STAFF CHANGES
• J. R. Dockum, to Hebron Church, Aylett, as pastor.
• David Waters, to Sunset Hills Church, Wytheville, as pastor.
• Dennis Green, to Powhatan Community Church, Powhatan, as executive pastor.
• Bob Yevak, resigning as pastor of Hornsby Church, Grafton.
• Dan O'Dell, to Arlington Church, Arlington, as interim pastor.
• Lora Gravatt, to Columbia Church, Falls Church, as pastor for children and family life.
• Paul Lawson, to Calvary Church, Newport News, as interim pastor.
• Bruce Warrington, to Gloucester Point Church, Gloucester Point, as interim pastor.
• Matt Parron, to Parkview Church, Newport News, as full-time youth director.
• Melissa Fox, to Grandin Court Church, Roanoke, as minister of music and worship arts.
ORDINATIONS
• Aaron Lee was ordained to the gospel ministry by Bon Air Church, Richmond, on February 10.
• Thomas McTeer was ordained to the gospel ministry by Grove Park Church, Portsmouth, on March 30. He serves as associate pastor and music director at the church.
CHURCH NEWS
• Buckingham Church, Buckingham, will hold revival services May 11-14. Roger Roller will be guest evangelist.
• Calvary Hill Church, Fairfax, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. An Anniversary Dinner will be held Saturday, May 31, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks. The worship service on June 1 will feature Alex Martin as guest speaker and music by the Anniversary Choir.
• Rhoadesville Church, Rhoadesville, will dedicate its fellowship hall with a special service on May 18 at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow.
DEATHS
• Retired Virginia Baptist minister James William Hatton Jr. died April 14 at the age of 83. He had served as minister of education at University Church, Charlottesville; pastor of Fort Lewis Church, Salem; associate pastor of Del Ray Church, Alexandria; and director of missions for Lynchburg Association. He was predeceased by his first wife, Virginia “Pennie” Hatton. He is survived by his wife, Raye Barbour Hatton; two daughters, Rehse Martin and Cindy Waldrep; two stepsons, Mike and Todd Barbour; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and three sisters. A funeral service was held April 17 at Fort Lewis Church, Salem.
• Jimmie Garland Huffman died March 23 at the age of 74. He was pastor of Corinth Church in Council and Reeds Valley Church in Cleveland. He was predeceased by his first wife, Maggie Lee Taylor Huffman. Survivors include his wife, Mary Frances Huffman; a son, Wayne Huffman; a daughter, Carolyn Boothe; stepsons, Jim, Barry, Clinton and Raymond Taylor; stepdaughters, Rita Watson, Barbara Cox and Audrey Key; a brother, 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held March 26 at Owens Funeral Service Chapel in Cleveland.
• Virginia Leigh Swaim White, pastor of Arlington Church, Arlington, died March 14 at the age of 82. She had served as associate pastor at Glencarlyn Road Church, Falls Church, and as WMU Director for Mount Vernon Association. She is survived by her husband, John F. White Sr., a daughter, Virginia Swaim White Pessuad, and a son, John F. White Jr. Funeral services were March 19 at Arlington Church, Arlington.
OTHER
• The Virginia Baptist Male Chorale was in concert at Marion Church, Marion, on April 14 and Chatham Heights Church, Martinsville, on April 15. The Chorale has just released a new CD, entitled “Moments on Our Journey.” Copies are $16.00 each and may be obtained from the Office of Worship and Church Music Ministries, 800-255-2428 or you may email tom.ingram@ vbmb.org.
MISSIONS MOMENT
After purchasing new hymnals in 2007, the Women on Mission at Victoria Baptist Church in Victoria made hymnal angels from the church's old hymnals. The angels were crafted by folding the pages, attaching heads and hair and placing lace and beads around the skirt. The hymnal angels were available for donations at Victoria's Centennial Celebration in October 2007. Proceeds are being used for mission work at the church and in the Southside Baptist Association. Participating were Anita Mattox, Shirley Batte and Beth Fowler.
GROUNDBREAKING
St. Stephens Baptist Church in St. Stephens Church held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 16 for a new fellowship hall and educational building. Construction was to have begun in April. Participating were Pastor Michael Gregory; Jerry Whitlock, chair of the building committee; Stuart Howell, Louise Jones, Thomas Newman, Lawrence Simpkins, Woody Upshaw and E.G. Wade.
RECOGNITION
Franklin County Association honored J. Larry Holland, pastor of Franklin Heights Church, Rocky Mount, at its spring meeting March 17. Patrick Collins presented Holland with a plaque for his Christian ministry and exemplary leadership. He was called to serve the congregation of 209 members on June 18, 1967. Under his leadership the church has grown to 1,461 members. During this time 764 converts have been baptized and the church has contributed over $3,000,000 to missions.