TFC Offerings for Fall 2020 are rich, timely, and unique (after all, it is 2020).
Our TFC studies and conversations are geared to help us find our place in the ongoing struggle for justice for all people. We will think critically and theologically about what God says through scripture and in Christ’s example. It will allow us each to consider our role and calling as followers of Christ.
- Some Wednesdays we are taking a week off (Just say NO to Zoom fatigue!)
- December isn’t listed as we hope to have some light-hearted and meaningful offerings during this month.
- “Where” isn’t listed because it’s subject to change and we may not all select the same option if it does.
- Flexibility is the name of the game right now. We are planning for virtual livestream opportunities while also recording for later viewing. Should our format need to be adjusted, you will be informed.
Does God Care About Injustice? with Dr. Mark Biddle
September 16 & 23, 2020
7:00 p.m., Zoom
There is heightened awareness and talk about racial injustice these days. Not that it’s new, it’s just getting a dose of needed attention. To be sure, there are many kinds of injustice, as people are discriminated against or exploited all across the world for varying reasons. What does scripture say about it? Does God care about it? If God does care, why does it persist? Join us as we explore this conversation with Dr. Mark Biddle.
Many of you are familiar with Dr. Biddle, as he has taught among us before. As an Old Testament scholar, seminary professor, journal editor, minister, parent, and musician, he brings much to the dialogue and learning process.
These two sessions will help set off a series of conversations and opportunities throughout the year that will stretch and help encourage us as we seek ways to love God and God’s world better, with greater awareness and sensitivity.
Evolving Faith Conference
October 2 & 3, 2020, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This great event is a powerhouse of personalities like Barbara Brown Taylor, Jen Hatmaker, Amy-Jill Levine, Nadia Bolz Weber, Nichole Nordeman, and many other men and women from varying walks of life (evolvingfaith.com/speakers).
The leaders intend for this to be two days of excellence, goodness, wisdom, compassion, and flourishing for you. The conference will remain available until April 2021 for registrants.
If you choose to participate, the cost is $99, but RRCB will reimburse you half of your registration fee. We don’t want price to keep anyone from participating. In order to participate in the conference, you are required to register for the event at evolvingfaith.com/register. And in order to receive the $50 reimbursement, please sign up let us know of your plans to register on Sign Up Genius. Please note, the Sign Up Genius form is not registration for the event; this is for RRCB-use only to know who is participating and who is to receive reimbursements.
Prejudice in the Church with Rev. Dr. Valerie Carter (WMUV)
October 7 & 14, 2020
7:00 p.m., Zoom
If there is one place prejudice of any kind should not exist, it is within the church of Christ. Yet over the centuries, the church has been in the thick of supporting, perpetuating, and denying discrimination and exploitation of some for the gain of others. The only way to make our journey forward in a healthy, whole way is to grabble with the role the church has played and still plays in this ongoing problem.
Dr. Carter, who is currently the Executive Director and Treasurer for the Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) and an adjunct sociology instructor at Reynolds, works to inspire, equip, and help mobilize others though various ministries, many of which care for the needs of the vulnerable, outcast, unlearned, and marginalized. She will lead us from her study and experiences as we dive into a deep conversation about prejudice in the church in the past and present.
Dialogue: Building Bridges in Helpful Ways
October 21, 2020
Exploring the Enneagram: A Window to Understanding Yourself
with Dr. Jon Singletary (Dean, Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University)
Part 1: Introduction to the Enneagram: Growing Understanding of Yourself
October 24, 2020, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
October 25, 2020, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Part 2: Enneagram Understanding Can Help Your Relationships and Spiritual Formation
November 7, 2020, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
November 8, 2020, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
With the leadership of Dr. Jon Singletary, we will be guided to determine where we best identify ourselves numerically on the Enneagram. Jon has much experience in leading groups through this process. Each number represents certain personality and behavioral traits and each of these will be unpacked so we can learn about one another and see the ups and downs of every position.
Cost: $20 for full event.
In an effort to accommodate schedules, each person will select their choice of session 1 and session 2 times, for participation in both parts of this two-part event. Each session must be held to 25 participants to allow for adequate sharing and conversation. Sign up early to reserve your spot. Details about registration are forthcoming.
Enneagram resources:
- To learn more about the Enneagram, visit enneagramworldwide.com/the-enneagram
- If you would like to read about this prior to the retreat, one of Suzanne Stabile’s books, The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships and The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, is suggested.
- Or, visit her podcast, Enneagram Journey.
Justice Reflected in Worship, Consumerism, and Our Relationships with Rev. Dr. Sam Adams
November 4, 11, & 18, 2020
7:00 p.m., Zoom
Everything we do is spiritual. When we ask, “How is your spiritual life?” it creates a false dichotomy—like one part of our lives is spiritual and the rest is not. But how we value and treat people, the created world, possessions, and our time is all reflected by and informing our relationship with Christ. How does Jesus relate to people, the earth, and things as he walked though life? What does God consider as rich and healthy worship?
Dr. Sam Adams, a seminary professor at Union Presbyterian Seminary here in Richmond, will bring his biblical scholarship and engaging communication skills to bear on the conversation about justice in our lives. He will help us ask hard questions, examine our relationships, and determine ways we might become better integrated as whole persons who live out of and fueled by our relationship with God through Christ.