The residential community lives at the heart of Richmond Hill. Committed to the mission of the transformation of metropolitan Richmond, the residents maintain the daily prayers, host guests, and look after the buildings and grounds. Richmond Hill’s residential community consists of 10-15 persons who promise obedience to a common Rule of Life, and sustain a rhythm of prayer three times a day. The focus of intercession is the transformation of the community of Metropolitan Richmond. Members of the residential Community commit to residency for a year or more at a time. They receive small stipends. In addition to the in-kind contribution of the residential Community and several hundred volunteers and adjunct staff, the Community is sustained by contributions from groups and individuals. More than 50% of the annual operating budget of the Community comes from charitable contributions of individuals. About 200 different groups, including many churches, non-profit boards, businesses, and government agencies come to Richmond Hill on retreat every year. All are asked to join in the Community’s rhythm of life, breaking for prayer and common meals. Those who do not wish to join in the Chapel are asked to take the prayer time for their own reflection. Richmond Hill sponsors retreats and classes for the public, and offers schools of Spiritual Guidance and Race & Justice. Private retreats, spiritual guidance, and healing prayer are available for individuals.
The Four Pillars of Richmond Hill are prayer, hospitality, racial healing, and spiritual development.
PRAYER
Prayer is at the heart of everything we do here at Richmond Hill. Usually every meeting begins or ends with prayer. We gather in the chapel three times a day, every day at 7 am, noon, and 6 pm, to pray for the healing of the city. The list is long and specific, from schools to government to public servants to businesses. And if you live anywhere in the Richmond metropolitan area, we pray for you!
The practice of praying The Hours, or the Daily Office, is an ancient contemplative discipline retained in monasteries and some churches through contemporary times. It is a way of focusing ourselves back on the presence of God in our midst despite the many demands of the day. All programming stops for prayer, and nothing is to be scheduled during the prayer times. The expectation is that, even during holidays, prayers continue three times a day, every day.
HOSPITALITY
We foster hospitality at Richmond Hill not only through the various programs and services we offer, but also by keeping an open-door policy for prayers and eucharists. Open Communion is also practiced as an act of hospitality. All are welcome.
The garden, chapel, and lounge are open to the public and free to tour and enjoy as a pause in your day for up to three hours between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sundays. On Mondays, the facility is closed to the public so that the residential community may honor the sabbath.
RACIAL HEALING
Richmond Hill’s commitment to racial healing dates back to its founding. Building off of The Sister of the Visitation of Monte Maria’s commitment to pray for reconciliation and healing in the aftermath of the civil war, Richmond Hill specifically addressed the racial tension that has persisted since the nation’s founding. The shifting tide in addressing racial issues surrounding: policing, economic disparity, health concerns, and other pertinent matters, reveals our work is all the more crucial in today’s world.
By first being intentional about promoting diversity in its residential community, we actively and regularly hold space for community dialogue. Yearly, the Koinonia School of Race & Justice studies issues of systemic racism in metropolitan Richmond, while also developing strategies for equitable action.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Richmond Hill’s spirituality centers around our Rule of Life based on The Rule of St. Benedict. St. Benedict called it his “little rule” in that it was simple and realistic. Our Rule fosters the necessary structure for spiritual development in a space that is both contemplative and active. The prayers and programming spring from that core commitment to spiritual maturation.
Founded in 1987, Richmond Hill is an ecumenical Christian fellowship and residential community who serve as stewards of an urban retreat center within the setting of a historic monastery. Our Mission is to seek God’s transformation of Metropolitan Richmond through prayer, hospitality, racial healing, and spiritual development.
If interested in full-time residency, the inquiry begins by filling out a form on our website . Then the pastoral director will follow up you.
Residents live and work at Richmond Hill. Our work involves office positions that support programming or the work of Richmond Hill, such as running a community program, supporting our retreat ministry, or marketing. This is in addition to the work of hospitality, which includes hosting retreat groups, doing dishes, cleaning the building, and leading times of prayer.
Members of the public are welcome to drop by for brief visits of the building and grounds during office hours, typically 9am-5pm, Tuesday – Friday. Guests may also arrange for an individual day, half-day, or overnight retreat by completing the individual retreat inquiry form on our website.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
Everyone must agree before moving forward.
Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.
There are multiple layers to our community government. The Residents have a weekly meeting led by a Resident moderator where decisions are made related to resident life. Richmond Hill is also governed by a Council of elected members that are made up of volunteers, staff, and residents who make decisions on behalf of the community and Richmond Hill 501(c)3. The Pastoral Director also carries a great deal of decision making power and direction for Richmond Hill as a whole.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Labor: Yes (40 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Each Staff Resident receives a stipend.
Common House, Garden(s), Library, Large Scale Kitchen, Stage or Auditorium, Gym or sports area, Internet
Within city limits with access to urban amenities and infrastructure.
Shared living spaces with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal
kitchens, dining, and social areas.
Residential communities focused on providing space for meditation, spiritual practice, and personal growth retreats.
Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).
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