STAFF CHANGES
• David B. Cromer, to Emmaus Church, Poquoson, as pastor.
• David Simpson, to Fine Creek Church, Powhatan, as pastor.
• Randy Allensworth, resigning as pastor of Salem Church, Fredericksburg, after 17 years of service.
• Jeff Sowers, resigning as pastor of Real Life Community Church, Fredericksburg.
• Dick Harmon, to Rock Hill Church, Stafford, as interim pastor.
• Todd Kube, to Massaponax Church, Fredericksburg, as intentional interim pastor.
• Rand Forder, to Main Street Church, Emporia, as interim pastor.
ORDINATION
• Joshua Witt was ordained to the gospel ministry by Bonsack Church, Roanoke, on May 2. He serves as youth pastor for Salem Church, Fredericksburg.
CHURCH NEWS
• Calvary Church, Virginia Beach, will host the gospel group, Adoration, in concert on June 12 at 7 p.m.
• Enon Church, Supply, will celebrate homecoming June 27 at 10:30 a.m. John Upton, executive director of the BGAV, will be guest speaker. Lunch at 12 noon. Revival services will be held June 28-30. Jim Ailor will be evangelist.
ASSOCIATONAL NEWS
• Dover Baptist Association has named its annual offering for associational missions the Leslie and Hazel Watson Missions offering. The Watsons served with the Foreign [now International] Mission Board for 32 years as missionaries in Japan. When returning to the states, they served for four years at the Missionary Learning Center in Rockville preparing new missionaries for service. Both were active in many capacities in the Dover Baptist Association.
DEATHS
• Edna Frances Dawkins died May 8 in Richmond at the age of 93. She became assistant director of missionary personnel for the Foreign [now International] Mission Board in 1947 and was involved in the selection and nurturing of more than 2,000 overseas missionaries in the 35 years she served there. In the 1980s she became involved with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, serving as a council member. She also was on the development council of the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. Dawkins is survived by a brother, John E. Dawkins; and nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held at Lakewood Manor in Richmond on May 15.
• Meda Rae Branham Holland, wife of Virginia Baptist minister Joseph Holland, died May 19 at the age of 76. She served with her husband at churches in Spotsylvania, Roanoke, Portsmouth and Richmond. Holland was pastor of Broadus Memorial Church in Mechanicsville for 24 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children, Kathy Radford, Nancy Jenkins, Robert Holland and Leigh Ann Klosky; and 11 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held May 29 at Broadus Memorial Church.
• Donald P. Reid Sr., pastor of Mechanicsville Church, Gordonsville, died May 17 at the age of 62. He is survived by his wife, Sarah; three sons, Donnie, Tim and Charlie Reid; and two grandchildren. A celebration of his life was held May 25 at Mechanicsville Church in Gordonsville.
• Minnie Hildebrand Reynolds, wife of former Virginia Baptist pastor George E. Reynolds, died May 9 in Scottsville. She is survived by three children, Mary Kathryn Reynolds McIvor, Army Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Reynolds, and Jeanne Reynolds Yeager; and seven grandchildren. A memorial service was held May 12 at Belmont Church in Charlottesville.
• Mary Orene Dickinson Todd died May 14 at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her husband, James T. Todd, former treasurer of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. She is survived by three children, Julia Todd Kappler, James Turnley Todd Jr. and Charles Stapleton Todd; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held May 19 at Wilderness Baptist Church, Spotsylvania.
OTHER
Praise in the Park held annually at Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton has released its 2010 schedule. Two free gospel concerts will be held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. during July and August. During the concert, Bible school will be held for children during July and other childrens' activities in August. Praise in the Park will host “Boarders for Christ” at the Skatepark in Gypsy Hill Park on July 4. There will be music, demonstrations and competitions from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. San Diego-based “Boarders for Christ” is a team of professional skaters and snowboarders dedicated to sharing the gospel through their amazing talents. The gospel group, Unbroken, from Georgia will highlight the first concert on July 6 at 7 p.m. Praise in the Park is hosted by Linden Heights Baptist in Staunton. For additional information, call 540-886-1138.