Next Wednesday, February 14 at 7:00pm, we will be celebrating Ash Wednesday as we begin the Lenten season. We will have dinner at 5:30 like normal, and then life groups are invited to meet at 6:15 for a short time and then join us for the service at 7. Modeled after the 40 days Christ spent in the wilderness, Lent is a set apart season in the life of the Church. As we draw closer to Easter, we use this time to examine our faith and create practices around drawing closer to Christ. It is a season of preparation, reflection, and intention. As we prepare to come to Ash Wednesday, be thinking about a particular spiritual discipline or fast that you may want to enter into during this Lenten season. Ask the Lord if there is something He wants you to put on hold or enter into for this set apart time so that you can focus on Him more clearly. 

Historical Tour with Tommy Nance -

9 AM This Thursday!

Tommy Nance will be leading a historic tour on Samuel Davies and Patrick Henry tomorrow, Thursday the 8th. The group will be leaving from New Hanover at 10:00 AM. The tour will finish after lunch at Hanover Tavern no later than 2:00. For more information, call Tommy at (727-804-5965).

Community VBS - Save the Date!

We are excited to be participating with Christ Pres and Eternity Church for our Community VBS again this summer. The dates for this will be July 10-12 during the evenings. Make sure to mark your calendar and keep posted for more information!

Come for a taste of the many ways you could serve the children and adults of Gilpin Court with STEP! Hear from the staff and current volunteers of STEP's job-readiness program, after-school tutoring program, adventure program for boys, and more. Monday, February 19th, 4-7 pm at 436 Calhoun Street. Please register at steprichmond.org/openhouse. Can't make it to the open house? View volunteer opportunities at steprichmond.org/current.

St. Giles WOC Event

St. Giles Women's Fellowship will be hosting a baby shower for the Pregnancy Resource Center. The executive director Kim Southerland will be our speaker. The shower will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2024 starting with light refreshments at 9:30. All women welcome!

Suggested items include (NEW UNWRAPPED ITEMS PLEASE):

• Wipes
• Bibs, Boys or Girls
• Baby Towels and wash cloths
• Baby Toiletries (Lotion, Shampoos, Wash, Vaseline) NO BABY POWDER
• Pacifiers, Teethers
• Diaper Rash Cream
• Baby Gowns and Sleepers (neutral colors)
• Boy's Winter Clothing size 0-3, 3-6 months
• Girl's Winter Clothing size 0-3, 3-6 months
• Diaper sizes: 5, 6, and 7
• Sippy Cups with soft spout
• Boy's Winter Clothing size 2T, 3T
• Girl's Winter Clothing size 2T, 3T
• Snow suits size 2T, 3T (neutral colors)
• Winter Maternity Clothing can be gently used (Large, XL, Plus, especially leggings)

Food Pantry Still Collecting Donations!

We are still continuing to support our local food pantry! We are currently accepting non-perishable and canned food items. The collection bin is located by the Church House door.

The food bank has provided a list of suggested items:

• Cereal (boxed or oatmeal)
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Crackers
• Mac & cheese
• Rice or potato packets
• Canned vegetables

2024 Refreshments

I want to thank those who volunteered so far to purchase or donate towards refreshments for 2024. We’ve almost covered the year but we have 11 weeks still to cover. I’ve sent out the schedule to those who signed up so far and will update the schedule and send it out again when others have signed up.

Please consider donating towards the refreshments so we can complete the sign-ups for the year. Again, thank you and I look forward to sharing time with you during our refreshment times.

Thank you!

Jo White, [email protected], (804) 937-6836.

Community Walk This Saturday

Join us for our next relationship building community walk with Hood Temple A.M.E Zion. Sat, Feb 10, 12PM-2PM. 16 W. Clay St. This is a Faith Leaders & RPD collaboration to help community members get needed resources quicker. Depression, substance abuse, domestic violence, pregnancies, etc.... let's get those resources in their hands immediately. For more info and to let us know that you will join us, click on the link. https://www.teamforgod.com/relationship-bldg