Skip to content
Facebook Instagram YouTube SoundCloud
Richmond Hill
  • About usExpand
    • MissionExpand
      • Prayer
      • Hospitality
      • Racial Healing
      • Spiritual Development
    • CommunityExpand
      • Current Residents & Staff
      • Open Positions
      • Full-Time Residency
      • Richmond Hill Sojourn
    • History
    • Facilities
  • Prayer & WorshipExpand
    • Daily Prayer
    • Community Worship & Meals
    • Metro Richmond at Prayer
    • Ministry of Spiritual Direction
    • Centering Prayer
  • RetreatsExpand
    • Personal Retreats
    • Organized Retreats
    • Group Retreats and Events
    • Attending a Retreat
  • Programs & SchoolsExpand
    • Armstrong Leadership Program
    • The Judy Project
    • KOINONIA School of Race & Justice
    • Micah Initiative
    • Ministry of Spiritual Direction
    • RUAH School of Spiritual Guidance
  • ConnectExpand
    • Contact Us
    • Visit Us
    • Latest News
    • Events
    • Newsletter
    • Sermons
    • Calendar
  • Donate
  • Make Payment
Richmond Hill
Announcements

The Warmth: A Reading and Writing Intensive

Updated onMarch 4, 2021

Offered June 13-20, 2021 | The Warmth is a weeklong, reading and writing intensive for black adults between the ages of 18 and 25.

In his autobiography, Richard Wright wonders if “the warmth” of a different climate could provide him with the space he needs to “grow differently,” to “respond” and maybe to “bloom.” The Warmth is a weeklong, reading and writing intensive for black adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Offered by Virginia Commonwealth University critical thinking instructor Nikki Fernandes, the program strives to create a warm, rigorous academic environment for creativity, thinking and reflection to grow.

The ten accepted applicants from the Richmond area should expect daily writing workshops around topics including: African diasporic history, Richmond history, personal history and personal development. Held at the ecumenical retreat center Richmond Hill, contemplative practices of optional prayer, individual meditation and shared meals will also complement this holistic program. We welcome thinkers with different levels of writing confidence and proficiency to apply. There is no financial cost; we instead expect enthusiastic engagement and commitment during our week together.

Aijung Kim, illustrator
  • Apply if you want to form collaborative connections with other young, enthusiastic thinkers in the area.
  • Apply if you want to learn more about black American history.
  • Apply if you want to unpack and reflect on your own story.
  • Apply if you want to be challenged to write carefully and clearly with conscientious  precision. [In other words, apply if you want to get better at saying exactly what it is that you mean to say]
  • Apply if you’re ready to think critically about your growth and the growth of our communities.
  • Apply if you want to work hard and grow differently.

Program Expectations

  • Read Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing before the program begins. The novel will be shipped to you if you are asked to join us.
  • Participate in workshops and other planned activities from 9 AM – 7:30 PM throughout the week [June 13-19, 2021]; shared meals will be included if we are able to meet in person.
  • The modality of our time will be determined as we get closer to the time, but we hope to meet in-person at Richmond Hill.
  • Work on individual writing assignments, and stay on top of assigned readings throughout the week; You’ll be provided with a reader and a journal.
  • Believe that you have something to learn from others and something to offer to others.
  • Engage in collaboration and community building amongst your cohort. 
  • Seek both humility and confidence in your dealings with one another.

What Might A Day Here Look Like?

9 AM (Check in)

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Group Free Write

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM: Break (time for personal meditation, exercising, napping, idling, putzing in the garden. That’s up to you)

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Writing Mechanics Workshop

Noon Prayers / Personal Meditation 

Lunch

1:30 – 2:15 PM: Topical Workshop

2:15 – 2:30 PM: Break

2:30 -3:45 PM: Topical Workshop

3:45 – 4:00 PM: Break

4-5 PM: Creative Writing

5-6 PM: Hang time

6 PM: Evening Prayers / Personal Meditation

6:30 PM: Dinner + Fellowship

7:30 PM: Dismissal

Still interested?!

Then, apply here!

Applications are due April 25, 2021.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Post navigation

Previous Previous
Practicing the Way of Council, Thursday March 11
NextContinue
Explore a Call to Intentional Community

Recent Posts

  • Creating Pathways through Grief — Thursday, August 7, 2025
  • First Friday Day Retreat – June 6, 2025
  • Application deadline extended for RUAH 2025-27
  • Job Openings Available in 2025
  • Garden Volunteer Days: May & June, 2025

Upcoming Retreats

Upcoming Programs

Daily Prayers

Joins us in the chapel at 7am, Noon & 5:30pm

Address & Phone

2209 E Grace St.
Richmond VA 23223
(804) 783-7903
info@richmondhillva.org

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Soundcloud

Privacy Policy

View our privacy policy.

© 2025 Richmond Hill - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP

  • About us
    • Mission
      • Prayer
      • Hospitality
      • Racial Healing
      • Spiritual Development
    • Community
      • Current Residents & Staff
      • Open Positions
      • Full-Time Residency
      • Richmond Hill Sojourn
    • History
    • Facilities
  • Prayer & Worship
    • Daily Prayer
    • Community Worship & Meals
    • Metro Richmond at Prayer
    • Ministry of Spiritual Direction
    • Centering Prayer
  • Retreats
    • Personal Retreats
    • Organized Retreats
    • Group Retreats and Events
    • Attending a Retreat
  • Programs & Schools
    • Armstrong Leadership Program
    • The Judy Project
    • KOINONIA School of Race & Justice
    • Micah Initiative
    • Ministry of Spiritual Direction
    • RUAH School of Spiritual Guidance
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Visit Us
    • Latest News
    • Events
    • Newsletter
    • Sermons
    • Calendar
  • Donate
  • Make Payment
Search