tbc Staff, Worship & Fellowship

Celebrating a Call: April Kennedy’s Ordination Service on Sept. 13

The Deacon Board is delighted to share that the Ordination Council has unanimously affirmed April Kennedy’s calling to vocational ministry. This decision came after a life-giving conversation on August 13 with a gathering of Tabernacle members, local clergy, and trusted voices from the wider Tabernacle community.  The depth and honesty of April’s sharing:  her story of faith, her call to ministry, and her openness to life-long learning, created sacred space for discernment and affirmation. 

Now we invite the entire Church to gather in worship and gratitude. April’s Ordination Service will be held on Saturday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary and in the Virtual Acre. A reception will follow. All are welcome!

We give thanks for the Spirit’s movement in our midst, for April’s ministry, and for the hope and possibility that lie ahead for Tabernacle and the Church Universal. This is a day for celebration, reflection, and renewed commitment to the work God is doing among us.

Sterling Severns Devotional, Devotionals, Life of the Community, Staff

When the Door Doesn’t Budge

When the Door Doesn’t Budge
By Rev. Sterling Severns, Pastor

Life has a way of surprising us with change. One day everything feels familiar, and the next we’re in territory that’s suddenly unrecognizable. It might be a diagnosis we never expected, the loss of a job we thought was secure, or a shift in a relationship we counted on. Or it might be more subtle—realizing that something which once made perfect sense no longer feels like it fits. Moments like these can freeze us in place. We don’t know how to move forward, and we can’t go back. So we wait. And wonder. And wrestle with the weight of it all.

In my own experience, there have been more than a few seasons like this—times when the path ahead felt uncertain, and the world around me felt both familiar and foreign. Everything on the outside may have looked the same, but something inside had shifted. And without exception, each time, it’s taken its toll. The waiting. The weariness. The wondering if anything is actually changing at all. There’s a deep vulnerability in those moments, especially when we’ve asked God for help, when we’ve prayed for direction, healing, peace. We show up to our lives the best we can. Still trying. Still hoping. Still doing our thing. But the silence lingers, and the door we’ve been knocking on stays shut.

The longer we walk in faith, the more we come to see the real change comes not when the door swings open, but when something inside us opens instead. Not suddenly, not dramatically, but slowly, quietly, over time. God doesn’t always remove the stuckness, but God meets us in it, reshaping our hearts, softening the places that have grown hard with fear or frustration. Sometimes, when the exhaustion finally gives way to surrender, we discover that the door was never locked after all. We were just too weary to see how close we already were to grace. We lean against it for support, and somehow, we find ourselves on the other side.

God doesn’t wait for us beyond the threshold. God is with us in the hallway, in the waiting, in the ache. In the quiet work of transformation that begins long before the breakthrough. That is the mystery and mercy of the God who answers, not always by changing our circumstances, but by being unshakably present within them.

So wherever you find yourself this week, whether you’re waiting for the door to open, or wondering if it ever will, may you know you are not alone. May you be reminded that presence itself is a gift, that transformation often begins before we even recognize it, and that grace has a way of meeting us right where we are.

Sterling Severns Life of the Community, Staff, Worship

When We Gather

On Sunday mornings, I have the privilege of sitting up front in the blue fabric chair just behind the pulpit before worship really gets going.

For over 20 years, I’ve settled into that chair nearly every week, watching the congregation arrive for worship. Some of you walk in quietly, take a bulletin, and slip into a pew for quiet reflection, while others of you move through the room greeting one another. And then there are those of you in the Virtual Acre doing something similar in your own way—settling in with coffee, saying good morning in the chat, making space for worship wherever you are.

One of the things I’ve come to love about sitting in that seat is that it gives me such a clear view of what happens next. I get to see the slow, quiet convergence as you arrive from all over, carrying the week behind you, your burdens and joys in tow, and gradually our voices begin to join together.

There’s something beautiful about those first notes of the gathering song. It’s one of those sacred moments when our gathered bodies become The Gathered Body—when the many individual parts begin coming together as one.

As worship continues, that sense of shared space only deepens. When some of you stand to share your testimonies—each one unique, rooted in your own lived experience—there’s this mystery where your stories begin to resonate with all of us. When others of you lead us in song, guide us in prayer, or serve in so many other ways, your offerings invite us deeper into this shared experience of worship.

We start to hear our own questions, struggles, and hopes echoed back.

It’s in that sharing, both spoken and silent, that we remember we’re not just a collection of individuals, but brought together by the Spirit of God, learning again and again to share our lives, lift our voices, and find grace in the faces around us.

It’s one of those times when our scattered lives find a shared voice, drawn together by the Spirit, ready to sing grace into the world.

Rev. Sterling Severns, Pastor

Sterling Severns Devotional, Life of the Community, Staff, Worship

Pastoral Reflection: No Turning Back

Sterling Severns

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

– Annie Dillard

No Turning Back

There’s something unflinching about Jesus here.

Luke says he “set his face toward Jerusalem.”
It’s the moment he stops wandering and starts going.
Not drifting. Not hedging.
But choosing the road ahead—come what may.

He’s honest about it.
Bracingly so.
He says following will cost you.
He says you’ll have to let go of “but first.”
He says you can’t plow straight if you keep looking back.

And it’s not cruelty that makes him speak this way.
It’s love that refuses to lie.
He knows the road leads through suffering.
But he also knows it’s the only road that leads to life.

I think there’s mercy in that clarity.
A grace in being told the truth about what matters most.
Because when you know the cost, you get to choose freely.
And love that’s chosen freely is the only kind that lasts.

I imagine us standing there together in that moment.
Hearing his voice.
Not with shame. Not with fear.
But with a holy honesty that says:
“Yes. Even this. I’ll follow.”


I wonder:
I wonder what “but first” you’re holding onto these days.
I wonder what you’d have to lay down to follow more freely.
I wonder what you might gain on the other side of that choice.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for worship next Sunday, I hope you’ll take time to read ahead in the Gospel—Luke 10:1–11, 16–20.

Jesus sends seventy others on ahead of him.
He doesn’t weigh them down with baggage.
He sends them lightly, with trust and purpose, to bring peace and healing wherever they go.
He tells them to say: “The kingdom of God has come near.”

If this week is about choosing the road,
Next week is about walking it—together.

And there’s hope in that.
We don’t walk alone.

I wonder:
As you read and pray this week,
I wonder what it would mean for you to go lightly.
I wonder how you might speak peace into someone’s life.
I wonder where you might notice God’s kingdom drawing near.

May God grant us the grace to see clearly,
the courage to choose freely,
and the love to walk this road with one another.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Sterling W. Severns
Pastor

tbc Life of the Community, Staff, Worship & Fellowship

Judy Fiske Retirement Transition – Congregational Q&A

A Word of Gratitude and Grace

This is a sacred season in the life of our church—one filled with gratitude, memory, and the faithful work of transition. While we have walked with others through retirement before, we have never experienced a transition quite like this—Judy Fiske retiring after 45 years of continuous ministry within the life of Tabernacle. That reality calls for deep care, deliberate attention, and shared grace.

First and foremost, we are grateful for Judy—for her decades of faithful, life-giving ministry, and for the humility and strength with which she is walking this transition. We also extend our deep gratitude to Judy’s family, who have walked alongside her and made sacrifices so that she could serve, lead, and thrive in ministry here for so many years.

We are also deeply thankful for the staff, the Personnel Committee, the Deacons, the many individuals who serve within the music ministry, and the countless others who have helped guide this process in quiet, faithful ways. And we are grateful for you—the congregation—for your flexibility, support, and commitment to this community.

Let’s continue to move forward in trust—trust in God, trust in one another, and trust in the unfolding future that awaits us. This is a moment to listen well, to show up generously, and to extend the same grace we’ve received. Together, we make the road by walking—and we do so as a people shaped by love, memory, and hope.

When Will Judy Retire from Staff?

Judy’s final day as a staff member will be Sunday, June 15. That morning, we will gather for worship as usual, followed by a church-wide celebration and reception in recognition of her 45 years of ministry.

We are indebted to Terry and Nathan, along with others, for their leadership in planning this celebration on behalf of the congregation.

After June 15, Judy’s staff email and Basecamp account will be deactivated as part of a healthy and respectful staff transition. We encourage you to remain in touch by using her personal email or phone number.

Why Is Judy Stepping Away This Summer, and What Will Her Reentry into Church Life Look Like?

With Judy’s staff role concluding on June 15, we have committed together to a 90-day period of intentional space (June 15–September 15). During this time, Judy will step back from participating in worship, attending church events, and engaging in the structured rhythms of church life.

This decision wasn’t made lightly. It reflects a shared desire—for Judy, for staff and church leaders, and for the congregation—to move through this transition with intention and grace. After 45 years of faithful, life-giving, and deeply rooted ministry, Judy’s role has become inseparable from the day-to-day fabric of Tabernacle. This pause is a necessary invitation to everyone involved—to acknowledge what has been, and to begin making room for what’s next.

Rather than trying to hold onto familiar patterns, we’re choosing to create space. This gives Judy a chance to breathe, reflect, and rest. It also allows the staff and church leaders to settle into new rhythms, and the congregation to begin embracing this significant shift in identity and practice.

Importantly, stepping back from church life does not mean stepping back from friendship and community. Judy has been part of this congregation for decades, and many of her closest relationships are with people in this church. It’s entirely natural—and welcomed—that she may continue connecting personally with friends over the summer. She is also looking forward to some well-earned freedom and rest—worshiping with her husband, Eric, at First English Lutheran Church, spending time worshipping with other friends throughout Richmond, and simply having the ability to choose how to spend a Sunday morning—something she hasn’t had in all of her adult life.

While Judy will not be participating in worship or formal church life over the summer, she will have access to the building and the organ for private practice. This access supports her ongoing musicianship and respects the deep connection she holds with the instrument. These moments will be personal and not connected to any public or staff responsibilities. They are also in keeping with the spirit of the 90-day period of intentional space.

In September, Judy will reenter church life first as a fellow worshiper—taking her place in the pews and worshiping alongside others. From there, she and church leaders will thoughtfully discern what further involvement might look like, including musical leadership or service in new ways.

There may also be rare and meaningful moments during the summer—such as baptisms or ordinations—where Judy’s presence may feel appropriate and welcomed. Any such invitations will be approached with great care and in full alignment with the spirit of this transition.

Key points:

  • Judy will not participate in worship, events, or structured service roles during the summer (June 15–Sept 15).
  • The 90-day period is a deliberate pause that honors both the depth of her ministry and the need for healthy transition.
  • This pause does not exclude personal connection—Judy may continue informal time with friends in the congregation.
  • She looks forward to worshiping with Eric at First English Lutheran, connecting and worshipping with friends around Richmond, and simply having the freedom to choose how to spend a Sunday.
  • In the fall, Judy will return first as a fellow worshiper; additional involvement will emerge through shared discernment.

What Does the Title ‘Organist Emerita’ Mean, and Will Judy Play the Organ Again?

The Deacons have unanimously affirmed the decision to honor Judy with the title Organist Emerita, a permanent and honorary designation offered in deep gratitude for her 45 years of faithful, creative, and spiritually grounded leadership. The title reflects the congregation’s enduring appreciation for the role Judy has played in shaping the worship life of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

This is not a staff position and does not carry expectations related to responsibilities, compensation, or weekly participation. Rather, it is a visible and lasting tribute to Judy’s legacy and continued presence within the church community.

The Deacons will formally present this honor on behalf of the congregation during the worship service or luncheon on June 15. Judy’s name and honorary title will also appear in places where staff names are typically listed—such as the church bulletin, website, and other communications—as an ongoing public expression of appreciation.

Looking ahead, Judy and church leaders will enter into a mutual dialogue this fall about the possibility of her serving in a part-time or contractual organist role. That conversation will unfold with care and clarity, shaped by the needs of the congregation and Judy’s own sense of calling. It is important to note that Judy will first return in the fall simply as a fellow worshiper, reentering church life gently and without expectations.

Key points:

  • The Deacons have unanimously approved honoring Judy as Organist Emerita.
  • The title is permanent and honorary, not a continuation of staff responsibilities.
  • It will be formally presented during the worship service or luncheon on June 15.
  • Judy’s title will appear in the church bulletin, website, and other formal communications.
  • A mutual dialogue between Judy and church leaders will begin this fall regarding any future organist role.
  • Judy will first return to church life as a fellow worshiper, without formal responsibilities.

Who Will Plan Worship and Lead Music Following Judy’s Retirement?

Beginning June 16, Pastor Sterling Severns will take primary responsibility for worship planning, at the request of the Deacons. He will work in collaboration with a team of staff and congregants to shape meaningful, theologically grounded worship for the months ahead.

Judy will no longer be involved in worship planning after June 15. Her contributions in this area have shaped the spiritual life of Tabernacle in lasting ways. We are deeply grateful for her years of pastoral musicianship and faithful preparation.

The worship team recognizes that this next chapter is one of discernment and adaptability. While the organ will not be used every Sunday, it will continue to be a valued part of our worship life—used less frequently in the summer, and more regularly in the fall.

The church is also exploring the possibility of contracted musicians to support worship. These conversations are ongoing and are rooted in care for spiritual depth, relational health, and financial sustainability.

Key points:

  • Sterling Severns will lead worship planning, in collaboration with staff and congregants.
  • Judy will no longer plan worship after June 15.
  • Worship will continue to grow through creativity, prayer, and shared leadership.
  • Organ music will remain a part of our worship life—less frequent in summer, more regular in fall.
  • The use of contracted musicians will require thoughtful review.

What Is Judy Focused on During Her Final Month on Staff?

In this final month, Judy is focusing on the significant and necessary task of preparing her materials for transition. After decades of ministry, she has gathered a substantial collection of worship resources, books, music, and discipleship materials. These have long supported the life of the church.

  • A staging space in the former youth room is being used to sort these items. Organ music is being moved into a set of filing cabinets near the choir loft. Several spaces are being cleared so they can be cleaned and refreshed, including:
  • The choir loft
  • The front pews of the sanctuary
  • Judy’s office
  • The former music library, which the youth will begin using as their meeting space in June
  • In the choir room, Judy’s personal items will be moved to the staging room prior to departure, while materials that are already organized—such as those under the risers and on the bookshelves—will remain in place and be reviewed at a later time as part of the church’s broader facilities discernment process.
  • Other small storage areas throughout the building
  • Seeing familiar spaces cleared out offers an emotional and visual cue—reminding us that Judy’s transition is real and significant. This makes room for gentler expectations around her return and helps us all move forward with grace.
  • All clearing and organizing that needs to happen before Judy’s departure will take place between now and June 15. This includes removing materials from several key spaces and relocating items into the staging room. Once Judy retires from staff, she will not continue this work over the summer. The contents of the staging room and remaining materials in the choir room will be left as they are until after the 90-day period of intentional space, at which point Judy will resume sorting and decision-making in those areas—beginning after September 15.

Key points:

  • Judy is sorting worship, music, and discipleship materials in preparation for retirement.
  • A staging room is being used; organ music is moving to filing cabinets.
  • Several church spaces are being cleared to support this transition.
  • In the choir room, personal items will be addressed; other organized materials may remain.
  • The work of gathering and placing items in the staging room will be completed by June 15.
  • Judy will not work on this during the summer, but will resume after Sept. 15.
  • Volunteers are needed—with and under Judy’s guidance.

What Is Judy’s Role in Music Camp or Clue Camp This Year?

As part of her transition, Judy will not be attending Music and Worship Arts Camp at Eagle Eyrie or Clue Camp in New York City this summer.  She has offered some behind-the-scenes support for Music Camp, including supplies and encouragement.

We’re grateful for the many members of the congregation who are stepping into leadership and helping continue these important ministries.

Key points:

  • Judy is not attending Music Camp or Clue Camp this summer.
  • She has offered behind-the-scenes support for Music Camp.
  • We’re grateful to those leading and continuing these ministries.

How Can I Help During This Transition?

There are many ways you can support Judy, the staff, and the church during this important season. With a great deal to do in the next month, your help is both needed and deeply appreciated.

Here are a few meaningful ways to get involved:

  • Volunteer to help move and organize music, books, and personal items before June 15.
  • Let Nathan and Terry know if you’re available to help with the June 15 retirement celebration.
  • Offer encouragement to Judy and others walking closely with her during this transition.
  • Pray for wisdom, tenderness, and spiritual clarity for all involved.
  • Be present on June 15 as we celebrate and give thanks together.
  • Hold space for one another—this is a tender time, and your grace matters.
Sterling Severns Building for Hope, Life of the Community, Staff

Building for Hope: A Bold Step, A Shared Journey

Tabernacle is one of just thirteen churches nationwide invited to participate in Building for Hope, a two-year, grant-funded initiative designed to help congregations reimagine how their buildings and land can better serve their communities—and, in doing so, help sustain the mission of the church.

This isn’t a side project. It’s a purposeful process that invites the congregation to explore how we might use our space more fully for the common good, while also building a more sustainable financial future for our ministry.

Rooted in faithful economic practice, this work centers on social enterprise—a mission-led approach to using what we’ve been given (our space, our location, our creativity) to meet real community needs while generating income to support long-term ministry. Social enterprises aren’t about profit—they’re about purpose. Churches across the country are doing things like:

  • Turning unused classrooms into art studios and business incubators
  • Offering coworking spaces and after-school programs
  • Inviting food entrepreneurs to use commercial kitchens
  • Developing affordable housing on church property
  • Partnering with nonprofits to create gardens, clinics, or community spaces

In all cases, the mission leads. Any project we pursue must reflect our calling to love, serve, and seek justice.

Where We Are Now

This past week, two of our team members—Sterling Severns and Ryan Corbitt—joined cohort representatives from twelve other congregations for a national Zoom call to share updates and learn from one another. In just a few weeks, three members of our team will attend the second offsite cohort gathering in Alexandria (May 15–17), returning with new insights and energy for the next phase of our journey.

Before that, the full Tabernacle team will gather on Tuesday, May 13 to complete Session 3 of the Good Futures Accelerator. This session, titled Community and Context, centers on listening: to our neighbors, to our history, and to where God might already be at work. We’ve also partnered with the BGAV to launch a demographic study that will help us better understand the people who live around us—and how we might come alongside their gifts and needs.

Who’s Involved?

Our current team includes: Ryan Corbitt, Jay Hartman, Donna Soyars, Kathy McGraw, Sterling Severns, and April Kennedy. A few others have recently expressed interest in joining the team, and we anticipate welcoming additional members in the coming weeks.

This is an active working team, guiding the process and helping shape how and when the broader congregation is engaged. Importantly, the team does not make final decisions on behalf of the church—it stewards the process, creating space for all of us to listen, discern, and imagine together.

We also want to share a leadership update: Donna Soyars, one of our three coordinating leaders, is stepping back from that coordinating role to focus more fully on her responsibilities as Chair of Building & Grounds. She remains a committed and active team member, and we are deeply grateful for her wisdom and dedication. In the coming weeks, a new team coordinator will step into that role alongside Ryan and Sterling.

What’s Next?

We anticipate hosting the first churchwide gathering in early June, opening the process to broader congregational conversation, input, and imagination. These sessions will continue throughout the year and will be essential in helping us discern what expressions of social enterprise might take shape at Tabernacle.

This isn’t about fixing a problem. It’s about following God’s Spirit into what’s possible—rooted in our story, shaped by our neighbors, and open to where hope leads.

Let’s keep listening.
Let’s dream together.
Let’s build for hope.

April Kennedy Abundant Community, Life of the Community, Staff

Remembering: Seeing Sacred in the Ordinary

Saturday morning, around the breakfast table, I sat with a neighbor and told stories about someone we both knew. He was a man full of beauty and struggle. He had lived without stable housing for a long time, survived being hit by a car, experienced seasons of healing, and even more seasons of deep hardship.

The neighbor spoke with tenderness, telling stories of care and connection. Their bond was so strong that on occasion she would go out in the middle of the night to check on him, and other times gave rides, or brought food.  She showed up with love and compassion, over and over again, even caring for his family after his death.

I shared how our relationship with him at Tabernacle had also shaped us. During the pandemic, it was his presence that compelled us to open the showers to neighbors—even when the rest of the building remained closed. I still hear his voice in my mind, surprised when someone called him by name: “You know my name!” Such a simple, sacred moment. And finally, I told the neighbor about his last morning. He took a hot shower, pulled on a pair of corduroy pants he had asked for, and with the biggest smile, said he felt like a new man. Later that week, I stood with his family on the sidewalk of Meadow Street, and we mourned together.

As we remembered, I realized how holy it all was. The care offered through car rides, kitchen tables and church showers, the calls made in the middle of the night, the love shared between neighbors—these are glimpses of the kingdom of God. This remembering reminds me that kingdom work isn’t confined to institutions. It’s found in the ordinary, sacred moments of life.

I am a different person because I knew him. I caught a glimpse of Jesus in him. And I believe the neighbor would say the same. 

Who is someone whose presence—however brief or complicated—has helped you have a glimpse of Jesus?

God of sacred moments,

Help us see you—

in our neighbors, in shared stories,

in acts of care.

Help us to not miss the holiness

hidden in the ordinary.

Amen.

April Kennedy
Minister of Abundant Community

tbc Staff

A brief History of Baptist work in Liberia

A couple of weeks ago, we introduced Rev. Rancy Zarr, our Pastoral Intern from Union Presbyterian Seminary. This week, we are blessed to learn more about the church he Pastors in Liberia.

________________________________

The Baptist work in Liberia began in 1821 with the arrival of Lott Carey, a freed slave from Virginia who became a Baptist preacher. Carey was a trailblazer in spreading the Baptist faith in Liberia and played a crucial role in the education and empowerment of the local population.

Upon his arrival in Liberia, Carey, along with Teage and other Baptist missionaries, established the Providence Baptist church in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. This marked the beginning of a long and enduring relationship between the Baptist church and the people of Liberia.

 Over the years, the work of the Baptist church in Liberia expanded beyond Monrovia to the countryside, with the Southern Baptist Convention playing a key role in spreading the gospel to areas like Sinoe and Grand Gedeh counties. This helped to reach more people and bring them into the fold of the Baptist faith.

One significant milestone in the history of the Baptist church in Liberia was the laying of the cornerstone of the Grace Baptist church on August 18, 1961. The church was erected that same year and was governed by rotational pastors from the Grace Baptist Church in Greenville, Sinoe county. Founding members like Deacons Albert T White, Nehemiah Gibson, Harper S. Billy, Jack Gbagba, Wannie Wilson, and David N. Brown played an important role in leading the church and ensuring its success.

Grace Baptist Church, Greenville, Sinoe County, Liberia

In 1980, Rev. Richard Saydee took over as pastor of the church, with Rev. Peter S. Zarr serving as an assistant pastor. Rev. Zarr also served as an evangelist of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, establishing 12 churches in Lower Grand Gedeh, now River Gee County. The dedication and hard work of these two men played a crucial role in the continued growth and success of the church.

Following Rev. Saydee’s departure, the church voted in Rev. Shelton J. Seidi as pastor and Rev. Peter Zarr as assistant pastor in 1984. Together, they continued to lead the congregation through various challenges and triumphs up until the onset of the Liberian civil crisis in 1989. Despite the difficult circumstances, Rev. Shelton Seidi remained dedicated to the church and resumed his duties as pastor, and I became his assistant in 1998 when we returned from exile.

During our time serving together, Rev. Seidi and I focused on nurturing the spiritual growth of our congregation, organizing Bible studies and outreach programs, and providing support to those in need. We also organized the Grand Gedeh Baptist Association which currently has 11 churches as its members. We worked tirelessly to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all individuals felt valued and supported in their faith.

In addition to our primary church services, we also oversaw the operations of the R. B. Richardson Baptist High School, providing quality education to young minds in our community. The school served as an extension of our mission to educate and empower individuals to reach their full potential.

Furthermore, we constructed and managed the Grace Baptist Clinic, a healthcare facility that is providing affordable and accessible medical services to the local community. This clinic is a testament to our commitment to serving the needs of those who are most vulnerable and in need of assistance.

In 2017, Rev. Seidi decided to retire from his duties as pastor, and I was humbled to take over as the new leader of our church. As the new pastor, I have strived to continue the legacy of faith, compassion, and service that Rev. Seidi had instilled in our congregation.

Throughout the years, our church has grown and flourished, thanks to the dedication and support of our members. Together, we have built a strong and vibrant community that is committed to spreading love, compassion, and bringing hope to the hopeless and  joy to all those we encounter. 

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Rancy Zarr