What is Saints of The City?
Saints of the City (SotC) is an outreach initiative and collection of resources from Theological Horizons, a ministry based at the University of Virginia. SotC seeks to provide a warm environment for people from different ages, faith and cultural backgrounds, an invitation to connect with others and consider one aspect of spiritual truth or practical wisdom as modeled by a saint from the Christian tradition.
Saints of the City gathers in Atlanta, Washington, DC/Northern Virginia, Charlottesville and Richmond. Join us. Email info@theologicalhorizons.org for invites.
What is Theological Horizons?
Theological Horizons is a ministry that supports Christians and seekers in academia by providing a welcoming community for engaging faith, thought and life. It is based on Grounds at the University of Virginia, but its distinctive ministry style, robust alumni network, Vintage Saints and Sinners podcast, and online discipleship resources help its ministry reach well beyond Charlottesville’s city limits.
What’s with the name?
Saints of the City gatherings are loosely modeled after a popular student outreach at UVA called “Vintage Lunch.” There students are invited to share a meal and engage with a brief passage from the life or writings of a saint that connects to a modern-day challenge (e.g. finding rest, coping with anxiety, discovering one’s calling, etc). The idea of “vintage” Christianity presses on the idea that throughout history, even the holiest among us have struggled along the journey.
In 2017, Theological Horizons’ Director, Karen Marsh, compiled years of reflections and stories about these wonderfully human “saints” from Vintage lunch gatherings in her best-selling book, Vintage Saints and Sinners: 25 Christians Who Transformed My Faith. That book, its corresponding podcast, and now, the Saints of the City program, all seek to discover how we can learn from the saints who have gone before us, recognize the saints both past and present who are in our midst, and endeavor to become more saint-like ourselves.
A list of “saints” readings and leader guides includes:
Catherine of Siena | CS Lewis | John Donne | Dorothy Day| Howard Thurman | Ignatius of Loyola | Henri Nouwen | & more
What can I expect?
Saints of the City gatherings are designed to foster easy and natural connections with others and substantively engage questions of faith and life without intimidation or pressure. Whether in a living room, an art gallery, or even Central Park, your hosts will provide a welcoming and stimulating environment. Ahead of each gathering an optional reading and reflection prompt (provided by Theological Horizons) will be circulated to highlight the saint(s) and theme(s) to be discussed. Every gathering will feature time for introductions and casual conversation, a brief teaching or passage from the life of a saint that connects to a contemporary theme, and time for reflection and discussion.
Who is it for?
Everyone! While UVA alumni or those with other UVA connections may naturally have a closer connection to Theological Horizons’ work, Saints of the City gatherings are designed to welcome anyone who is eager to connect with others from their city, curious about faith, or simply looking to learn something new. UVA and non-UVA alumni are welcome. Christians and non-Christians are welcome. Older folks, younger adults, and everyone in between are welcome. You are welcome.
SOTC Hosts:
Saints of Charlottesville | Laura & Chip Giessler
Saints of Richmond | Penny Peebles
Saints of Washington DC/No VA | Emily Miller & Will Milone
Saints of Atlanta | Nancy Beane
How can I find out more?
Connect with your local Saints of the City Ambassador or request the program for your city by emailing info@theologicalhorizons.org
