6th District Community Meeting Saturday, 4/10 at 10am
Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements | Tags: 6th District, Community Meeting, ellen robertson, Richmond, Southern Barton Heights Comments Off on 6th District Community Meeting Saturday, 4/10 at 10am
if you need a copy of the flyer, click on this link: 6th District April Flyer Update
Theology on the Ground Reminder – TONIGHT!
Posted: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, One Church. One Richmond. | Tags: church, missional, missionary, Rev Ben Campbell, Rev Dr Anthony Hunt, Rev Dr Roger Gench, Richmond, Theology on the Ground, Union Theological Seminary, Urban, urban ministry Comments Off on Theology on the Ground Reminder – TONIGHT!
REMINDER….this is tonight! Hope to see you there!
Urban Ministry Forum
“Theology on the Ground”
Wednesday, April 7th from 7-9pm
Union Theological Seminary
You will hear from urban ministers, whose work in Baltimore, DC, and Richmond are truly rooted in building community, empowering the marginalized, and helping people at their point of need.
- Rev. Dr. Anthony Hunt will be discussing how he’s been creating ’shalom’ zones in some very poor parts of Baltimore;
- Rev. Dr. Roger Gench will be discussing what it’s like to be an urban parish minister and how collective action among churches can accomplish change; and
- Richmond Hill’s Rev. Ben Campbell will describe how spirituality and prayer create ecumenical bonds which then forms concrete social action to help transform this great city.
Union understands that effective ministry means opening one’s doors, offering radical hospitality, and creating relationships to develop the ‘beloved community.’
See the attached flyer for more details>Theology on the Ground and refer to their website Union Theological Seminary.
Enjoy The Journey
Posted: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Louis and Me! | Tags: Chartres Cathedral, labyrinth, missional, pastor's wife, pilgrimage, Richmond, Richmond Hill, The Jerusalem Mile 2 Comments
The Jerusalem Mile
Part 2 of our retreat…following The Call to Action.
Based on the pamphlet provided by the Richmond Hill Community, “The Jerusalem Mile was the name given to some labyrinths used for mediation and built in the Middle Ages. The concept was the pilgrims who could not make the journey to Jerusalem during their lifetime could pray and reach Jerusalem in the spirit by walking this labyrinthine path.”
“Richmond Hill’s installation of a copy of the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral, itself a center for pilgrimages, is called the Jerusalem Mile in honor of this tradition. This example of the widest accepted prayer labyrinth in the Church has eleven circuits, which are spread through four quadrants, and is symbolic of Christ’s cross. Grace is symbolized by the never-ending path to the center and back, allowing the pilgrim to walk the path at his or her own pace and to stop for prayer and meditation as needed.”
While walking The Jerusalem Mile on our retreat, I heard from the Lord…confirming a message that I had received from a friend following the Maundy Thursday service the night before. She had told me to “enjoy the journey”. The Lord confirmed that the next day…while walking the path. I found myself weaving my way through the labyrinth…not knowing where exactly I was heading, when or how I was going to get there. The path twisted and turned.
I found myself singing an old school hymn as I walked, meditated and prayed.
Thank you, Lord for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord for making me whole. Thank you, Lord for giving to me…. Thy great salvation so rich and free!
It was like the Lord guided me…telling me when to turn and which way to turn. He spoke to me that day that He will guide us in our decisions…telling us when to go and when to stop, when to turn right and when to go left. Until…we reach the center…the sweet spot…the destination…the center of God’s Will.
So…add this to the theme of The Call to Action I wrote about yesterday…and I was asking myself…what do you get?…what does this all mean?
I am thankful for a clarifying conversation we had with Ben Campbell, from Richmond Hill. Action doesn’t necessarily mean that we will know what the center holds….or when we will arrive there…or how we will get there. But, action DOES mean, to move…even if it is one small step at a time….in faith at the urging and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
So, Louis and I didn’t get answers to all the questions we came with. But, this was the only answer we truly needed at this time. Following our morning together and our time with Ben at lunch, we spent a little time in silence, read a chapter of Crazy Love – Profile of the Obsessed – which again confirmed all that we had heard from the Lord. We then made a list of specific questions we need answers to. Answers that will come in time as we pray and spend time with Him on future retreats.
- Since Louis went part-time last week, should he get another job immediately? Or does God have other plans for him?
- When should Louis act on a message that the Lord gave him years ago? Is it now?
- Our Missional Community…what should we be doing now? What should we be studying and how should we be serving?
- Since my job comes to an end sometime this year, what is next for me? What, if anything specific, should I be doing to prepare?
- Is there a local church in SBH that we could serve with? What are our roles in facilitating cooperation between the local churches to serve SBH?
- As we prepare to attend Exponential Conference in 2 weeks, what does He want us to hear? Who does he want us to meet? Why are we going to be there?
- While we vacation following the conference, is there anything we should specifically plan for? How should we specifically seek God during this down time?
- What is our next step as a couple? as individuals?
- What should our daily Bible reading and study be focused on as a couple and individually?
- Who should we intentionally seek to be in relationship with?
- How should we be spending our time? What should we Start, Stop, Continue?
- How often should we intentionally retreat? When is our next one? (By the way, we scheduled it for May 3rd.)
Enjoying the journey
and
embracing
the
call to ACTION
in our wonderful City…
Richmond, Virginia
Easter @ M2H
Posted: Monday, April 5, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: cross, easter, family, flowers, Holy Week, Richmond, Southern Barton Heights, Urban Comments Off on Easter @ M2HWe had a great day with friends and family on Easter! Louis’ church has a lovely tradition of decorating a cross with flowers. We brought it home to bless SBH by placing it on the front porch for all to enjoy! Some neighbors invited us for a cookout of all kinds of goodness! Ms. G (Frank’s mom) came by for a visit and my family came over for traditional Easter dinner consisting of Lamb with lots of tomatoes and onions plus all the sides of mashed tators, green beans, etc. I’m thankful for all of my neighbors, friends and family!
A Call to Action
Posted: Monday, April 5, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Louis and Me! | Tags: Bible, Call to Action, Commonwealth Chapel, Embrace Richmond, Enoch, Feet of Jesus, Good Friday, John 13, John 5, Jude, Lent, Luke 22, Matthew 25, Maundy Thursday, missional, pastor's wife, Richmond, Richmond Hill, urban ministry Comments Off on A Call to ActionThere seems to be a theme. This is a summary of what the Lord has been speaking to me at the end of Lent…
FIRST >
Thursday night…Maundy Thursday…Joe Torrence from Embrace Richmond spoke at Commonwealth Chapel on the scriptures around Luke 22 specifically ~ Do this in Remembrance of Me.” What are we suppose to remember? Remembering requires ACTION! Then, He washes their nasty, gnarly, yucky, dirty, stinky feet! Even to the point of washing the feet of the guy who He knows is going to betray him. He models for us what to do…and how to serve. So the question is…WHO are you going to serve and how? John 5 speaks directly to this…v.20 – For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. So, we are to do what Jesus has done…which is what the Father has done….think about the adulterous woman, the lepers, the Samaritan woman, the prostitutes, the thieves, etc.
So, how do we respond to that? In John 13:34-35 Jesus states that our new mandate/commandment to love one another as HE has loved us. So that all will know we are HIS disciples.
A Call to ACTION…Love
So…I’m thinking…who do I love on and why? What is my motive? What am I remembering? Do people know that I am HIS disciple?
SECOND >
Louis and I started our retreat day Friday…rushing around trying to be “on-time” for our retreat. Although we decided that we’d aim to be at Richmond Hill @ 9am, it didn’t take long for us to chill. It wasn’t an appointment we were late for…it was a Sabbath Day….a getaway. So, we slowed down and took our time. The Lord obviously was still going to be there if we were an hour later than what we had planned, right?
At the corner of Broad and 18th there is a Mickey D’s where we stopped for a breakfast sandwich. You wonder WHY things happen like they do. Why we run late….and why the line was long. And why Louis just ran inside instead of waiting in the drive-thru line. On his way out, a 54 year old veteran man (who looked about 70) asked Louis for some money to get something to eat. Most of us are like…yeah right…..and look the other way and ignore the person. Roll the window up. Pretend like we don’t see or hear him. Whatever. But, on this day….this Good Friday…we took the time. Louis explained that we don’t give money out, but we’d be happy to buy him something to eat. Louis and Jerry Lewis (or wonder if it was Louis?) Martin (yes…that is his real name) were able to chat a few minutes.
So, our day started with me thinking about…Matthew 25:31-46…the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats…specifically when Jesus says…
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
A Call to ACTION…provide food and drink, invite the strangers in, clothe the naked, look after the sick, and visit the prisoners.
THIRD > (but not the last, I am sure!)
Then, we found ourselves sitting in the Garden of Richmond Hill.
Our Morning Corner of Richmond Hill
We started our day with reading Jude. Specifically, vs. 17-23 – A Call to Persevere.
17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Call to ACTION…Persevere
Jude - The Call to Persevere
Jude also refers to Enoch in v. 14. There’s not a lot in the Bible on Enoch, but I sure do like the sound of him. Genesis 5 reviews the long lineage of Enoch. The only other scripture I can find other than is lineage is in what is known as the Hall of Faith – Hebrews 11.
5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Now imagine that…the only thing you were known for…the only thing that truly ever mattered was “he was commended as one who pleased God.” It really puts it all in perspective.
Call to ACTION…Please God.
It begs answers to the following questions…
Can this be said of me? What in my life is pleasing to God? What am I willing to do to please God? Am I ready to go ALL out? Am I ready to accept the Call to Action?
These are the feet of Jesus…belonging to a pastor and his wife…willing to serve…willing (and WANTING) to please God.
Where shall You send thee?
Sneak Peek – Retreat at Richmond Hill
Posted: Friday, April 2, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, cross, retreat, Richmond, Richmond Hill Comments Off on Sneak Peek – Retreat at Richmond HillWhat a blessed day!!! It was a BEAUTIFUL day at Richmond Hill. We really could not have asked for a better…a more wonderful day…following our moving foot washing Maundy Thursday service last night at Commonwealth Chapel. Now, we look forward and prepare for the 8pm Good Friday Service at Commonwealth Chapel. We are attending with some of Louis’ church members from the Petersburg area. So, here is just a quick sneak peek of our day at Richmond Hill. Enjoy! More to come!!! Thank you God for Richmond Hill! Thank you for my wonderful, loving and God-fearing hubby. Thank you for the CROSS!
De’ Andre
Posted: Thursday, April 1, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Northside Missional Community, Southern Barton Heights, urban ministry 1 CommentI am helping one of my kids…Miss Marti’s Kids…De’ Andre Mitchell, AKA Dude for those of you who know him. He’s 16 years old and is active on the John Marshall Football team. He really wants to go to a football camp scheduled for mid-April (yeah…he waited a bit late to start working for his money!) in Charlotte, NC. He has a partial scholarship, but needs to raise the about another $500 to cover the rest of the camp and travel expenses (one of the biggest expenses).
Dude, his mom and I decided that it would be best for him to earn his money versus taking donations. So, if you have any jobs that need to be done….please give him a call. He’s a really good and trustworthy kid and a hard worker. But…he is a teenager and will need some guidance. In addition, he will also need a ride if it’s not on the bus route.
If you don’t have odd jobs to do, but would like to sponsor him in another way…there is another opportunity. Dude has committed to completing an online financial course on www.handsonbanking.com. I will monitor his progress and test his learning. This is a great chance for him to learn the life skills needed to manage and budget his money. If you are interested in helping in this way, shoot me an email at missmartishouse[at]me[dot]com. I will tell you how you can assist!
Thanks for reading and considering!
Keep reading for a letter that he has written to you….
De'Andre aka Dude 4.1.2010
April 1, 2010
My name is De’ Andre Mitchell, I’m a 16 years old student athlete at John Marshall High. I play football for John Marshall since 2008. I’m a hard worker and team player on and off the field, and class’s group projects. Also, I’m a good person to hang out with in school and out school. I’ll make you laugh when you around me I’ll make you feel good around me.
I would like to attend this camp called Football University, to help me at the running back position to help my football teammates and coaches that they can trust me in the backfield. Because I use to play QB for John Marshall last year but I wasn’t that good at the QB position not in games but also in practice. I would like to do it because I’m a football player that would like to gain my yards by running the ball in the backfield.
I will do anything to raise the money for me to attend Football University Camp. I’ll cut the grass, help moving things from a place to another, help you build something, anything that you would like me to do, because I’ll really like to attend this camp to help my teammate and myself.
I’m willing to work next week 5-8 and plus the weekend. I need to have the money by April the 16th. You can reach me on my cell 804-909-2608.
I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
De’ Andre Mitchell
The End of Lent? To post DAILY or not to post?
Posted: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: duration, Lent 3 CommentsAs most of you know, I started this blog in obedience to the Lord for Lent 2010. Although there are different durations of Lent, depending on…on…well a lot of things. This is what www.wikipedia.com has to say on the topic of Lent…
Duration
Most followers of Western Catholicism observe Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday (midday, 40 days to Palm Sunday) and concluding at the Ninth Hour of Holy Thursday (44 days in the Catholic Church) or on Holy Saturday (46 days).[2][3]
One notable exception is the Archdiocese of Milan which follows the Ambrosian Rite and observes Lent starting exactly 6 weeks before Easter. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days because each Sunday represents a “mini-Easter,” a celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.[1] When Lent is to continue until Holy Saturday, this leaves exactly forty days of fasting……
And there was more! So, since I am not Catholic and no one really agrees on the length, I’m going to call it until Easter! I committed to posting daily through Lent (or now I will say until Easter) and then, I will reassess the frequency at which I will post. So, now….I guess it is Holy Week posts!
There is still so much to tell…and I KNOW I have left you hanging with Frank. And, you already know that Louis and I got married…so there is no big surprise there. But, there are many good pictures to share!
I will keep on going for now!
I have learned much during this Lenten Season….about me, about God and about others. This has been a sacrifice of time. It has taken a lot more time to write then I originally thought it would. There have been many late nights and early mornings to complete each day. So, sleep is lacking. I have learned that I don’t function well without proper sleep. Reliving some of these stories have been difficult in some ways and absolutely wonderful in others.
Difficult…because of the pain, loneliness and fear that was sometimes involved. Growth is painful and tearful. During these times, I have learned to rely on the Lord. I have been reminded of staying strong through regular prayer and reading of God’s Word. I continue to learn (over and over!!! one day i pray i will finally get it!!) that my identity comes from who I am in Jesus and not from my job, my husband, my ministry, my friends or family, my community or my church.
Joy…because God has been sooo faithful through all of it. It’s been awesome to really see just how much God has been moving and working in my life. It is a pleasure to be used by the Lord in so many ways.
God isn’t done with me yet this season…so I will continue to write daily through the end of the week until Resurrection Day! When I pray that I, too, will be more FREE and ALIVE.
Theology on the Ground
Posted: Monday, March 29, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements | Tags: forum, Rev Ben Campbell, Rev Dr Anthony Hunt, Rev Dr Roger Gench, Richmond, Richmond Hill, theology, Theology on the Ground, Union Theological Seminary, urban ministry Comments Off on Theology on the Ground
I’m excited to share an event I was just made aware of…
Urban Ministry Forum
“Theology on the Ground”
Wednesday, April 7th from 7-9pm
Union Theological Seminary
You will hear from urban ministers, whose work in Baltimore, DC, and Richmond are truly rooted in building community, empowering the marginalized, and helping people at their point of need.
- Rev. Dr. Anthony Hunt will be discussing how he’s been creating ‘shalom’ zones in some very poor parts of Baltimore;
- Rev. Dr. Roger Gench will be discussing what it’s like to be an urban parish minister and how collective action among churches can accomplish change; and
- Richmond Hill’s Rev. Ben Campbell will describe how spirituality and prayer create ecumenical bonds which then forms concrete social action to help transform this great city.
Union understands that effective ministry means opening one’s doors, offering radical hospitality, and creating relationships to develop the ‘beloved community.’
See the attached flyer for more details>Theology on the Ground and refer to their website Union Theological Seminary.
Miss Marti's House 