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.

A group of six people sitting around a beige sofa, reading printed materials, in a cozy living room with lamps, artwork, and bookshelves.

Two smiling people at an outdoor evening event, with string lights overhead, standing close together, with food and drinks in hand, wearing name tags.

Group of people posing outdoors in front of a large cathedral or church with tall towers, blue sky with some clouds, during daytime.

Man in plaid shirt and cap and woman with long reddish hair sitting in a room with wood-paneled wall, engaged in conversation, with blurred people in the background and a table with greenery and bread in the foreground.

UPCOMING SOTC DATES

A group of people are socializing outdoors at night, under string lights, with some smiling and holding drinks, including a woman in the foreground with long red hair and a woman in the background with dark hair.

A group of people socializing outdoors at night, with a woman holding a drink in the center and others standing around, under trees with orange leaves and a building with lit windows in the background.

A group of people gathered in a cozy living room during an evening event. There is a woman standing and reading from paper, while others are seated on couches and chairs, listening attentively. The room is decorated with framed artwork, plants, and large windows showing a cityscape at night. A table in the foreground holds various snacks, drinks, and decorative items.

Assorted meats, pickles, pretzels, and drinks on a wooden table.

CAPTAIN FEEDBACK FORM

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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). “Vintage” Christianity explores on the idea that throughout history, even the holiest among us have struggled along their journeys.

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:

& 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.