🛡️ A Note on Safety and Security 🛡️

In an effort to keep everyone safe during worship and ministry activities, our Trustees are asking all members and guests to help us maintain a secure environment. In this current climate, we must all do our part to stay vigilant and protect one another. Please remember the following important guidelines:

• 👀 Be aware of your surroundings at all times while on church property. If you see something that doesn’t feel right, notify a Trustee or Staff Person immediately.
• 🚪 Do not prop open any exterior doors under any circumstances. All doors should remain closed and locked unless they are being actively monitored.
• ⏰ Arrive on Time for Worship: Arriving on time also helps us maintain a secure environment, as it reduces the need to open the exterior doors multiple times once worship has begun.
• 🕊️ Exit the building promptly after worship and other events so that our Trustees can properly secure the church.

Thank you for partnering with us to make Sixth Mount Zion a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

The Wait is Over! Church School is Back!

We have Classes for Children & Youth, Men, and Women

We hope to see you at 9:30 AM

Join us for Worship with Communion today at 10:45 AM! We'd love for you to come to Church School so you'll already be here when it's time for the Call to Worship!

Please mark your calendars for the Quarterly Church Business Meeting on Monday, October 13th at 7:00 PM.

Join us WEDNESDAY at 12P & 6:30P

We will be teaching on what it means to pray,
"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread"

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Whether you ordered the "I've Got a Testimony!" devotional or not, we want ALL members to join us in our No Complaints November Challenge. This is an invitation to shift our mindset, deepen our gratitude, and grow in faith together as a church family.

🙌🏾 How It Works

For the entire month of November, we’re committing to let gratitude guide us — even when life gets frustrating. Here’s how you can participate:

• ✋🏾 No Complaining: When you’re tempted to complain, pause and name something you’re grateful for instead.
• 🤲🏾 No Stressing: Release what you can’t control and trust God with the rest.
• 🙌🏾 No Worrying: Replace anxious thoughts with worship and prayer.
• ✋🏾 No Fearing: Lean into faith and remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear.
• 🤲🏾 No Chaos: Pursue peace in your mind, home, and conversations.

💰 Gratitude Jar Commitment

Each time you catch yourself slipping (whether it’s a complaint, a worry, or a moment of fear) drop a quarter, dollar, or any amount you choose into your Gratitude Jar (jars provided at no cost for those who purchased the devotional). Think of it as a small, tangible reminder to reframe your thoughts and as a spiritual investment in the work God is doing through our church. At the end of the month (or each week), we’ll collect the contents of our jars and use these funds to support our Be the Church outreach efforts during the holiday season where we are God’s hands and feet in our community.

✨ Why It Matters

 Each time you choose thanksgiving over complaining, worship over worry, and peace over chaos, you’re shaping your heart and strengthening our collective witness as a church. Let’s journey through November with hearts full of gratitude and eyes focused on the goodness of God.

Did You Know?

• 1 in 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer. 
• Although White women have a higher incidence of breast cancer, Black women are 38% more likely to die from breast cancer when compared to White women. 
• The American Cancer Society recommends screening (mammogram) starting at 40 years of age.
• Men only account for 1% of breast cancer cases. Interestingly, Black men have higher breast cancer incidence and mortality when compared to men of other races and ethnicities. 
• Know your family history! Although hereditary breast cancer only accounts for 5-10% of breast cancer diagnosis, having a family history may increase your risk. 
• Virginia now requires that mammogram results include information about breast density. If you have questions about breast density, like how it may impact your mammogram, contact your doctor!
  

What does SMZBC do to address the issue? Sixth Mount Zion financially supports Safe Harbor Shelter (https://safeharborshelter.com/) and the YWCA of Richmond (https://ywcarichmond.org/) both of which work to end intimate partner and domestic violence.

Check Out These Alarming Statistics from ONE QUARTER (July – September 2025) in ONE STATE (Virginia)!

Hotline Data: Number of calls to hotlines across VA: 17,422

Sheltering Data:

• There were 5,395 requests for emergency shelter, which was provided, offered, or arranged 2,776
• Number of times shelter was requested but it was full: 231
• Number of adults in shelter during the period: 1,024
• Number of children in shelter during the period: 809

Advocacy Data: Number of people served via advocacy services: 7,296

• Almost 3 of every 20 survivors had a weapon used against them (14%).
• 3 of every 20 survivors stated the perpetrator blocked or obstructed their breathing (15%)
• 1 in 10 were threatened with a firearm (10%).

As a result of the violence:

• Nearly 4 of every 20 survivors missed time from work or school (18%)
• 1 in 5 experienced a loss of income/financial security (20%)
• Nearly 2 in 10 became homeless (14%)
• Nearly 1 in 4 had to relocate (22%)

*Data retrieved via the Hotline Data and Advocacy Data reports in www.vadata.org on 10/2/2025

Accessed on October 11, 2025 - https://vsdvalliance.org/statistics-and-data/