In a country built on religion, faith is still the backbone of how society sees what can’t be seen. But in a culture where yoga mats may soon outnumber Bibles, it’s clear that views on spirituality are shifting. In a Parade magazine poll released today, 24 percent of the respondents described themselves as “spiritual but not religious.“ Of those who did describe themselves as religious, only one-third said they partake in traditional worship—church, temple and mosque.

The year 5770 was celebrated last night as thousands of Jews across the Richmond region gathered for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, which began at sundown. Rosh Hashana falls on the first day of the Jewish month Tishri. It begins a period of introspection and making amends in advance of Yom Kippur, a day of atonement that begins at sundown 10 days later on Sept. 27.

The first day of school is about more than students’ end of summer break and their return to the daily grind of homework and quizzes. It’s also a day for women across the Richmond region to gather for midmorning prayer as their children return to school. Betsy Akins, founder of the prayer movement First Day, said, “To me, it sends a message to our children and our communities and schools, that we care enough to come together to pray.“

The idea to renovate the 27-year-old chapel at VCU Medical Center’s main hospital began three years ago, but plans to move ahead with the project have since stalled amid a weak economy. Capital improvements are on hold and charitable giving has slowed, said Ann Charlescraft, manager for bereavement services at the hospital. But Charlescraft said she remains confident that a fundraising campaign and a rebounding economy will help the Department of Pastoral Care raise the remaining $150,000 to complete the $200,000 project by the end of the year. She said construction could take up to six weeks.

It might not be the first locale you’d associate with the word “showbiz:“ a classroom-like space equipped with computer terminals and a green chalkboard, in the office building of Richmond’s Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church. But theatrical activity is certainly percolating here on this Monday evening.

MUSIC Mike Davison, trumpeter, 11 a.m. tomorrow, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1627 Monument Ave. Farewell concert by Grant Hellmers, organ soloist and accompanist, with St. Paul’s Choir and violinist Alex Lee, 4 p.m. tomorrow, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace St. Details: (804) 643-3589 or http://www.stpauls-episcopal.org.

Claudia Zimmer hoped to find a cure for her mother’s cancer when she went to hear faith-healing testimony from a cancer survivor. Instead, she found her own salvation. During a Sunday service a couple of days after that meeting in her native Argentina, she said she found God through a hymn called “Near You” in Spanish. That was 10 years ago.

What: Festival Radio Poder 1380
  When and where: Community fair, noon to 3 p.m. tomorrow at Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church, 5900 Hull Street Road in Richmond
  Cost: free

As the economy continues to struggle, people are losing jobs each week with no signs indicating the job losses are abating. But during this Easter season—the Christian holiday that celebrates Jesus Christ’s return to life three days after being crucified—area faith leaders say they aren’t focusing today’s sermons on the bleak economy.

‘God Has a Better Plan’ At Richmond City Jail, the focus turns to God Ashland congregation spreads a message of salvation to the inmates Music poured out of speakers as inmates filed into the dining room of the Richmond City Jail last night. The large room where they take their daily meals transformed into the scene of a revival as members of The Master’s House in Ashland spread the word of God to about 400 male inmates.

Eytan Graubart excitedly walked about the main lobby of the Weinstein JCC, with shaving cream covering his hair and face. He didn’t seem to mind being the recipient of a pie in the face because it was all for a good cause.

A Williamsburg priest who says homosexuality should not exclude people from full involvement in the Episcopal Church will be consecrated this week as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.

When St. Benedict Catholic School’s 90th anniversary rolls around this fall, its celebration will be in style. By then, four major projects with a total cost of $500,000 to $600,000 will have been completed to freshen the facility in Richmond.

Beifield When fighting between Israel and Palestinians inflames tensions in the Middle East, it can inflame Richmond’s Middle Eastern communities as well. That’s why 38 leaders of local Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious groups have united in expressing a common vision for one another and for the Middle East—peace. Five rabbis, four bishops and two imams are among those who have added their names to an interfaith commitment for peace.

PETERSBURG After 132 years ministering to the city of Petersburg, the Daughters of Charity will leave June 30. The withdrawal of the Catholic religious order ends a long-standing association with St. Joseph School, which the sisters opened on Oct. 2, 1876, shortly after arriving in Petersburg.