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“Dear children, don’t just talk about love. Put your love into action.
Then it will truly be love.”
~ 1 John 3:18
Many of us have heard about - or experienced firsthand - the mental health crisis affecting teenagers and young adults. About 44 percent of teens in our country experience “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness”; 16 percent of teens had a major depressive episode last year; suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. In the face of these overwhelming statistics, our church chose to move beyond thoughts and prayers, putting our love into action.
This week, we hosted a community conversation about suicide prevention titled “We Can Talk About It.” Leading the discussion were Ray M. Paul, Jr., national board chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and Erica Mann, Director of Learning and Special Projects at United Methodist Family Services (UMFS). They shared their professional — and personal — experiences with suicide, along with practical guidance for how to support those suffering from major depression. If you were not able to attend, a broadcast of the event will premiere tonight at 7pm on YouTube and Facebook.
The broadcast runs about 80 minutes, and we recommend families make time in the coming week to view it together. We hope it will be an entryway into conversation about a serious topic, because we know that talking helps. As Mr. Rogers so wisely said, “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”
This was a group effort. We are thankful to Foster Jennings for introducing us to Ray M. Paul Jr.; for the planning team: Sally Brown, Erin Heston, Kim Lewis, Ashley Raggi, Cortland Putbrese, and Charlotte Woodfin; and for the hosts at the event: Connie Gottwald, Rose Lane and Ian Nimmo, Brock and Molly Heston, Alison Herring, and Melissa Mintz. Finally, gratitude to Cindy Jennings for helping to make the space warm and welcoming with her harp. We plan to host more community events focusing on difficult topics in the future. The good news is that, no matter the topic, we can talk about it.
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Please keep in your prayers those with special concerns:
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Everett Bond (Katie Morgan’s father), recovering in a rehab facility
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Linda Bryan (Ashtyn Bratt’s grandmother), recovering from surgery
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John F Butterworth IV (Betty Butterworth’s son), health concerns
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Sarah Campbell (Pat and Kit Campbell’s daughter), health concerns
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Kimberly Cook (Principal at Henry L. Marsh, III Elementary School), health concerns
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Larry Gegner (Karen Rohr’s brother), in home hospice care
- Dan Grinnan, recovering back surgery
- Ken Horton, medical issues
- Lally Jennings, recovering from a fall
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Jay Kearney LoSardo (Jeff and Tara Modisett’s grandson), in the NICU
- Reed Nelson, recovering from tonsillitis surgery
- Jane Neer, relief from back pain and recovery from surgery
- Sheryl Phillips, recovering from minor surgery
- Bob Priddy, gratitude for the love and prayers for recovery from lymphoma
- Caroline Raggi, recovering from eye surgery
- Karen Sigel, recovering at home
- Evalane Slaughter, treatment following breast cancer surgery
- Emily Tafel, health concerns
- Joan Winkler, in hospice care
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Lauren Z. (Nicole Ball’s friend), recovering from surgery
Those grieving:
- Sarah and Stanley Elliott on the death of Sarah’s father and Graham, Davis, and Abigail on the death of their grandfather, John Gobble, on April 23.
Those rejoicing:
- Bruce and Nancy Gottwald on the birth of their great-granddaughter, Hedy Roselyn Gottwald, on April 19.
We pray for members and family serving in the military:
Tripp Bowles, Jenny Sigel Burkett, Zach Kirk, Mason Louthan, Anne Marks, Nathan Thomas Meade, Connor Partlow, Peyton Spivey, Pierce Tarry, and Will Watkins.
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Join us in-person or online at 10am, or anytime after, at www.youtube.com/fpcrichmond.
You can download and print a copy of this Sunday's bulletin here.
Sunday Schedule
9:00am Covenant Class (Adult Faith Formation) (Chapel/Zoom)
10:00am Worship (Sanctuary) & Children's Faith Formation (Rooms 206/207)
11:00am Lemonade on the Lawn
4:00pm Discover First (Fellowship Hall)
5:00pm Worship (Rec Room) & Children's Faith Formation (Library)
6:00pm Dinner (Rec Room)
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Sunday Dinner Menu
Fried & baked chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, dinner rolls, and cupcakes
Suggested Donation:
$10-15 for adults, $5 for kids
($30 cap for families)
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Thank you to all who have responded to the Membership Committee’s survey about membership status. This email ("Your membership at FPC") went out to all the adults in our church database with an email address. It is our hope that you will help us by selecting the membership status that fits best for you.
We have had nearly 400 responses so far, but there are about 100 emails that have not been opened yet. At our Session meeting we learned that the email went to the Spam folder for a couple of our Elders. If you have not received the email yet, we appreciate you checking your Spam folder and responding. If you have questions or need help, please reach out to our membership chair Elder Caley Cantrell, cscantrell@vcu.edu or Rev. Mary Kay Collins, mkcollins@fpcrichmond.org. Your response will help us to get our database in good shape and move more effectively in our ministry.
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In 2022 we celebrated 20 years of partnership with Henry L. Marsh, III Elementary (formerly George Mason). This celebration included a $20,000 gift to the Henry Marsh school library! School staff handpicked 1,475 new books and a team of FPC volunteers helped to stock the shelves with all these new titles.
The expectation is that every church member supports at least one of our primary partners. You’ll hear more about the ways you can support our partners in the coming months. For now, join us in morning and evening worship on May 7 to celebrate our partnership with Henry Marsh and hear about the ways you can get involved with all our primary partners!
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Help us host a Dessert Fair at HMES to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week! Sign up here to bring a designated dessert. The school has requested items be purchased, not homemade.
Drop off your dessert in the FPC kitchen on Sunday, May 7, 8:30-11:30am or 4:30-6pm with a note or post-it that indicates it is for the HMES Dessert Fair. If needed, place the item in the refrigerator (not freezer).
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Support the Ministries of FPC | |
You can support the ministries of FPC financially, by mailing a check to the church or using our secure online system. | |
Our mission is to inspire people to faith in Jesus Christ, nurture disciples of Christ, and serve the world that God loves to the glory of God.
Church Office Hours: Mon - Thurs, 9:00am - 4:30pm; Fri, working from home; Sun 9:00am -11:00am & 5:00pm - 7:00pm
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Sunday, April 30
9:00am Covenant Class (Adult Faith Formation) (Chapel/Zoom)
10:00am Worship (Sanctuary) & Children's Faith Formation (Rooms 206/207)
11:00am Lemonade on the Lawn
4:00pm Discover First (Fellowship Hall)
5:00pm Worship (Rec Room) & Children's Faith Formation (Library)
6:00pm Dinner (Rec Room)
Tuesday, May 2
10:00am Staff Meeting (Library)
12:00pm Women on Zoom
6:30pm Young Adults (Library)
Wednesday, May 3
9:30am Moms of Littles (Room 206)
6:00pm Chancel Bells (Room 218)
7:00pm Chancel Choir (Room 218)
Thursday, May 4
8:30am Centering Prayer (Zoom)
10:00am Needlework Group (Parlor)
12:30pm Caregiver Support Group (Zoom)
5:00pm Enneagram Discussion Group (Zoom)
Thursday, May 4
7:00am Brothers in Christ (McLean's)
Sunday, May 7
9:00am Covenant Class (Adult Faith Formation) (Chapel/Zoom)
10:00am Worship & Pew Play (Sanctuary)
11:00am Lemonade on the Lawn
11:15am Confirmation Info Session (Chapel)
5:00pm Worship & Pew Play (Rec Room)
6:00pm Dinner (Rec Room)
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First Presbyterian Church
4602 Cary Street Rd, Richmond, VA 23226
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