Host Church: Old Town Community Church
Rooted Good: Good Futures Accelerator Course
The field trip Ryan and Donna = Arlington Presbyterian Church
2025.02-Building-for-Hope-Offsite-Program_Gathering_One_Discover
We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry
As I reflect on the past few months of Community Ministry, one word keeps coming to mind: Mutuality. This is a place where ministry is not a one-way street. It’s not about one group giving and another receiving. Instead, it’s about neighbors, strangers, and members coming together as equals—each bringing something valuable to the table.
On Saturday mornings, we see neighbors arriving not just with needs but with contributions to make. They bring their stories, wisdom, and care for everyone present. They offer encouragement and generosity—whether it’s through sharing what they have, helping others feel welcome, checking in on someone, helping cook breakfast, or finding the perfect outfit for a neighbor in the clothes closet.
And then there are the volunteers. Some have been members of this church for decades, while others are new faces—people who initially arrived as strangers but have found a home in the work we do together. They bring energy and dedication, and in the process, they become part of the fabric of this community. It’s beautiful to see how quickly someone who came to serve becomes someone who belongs.
As the walls between ‘us’ and ‘them’ break down, we are more able to live into our shared identity as God’s children.
This ministry isn’t just about food, clothes, or showers; it’s about the relationships being formed. It’s about seeing Christ in one another and discovering what happens when we trust that everyone has something to give.
So, thank you. Thank you to the neighbors who come and show us how to love each other better. Thank you to the volunteers who give their time, skills, and hearts. And thank you to the people who call Tabernacle home and support Community Ministry through your participation, prayers, and financial gifts.
As we look ahead, let’s continue leaning into this vision of shared ministry. Let’s keep making space for everyone to contribute, to belong, and to experience God’s presence here.
April Kennedy
Minister of Abundant Community
Let’s take a moment to talk about why we hired IT4Causes, what we’ve been working on together, and how this work is positioning Tabernacle for the future. At Tabernacle, we’ve always placed a high value on people. We want everyone who comes into our physical and virtual spaces to feel seen, heard, welcomed, and cared for, while also making those spaces as safe as possible and protecting the private information they entrust to us.
To live out these values, the systems we rely on—our technology, infrastructure, and access to our physical and virtual spaces—must be equipped to support, protect, and mobilize people. Over time, however, these systems have become piecemealed together. They’re harder to navigate and outdated, making them incompatible with the tools we need today and increasing the risk of security vulnerabilities.
This strain is deeply felt by both staff and volunteers. Outdated systems make basic tasks frustrating, time-consuming, and inefficient. These challenges impact how we spend our time, with too much energy focused on navigating technology instead of the ministry we’re here to do. Without tools that are simple enough for others to step in and use, we also risk burnout and gaps when people can no longer fill their roles.
Why We Hired IT4Causes
Tabernacle has always been blessed with individuals willing to use their unique skills to build and support our technology systems. During the pandemic lockdown, volunteers and paid staff offered sacrificial availability, ensuring our technology supported ministry during a critical time. We’re deeply grateful for all they gave during that season.
As time has passed, life has naturally shifted for many of those individuals. Some have moved on to new opportunities, while others have needed to step back as their circumstances changed. At the same time, technology has continued to evolve, and the complexity of our systems has grown. We still have a few individuals with the skills and willingness to serve in this area, but no one can do it all. That’s why we partnered with IT4Causes: to stabilize our systems, address critical gaps, and ensure we’re no longer relying on a few individuals to shoulder such enormous responsibilities.
What We’ve Accomplished and What’s in Progress
Since partnering with IT4Causes, we’ve made significant progress while laying the groundwork for what’s to come. Here’s a snapshot of some of our main projects:
An Invitation to Trust
This is hard work, and it takes time, focus, and resources. But we’ve done hard things together before. And we can do them again.
This investment is about more than fixing systems.
It’s about freeing up staff and volunteers to focus on the work they’re uniquely equipped to do. It’s about making sure that when new staff, volunteers, or leaders join us,
they can step in with confidence, using tools that are easy to learn and simple to navigate.
By equipping people well from the start, we can build continuity and keep ministry moving forward, even in times of transition. It’s also about positioning Tabernacle for the future, giving us the systems we need to be effective, to serve people well, and to live out the mission God has called us to.
Thank you for your time, trust, and prayers as we continue this journey together.
_________________________________________________
What is the Building of Hope Cohort?
The Building of Hope Cohort is a two-year program funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. It equips congregations to discern how their physical spaces and resources can reflect God’s hospitality and deepen their engagement in God’s Mission.
Why is Tabernacle Baptist Church Participating?
We believe God is calling us to listen more deeply for how the spaces entrusted to us can serve as places of connection, trust, and shared life with our neighbors and ministry partners. This program is an opportunity to grow in our understanding of what it means to embody God’s hospitality in tangible ways.
What does the process involve?
Who will guide us?
Building for Hope Staff, Rooted Good, Dr. Matt Cook, Director and Consultant at the Center for Healthy Churches and Pneumatrix, will serve as our coach. Dr. Cook will provide:
What outcomes do we hope to see?
Through this journey, we hope to:
How can I be involved?
We invite you to:
So many of us remember those early days when families who came as refugees from Burma began worshiping with us at Tabernacle. These were families with no place to call home—dehumanized by those in power and forced to leave everything behind in the place they once belonged. Many of them were grieving the traumatic loss of “home” and loved ones, the unspeakable atrocities of war etched into their stories. And yet, every Sunday, they joined us in the pews, filling the sanctuary with their presence.
It was a time of economic recession. All around us, a multitude of voices—both outside and within the church—expressed genuine concern about not having enough. Scarcity dominated the conversation, and the uncertainty of the moment weighed heavily on so many. And yet, there God was, providing in abundance.
When the offering plates were passed from hand to hand during the doxology, those same families—families struggling to feed their children—placed small bills into the plates. By the time the plates were carried forward, they were filled. What we thought we saw clearly at first grew richer and more profound as God’s hospitality continued to unfold before us, inviting us to grow in our understanding and trust.
We began to realize that what we were witnessing was far more than “us” hosting “them.” Between Sundays, we were invited into their temporary homes—apartments where rent was owed regardless of employment status. They welcomed us with open arms. They didn’t just share their stories; they shared their lives. They modeled faith.
It became clearer over time that this was not about “us” and “them” at all. God, the giver of life, was hosting all of us together. We brought the fish. They brought the loaves. We feasted at the family table together, and in God’s abundance, there were baskets of leftovers to share with others on the way.
I remember those days with deep longing. As we conclude the first month of 2025, we see division everywhere—in society, in our neighborhoods, and, yet again, within our own congregation. The “us” and “them” narrative has returned. There is so much talk of protecting borders, protecting institutions, protecting way of life, protecting legacy, protecting principle, protecting what’s ours.
But the only balm for the predictability of human behavior is the steadfast love of a God who sends strangers into our lives to show us the way home again.
From Abraham welcoming strangers into his tent to Jesus receiving the care of others during his ministry, God has always revealed divine hospitality through neighbors who extend trust and generosity. Again and again, we are reminded that God is the giver of all good things.
Even as the tension mounts, I find myself grateful that a growing number of us are coming to see the gift of God’s hospitality in our midst. On first and third Saturdays, there are droves of neighbors gathering in “our” building—each carrying different stories, perspectives, and needs—and yet the richness of God’s hospitality is being revealed through shared connection. In these spaces, God is changing and maturing our seeing, each at a different pace. For those with eyes to see, there is a growing awareness: we are becoming less and less the “helpers” and more and more people being hosted in the goodness of God.
And then there are more and more of us experiencing surprising life in growing relationships—with the staff, coaches, and community connected to ExCell, our Child Care Center Ministry, Alcoholics Anonymous, Lisu Grace Church, the Richmond Concert Band, ReEstablish Richmond, Akulana, Habitat for Humanity, diverse faith communities, neighbors living in houses surrounding “us,” and so many others whose lives and ministries are intertwined with our own.
Is it possible that the very thing we’ve been praying for—across generations—is unfolding right in front of us?
Could it be that we are becoming a neighborhood church again—not by reclaiming what was, but by having the courage to receive what God is giving now? That God is sending us neighbors to help us find our way back to our true selves…..to help us find “home” (again)….together (again)?
Do you suppose we still have it in us to embrace the truth that God’s hospitality isn’t something we offer, but something we are invited into (again)?
And if that’s true, will we have the courage to receive it (again)?
I pray we will. In fact, I see glimpses of it already.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Sterling W. Severns, Senior Pastor
_______________________________
Going Deeper: We are excited to explore how God is calling us to use the facilities entrusted to us more fully in this Mission. To learn more about how the cohort and grant opportunity can guide us in this next chapter of faithful stewardship, click here to read the Q&A and join the conversation.
You may access the livestream for Sunday Worship by clicking here.
Unable to join us in person? Here is the link to join our Sunday morning Worship Services on Livestream. Thank you for your patience as we are switching over from Livestream.com, which is being discontinued, to Vimeo.com.
Click here to join us via Livestream for Sunday morning Worship
Due to safety concerns caused by icy conditions affecting entry and exit to the church buildings, we’ve decided to move all programs online this Sunday. Instead of our usual livestream, we’ll meet on Zoom at 11 a.m. for a more personal and interactive gathering.
Today’s schedule:
- 9:45 Some classes have chosen to meet via Zoom, while others have decided to take the day off.
- 11:00–11:10 a.m.: Centering Gathering in zoom
- 11:15–12:00 p.m.: Breakout Rooms:
- Rooms 1 & 2: Guided discussion on baptism with Judy Fiske & Sterling Severns.
- Room 3: Reflection on Epiphany Star Words with April Kennedy.
We hope you’ll join us for this special time of connection!
Zoom Info:
Join Here
Meeting ID: 837 5539 7125 | Passcode: 123807
One-tap mobile: +16469313860,,83755397125#
Thank you for your understanding and grace as we prioritize safety. See you on Zoom!
After thoughtful consideration, key representatives of Church leadership have made a unanimous decision that no church programming will take place on our physical premises this Sunday. This decision was made due to safety concerns related to the current condition of the exterior of our buildings, entrances and exits, combined with recent and anticipated weather events.
We understand this change may come as a surprise, especially since we’ve been accustomed to using our livestream in similar situations. However, this Sunday will look a little different as we gather on Zoom for a more personal and interactive experience.
Here’s what to expect:
11 am – 11:10 am: A brief formal gathering to center us for the morning.
11:15 am – 12:00 pm Breakout Rooms: After the formal gathering, you’ll have the opportunity to join one of three breakout rooms
Rooms 1 & 2: Guided Conversation on Baptism: Judy Fiske and Sterling Severns will invite reflection and discussion on the significance of baptism in our lives.
Room 3: Epiphany Star Words Led by April Kennedy, this room is for those who didn’t receive an Epiphany Star Word last week or would like to reflect on their word more deeply. You’re welcome to linger and join in a conversation about the significance of these words and how they’ve offered guidance and meaning in the past.
We appreciate your understanding, flexibility, and grace as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. We look forward to seeing your faces on Zoom this Sunday as we gather in a new and meaningful way.
Grace and peace,
Sterling, Judy, April, and Vincent (Staff), Jessica C. (Administrative Board Chair), John G. (Deacon Representative), Donna S. (Chair of Building and Grounds)
Zoom info:
Meeting ID: 837 5539 7125
Passcode: 123807
—
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,83755397125# US
+13017158592,,83755397125# US (Washington DC)
Around the Building—Things You Want to Know
The pastoral staff and the B&G Committee are managing the impact of this week’s inclement weather and the City’s loss of water.
The pastoral staff and the B&G Committee will confer on Wednesday at noon to consider next steps related to the lack of water in the building. The church was closed on Tuesday as a safety measure. We will give Vincent time to assess the whole building after water service is restored to be sure all systems are working properly. Once that assessment is completed, we will decide how to move forward day by day. Understanding that there is a need to boil water that is consumed, we are taking every precaution for all users of our buildings. Please look for updates on our website for our next steps in the use of the buildings.
Your understanding and continued prayers are appreciated.
