Thoughtful Faith Community
Sunday, December 10, 2023
4:00-7:00 p.m.

There are only two weeks left of TFC this fall! We are fully immersed in the Advent season, and this week, the program, “Compassion in Community,” will start in the Fellowship Hall and transition to the Sanctuary chancel.

Supper reservations for December 10, 2023, are required by Thursday, December 7 at 4PM. Childcare is provided for newborns through pre-k (3-year-olds). Please make a reservation by emailing sandyrooney@riverroad.church.

Community Meal, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Meat Entrée: Oven Fried Chicken; Salad Bar (V, GF); Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes (V, GF); Steamed Broccoli (V, GF); Hot Rolls (V); Apple Turnovers (V)
$10 for adults and youth, $6 for children

Vegetarian Entrée: Bean Cake (V); Salad Bar (V, GF); Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes (V, GF); Steamed Broccoli (V, GF); GF Bread; GF Brownie
$10 for adults and youth, $6 for children

Snack Supper: Personal Pizza; Salad; Apple Turnovers (V)
$10 for adults, $6 for youth and children

Reservations are required by 4PM on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Click the button above to make your supper reservation—a Google form will open in a new window. Please select the meal choice for each member of your family. You must click Submit at the bottom of the form to submit your reservation. You will receive a confirmation email for your reservation.

While extra meals will not be available, TFC is still open to everyone. You can join just for the program, or you can bring your own meal. If you are planning to attend, we do ask for you to sign up and select “No Meal,” so we can still plan for tables and chairs.

Payments are collected at the main Fellowship Hall entrance. Cash, checks, or credit cards are accepted.

Chef Stan Barnett

RRCB started working with Chef Stan in October 2022. From TFC suppers to River Road Preschool events to outside organizations using RRCB’s facilities, Stan has been a great addition to RRCB’s meal offerings.

Stan is a Richmond native and a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College. He has been catering for over 40 years. In 1989 he opened The Hill Cafe for a very diverse and welcoming community, and after 11 years of service is the former Director of Kitchen Ministries for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

Stan is available for catering your events outside of the church, please feel free to inquire with him. Contact the Church Office for his contact information.

Kitchen Volunteers

A strong team of volunteers will be essential to making TFC a welcoming and enjoyable gathering for the church. We need some volunteers to pitch in and assist Sunday evenings. We have money collectors in place, but ideally, we’d like to have 4 teams of 3-4 folks who can assist the chef with the set up and clean up on a regular rotating basis. It is roughly a two-hour time commitment, 4:30-7:00 p.m. (probably earlier, like 6:30). If you volunteer, your meal is covered by the church. Click the button below to sign up on Sign Up Genius.

Schedule

4:00-4:35 p.m: River Road Camerata
4:35-5:15 p.m.:
Youth Choir (6th-12th grades)
4:45-5:15 p.m.:
Jubilate Choir (2nd-5th grades) and Carol Choir (age 4-1st grade)
5:00-6:00 p.m.:
Community Meal and Chancel Ringers Rehearsal
5:45-7:00 p.m.: Youth Group and Children’s Rec & Missions
6:00-7:30 p.m.: Program

River Road Camerata, 4:00-4:35 p.m., Youth Rehearsal Room

River Road Camerata is a by-invitation youth choir focusing on more challenging choral pieces.
Choir Director: Dr. Bob Gallagher

Youth Choir, 4:35-5:15 p.m., Youth Rehearsal Room

Youth Choir is for all youth in grades 6-12.
Choir Directors: Bob Gallagher & Lauren Maho

Jubilate Choir, 4:45-5:15 p.m., Main Rehearsal Room

Jubilate Choir is for all children in grades 2-5.
Choir Director: Suzanne McClain

Carol Choir, 4:45-5:15 p.m., UC #232

Carol Choir is for children age 4 through grade 1 (preschoolers should turn 4 by 9/30/23).
Choir Director: Mary Langston

Chancel Ringers, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Bell Room

Chancel Ringers is RRCB’s adult handbell choir.
Choir Director: Chuck Todd

Contact Dr. Bob Gallagher (bobgallagher@riverroad.church), Minister of Music, with any questions about our children and youth choirs.

Youth Group, 5:45-7:00 p.m., Youth Area

Children’s Rec & Missions, 5:45-7:00 p.m., CA #122

Compassion in Community and Starlight Service, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary Chancel

The anticipation of Christmas can be joyous. We find ourselves surrounded by lights, cheerful songs, and decorations, while there is an expectation that we will participate in celebrating. However, it does not always come easy. We may have concerns that may make this season harder to embrace. While some are grieving a significant loss, others have health, financial, relationship, or work concerns. Longing for peace across the world, in the lives of our loved ones, and within our own hearts—it can stir sadness, hurt, and unrest.  

Our TFC program will provide an opportunity to acknowledge loss or concern that you carry into the season. It is a place to gather and support one another, holding together our shared needs before the Lord. After a time of conversation in the Fellowship Hall, we will enter a time of worship, during which we will light candles representing the prayers we bring. Those present may receive the Lord’s Supper, giving thanks for God’s provision. In song, prayer, meditation, and reflection, we will find comfort through the compassion extended toward us by God and by our faith community. Come for yourself or come for those in our community, whom you love, that need the strength of your presence.