where community, ecology, and spirituality meet
Background
Building on Union Presbyterian Seminary’s history of serving Northside Richmond through recreational ministry, Yaupon Place is a developing park and public ministry innovation that engages both the seminary community, our diverse Northside neighbors, and community partners.
Mission
Yaupon Place is an outdoor park and public programming that facilitates healthy relationships within one’s self, with each other, the Earth, and Spirit through the power of story, community partnerships, and integrated wellness opportunities.
Yaupon Place is an initiative of Union Presbyterian Seminary
Our Values (based on the yaupon plant)
Local & Accessible
Yaupon Place’s land and programming will connect community members across entrenched divides of race, age, gender, ability, education, socioeconomic status, religion, ideologies and all other cultural barriers through storysharing and place-making practices. We prioritize partnerships with Union Presbyterian Seminary, Shalom Farms, and other local organizations dedicated to these shared values so that Yaupon Place can be a place for collaboration and resource sharing among non-profits for the community.
Partnered with Creation
We envision human flourishing through the restoration of all Creation. Beyond creating a better eco-system at the park, we also practice ecological story-sharing and explore eco-spirituality so that we deepen our relationship with the Earth, our host.
Restoring Mind-Body-Spirit Health
This park has long been loved as a place for both recreation and meditation. We continue to facilitate spaces for personal healing, community resiliency, and habitat restoration that affirms holistic health and embodied spirituality.
Reconciling Past & Present Injustices
We commit to reconciling the ecological and Indigenous history of this land, now owned by Union Presbyterian Seminary. We partner with Shalom Farms & other ecological non-profits to combat environmental racism and support justice for all of Richmond.
