It’s Saturday evening, September 29. I’m back from a one-day preaching conference at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, and a four-day backpacking trip in the Shining Rock Wilderness with my two longtime hiking partners, Chuck Treadwell and Joe Perez.
In my last post I said something about coming back to Richmond at the end of my trip, and how I thought I might be able to see–as I got closer to the city on I-95–that heaven had come a little bit closer even while I was away, thanks to the good work and faithful efforts of First Baptist Church. Well…I may have been imagining it, but after driving through rain most of the day from Asheville, NC, I found the skies getting lighter and brighter as I crossed the Virginia state line. And then, when I could actually see the Richmond skyline in the distance, I noticed how clean and bright everything looked, with blue skies overhead and afternoon sunlight making the city shine. I thought, “It really does look as if if heaven has come closer while I’ve been away!”
So, thank you members and friends of First Baptist, for not slacking off while I was gone. I’m sure I’ll hear some of the stories at church tomorrow, and hope to add some of my own as the week progresses. It’s great to be back in this place I love, and love to call home:
RVA.
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photo by Linda Moore
Today we had a successful clothing distribution for New Americans at West End Presbyterian. Jim Norvelle may have some pictures. A bunch of exuberant
people left as happy “customers” with a bookoo of clothes. There were more non-FBC members and New American workers helping with the operation than
FBC folks. I think a lot of non church members have noticed by now some of things we do and maybe why we do them. (because Jesus said to).
As usual, nothing would have happened without the efforts, coordination and leadership of Julie and Warren Pierce..