary Magdalene reminds us that Christ meets us in places of loss and confusion, and calls us into hope, faith and witness.

Scripture reading: John 20:1–2, 11–18

‘Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”’

‘Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”’

Prayer

Risen Christ,
you met Mary Magdalene in her grief
and called her by name.
Open our eyes to recognise your presence
when we feel lost or uncertain.
Turn our sorrow into hope,
our searching into faith
and our faith into joyful witness.
Send us out, like Mary,
to proclaim the good news of your resurrection.

Amen.

07/22/2026

In a notice to clergy, vestry, and formation leaders, Bishop White shares this year's resources for the upcoming Season of Creation, including her continued authorization of the Episcopal liturgies prepared for this celebration.

Learn more and read the notice on our website: https://buff.ly/2US2msn

07/01/2026

Happening this evening!

Don't forget! Join us tomorrow night for a special Feast Day Eucharist and Teach-In honoring the Rev. Pauli Murray, one of the most influential voices for justice, equality, and human dignity in American history.

The celebration will feature a vibrant Jazz Eucharist, blending the richness of Episcopal liturgy with the spirit and improvisation of jazz music in a service of worship, remembrance, and inspiration. Before the Eucharist, participants are invited to a Teach-In exploring Pauli Murray’s enduring legacy as a civil rights activist, legal scholar, poet, and one of the first women ordained as a priest in The Episcopal Church.

Clergy are invited to vest and process (choir dress with red stoles).

Learn more here: https://buff.ly/H5G1mKv

06/05/2026

This Sunday, we begin our Summer Formation Series with the Song of Songs, a beautiful, passionate, and often overlooked book of scripture. Together, we’ll spend time with texts we don’t often hear on Sunday mornings and see what wisdom, questions, and surprises they may hold for us today.

As always, all are welcome to join the conversation!

05/12/2026

Congratulations to our community partner, Neighborhood Services, Inc Food Pantry (NSI) on 61 years of service to our community! May God continue to bless this organization and make fruitful our partnership for years to come.

Today, NSI celebrates 61 years of serving our community. Since May 12, 1965, NSI has worked to provide food, resources, and hope to neighbors facing hardship across Central Ohio.

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re grateful for everyone who has helped make our mission possible. The need continues to grow, and your support helps us continue serving families in our community every day.

Help us celebrate 61 years of neighbors helping neighbors by making a donation to support NSI’s mission for the future. 💙

04/30/2026

This Sunday, May 3, we’ll gather for our annual outdoor worship and parish picnic at Whetstone Park.

Our readings include the story of the martyrdom of St. Stephen, giving us a chance to reflect on the life and witness of our patron saint as we worship together in the open air.
(A map to the gathering spot is included below)

Please note: it’s going to be chilly. Overnight temps are expected to dip into the mid-30s, so come bundled up and ready to stay warm for our time together.

04/06/2026

Thank you all for making Easter so wonderful!