We have experienced tremendous disruptions to daily life as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across our nation and the globe. Many of us as church leaders are struggling to find ways to adapt to the situation. On Thursday, March 19, 2020, Sterling Severns (Senior Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, VA) and Art Wright (Theologian in Residence for CBFVA and member at Tabernacle Baptist) talked via Zoom about how Tabernacle is navigating these challenges and adapting to offer worship, educational and fellowship opportunities, and pastoral care right now. In our conversation we discuss some of the practical challenges that we are facing, key technology that we are using as we strive to be church virtually, and we also reflect on deeper theological and spiritual dimensions of leading churches during these trying times. We are sharing this conversation in hopes that it is helpful for churches near and far.
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A Message to TBC from Will Cumbia
We will vote to affirm Will’s calling, and an additional 2 important items on March 31. Click here for more information.
TBC Members: preparation for vote on Tues, March 31
We’re in uncharted waters. Adaptive leadership and flexibility will need to be a priority for us in this next chapter of life together. I’m confident God will give us the creativity, flexibility, and grace we need for this unique moment.
We need all members to be prepared to vote on 3 important items on Tuesday, March 31. Please click here for information.
Praying for each of you. Love each of you!
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Sterling W. Severns, Pastor
PS: Hope has created a unique “button” at the bottom of the free TBC App and a new page on our website, dedicated to sharing latest/greatest info on what is happening at TBC.
Membership: please be prepared to vote on Tues, March 31
One the core principles for Baptists is Autonomy of the Local Church. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, each congregation determines how it’s members will make significant decisions together. In the current COVID-19 crisis, we’re going to need to be creative in how to make decisions together. We encourage members to educate themselves through the website, TBC App, and/or communicating with church leadership. The church office will be in touch by March 20, 2020 with details about multiple formats for voting.
Click here to listen to the podcast about the creation of a new finance team.
A message from Will Cumbia to TBC:
Brown Bag Bible Study, Zoom Instructions
Hello lovely BB Bible Study Group and family members of group members. Hope you’re hanging in there. We’re going to offer Brown Bag Bible tomorrow via “Zoom”. I know that some of us haven’t used it before. You’ve got two basic options, should you want to give it a try:
- Click here.
- Dial in from your phone (no video but you will be able to fully participate via audio)
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You don’t need to read anything else on this webpage IF you follow the instructions above.
You can, however, watch a couple of brief training videos as they may be helpful?
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PHONE OPTION # ONE, THE LONG WAY
- Call 1 (646) 558-8656
- The system will ask you for the meeting Code: Enter 813730343#
- The system will ask you for a participant number. You don’t have one 🙂 Just hit #
- Congrats, you’re in the meeting.
PHONE OPTION #2, THE SHORT WAY
- Click on the phone icon on your smartphone
- Copy this weird looking phone #….in it’s entirety…… (646) 558-8656,,813730343#
- Paste the weird looking number onto your phone screen and then hit “call”
- Don’t worry. That long crazy number is designed to do ALL the work for you. Just be patient. It will dial the number, pause for a moment, enter the meeting code on your behalf, pause for another moment, enter one last thing, and then put you into the room. You don’t need to do anything or answer any of the questions the automatic voice is making for. Your smartphone move through all the steps on your behalf.
- Congrats, you’re in the meeting!
Beth McMahon has been very gracious in offering “zoom” and “livestream” tutoring for anyone needs some extra help. Just reach out to the staff if you don’t have access the online phone directory
O
Sunday, March 15: Online Opportunities.
We’ve cancelled all in-person events at Tabernacle through the month of March. Hope you will make plans to join us for some great online opportunities to participate in our Sabbath Day Together. Please be sure to check back later Saturday evening as more opportunities may be posted?
9:45 – 10:45 AM
11:00 AM
12:10 PM (approximate)
Talkback: A new opportunity to converse, reflect, and share (begins 10 minutes after worship)
Helpful Information about week ahead
CLICK HERE FOR Q&A RELATED TO MARCH 14-20
Our free Church App, and the website, are your best source of up-to-date information.
Sunday, March 15: Opportunities to study, worship, and reflect
We’ve cancelled all in-person events at Tabernacle through the month of March. Hope you will make plans to join us for some great online opportunities to participate in our Sabbath Day Together
9:45 – 10:45 AM
11:00 AM
12:10 PM (approximate)
Talkback: A new opportunity to converse, reflect, and share (begins 10 minutes after worship)
Helpful Information about week ahead
CLICK HERE FOR Q&A RELATED TO MARCH 14-20
Our free Church App, and the website, are your best source of up-to-date information.
LOVE GOD. LOVE NEIGHBOR. A significant update on the COVID-19 Situation.
LOVE GOD. LOVE NEIGHBOR.
A significant update on the COVID-19 Situation.
We have decided to cancel all in-person church events for the remainder of March. Our concern is the wellbeing of the city and the most vulnerable among us. Our hope is that keeping a social distance for this short time will help the community by slowing the spread of the virus.
We want to use our facilities to serve our neighbors. In this instance, one of the best ways we can offer care is to sacrifice our time together in those facilities. Of course, we will also be looking for opportunities to use the facilities in unique ways, should something come to our attention. We will be using technology creatively to worship, remain connected, mobilize care, and meet together.
We encourage you to carve out 20 minutes to watch this video. The content of the recording offers information about how we came to this decision, what to expect in the next few days, and opportunities we’re praying about.
Please visit www.tbcrichmond.org for a quick Q&A about this weekend.
Our free Church App, and the website, are your best source of up-to-date information.
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"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your God in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16
Love God. Love Neighbor. A Significant Update related to the COVID-19 VIRUS.
LOVE GOD. LOVE NEIGHBOR.
A significant update on the COVID-19 Situation.
We have decided to cancel all in-person church events for the remainder of March. Our concern is the wellbeing of the city and the most vulnerable among us. Our hope is that keeping a social distance for this short time will help the community by slowing the spread of the virus.
We want to use our facilities to serve our neighbors. In this instance, one of the best ways we can offer care is to sacrifice our time together in those facilities. Of course, we will also be looking for opportunities to use the facilities in unique ways, should something come to our attention. We will be using technology creatively to worship, remain connected, mobilize care, and meet together.
CLICK HERE FOR Q&A RELATED TO MARCH 14-20
Our free Church App, and the website, are your best source of up-to-date information.
___________________________________________________
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your God in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16