A Vocation of Prayer

A message from a Richmond Hill community member on how they see it from up on the hill as we seek God’s transformation of Metropolitan Richmond through prayer, hospitality, racial healing, and spiritual development.

“Every day we pray for the healing of metropolitan Richmond; for the sick and those in our hearts; for the welfare of all who live here; for the establishment of God’s order in our community; and for peace.”

This pillar of Richmond Hill (one of four) has been much on my mind since I started the application process for the position of Pastoral Director. My friends, family, and ministry colleagues would ask me, “So, what exactly will you be doing?”

I was looking for that classic elevator speech. How does one describe what Richmond Hill does in 15 seconds?

The answer? I am called to pray for the racial healing of metropolitan Richmond.

This is how I understand my work…my present vocation. It is incredibly simple. It is also incredibly complex. The practice makes it simple; the reality of the relational and racial history of Richmonders like myself makes it incredibly complex.

My family has lived in Richmond for generations. We landed in Mathews County in the 1700s. Later, many of us would move westward to the capital. Some of my ancestors enslaved Africans; other ancestors worked for their liberation. The legacy I have inherited requires God’s intervention to untangle and heal. Transformation—theosis—requires the Spirit’s movement. It requires prayer. It doesn’t just happen from my wishing it so. I must labor in prayer.

Everything I do for Richmond Hill is rooted in this vocation.

I am more grateful than I can say for this vocation. As some of you know, I lived here in the 1990s. The act of regular daily prayer shaped my faith deeply then. It is a special gift to have the chance to do so again now.

I have spent my first couple of weeks as Pastoral Director speaking one-on-one with Residents and Staff alike. I am curious about their own sense of vocation. I am curious about how they came to Richmond Hill, what they love about it, and what they find challenging. In September, I will be meeting with Council and committee members as well. I will be asking the same questions. I am building a map of the incredible faithfulness of the community here.

And what about you? What calls you to Richmond Hill? Feel free to email me at thudgins@richmondhillva.org in response. How can I be of service to you?

– Tripp is the new pastoral director of Richmond Hill and, as a prolific and gifted writer, will be contributing reflections to the Staying Faithful Newsletter regularly. He and his family moved into the Richmond Hill community about a month ago, and we’re so excited to welcome them into the life of this special place.