100% Voter Commitment!

We're Voting November 3rd!

Our faith community has once again signed up with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy as a 100% voting congregation. Therefore, we encourage all our members to participate in the election, and to vote your values. Make a plan to join us in voting on November 3! Need to register to vote? Register to Vote in Virginia here.

St. Philip's 165th Sapphire Jubilee Celebration

Sunday, November 15, 2026

9:30 AM

You are invited and we ask that you spread the word!

We will celebrate with a glorious worship Festive Eucharist with The Most Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the 27th Primate of The Episcopal Church. The service begins at 9:30 am, followed by a light reception in our Ruth E. Little Parish Hall.

If you know former St. Philip'ss members, invite them to come for this celebration.

Tell Our Story: Proclaiming God's Faithfulness Through 165 Years

As we continue celebrating our 165th Sapphire Jubilee, these stories will be compiled into our 2026 Advent Devotional Booklet. Through shared memories, testimonies, and reflections, we will honor God's faithfulness in the life of St. Philip's Episcopal Church and inspire future generations with the stories that have shaped our congregation and community.

Throughout our history, God has been present in the life of this congregation through moments of worship, fellowship, healing, outreach, reconciliation, and hope. As we prepare for this historic celebration, we invite parishioners, former members, community partners, and friends of St. Philip's to share their stories.

Share Your St. Philip's Story

In 500 words or less, tell us about a meaningful experience at St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Your story might include:

• A special memory of worship or a church event
• A moment when God answered a prayer
• How St. Philip's supported you during a challenging time
• A person or ministry that impacted your faith journey
• A memorable conversation, friendship, or act of kindness
• A story of healing, hope, service, or new beginnings

Whether your story happened recently or decades ago, we would be honored to hear how God has worked in your life through St. Philip's.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your story, photographs, or memories to be included in our Advent Jubilee celebrations, publications, and historical archives.

Story Length: 500 words or less

Submission Deadline: November 8, 2026

Email Submissions To: Diem Miller

If you need assistance writing your story, typing a handwritten copy, or sharing your memories through an interview, please contact the church office. We want every voice and every story to be represented.



Tell Our Story

For 165 years, St. Philip's Episcopal Church has been a beacon of faith, hope, love, and service. Take this opportunity to reflect on God's faithfulness and help us preserve the stories that have shaped our congregation and community.

Tell our story. Share your memories. Proclaim God's faithfulness through 165 years of ministry at St. Philip's Episcopal Church. 💙💎✨

"St. Philip's where love lives, you matter and all are welcome"

165th Anniversary

T‑Shirt Fundraiser

Celebrate St. Philip’s Sapphire Jubilee and support our young people at the same time!

Our commemorative 165th Anniversary T‑Shirts help fund vital ministries for the St. Philip’s youth, including Sunday School supplies, curriculum, youth trips, and special activities that nurture faith, fellowship, and growth.

Every shirt which speaks to our motto, "St. Philip's where love lives, you matter and all are welcome" is featured on the front and our deep history on the back. Every Shirt purchased strengthens the future of our children and honors 165 years of faithful ministry.

We are well on our way to our 150 shirt goal!!

Support St. Philip’s Youth!!!

Click the link below or contact the church office

to place your order.

Shirt orders will be available for pick up in early November.

Growing in Faith & Love:

St. Philip’s Sunday School

Every 1st and 3rd Sunday, the children of St. Philip’s Sunday School gather to learn about God’s love, grow in their faith, and build meaningful relationships with one another. Through engaging lessons, prayer, discussion, and fellowship, our Sunday School provides a welcoming environment where young people can explore what it means to follow Jesus in their daily lives.

This year, the Sunday School is participating in the Big Way of Love Curriculum, a program inspired by The Episcopal Church’s Way of Love practices. Through age-appropriate activities and conversations, children are encouraged to deepen their relationship with God while learning how to live out their faith through worship, prayer, kindness, service, and community. The curriculum helps connect biblical teachings to everyday experiences, empowering children to recognize God’s presence in their lives and in the world around them.

One of the highlights of this year’s program has been the creation of the

Sunday School’s own promise. Working together, the children thoughtfully developed a statement that reflects the values they want to practice each time they gather and throughout their daily lives. Their promise serves as a reminder that learning about faith also means living that faith through words and actions.



The St. Philip’s Sunday School Promise

"I will listen, I will learn, I will be kind,

I will respect others, and

I will let God’s light shine through me!"

This promise beautifully captures the spirit of the Sunday School community. It encourages attentive listening, a willingness to learn, compassion toward others, respect for every person, and a commitment to sharing God’s love with the world.

As St. Philip’s Sunday School continues its journey through the Big Way of Love Curriculum, the children are discovering that faith is more than something we learn about on Sundays. It is a way of life that shapes how we treat others, how we serve our communities, and how we share God’s light wherever we go. Through their lessons, prayers, and the promise they have created together, the children of St. Philip’s are growing as faithful disciples and shining examples of Christ’s love.

May God continue to bless the students, teachers, and families of St. Philip’s Sunday School as they learn, grow, and walk together in the Way of Love.

Please take a moment to review the upcoming events and save the dates on your calendar so you can join us for fellowship, worship, learning, and service. We look forward to seeing you throughout the month!

• Bible Study - October 11 at 9:15 AM
• Baptism Classes – October 11, and 18 at 7:00 PM via Zoom
• Food Pantry – October 23 at 9:00 AM
• Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday – October 11 at the 10:30 AM, followed by a Forum, Book Signing and Reception.
• Church Closed – October 12 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day
• Taizé Services – October 14 and 28 at 6:00 PM
• Walking with the Enslaved – October 17, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Holy Eucharist, Rite II & Mid-Year Congregational Meeting – October 18. One Service Only at 9:30 AM, followed by the Mid-Year Congregational Meeting.
• Church Clean-Up Day, - October 24, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Holy Eucharist, Rite II & International Potluck Sunday – October 25. One Service Only at 9:30 AM.
• Vestry Meeting – October 29 at 7:00 PM via Zoom
• Daylight Saving Time will end at 2 AM local time on Sunday, November 1.



Pictured left to right: Mrs. Phenie Golatt, Ms. Cynthia Dyson and Ms. Paulette Yates volunteered and participated in Barack Obama Elementary School's Barack-tion 2026 in support of the school and its students.



Would you like to volunteer for one of our local outreach events? Contact Phenie Golatt for more information. Her contact information can be found in the church directory.

Dear Friend and Potential Sponsor,

It is with hearts full of gratitude and great joy that we invite you to stand alongside St. Philip's Episcopal Church as we mark an extraordinary milestone: 165 years of faithful witness, courageous service, and enduring community in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. Founded in November of 1861 — during one of the most turbulent chapters in American history — St. Philip's was born from the faith and resilience of enslaved and free people of color who dared to gather, worship, and build something lasting.

Today, as the oldest Episcopal church founded by African Americans in the American South, we invite you to celebrate our Sapphire Jubilee — a once-in-a-generation occasion for reflection, celebration, and renewal. The Jubilee year culminates in two extraordinary events this November: A Special Evening of Celebration at the Sapphire Gala on Saturday, November 14, followed by a solemn and joyful Sapphire Anniversary Worship Service on Sunday, November 15 — at which we are honored to welcome The Rt. Rev'd Michael B. Curry as our Sapphire Anniversary preacher. Together, these occasions honor 165 years of God's faithfulness and cast a bold vision for the generation of ministry yet to come.

We are inviting you to become a valued Sponsor of the Sapphire Jubilee. Your partnership will place you alongside 165 years of faithful witness. We look forward to welcoming you as a partner in this historic celebration.

With deep gratitude in Christ,

Rev. Marlene E. Forrest

The Rev’d Marlene E. Forrest, Rector

Vestry, and Jubilee Committee

"To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." — Ephesians 3:20–21

Partnership Opportunities

Sponsorship Tiers

St. Philip's is grateful for the generosity of sponsors at every level. All sponsors will be recognized with grace befitting their investment.

SAPPHIRE LEGACY SPONSOR — $5,000+

• Full-page ad in Jubilee Commemorative Program Book

DIAMOND JUBILEE SPONSOR — $2,500

• Half-page ad in Jubilee Commemorative Program Book

GOLD JUBILEE SPONSOR — $1,000

• Quarter-page ad in Jubilee Commemorative Program Book

SILVER JUBILEE SPONSOR — $500

• Business card ad in Jubilee Commemorative Program Book

BRONZE JUBILEE SPONSOR — $100-$499

• Name listed in Jubilee Commemorative Program Book

FRIEND OF JUBILEE: IN-KIND SPONSORSHIP - Goods & Services

·      Name listed in Jubilee Commemorative Program Book

Eligible Contributions:

Catering | Printing | Florals | Photography /Audio/Visual | Transportation | Venue Support

Recognition is awarded at the corresponding contribution tier. Contact the Jubilee Committee to discuss proposed in-kind contributions.

PROGRAM ADS

FULL PAGE COLOR $200

HALF PAGE COLOR $100

Submission deadline for ads is October 15, 2026.

Official St. Philip’s Episcopal Church 165^th Jubilee Sapphire Jubilee Sponsorship Commitment Form

Please complete it and return it to the Jubilee Sponsorship Committee by October 15^th, 2026.

Section A — Sponsor Information

Sponsor / Organization Name_____________________________________________________________

Contact Person__________________________________________________________________________

Title / Position__________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address_________________________________________________________________________

Phone________________________  Email Address____________________________________________

Section B — Sponsorship Selection-PLEASE CIRCLE ONE

Sapphire Legacy Sponsor — $5,000+

Diamond Jubilee Sponsor — $2,500

Gold Jubilee Sponsor — $1,000

Silver Jubilee Sponsor — $500

Bronze Jubilee Sponsor — $100–$499 Amount: $________________________

Friend of the Jubilee — In-Kind Sponsorship 

Description: ___________________________________________________________________

Full Page Color Ad— $200

Half Page Color Ad— $100

Section C — Payment Method

Check — Payable to: St. Philip's Episcopal Church — Jubilee Fund

Online Payment — www.stphilipsrva.org

Other: ______________________________

Section D — Authorization

Signature________________________________________________________Date________________

Print Name_________________________________________________________

Please return this completed form to: St. Philip's Episcopal Church

2900 Hanes Ave. Richmond, VA 23222 | Attn: Jubilee Sponsorship Committee

Email: office@stphilipsrva.org | Website: www.stphilipsrva.org

Thank you to everyone who has purchased tickets for our event! If you have reserved advance tickets but have not yet submitted payment, please be sure to make your payment by Sunday, October 18th. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to celebrating with you!

165th Sapphire Jubilee tickets are on sale!

Your ticket includes general admission to an unforgettable evening of live jazz music, a silent auction, elegant fare, dancing, and live entertainment.

🎟️ Tickets: $50 each

👥 Reserve a Table for 8: $400

You can purchase tickets on Sundays following each worship service or pay online via PayPal using the button below. If paying by PayPal, please bring a copy of your receipt to church on Sunday to pick up your tickets.

If you would like to attend but find the ticket cost difficult to afford, please contact the Church Office regarding discretionary assistance with purchasing your ticket. All inquiries will be handled in the strictest confidence. It is important to us that everyone who wishes to celebrate this historic occasion has the opportunity to do so.



We look forward to celebrating this remarkable milestone with you and your family as part of our 165th Sapphire Jubilee Celebration!

Siblings of the Diocese of Virginia:

What a joy to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month together! This is a time to recognize that our Hispanic/Latin community is part of the history of the Church – it is a time to celebrate that we are, without condition or exception, part of the same Body of Christ. Read More

St. Paul’s and St. Philip’s Episcopal Churches are pleased to announce the 2026 schedule for Walking with the Enslaved: A Pilgrimage Toward Truth, Reconciliation, and Hope in Richmond.

To register for a pilgrimage or to learn more about Walking with the Enslaved, please visit our website.

At St. Philip’s Church, we lift one another in prayer each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. If you would like to include a prayer during the Prayers of the People, please use this form to share your request. You may submit a prayer for yourself or for a loved one, friend, or colleague here.

Names submitted will appear on the printed prayer list included in our Sunday service bulletins. Because these bulletins are also posted online, please obtain permission before adding someone else’s name.

We keep names on the prayer list for 60 days. Please let us know how you or the person for whom you’ve requested prayer are doing so that we may also offer a prayer of thanksgiving.

Ways to Donate to St. Philip's

· PayPal - Click here or click GIVE on our website for PayPal

· Check - Send to PO Box 27492, Richmond VA 23261

· Online Banking & Electronic checks - Set up payment with your bank

Thank you for donating!

Sunday Service is held weekly at 8:00 and 10:30 am. 

The 10:30 service will be livestreamed on Facebook, and YouTube. 

A few guidelines:

• Masks are a personal choice.
• We ask if you are not feeling well, please stay home and follow along with our online service at 10:30 a.m.



If you have any further questions, please reach out to the office at (804) 321-1266 or office@stphilipsrva.org. We look forward to seeing you at St. Philip’s!

Prayer List

Please keep these members of our community in your prayers: 

Keisha Allick, Ralph and Judy Anderson, Jean Boone, Barrington Bowser, Jr., Deborah Little-Bowser, Yvonne Crenshaw, Alexander and Barbara Corbett, Rondle Edwards, Bradley Fassett, Doris Ford, Eudora Forrest, Kathy Jones, Keith Jones, Isabelle LeSane, Avery McGilvary, Jr., Robinette Miller, Romaine Morgan, Frank Saunders, Evelyn Styles, Laura H. Tompkins, Alton Tucker, Marilyn West and Artile White.



Those on our extended prayer list:



Kaitlyn Adams, Ivan Bowser, Helen Clayton-Bracey, Robert Bracey, Richard Byrd, Jasmine Buster, Michael Carpenter, Jamal Crawley, Jr., Judy Whitney- Davis, George Frazier, Anna Lou Flyn, Linda Foster, Beverly Garnes, Edward Gore, Sharon Hooper, Herbert Jefferson, Louise Jefferson, Tiffany Jones, Michael Jones, Shirley Kendall, Dionne Linton, Selena Martin, Melvin Murphy, John Nicholas, Gregory Ralph, Lester Reynolds, Carmen Simon, Yejide Sokoya, Aleta Staunton, Mable Terry, Barbara Thompson, Michelle Walker, and Shirley Williams.

For those serving in the military:

Donevan Bryan and Jasmine Buster

Rev. Marlene works Monday-Thursday. She can be reached by phone

(804) 356-8216 or email revmarlene@stphilipsrva.org.

THE PHYSICAL CHURCH OFFICE

OPEN HOURS

Regular Hours:

Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 4 pm

Friday, 9 am - 12pm

If you have a pastoral care need or an emergency and cannot reach

Rev. Marlene directly, contact the Senior Warden, Joy Lee

 click here to Email Sr. Warden

To schedule a meeting with Rev. Marlene, please call

the office at 804-321-1266

Vestry Members and Staff

Rev. Marlene E. Forrest, Rector

revmarlene@stphilipsrva.org

Diem Miller, Parish Administrator

office@stphilipsrva.org

Dr. Willis L. Barnett, Organist/Minister of Music

komposir1051a@gmail.com

RECTOR: The Rev. Marlene E. Forrest

MINISTER OF MUSIC: Dr. Willis L. Barnett

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: Diem Miller

SEXTON: Richard LeTang

VERGER: Nathaniel Lewis

St. Philip's Episcopal Church

(804) 321-1266

stphilipsrva.org