Urban Service Corps

Become an Urban Service Corps Intern

The Richmond Hill Urban Service Corps is an opportunity for servant leaders to engage a one-to-two year commitment living in intentional Christian community and working for the healing of metropolitan Richmond.

Urban Service Corps interns spend time supporting the residential duties of Richmond Hill and working on a community project. Past Service Corps participants have worked on projects to address inequities in the education and criminal justice systems and to improve social issues through interfaith initiatives. Local projects could include the Micah Initiative, the Armstrong Leadership Program, Richmond area nonprofits/ministries, or Richmond Hill-focused services (e.g., facilities management, gardening, cooking, social media, outreach, or church mobilization). Residential duties include attending and leading daily prayers, hosting retreats, and participating in intentional formation activities.

Urban Service Corps interns receive a modest stipend, health/dental/vision, housing, food, and a sacred and historic home.

Before leaving for Peace Corps, I spoke with Ben Campbell regarding my discernment and next steps after service. He suggested I consider doing the Urban Service Corps upon my return.  I thought (to myself) that it was odd and unlikely that I would commit to a service after a service…God has a sense of humor!
My journey towards the Urban Service Corps started before Richmond Hill.  Attending St. Peter’s Episcopal in Church Hill, I was familiar with Metro Richmond at Prayer and had heard members mention the community.  One day, I thought to search Richmond Hill online. I started to attend community worships on my breaks from school and started to fall in love.  It was integrated, lively, and welcoming.
In my time here, I have been soaked in prayer, inspired to engage difficult and timely topics of conversation, and challenged to walk The Way with integrity.  I have contemplated the mysteries of faith scrubbing toilets and seen the face of Christ when handing out a bag of apples at a local food pantry. In this merge of action and contemplation the “little rule” of St. Benedictine has come to life for me, and my understanding of “church” has become deeper and wider than ever.

Apply online today. Program begins in August.

The application process follows these steps:

  1. Download and review thoroughly the information packet for the program, which describes life in the intentional residential community of Richmond Hill.
  2. Fill out the online application by April 1st. The application includes:
    • Providing names and contact information for 3 references
    • Uploading a file containing essay responses to the following prompts:
      • Which two rules of the Richmond Rule of Life most relate to your life so far and your sense of where you life’s mission is taking you? How do these two rules reflect who you are?
      • What do you hope to gain in your time in the Richmond Hill Urban Service Corps? How does this program fit within your career path? How might this experience interrupt your life’s plan?
      • Looking over the description of residential life at Richmond Hill, describe how you understand intentional community in a spiritual setting. What aspects of that life excite you? What aspects of that life concern you?
  3. This is followed by a phone, zoom, or in-person interview with the applicant.
  4. Based on application and call, selected applicants will be invited to a 48-hour retreat at Richmond Hill to have an opportunity to spend time with the Community.
  5. The Residential Community then gathers to discuss the application, reflection questions, and the visit.
  6. Candidates will be contacted to be invited into the program.
Complete Online Application

If you do not have access to a Google email account or have other difficulty using the above link, please use this form to make your application.

Questions? Please contact Rev. Katie Heishman (kheishman@richmondhillva.org, 804-783-7903).