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Ciarra Smith-Bond

@_csmithbond

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⚡️💕Creative Encourager ⚡️💕
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I N F U L L B L O O M

A special thank you to my all-women dream team. 💕

@septima_phillips_photography 📸
@dcmc_mua 💄
@theretrorealtorrva 💇🏽‍♀️
@swan__song 👗

Thank you for your talent, professionalism, and for helping bring this vision to life. Book them!! ✨

#headshots #photoshoot #journeyto40 by @_csmithbond

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4 months ago

I sometimes wonder if the 🌈 goes unnoticed because we have not been honest about the ⛈️ we had to survive to reach it.

Here's a glimpse of my storm: Today marks 60 days since my dad took his last breath.

Even now, my body still wakes up every morning at 3 a.m., because that was the time he was scheduled for his next dose. Grief lives in the body, and I think that’s something we do not talk about enough. We say grief is real, yet we often fail to cultivate spaces where people can truly grieve in healthy ways.

Tonight, I found myself reflecting while missing my dad deeply. I went back to the day of my father’s funeral and recalled how God met me in a way I had never experienced before. In that moment, God provided a strength and grace I never knew existed.

So why am I sharing this?

First, to say to anyone who is grieving: I see you. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, the closing of a chapter, a relationship, or even the life you once imagined—I see you.🫂

Second, to offer this encouragement: over the last four years, through so many highs and lows, the one thing I have found to be constant is God. God is faithful! God will meet you exactly where you are and in the ways you need God most.

I know today will be heavy and layered. It may even be marked by moments of silence, distance, or people simply not knowing how to hold space for me. Yet I find solace in this truth: throughout every moment of this day—even when the tears come—God is still with me. 🤍

#griefjourney #storms #rainbows #God by @_csmithbond

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7 months ago

#grateful 🫶🏽

Faith Community Baptist Church announces the pastoral installation of the Reverend Ciarra Smith-Bond. Our Pastoral Installation Celebration will take place Friday, January 26, 2024—Sunday, January 28, 2024. You will not want to miss the following installation activities:

The Pre-Installation Gala: "Denim & Diamonds" will take place Friday,January 26, 2024 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center. The cost for the gala is $85 for adults and children. You can purchase your ticket utilizing the link below or contacting the church office (804)649-7225.

https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z4CK/campaign/C-14FQW (link in bio)

On Saturday, January 27, 2024, the Installation Worship Service will take place at 11:00 AM at Faith Community Baptist Church. Rev. Jamaar Jones and Rev. Samantha Cain will be the installation preachers.

This event will conclude on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 9:55am. The Founding Visionary of Faith Community Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Gould Champ, will be the preacher at the morning worship service . by @_csmithbond

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3 years ago

God needs YOU.

Not the version of you pretending to be someone else. Not the version of you manipulating situations, forcing doors, or compromising your integrity to secure the promise.

God needs your authentic self including your gifts, your voice, your obedience, and your willingness to trust God will remain faithful.

You do not have to become someone else to receive what God has for you. If God called you, God needs you.

#FamilyMatters #RightPromiseWrongProcess #GodNeedsYou #TrustGod #FaithCommunity by @_csmithbond

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a month ago

A special THANK YOU to my mentee, Pastor Ciarra Bond-Smith, and the Faith Community Baptist Church for inviting me back for the second year in a row to facilitate your Leadership Training!

What a powerful, transparent, and engaging session! We had real conversations, honest reflection, and meaningful dialogue, all while creating an environment where learning was enjoyable, interactive, and inspiring.

My goal is always to make sure leaders leave not just inspired, but equipped with practical tools, greater self-awareness, fresh perspective, and strategies they can actually apply to their leadership and ministry.

Thank you for trusting me with your leaders and creating space for growth, accountability, transformation, and joyful learning.

It is always an honor to serve you! by @_csmithbond

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a month ago

Sixty-three years after the historic March on Washington, I stood in Washington, D.C., reminded that democracy does not defend itself.

Just because we possess rights and privileges our ancestors fought, marched, bled, and died for does not mean we have the privilege of remaining silent in this moment. Their sacrifice demands our participation. Their courage calls for our courage.

I also want to recognize the @fcbc1995 leaders who worked diligently to organize transportation to Washington. Although the bus was canceled at the last minute due to circumstances beyond their control, their planning, organizing, and commitment were not in vain. Knowing that so many who desired to attend were unable to make the journey made it even more important for me to find my way to Washington to stand in the gap for those who could not be there.

My prayer is that one day, my children’s children will recount this moment and be able to say that when it was my turn, I stood. I continued the fight. I lifted my voice. I refused to remain silent.

We are still marching. We are still fighting. We are still carrying the dream forward.

#MarchOnWashington #63YearsLater #DemocracyDemandsParticipation #StillMarching #freedom by @_csmithbond

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a month ago

As my mentor said, last Sunday felt like one big hug 🫂 a beautiful space filled with so much love, joy, and intention. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to support and highlight these amazing Black-owned businesses:

Venue: @room3c
Focal Point: @etceventsee
Cake: Sweet Treats @berrybunch060
Treats: Coptcat Cakes
DJ: DJ Drake
Photography: Da Shooter (godbrother)
Selfie Photo Booth: Ace Snapshot Photo Booth
360 Photo Booth: @_shodj
Décor: Me @_unboxedjoy
Bartender: Precious Punch
Caterer: @mr.bond26 @bigmarvskitchen
Day-of Execution: My girls, who showed up and made sure everything came together beautifully

Thank you to every person who contributed their gifts, time, creativity, and energy. Please continue to support these businesses and pour back into the people who helped make the celebration so special. by @_csmithbond

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2 months ago

Grateful 🩷

Thank you for all the love. 🫶🏾 by @_csmithbond

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3 months ago

Pre-birthday started off with a solo trip to Antigua and it was exactly what I needed. 🤍

The views 🌊 10/10
The food 🍲 10/10 (reason why it's no pics lol)
The resort was a whole vibe.🔥

But more than anything, I needed the quiet. Just me, the ocean, God, and the kind of peace that reminds you how beautiful it is to simply be.

There was no agenda but rest, reflection, feeling al the feelings, mornings of releasing tears, gratitude, and the space to welcome this next decade with a full heart.

Chapter 40 started before the party. It started with choosing me and making room to bloom. 🌺✨

Antigua, thank you for everything. 🫶🏾

Sis, if you've been debating about taking the trip alone let this inspire you to do it! Thank me later 🫂

#InFullBloom #SoloTravel #antiguaandbarbuda #royaltonchicantigua by @_csmithbond

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3 months ago

On this day in 2020, this nation experienced a significant loss. John Lewis was a giant, a civil rights activist, the one who modeled for us what it means to get in good trouble!

I remember my trip to Alabama, walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. I remember the tears, the emotions that filled me that day. It was as if I could feel the scars of my ancestors. As if I could still see and smell the blood that was shed on that very ground. It gave me a greater appreciation for the fight and for the privilege, the rights, the life I get to live because of those who stood.

But what grieves me, even as I sit in service today commemorating his life, is that so many people have no idea of the struggle it took for us to even stand. We’ve become so self-centered. We teach our children about individual success, and we fail to recognize the ground we stand on was purchased by someone who kept getting up after being beaten, who kept fighting after rejection, who persevered.

Their perseverance became our privilege.

The truth is this: history is forgotten when people become comfortable. Systems of oppression thrive when we become distracted, self-centered, and disconnected from the struggles that made our freedom possible.

My prayer is that we become more conscious—not only of the privileges we see in others, but also of the privileges we have inherited because of those who came before us. May we invest our time, our talents, our voices, and our resources into continuing the legacy they entrusted to us.

I believe God is calling us to wake up and stop letting this country play in our faces as though we don’t come from a lineage of resilience, courage, and faith, rooted in a God who is more than able.

#goodtrouble #johnlewis #troublemakers #justice #community by @_csmithbond

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3 months ago

Last month, I decided to go skydiving. 🪂 🤯

On Sunday, I shared that experience with our church as a reminder that confidence isn’t the absence of fear but the decision to trust the One you’re attached to.

As long as I’m attached to God, I can remain confident that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

If I could jump out of a plane connected to a stranger how much more can I do connected to God 🔥

My daily prayer is, “God, don’t detach from me.”
My daily commitment is, “God, I promise not to let go.”

Whatever you’re facing today, stay connected to the One who has never failed. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing how everything will turn out it comes from knowing Who you’re holding on to.

I pray it encourages your heart.

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” — Psalm 27:13

#confidence #GOD #skydiving #journeyto40 by @_csmithbond

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3 months ago