Welcome to Tabor Presbyterian
Traditional in Service,
Progressive in Outreach
About: This labyrinth walk will provide an opportunity for reflection, support, and unity. Each quarter, participants will gather to share quiet moments, connect with their intentions, and send positive energy to those in need, both near and far. It’s a GLOBAL HEALING RESPONSE.
How did this begin? 21 years ago, Hurricane Katrina devasted New Orleans. Some folks decided to send love, prayers, and healing energy to Louisiana while they walked a labyrinth. We’re still doing this—only now we keep in mind recent global events that need a healing response. Go to https://globalhealingresponse.com/ for more information.
This year, the overarching theme is GROUNDING, remembering what holds us and returning to what steadies us—body, breath, Earth, and one another. While there are many specific situations, we Earthlings just seem to be generally in need.
This first quarter, we’ll focus on PRESENCE. We’ll practice by slowing down enough to notice where we are, how we feel, and what is true right now.
Perhaps the kindest, surest action we can take in these often-turbulent times is coming home to ourselves, centering, steadying, and then returning to our everyday lives as still points amidst the chaos. This can be a perfect practice this spring.
Please be prepared to walk in socks or wear paper booties over your shoes. These will be provided. We should end by 3:00. Hope to see you soon!
Contact [email protected] with questions, and check out https://www.virginialabyrinths.com/ for ongoing labyrinth work.
“All Is Welcome”
We have a saying here at Tabor, delivered earnestly by the late and beloved Maggie Kaufman: “All is welcome!” She was seven. We carry on her hospitality and joy by continuing that message not only with our words but also through our embodied theology, modeled to us by the grace and radical acceptance of Jesus Christ.
Churches mean to be welcoming, and we hope people experience us that way, but we aren’t for everyone. We aren’t biblical literalists. We ordain women. We trust in the Spirit to challenge our hubris and inspire our courage. We trust in Jesus to accompany, guide, correct and save us. We long for intimacy with God, and we experience that connection through spiritual practice; we are practicing Christians, not finished Christians.
There are many types of churches with varying priorities, emphases and ways of interpreting holy Scripture. As Presbyterians, we draw our identity from the Reformed tradition and take seriously the wisdom of our spiritual ancestors. We are enthusiastically a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which means we are a connectional church and accountable to a larger body — a denomination.
Tabor is small but not tiny, we are active but not showy, we are quirky, and we are fun. We are also committed, and give ourselves permission to be “good enough” (a reference to Kate Bowler’s book Good Enough). We are muddling through together.
We have another saying drawn from a book our leaders read together: We are a “Sailboat Church.” We take direction from the wind of the Spirit, which sometimes swirls with great gusts, and sometimes calms us into quiet. We aren’t the wind, but we have a role to play, and in our variety we maneuver the sails. To use Maggie’s words, all is welcome to sail along with us!
Welcome FAQ
Where do I go?
Three entrance doors can lead you to our sanctuary: the front church door takes you through a small narthex to the sanctuary; the side door closest to a gravel parking lot also leads to the sanctuary; for those who choose to park in the Crozet library parking lot (we have an agreement with the county) we offer a back door, which takes you through a breezeway, leading to the sanctuary. Plenty of parking is available either in the gravel lot or the library. There are a few handicap spots in the back.
What do I wear?
Whatever makes you comfortable! Some members get more dressed up, some less.
What about my kids?
Children are a vital part of our community! For young children a nursery is available. Children are welcome in our services at all times – our worship is enhanced by the joyful sounds of our smaller members. We include a “Time with Youth” during worship. Halfway through the service the children have the option to go with two Tabor teachers for “Joyful Path,” our Sunday school program.
Feel free to ask a greeter for help finding the nursery or the youth room. For questions about our Children’s programs, email Becky Parkins.
Will I be welcome at Communion?
Everyone regardless of age or background is welcome to join in Communion! We celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every calendar quarter and on Maundy Thursday.
We are a Matthew 25 Congregation
Matthew 25:31-46 calls us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Convicted by this passage, we act boldly and compassionately to see our neighbors through Jesus’ eyes and serve those who are marginalized or in need – people who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, strangers, poor or oppressed in other ways and in need of welcoming.
‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40
Sunday Worship
We are worshiping together in the Tabor sanctuary and virtually on our YouTube page. Join us for either at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays! We will continue to make masks available at both entrances of the sanctuary, and urge everyone to exercise caution with regard to those in their sphere of influence who are vulnerable, or, if you are recovering from any kind of illness. We are working hard to ensure that Tabor provides a safe and healthy place for you to worship. Thank you for your cooperation!
Joyful Path / Sunday School
Join Tabor Youth during A Joyful Path, a new kind of Sunday School that helps youth apply the teachings of Jesus to their real lives in today’s world.
Harmony Place
Learn about Harmony Place, a gift to Crozet from Tabor, and how we need your help to preserve it.
Handbell Choir
The Crozet Community Handbell Choir has been active for nearly ten years. Our ringers come from all around the Crozet area as well as from Charlottesville, Nelson County, and the Shenandoah Valley.
Housed at Tabor Presbyterian Church, this group has at least two annual concerts that are free and open to the public, one in early December and the second in the spring.
