Staying Faithful

Updated on

An Update, as of May 1, 2020

Psalm 46:10a says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  This is often a difficult posture for those of us who are ALWAYS on the move; ALWAYS doing something; ALWAYS present for whatever the next task may be.  So, we ask, what would it look like in this time of pandemic for us to just be still?  What would it take for us to simply rest?  What would it mean if we were not always performing?  What is the message we are sending our souls when we do not pause, to really rest?

Because we are not likely to pause on our own, it takes something major like this to slow us down.  This time of social isolation, though hard, offers an invitation and a gift.  The invitation comes in the form of an opportunity for us to spend more time with God.  It offers us the opportunity to settle ourselves and trust the One in whom “we live and move and have our being.”  This time also offers a gift, in that it gives us permission to be still from our tasks and remember who and whose we are.

What would it look like for us to rest and be still in the midst of this?  What might we learn?  What might we hear?  What is it God needs to reveal to us right now?  Could it be that in our stillness, in our rest, we will receive exactly what we need and discover what is required of us as we come out of this pandemic?

Let us rest in Psalm 46:10. Don’t just do something… stand there. Be still!

What’s Been Happening:

  • Koinonia School of Race and Justice – the faculty recently met and is adapting our Unearthing Buried Stories series to our new circumstances.  Dr. Lois Leveen, award winning author and historian, will be with us the end of the month for an evening seminar – see the information below.  Other events will be announced.
  • Richmond Hill Renovations – as we anticipate outside work being done on the property later this month, David Vinson’s focus has shifted to the project portion of our capital campaign.  David will move to part-time in July and is scheduled to begin graduate school locally this fall.  In the meantime, we’re pleased to have Rev. Ben Hadley-Goggin join us on a six-month trial basis during this time of transition as our day-to-day facilities coordinator.
  • Song and a Prayer to Close the Day – an abbreviated compline live streamed each night at 9 PM from Richmond Hill.  Participate live on our Facebook page or watch previous recordings here.

What’s Up Next:

  • Giving Tuesday – Richmond Hill is participating in the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign on Facebook on Tuesday, May 5. Our theme of the day will be gratitude. Check out our Facebook page for content throughout the day, and tune into our 5:30 worship, where Lindsey, our Associate Pastor for Development, will preach on the connection between gratitude and generosity. We’d love your help in spreading the word and supporting our Facebook fundraiser, which will go live on Tuesday on our Facebook page
  • Tuesday Community Worship – 5:30 PM on Tuesday, May 5, we’ll offer another brief service on our Facebook page led by members of our staff and community.  Also, check out last week’s worship here.
  • Taizé Worship and Prayer – participate on-line, Tuesday, May 5, at 7:30 PM on Facebook.
  • Centering Prayer – join the weekly Tuesday group at 7:30 PM or another group in the city by contacting Becky Robinson, Chapter Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of Richmond and Co-Leader of our Tuesday night group, at bbtsmi@aol.com.
  • Micah’s End of School Year Meeting with RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras, Thursday, May 7, via Zoom from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Register to attend at www.micahrva.org.
  • Music with a Message – Join members of the Richmond Hill residential community on Facebook Saturday, May 9th, from 7:30 – 8:30 PM, to listen and respond together to the inspirational music of Mavis Staples.

What’s Coming Soon:

  • Listening to the Silence – Tuesday, May 12, from 10 AM – 3 PM with Rita Ricks – a virtual framework for deepening into silence wherever you are. Sign up here or with Rita directly at https://speaktoyourspirit.com/contact.
  • Group Spiritual Direction – join adjunct minister Joella Rhoades for a monthly spiritual direction session being offered on the second Wed. of the month (May 13) from 1-3.  To sign up, contact DeBorah Cannady or by calling Richmond Hill, (804) 783-7903.
  • Wilderness Workshop – Jerry Deans will lead a four-part workshop beginning Thursday, May 14, on navigating fear and grief during upsetting times.  The author of Lost But Not Forgotten: How Wilderness Experiences Can Transform Your Life, Jerry will help participants see how God uses the valleys of life to deepen relationship and transform us into healers of our suffering world.   Visit our website to learn more and to register.
  • Men’s Circle – Practice the Way of Council virtually Thursday night, May 14, 7:00-8:30 PM via Zoom.  Send an email to jblunk@richmondhillva.org to receive the Zoom link.
  • An Evening with Author and Historian Lois Leveen – Thursday, May 28, 7:00-8:15 PM via Zoom.  Looking at the life of “Mary Bowser” who lived right next door to Richmond Hill, Dr. Leveen, author of The Secrets of Mary Bowser, will point out the similarities between what folks are facing in this historical moment and what Mary Bowser Richards Denman and other African Americans faced in the wake of Emancipation. For more information visit our website.
  • Spring Newsletter – will arrive soon featuring a vision for a Richmond Hill oblate program designed to further enable your participation in Richmond Hill’s mission and rhythm of life from where you are.

To learn more about any of the above opportunities or to be connected with a prayer partner or spiritual director, please contact us at (804) 783-7903 or info@RichmondHillVA.org.  Visit our website or Facebook page for updates.

As you consider the value of being still and resting during this difficult time, here is an article from Faith and Leadership that might help.  Though written for pastors and church leaders, Melissa Florer-Bixler offers a perspective that may benefit all of us: Resisting busyness in the time of COVID-19.

Your continued financial support is welcomed and appreciated.  You may donate to our Annual Fund by clicking here or mailing a check to Richmond Hill, 2209 East Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23223.

We’re grateful for you!

Be still and know,
Lisa and Joel