Still, We Rise!: Juneteenth 2025
Juneteenth is a time of jubilee! “We have come over a way that with tears have been watered.” Despite what we have endured in the past and what we are enduring now, still we rise. Join us at Richmond Hill for a Juneteenth jubilee time of remembering and rising! Schedule
All events are free and in the Richmond Hill Chapel unless otherwise noted. Registration not required except for lunch.
Wednesday, June 18
6:30 p.m. “Finding Edna Lewis” Documentary Screening & Discussion
The documentary, Finding Edna Lewis, introduces audiences to a country cook from Virginia who became a renowned chef, teacher, and cookbook author. As a champion of fresh seasonal ingredients, she highlighted traditional Southern dishes that are often served in restaurants, at family reunions, and church suppers.
8:30 p.m. “Transcending Walls” Mural Walk
Hamilton Glass is the founder of Mending Walls, a public arts initiative created to provide spaces in which community members engage in artmaking. The mural he and co-artists have created here at Richmond Hill is called “Transcending Walls.” Rev. Lindsey Franklin, our Director of Development, will join him as they share how and why this mural became a reality. Meet at the corner of 23rd and E. Grace St.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
7 a.m. Richmond Hill Morning Prayer & Meditation
Richmond Hill’s Thursday morning prayer for the city will include a morning meditation led by Ashley Williams. She is the CEO of the Well Collective, a holistic collective created to encourage healing and inspire meaningful change by connecting mind, body and community to meet the unique needs of diverse audiences.
10 a.m. Garden Walk & Honey Extraction Demonstration
Our co-gardener, Allison Hurst, will lead a Garden Walk and demonstrate the process of Honey Extraction. Her work at Richmond Hill has helped shape a new vision of the garden and introduced staff, visitors, and retreatants to the power of the bees and the pleasure of honey. Meet in the main lobby.
11 a.m. Shockoe Institute Conversation w/ Marland Buckner
Meet Marland Buckner, President and CEO of the Shockoe Institute, who will share the vision the nonprofit entity is creating to put Richmond’s role in the slave market at the center of the national conversation about monuments, memory, and how we learn about our painful history. He says three words guide the approach taken by the institute’s consultants: maturity, candor, and generosity.
12 p.m. Richmond Hill Noon Prayer & Spirituals
Rev. Tom Baynham, our Director of Hospitality and Mr. Brian Hehn, Director of Liturgical Worship at St. John’s Lutheran, will share a medley of Spirituals to invite listeners into the spirit of songs that were created in another era. Their collaboration has developed over the years through friendship and faith.
12:30 p.m. Community Lunch
Join us for our weekly community lunch in the refectory following noon prayers. Space is limited and so reservations are required and can be made below. A donation of $15 is suggested for the meal.
2 p.m. Literacy & The Richmond Hill Library
Libraries are places that foster growth. After many years of work, Richmond Hill’s library has been transformed. Our librarian, Carol Parke, graciously volunteers and has received valuable and steadfast assistance from Rosemary Arenson. Carol will introduce visitors to the library and share her vision for the future.
2:45 p.m. History Talk: “How Freedom Came”
Lauranett Lee, our Director of Race and Social Justice, is also a Community Scholar in the Bonner Center of Civic Engagement at the University of Richmond. As a historian of the nineteenth century south, she has delved deeply into our history and will share some of the back story of “How Freedom Came.”
4 p.m. Children’s Story Hour & Art Corner
Time for the Children! Join us in the Art Room to read together and make art with children between 5 and 12 years old. We will have volunteers who have joyfully agreed to spend this time together including: Anne Gibbons, Spiritual Director at Richmond Hill; Kelsey Hawisher-Faul, Richmond Hill resident and parent; Mukshah Phom, Richmond Hill resident; Joy Hurst, retired teacher and grandmother. It’s not too late to volunteer! Meet in the Art Room.
4 p.m. Dwelling & Garden Tour
Learn about the lived experiences of African Americans enslaved on this site, the work being conducted to rehabilitate the Dwelling, and the origins of the Judy Project at Richmond Hill. Led by Dr. Lauranett Lee. Meet in the lobby.
5:30 p.m. Richmond Hill Evening Prayers
(Note: Dinner is not offered to the public)
6:30 p.m. The Healing Power of Story
The Diocese of Southern Virginia is holding a story telling retreat where participants learn how storytelling can become a bridge to racial healing. The Richmond Hill community is invited to this culminating event where participants tell their story “Moth Story Style” in front of an audience. By sharing our truths and hearing others, we take the necessary steps towards breaking down barriers, fostering empathy, and building a more just world – together.