May 6, 2024 | FBCRICHMOND.ORG | 804-355-8637

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Make even more of a difference from your gifts May 12 - June 9

JIM'S BLOG: Leaving

the SBC

By Dr. Jim Somerville, Senior Pastor

In my last post I mentioned that I missed a special, called deacons’ meeting at First Baptist Church last Tuesday night because I was at a seminary trustee meeting in Charlotte. I also mentioned that someone made a motion at that meeting to sever any remaining ties with the SBC and the motion carried without opposition. 


Let me say more about that.


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Check out the progress in our Gathering Spaces renovations

It's been a busy week, but we're making great progress! The hardworking crews are almost done with the framing at the Boulevard, and they're gearing up for the exciting next step: sheetrock installation. They're in the process of installing plumbing for the new women’s restroom—it's been quite a task drilling through those thick walls to make the new connections. They also removed a concrete floor in the area next to the Control Room. This will pave the way for some exciting developments, including repurposing a men's 2nd floor restroom area to house our technical equipment.


Starting Monday, May 6, the Arthur Ashe Boulevard Foyer will be closed Monday to Friday (not Sunday), and this includes the women’s restroom. This closure will be in effect for at least the next three weeks. Don't worry, though! If you need to access the Sanctuary during the week, you can use either the lower level or 2nd floor elevator, or take the steps on either side—by the piano or the organ. On Sundays, you will have full access to the Sanctuary entrances and women's restroom. Thank you for your patience!

Mission Possible: Learn about Liberia

Have you ever wanted to go on a mission trip? Here's your chance to hear firsthand from our Liberia team about their recent visit. Get your questions answered and learn more about our upcoming trips in 2024 during our Mission Trip Report on Wednesday Night, May 8, at 6:15 p.m. in Flamming Hall!

First Tuesdays for May is cancelled due to the RFBC Staff retreat. We’ll resume our normal schedule on June 4. Please pray for our team as we spend time at Eagle Eyrie learning and growing in our efforts to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Richmond.


• FBC Night at the Diamond | Saturday, May 18 Gates open at 5 p.m. | First pitch, 6:05 p.m.| Sign up by May 17 at noon | Enjoy baseball AND fellowship! Come early for music and pregame player testimonials. Stick around after the game for fireworks from up close and inside the fences. Have your name entered to throw out the first pitch. Contact Lee Byerly for info: [email protected]

>Register here!


• Grace So Amazing | Sunday, May 19 | 7 p.m. | FREE | A festive evening concert of spiritual songs, hymns, jazz, and gospel songs led by the choirs of Richmond’s First Baptist Church with the Capital Brass Quintet and friends. Be sure to register so we know how many people are attending>Click here more info!

Save the Date | Summer Celebration | May 22 | 5–7 p.m. | Join us for food, fun and fellowship in our courtyard as we say goodbye to the school year and hello to summer. We'll have music, lawn games, and a bouncy house. Burgers and dogs will be hot off the grill. Please RSVP so we can have plenty of food! Suggested donation: $5 per person. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. >Sign up today so we'll have the grill properly stocked!



Calling All Graduates! If you are graduating with a high school, associate's, trade school, undergraduate, master's or doctorate degree, we want to celebrate you and your hard work! Register for Graduation Sunday and the Graduation Sunday Luncheon on June 2. There is no charge for graduates, parents, and siblings. Extended family members are welcome to attend for $10 per adult and $5 per child (age 10 & under).

Register here

The Board of Deacons recommends that Richmond’s First Baptist Church withdraw as a cooperating church in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in response to the SBC’s proposed constitutional amendment requiring pastors and elders of its cooperating churches to be men.


The Board of Deacons invites the congregation to a church-wide conversation and vote on this decision. This special called business meeting will be held in Flamming Hall from 9:45-10:30 a.m. on May 19, 2024, in lieu of normally scheduled adult Sunday School classes. The Deacon Chair will provide members of the congregation with background information to enable an informed conversation on the decision. That information will be disseminated through the church’s Communications office starting on or around May 5.


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