Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Spring 2014 Issue | Page 22

Civic Call
Richmond churches get involved in RVA Rapid Transit
Emily Cherry

Mission Beyond Ourselves

When you first hear about local
churches getting involved in a
movement to develop a new public
transportation system in the capital
of the Commonwealth, you might ask,
“Why bother?” The Rev. Andrew Terry,
assistant pastor at Richmond Hill, an
ecumenical Christian fellowship and
residential community, is well prepared
to answer that question. “For me
personally, as a priest, transit provides
a concrete opportunity for healing,”
said Terry. “Our metropolitan city is
divided by jurisdiction in a way that is
not healthy for our local economy or
for God’s economy.”

The goal of RVA Rapid Transit
is to bring a modern, reliable and
convenient form of transportation to
metropolitan Richmond, with a goal
“to unite citizens of Richmond, Henrico
and Chesterfield as one voice.” RVA
Rapid Transit’s proposal calls for the
formation of four Bus Rapid Transit
lines that would connect different
parts of the city, allowing those in lowincome neighborhoods to have reliable
transportation to areas with more job

opportunities, among other benefits.

So why involve faith communities?
“The majority of our faith communities
in metropolitan Richmond draw people
from various parts of the metropolitan
community,” said Terry. “We as faith
communities are a microcosm of the
larger metropolitan community, and
this provides us with a unique witness
in advocating for any metro-wide
vision, including a vision for regional
rapid transit.” Plus, he added, “I believe
that we sitting in the pews are not only
people of faith, but also citizens with a
calling. We are called to engage in civic
life in constructive ways as discerned
through prayer.”

Richmond Hill hosted an initial
meeting for faith groups in March 2013,
and has partnered with local business
leaders, as well. “This is a unique, I
think, collaboration between business,
faith community and political officials,”

Partners continued from page 19

Diocese, an introductory correspondence was orchestrated
between Baxter and the Rt. Rev. Wilson Elisa Kamani, bishop
of the Diocese of Ibba in South Sudan. As correspondence
between Baxter and Kamani progressed, Kamani agreed
that he would like to introduce a prayer partnership between
Calvary and an individual parish in his diocese.

Kamani matched Calvary’s congregation with St. Paul
P \