Getting to St. Stephen's

St. Stephen’s United Methodist is located at 9203 Braddock Road, between Rolling Rd. and Guinea Rd. The building itself is set off of the road behind some trees, but is well-marked with signs. From Braddock Rd., turn onto Bradfield Dr. and make an immediate left into the St. Stephen’s parking lot. A map with turn-by-turn directions from your location is available.

Parking

Plenty of parking is available on our site, and special visitor parking spots are available at the main entrance. If you enter the parking lot from the Bradfield Dr. side, proceed to the stop sign and turn right into the main parking area. On Sundays at the main entrance, you will be greeted by friendly people who can help you find what you need.

Access

St. Stephen's is accessible throughout the building, and many differently-abled people worship with and serve this church. At the front door there are several van-accesible parking spaces and an ADA-compliant curb ramp. The santuary has a mildly-sloped floor (about 8°) and wide aisles. Wheelchairs are usually parked on the outside edge of any of the aisles.

Assistive hearing devices are available, just ask an usher as you enter. In some services, volunteer ASL translators may be available - please ask, but some advance notice is usually needed. Large-print hymnals are available from the ushers for traditional services, and during contemporary services easy-to-read projection screens display the word to sung and spoken responses. Adults and children with developmental disabilities and their caregivers are present at many worship services, and often enjoy being seated near the front on the far right, which provides a great view of worship activites plus easy access to exits. Regardless of the abilities of you or your family, you'll find a warm welcome from the St. Stephen's community.

How should I dress?

You are invited to wear what is comfortable for you. In the Traditional Worship service (8:30 am) and the Family Worship service (11 am), you will find a mixture of casual and formal dress. In the Contemporary Worship Service (called The Source, at 9:45 am) you will find most attending in casual dress. The important thing is to dress comfortably!

Do I need to bring anything?

No. Bibles are provided in the pews, but you are also invited to bring your own Bible. We have a nice Welcome Center immediately to the right of the Sanctuary as you enter, where you can get complimentary coffee or other refreshments and meet some of the community. Children like to play on the small stage area in the Welcome Center and there are usually a few games or puzzles (plus other children) to keep them entertained.

When should I get there?

Sunday services begin at 8:30 (Traditional) , 9:45 (Contemporary), and 11 a.m. (Family.) The main Sunday School time is 9:45 am with other adult classes also available at other times. Greeters at the front doors will be happy to show you Sunday School rooms and the Welcome Center. We suggest that you plan to arrive 5 – 10 minutes early to allow for parking and finding your way around.

What about my children? Can my children attend with me?

Children are welcomed with open arms! In worship, they are specifically included as much as possible. The Family service (11 am) has portions specifically geared toward children, including a special time with children on the altar steps as a part of our regular worship (except for Communion Sundays, the first Sunday of each month.) Children are welcome to receive communion or a blessing from the pastor, at the discretion of the parents. 

Childcare is available at all services, but children are welcome during every service. Our nursery cares for babies from one week to three years old during all services in room C46 (there's a church map available to the left.) "Godly Play" is a place for toddlers between age 3 - second grade during the 11:00 am worship service time.

Also, St. Stephen’s has other excellent preschool, children and youth ministries. The children's ministry offers classes at 9:45 am. At the 11:00 am worship hour, children leave worship to attend a special children's worship time after the Children’s Time at the altar. (First time guests for the children's worship time are asked to be accompanied by parents for sign-in at room C46.) Junior High and High School students meet for Sunday School at 9:45. During the summer, some Sunday School classes group together by age so that the teachers can enjoy a summer break. In the fall after the Labor Day holiday, the Sunday School for children and youth splits into smaller groups by age & grade.

 Who are the pastors and how can I meet them?

Our Senior Pastor is Rev. Jeffrey P. Mickle ('Pastor Jeff'). Our Associate Pastors are Rev. Melissa Porter-Miller ('Pastor Melissa') and Rev. Roger Baker ('Pastor Roger'.) All three are elders with the United Methodist Church. Pastor Jeff and Pastor Melissa rotate preaching and worship leadership responsibilities across all three worship services, and all three pastors lead various Bible studies and other activities across the church community. If you leave your name and phone number on the registration pad, one of the pastors will contact you as soon as possible, or complete the "Please contact me" menu selection on the left-hand side of this web page. You are invited and welcome to call the church office to meet with the pastor for conversation or help. We also host a special gathering called "Pizza with the Pastors," usually the fourth Sunday after worship at 12:15 PM. You'll have a chance to meet with a pastor one-on-one and chat about what it means to be a United Methodist and a part of the St. Stephen's community.

When is Holy Communion served and who can participate?

Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month in all three worship services. All who genuinely want to follow Christ are invited to participate. Ushers will assist you in knowing “what to do.” If you are not able to walk forward, let the usher know, and communion will be brought to you in the pew.

In the traditopnal and family services, ushers invite rows of people to come forward in a line to receive a piece of the bread, dip it into the chalice of juice and return to their seats. At the Traditional Worship Services, Communion is celebrated by coming to the altar rail as the usher directs, kneeling if desired and able, receiving a piece of the bread and a small cup of grape juice, and eating/drinking. The pastors then send us forth as a group from the altar rail back to our seats. Children may receive the grape juice and bread (the "elements") at their parent's discretion, or may receive a brief blessing from the pastor.

How do I become a member of St. Stephen's?

We ask that those interested in joining the church meet with a pastor during one of the "Pizza with the Pastors" lunches (usually the second Sunday at 12:15 PM.) You'll have a chance to talk about your specific spiritual journey and where St. Stephen's can be a part.

If you're already a United Methodist, a letter of transfer from your previous church will be requested by the St. Stephen's church office. If you're a member of another Christian church, or new to the Christian faith, the pastors and selected members of the congregation will guide you through the process of becoming part of the community.