RECOGNITON
On Nov. 18 following a Thanksgiving meal, the members of McCabe Memorial Church in Martinsville honored one of its faithful members, Marietta Smith, with a presentation of a plaque for her devoted Christian service to its music ministry. McCabe's choir room was named the Marietta Smith Choir Room. Pictured above are Lewis P. Harris Sr., pastor of McCabe Memorial (left) and Moyer Merriman, a church trustee, reading the inscription on the plaque to Mrs. Smith.
STAFF CHANGES
• Chuck Price, to New Beginnings Community Fellowship, Richmond, as pastor.
• David Murdock Sr., to Eureka Church, Keysville, as pastor.
• Lee A. McConnel, to New Hope Church, Chesterfield, as interim pastor.
• Don Reid, to Mechanicsville Church, Gordonsville, as interim pastor.
• Winford L. Hendrix, to First Church, Galax, as transition pastor.
• Travis Shortt, resigning as pastor of Pleasant Hill Church, Lebanon.
• Tim Jones, concluding his ministry as pastor of Mt. Gilead Church, Columbia.
ORDINATION
• Bill Welch, interim pastor at Woodville Church, Woodville, was ordained to the gospel ministry by the church on Nov. 11.
Singing Christmas tree
The fifth annual “Singing Christmas Tree” at First Baptist Church of Newport News reached approximately 1,550 individuals through three outside “tree” concerts (Dec. 6, 7 and 8) and an inside concert on Dec. 9. Choirs sang from a huge decorated and lighted tree covering the entrance to the church. Featured were the Children, Student and Sanctuary Choirs and the Swingin' Singers, along with audience particpation in Christmas carols and activites, directed by Dennis Adams, minister of music.
DEATHS
• Thomas Edwin Farrar Jr. died on Oct. 22 in Rocky Gap at the age of 79. He had served as pastor of churches in Bland, Giles and Tazewell counties; and before moving to Bluefield in 1968, he served churches in Arkansas. He was the first director of the Bland Ministry Center, and with his wife, Virginia, served faithfully there for many years. During retirement, they were involved in missionary work in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Columbia and New Mexico. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; four sons, Edwin, Mark, Wesley and Nathan Farrar; one daughter, Cynthia Copolo; 10 grandchildren; and a sister. Funeral services were held Oct. 25 at Laurel Fork Church, Rocky Gap.
• A. Paul Thompson of Fork Union died Dec. 28 at the age of 86. From 1946-56, he served as pastor of the Rappahannock field of churches which included F.T., Reynolds Memorial, Woodville, Mt. Lebanon and Oakley. From 1956 until his death he served Fork Union Military Academy in a variety of positions including director of guidance, instructor in English and, for the last 30 years, as director of the Academy's museum. In 1988-90 he served as president of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. A graveside service was held on Jan. 2 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodville.
CHURCH EVENTS
• “Enrich Your Marriage” will take place at New Highland Church, Mechanicsville, beginning Sunday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. For additional information, call 804-550-9601.
• Dec. 9-14 were the dates of the Candy Canes for Christ outreach effort at Blackey Church in Hurley. Through a joint effort of the young people of the church and its WMU, 2,000 candy canes with the legend of the candy cane and a gospel tract were given to Buchanan County Head Start children and their families and to the Hurley Elementary/ Middle School students and were placed in waiting rooms at Buchanan General Hospital.
• Azalea Church, Norfolk, will host an evening of gospel music by the Testimony Trio of Hiddenite, N.C., on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. A love offering will be taken.
MISSIONS MOMENT
The members of First Baptist in Dillwyn recently prepared and delivered 177 meals to shut-ins and needy persons in the area. Each delivery included a visit from a First Baptist member who personally delivered the meals. The church also packed 112 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Pictured at right are members with some of the shoe boxes and at left are ladies preparing the meals to be delivered. Jimmy Dunn is pastor at First Baptist.