For the spirit of the city

Dr. Corey Walker, Dean, STVU at Virginia Union giving the benediction and charge at the 9th Annual Clergy Convocation — "Bridging the Gap: Bringing Preaching and Practice Together."

Richmond has long been a crossroads bringing people in from all directions. But too often we have ended up apart rather than together. The issues we face are multiple and persistent: disparate educational opportunities, inadequate public transportation, meager affordable housing, and growing pockets of poverty, which hit our minority populations hardest and threaten the fabric of our community. So, what are pastors to do? How are we to preach in ways that inspire engagement in the world, even if we are not of it?

The Convocation was held at Richmond Hill on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Bishop Susan Goff, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, preaching at the 9th Annual Clergy Convocation — "Bridging the Gap: Bringing Preaching and Practice Together."

Richmond has long been a crossroads bringing people in from all directions. But too often we have ended up apart rather than together. The issues we face are multiple and persistent: disparate educational opportunities, inadequate public transportation, meager affordable housing, and growing pockets of poverty, which hit our minority populations hardest and threaten the fabric of our community. So, what are pastors to do? How are we to preach in ways that inspire engagement in the world, even if we are not of it?

The Convocation was held at Richmond Hill on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Dr. Earl Bledsoe, (Retired Pastor), Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology (VUU), preaching at the 9th Annual Clergy Convocation — "Bridging the Gap: Bringing Preaching and Practice Together."

Richmond has long been a crossroads bringing people in from all directions. But too often we have ended up apart rather than together. The issues we face are multiple and persistent: disparate educational opportunities, inadequate public transportation, meager affordable housing, and growing pockets of poverty, which hit our minority populations hardest and threaten the fabric of our community. So, what are pastors to do? How are we to preach in ways that inspire engagement in the world, even if we are not of it?

The Convocation was held at Richmond Hill on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ, Faith Community Baptist Church, Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology (VUU), preaching at the 9th Annual Clergy Convocation — "Bridging the Gap: Bringing Preaching and Practice Together."

Richmond has long been a crossroads bringing people in from all directions. But too often we have ended up apart rather than together. The issues we face are multiple and persistent: disparate educational opportunities, inadequate public transportation, meager affordable housing, and growing pockets of poverty, which hit our minority populations hardest and threaten the fabric of our community. So, what are pastors to do? How are we to preach in ways that inspire engagement in the world, even if we are not of it?

The Convocation was held at Richmond Hill on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Rev. Corey Widmer, pastor, Third Church, preaching at the 9th Annual Clergy Convocation — "Bridging the Gap: Bringing Preaching and Practice Together."

Richmond has long been a crossroads bringing people in from all directions. But too often we have ended up apart rather than together. The issues we face are multiple and persistent: disparate educational opportunities, inadequate public transportation, meager affordable housing, and growing pockets of poverty, which hit our minority populations hardest and threaten the fabric of our community. So, what are pastors to do? How are we to preach in ways that inspire engagement in the world, even if we are not of it?

The Convocation was held at Richmond Hill on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Rev. Benjamin Campbell, Pastor Emeritus of Richmond Hill, gave a brief overview of our cultural narrative at the 9th Annual Clergy Convocation — "Bridging the Gap: Bringing Preaching and Practice Together."

Richmond has long been a crossroads bringing people in from all directions. But too often we have ended up apart rather than together. The issues we face are multiple and persistent: disparate educational opportunities, inadequate public transportation, meager affordable housing, and growing pockets of poverty, which hit our minority populations hardest and threaten the fabric of our community. So, what are pastors to do? How are we to preach in ways that inspire engagement in the world, even if we are not of it?

The Convocation was held at Richmond Hill on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Jabriel Hasan takes on the question of finding out your anointed place of service in his message delivered during Community worship on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

Lindsey Franklin speaks to what it can mean to be forsaken as she weaves together her work as hospital chaplain with Job, Psalm 22, and the rich young ruler from Mark 10. Lindsey preached at Community worship on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.

Divorce and children -- and the saving grace of the Lectionary. Rev. Joel Blunk tackles a tough gospel message in his sermon on Mark 10:2-16, delivered at Community worship on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.

"Help with the healing." Rev. Janie M. Walker speaks to this topic in her sermon on portions of Mark 7, given at Community worship on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.