Dear River Road Church family,
I hope you are having a wonderful Summer, whether that includes rest, travel, and whatever activities fill you with joy. Your church staff and lay leadership remain busy planning several meaningful experiences for you and your family to enjoy this Fall. By outlining these events below, it is our hope you will “save the dates” and celebrate alongside us.
First, Celebration Sunday is September 11, 2022. In addition to celebrating the official kickoff of our Fall Ministry season, we will enjoy an afternoon picnic together as well as fun activities for persons and families of all ages. That morning, in our morning worship service, we will welcome the Rev. Dr. Paul Baxley, the Executive Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, our national denominational relationship. Dr. Baxley loves River Road Church, having lived and worked in Virginia several years ago, and is excited to be in our pulpit. We are working on having a combined adult Sunday School time with Dr. Baxley to have some one-on-one time with us.
Second, River Road Preschool celebrates its 50th Anniversary on October 16, 2022. In worship that morning, we will rejoice in this unique and treasured ministry of our church and give thanks for the ways we have served families in our area since 1972. The Rev. Chris Burton will be our guest preacher. Rev. Burton serves as Vice-President at Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and is currently a doctoral student at Union Presbyterian Seminary. He and his wife, Brianna Burton, sent their son, to our Preschool in 2021-2022.
Last, but certainly not least, we are thrilled to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of River Road Church on October 30, 2022. Delayed a year due to the pandemic, we are excited to remember our heritage, give thanks for God’s blessings, and look forward to a rich future of ministry faithfulness together. Dr. Diana Butler Bass will preach in our morning worship service. Dr. Bass is a world-renowned speaker, award-winning author, and the foremost expert on religion and the contemporary church. In addition to numerous books, Dr. Bass has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and The Christian Century; and she has appeared as a commentator and special guest on CBS, CNN, FOX, NPR, PBS, and news outlets across the globe.
After an anniversary lunch together, Dr. Bass will host a lecture (open to the public) at 2:00 pm in our Sanctuary. We are elated to welcome Dr. Bass to River Road Church.
To say we are excited about these celebrations would be a monumental understatement! More details will be made available at rrcb.org/connect. That webpage remains the best place to find the most up-to-date information about church activities and schedules. Please make plans now to attend these events!
I believe the Spirit of God is alive and at work among us at River Road Church, and that gives us reason to celebrate! Always, but especially now, it is an honor to serve you as pastor.
Peace,
Daniel E. Glaze