News & Updates

Dear Friends,
The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond (TSCOR) begins a new membership year today. Becoming a member makes you a part of this wonderful organization and its efforts. Our programs and services are the heart of TSCOR and uphold our mission of keeping older adults active and engaged through volunteer service and lifelong learning.

Annual Membership Is Only $25

The membership cycle is July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, and is only $25.
Please renew or begin your membership today and help us welcome a new year!

Membership benefits:

• free admission to all lunch speakers
• reduced Open University tuition
• reduced TSCOR travel rates
• invitation to the Annual Volunteer Celebration

$25 will:

• support TSCOR’s lifelong learning programs: Open University and Lunch & Life.
• support TSCOR’s client services. Volunteers provide free rides to medical appointments and grocery stores for seniors in our community.
• support our mission.

     You can become a member at any time in the cycle, but why not do it now? Join or renew membership and pay online here. To pay by mail, print this form and return it with your check.

Thank you and take good care,
Julie Adams-Buchanan,
Executive Director, TSCOR

Join us TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 27th – live and in person – when Father Renninger, pastor, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, gives a special lunch presentation. Light refreshments and beverages provided; bring a sandwich if you like. Masks are optional. This presentation is not available via Zoom.

What: “Gospel Geography”
It has often been said that the Holy Land itself is the “Fifth Gospel.” That is, when you have an opportunity to visit the actual locations of Biblical events, the shape and contour of the land helps you to understand the message and meaning in new ways. As Christians celebrate the Easter season, Fr. Renninger’s presentation will focus on several aspects of “Gospel Geography,” offering fresh perspectives on the Biblical narratives for believers and non-believers alike. 
When: Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Time: doors open at 12:00 noon; presentation begins at 12:30
Where: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Road, Upper Commons area
Cost: FREE! Open to the public!

It’s not always the best idea to put someone on a pedestal, but this is National Volunteer Week so we’re asking our volunteers to take a turn of recognition and climb up there for a moment. (Don’t worry, they’re a humble bunch. They’ll get right back down.)

You already know The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond is made by, for and about older adults. What you might not know is the incredible amount of plain, old-fashioned, nuts and bolts, behind-the-scenes, hard work that volunteers do – making TSCOR one happening place! Just take a look at what our volunteers have accomplished in yet another pandemic year and it’s easy to see.

The Client Services committee works with drivers to get clients to medical appointments and supply groceries to those who can’t get out. The Education committee planned three successful Open University sessions for everyone to enjoy. OU teachers and speakers reach students via Zoom, making the world seem a bigger place. The Annual Volunteer Celebration committee assembled everyone for a wonderful party, and the Travel committee expanded our horizons by getting us out of the house. All of this is possible because the Covid task force guides us safely through our activities. And did we mention the board of directors keeps us on track with our goals of moving forward. See? That’s a lot of hard-working volunteers!

If you’re involved with TSCOR in any way, you can thank a volunteer for keeping you active, independent and engaged. (Hey, look at that! Volunteers uphold our mission, too! They’re an impressive group, aren’t they?) Simply put, without volunteers, The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond wouldn’t exist as we know it today. And wow, are we proud to have them.

Okay, volunteers. It’s time. Get up on those pedestals and take a bow.

Join us – live and in person – at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 27th, when Father Renninger, pastor, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, gives a special lunch presentation.

Light refreshments and beverages provided; bring a sandwich if you like.

More details to be announced. This presentation will not be available via Zoom.

What: In-Person Lunch Presentation
When: Wednesday, April 27, 2020
Time: 12:00 noon
Where: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Road, Upper Commons area
Cost: FREE! Open to the public!

The Scott’s Addition Booze & Bites tour is already half-full! We’re limited to 12 participants, so be sure to register soon. Don’t miss out on this fun and informative experience!

What: Scott’s Addition Booze & Bites Tour
When: Wednesday, April 20 at 1:30
Details: see the flyer with complete details here
Register: register and pay online here or print the registration form and register by mail

Wouldn’t you love to get out of the house and see something new? Join us on a walking tour of Scott’s Addition! Once an industrial neighborhood, this area is now popular for food, drink and fun. The tour includes several top restaurants, markets, and eateries where we’ll sample food and snacks from each, plus get a glimpse of the growing craft beverage industry. Highlights include visiting up to 6 establishments to taste one of their best dishes, learning about Scott’s Addition’s days as an industrial powerhouse, and whetting your whistle with a craft beverage from at least one local brewery or cidery. The tour is 2.5 – 3 hours and involves 1.5 easy walking miles, rain or shine. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meeting place to be announced. Questions and info: Mary Maiden, 804-272-8636

Hurry! Registration is limited to 12 participants. Register by Monday, April 18.

Register and pay online here.
To register by mail: print a registration slip, make check payable to Shepherd’s Center of Richmond and mail your check and registration slip to: 3111 Northside Ave., #400, Richmond, VA, 23228.

The weather might be an unpredictable harbinger of spring’s arrival, but the Open University will never let you down – spring is just around the corner and the schedule is here!

See the spring 2022 Open University schedule here.

Register online here.

Set your clocks forward this weekend, smell the daffodils, and mark your calendar – Open University begins Monday, March 28!

See you at the OU!

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Open University begins this Monday, January 17th. Monday also marks Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Let’s start the session by moving forward together at the Open University.

See the schedule. Register online. See you Monday!

We had planned to be online and in person for the winter session of Open University, but Omicron is making us practice social distancing more thoroughly than we would like! A few schedule changes occurred in the process of switching to online-only.

The Monday lineup has a few changes, Tuesday has a new addition and Thursday – which was already online – saw no changes at all.

And don’t forget Wednesday! Lunch and Life is now online-only, too. It’s free and open to everyone – join us in the Zoom room here and bring your friends along!

So without further ado, here is the latest, greatest version of the Open University winter schedule.

These days there might not be safety in numbers, but there’s certainly comfort in connection; we’ll see you at the OU! Classes start Monday, January 17th!

Originally scheduled to be online and in person, Lunch and Life is now online-only via Zoom. This is due to the rapid increase in Omicron and the desire to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Lunch and Life is free and open to everyone! Join us in the Zoom room with the link below and bring your friends along too!

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86866211384
Meeting ID: 868 6621 1384

Richmond’s Canals and Islands at the Falls
Kathryn Whittington, historic researcher; master guide, Valentine Museum
W • Jan 19
12:30 – 1:30

Meeting the Challenges of Our Time: A Widening-Circles Approach to Sustainability
Rob Andrejewski, director of sustainability, adjunct assistant professor, UR
W  • Jan 26
12:30 – 1:30

All About Aging: What You Need to Know as You Age
Emily Atkinson, MPH; CHES; advocate for the aging, Henrico County
W •  Feb 2
12:30 – 1:30

Worship and Creative Art: Engaging our Senses as We Worship God
Suzanne Vinson, associate pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Richmond.
W •  Feb 9
12:30 – 1:30