A modern church for an ancient faith. 

This July 4, the United States turns 250 years old, and St. Stephen's is participating in Faith250, a national initiative inviting faith communities to gather around some of the most important words ever written on this continent — the Declaration of Independence, Frederick Douglass's "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?", Emma Lazarus's "The New Colossus," and "America the Beautiful." We will read them in community, across traditions, with our neighbors.

St. Stephen's is joining a Lamorinda interfaith cluster that includes Temple Isaiah, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian, St. Andrew's Presbyterian, Our Savior's Lutheran, St. Perpetua Catholic, St. Anselm's Episcopal, St. John the Evangelist Orthodox, Congregation B'Nai Shalom, and Grace Presbyterian. Ten congregations. A remarkable cross-section of our area’s religious life. We will gather on four Tuesday evenings in June — alternating between Temple Isaiah and Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church — to read and discuss one text each week, together.

Then, on the evening of July 3rd, all ten congregations will gather at Temple Isaiah for an interfaith potluck, the night before the 250th. Neighbors meeting neighbors, across every line that usually keeps us apart.

We hope you will help represent St. Stephen’s at this event.