Sunday, August 16, found me worshipping with Southminster Presbyterian Church in North Chesterfield, Virginia. Today I would hear their soon-to-be-installed pastor lead worship.
A short side story: In this position of leadership, I work with PNCs as they go about finding pastors, so I had previously visited Southminster. That time, GPS took me to the rear entrance of the property. This trip (with same starting point), it took me to the front entrance. Is this some sort of AI taking full control of my whereabouts?
The church sits back a bit from the main road on a very open and spacious lot. The parking lot makes it easier for a first-time visitor to know where to go when visiting.
The entry door opens into a spacious lobby-like area; its layout is such that there is a hallway to the left to take you to either the sanctuary or the fellowship hall. Looking to my left into the sanctuary, I saw a very large, open room, with that A-frame arch hovering above, a children’s spot in the back (see below photo), and a main center aisle beckoning you to enter.
I sat near the front, so it was hard to discreetly look back over my shoulder to see how many folks were there, but with a few hopefully unnoticed glances back, I was pleased to see a goodly number of attendees. This being the last full week before school began, there were not too many youngsters there, yet their pastor had a message for those in attendance.
I purposely mentioned “the last full week before school,” because before I entered the sanctuary, a quick glance to my right was the fellowship hall, and I saw a long row of tables and what I quickly figured out to be backpacks and stacks of school supplies (see below photo).
After worship, the congregation was invited to stay and pack backpacks for kids who may not have one for school. I know there will be children heading to school this week with supplies they may not have had access to without Southminster.
During visits, I try to wander around the church. At Southminster, the offices are in the rear of the facility, and since GPS will guide you to several entry points, I noticed a side entrance with a foyer area as well, so getting inside will always be quick and easy.
Oh, yes, I almost forgot to talk a bit about the second most important part of a church: its members! It is becoming a constant refrain, but I was warmly greeted and welcomed into this congregation. I saw an attentiveness in the people in the lobby area, which I take as being ready for a “weary traveler” who may stop by.
So, Southminster joins my ever-growing list of churches visited as a warm and friendly POJ church, one that lives fully in their community and is involved in providing space for worship, for concerts, for gatherings, and for ministry.
Till my next sojourn into the POJ,
Kerry
PS: The first most important part of the church is, of course, the Presence of God!
