Our Story
Porch Lights began as Changing Seasons Richmond in 2014 as the second flagship city of Changing Seasons headquartered in Virginia Beach. A small group of founding women sought to bring to Richmond’s ladies hope and joy in the midst of life’s constantly changing seasons. In 2020, Changing Seasons Richmond became Porch Lights, Inc. and officially launched as its own independent ministry.
Porch Lights aids in the flourishing of others by coming alongside the women of Richmond no matter their phase of life. We hope to provide the porch where the light of Christ shines brightly and beckons all to seek refuge, comfort, peace and community. We gather to hear female Christian speakers and to be renewed, inspired, and uplifted by God’s unchanging love. Our speakers are relevant, challenging, and compassionate and our Bible studies build community and a deep faith.
No matter the view from your porch, life brings challenges, joys and the deep need for community. We provide a place for women across all seasons to join together and lean into God’s unchanging love, care and compassion. Come to our porch, rest and reconnect in the light of Christ. The light that shines brightest in the darkness beckons you— “Come all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)
Our Mission
Porch Lights provides opportunities for women to invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers to be renewed by God’s love through unique gatherings that aid in the flourishing of their hearts and everyday life.
Our Hope
The view from our respective porches may vary, but it is His steady and guiding light that burns deep in the darkness. The hope of Porch Lights is that every woman will leave our events refreshed and better equipped to navigate the “view from her porch” of life.
When the view from your porch seems bleek, dark, or lonely, you are invited to come to ours, where we rely not on our own light but the light of Christ to cast away the shadows of today’s worries. We are Porch Lights, a ministry to bring the light and hope of Christ to all who stop on by. In His light, we pray you will find our porch to be:
The gateway to heaven
A place to see His Majesty
A place for relationships
A place of living in and feeling His Presence
A place of quiet
A place to come away with the Saviour
A place for discipleship and time in the Word
A place of peace
A place to praise His name
A place to encounter God
A stream of freshness
A place to breathe in Jesus
A place for rest
A place for His Spirit to fill the soul.
A place to listen
A place to hear God
~Ann Thornton
WHAT WE BELIEVE
- We believe Scripture is the inerrant word of God, and we affirm the Nicene Creed.
- We believe God created each of us uniquely, loves us intimately, and longs to be in relationship with us no matter where we are in life.
- We believe God’s light is shining brightly and stirring in the hearts of Richmond’s women to draw us closer to him through each changing season.
- We believe when living in communion with God our lives are marked by purpose, endurance, wisdom, and joy.
- We believe we can overcome our circumstances and flourish when living in the light of Christ and supported by each other.
- We obey our Lord’s commands to love one another and tell of His marvelous deeds. All are welcome to our gatherings.
This list does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible serves as the final authority and source of what we believe.
WHAT WE OFFER
Each event is carefully designed to strengthen and uplift women in their everyday lives. Our speakers bring messages that are both culturally and spiritually relevant. We’ll be offering our Porch Parties in the Spring and Summer. Stay tuned for details around a book club to further connect women in the Richmond area to each other and to Christ.
