Women of RRCB who come together for fellowship, missions’ information, and outreach in the community have chosen to call themselves “Connectors.”
Beginning their new year in September with a salad supper in the beautiful courtyard of the church, Connectors invited all the women of the church to join for a meal. Connectors brought salads of different varieties and desserts. Hostesses set lovely tables with tealights, flowers, and china. Rev. Mary Mann, pastor of Westover Baptist Church spoke. Her church has been a partner church in our Catch the Spirit mission. She told of the work of her church and shared her developing call to ministry as a pastor which began when she was a child.
In the summer months, while Connectors meetings did not take place, the members were still involved in outreach missions. Twice during that time, groups of women prepared and took meals to feed those in crisis who are the main focus of the ministry of the Oregon Hill Baptist Center. Sometimes, as many as 80 were fed. Connectors served the food and had opportunities to chat with the guests. This mission continues year-round, not just with the Connectors, but with many of our small groups and classes. Food appropriate to the season is prepared, be it salads and sandwiches for summer or warm breakfast casseroles in colder weather. Boiled eggs are always prepared since the guests like to take them away for eating later. Snack bags and bottled water are given. Connectors also help provide some of the stable supplies needed by the three Baptist Centers: Oregon Hill, Church Hill, and South Richmond.
At the October meeting, hosted by Janet Bagby, there was fellowship and delicious desserts. The featured speaker was Nathan Taylor, the new Director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. He shared some of his visions for the work of that ministry and we were reminded of the importance of our Virginia Baptist history. A focus on the Alma Hunt Offering for state missions was also given.
Each month there is a special emphasis for support of local missions – often for one of the three Baptist Centers in the city of Richmond or the women’s prison in Goochland. For a number of years at Christmas, Connectors have adopted a family to provide Christmas presents. For the past three years, they have shopped for families who are served by CrossOver Healthcare Ministry. This year the family is a mother, father, and two young children who are Coptic Christians from Egypt who have recently been given asylum in the US. Connectors contribute and three members shop for the family from a list of needs.
At their December meeting, Connectors always address and stamp cards for shut-ins of our church family. In the midst of all they do in planning missions’ outreach, fellowship is a big part of each gathering.
Any woman of the church is welcome to join Connectors. If interested, contact Wyatt Heisler or Peggy Pruden.
Written by Judy Morris
Originally published in the 2017 Winter Quarterly Explorer