RICHMOND — An analysis of worship styles in Virginia Baptist churches is the focus of a new resource available from the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies.
Each year the Center appoints several Virginia Baptist college students as Heritage Fellows and awards fellowships to study Baptist principles in a particular area of Baptist life. Worship! A Heritage Fellows Project is a compilation of the work of the 2006-07 class of Heritage Fellows.
The Heritage Fellows were asked to visit five different churches each during the academic year. The churches were selected with the help of Tom Ingram, worship and spiritual development consultant for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. The 15 churches represented the diversity of Baptist life in Virginia in worship style, location, size, ethnicity and congregational demographics. The new study helps Baptists understand the majority of worship experiences practiced in Virginia.
The 2006-07 Heritage Fellows were Melissa McReynolds, Mattie Patterson, and Allison Rosser. McReynolds is enrolled at the College of William and Mary and is a member of Williamsburg Baptist Church. Patterson also is enrolled at William and Mary and is a member of Millfield Baptist Church. Rosser is enrolled at the University of Richmond and is a member of First Baptist Church, Altavista.
Also in the resource are the two winning essays of the Roots and Wings Young Scholars Essay Contest. Both essayists wrote about a favorite hymn and the future of hymns in Baptist worship. Elizabeth Brooke Gwathmey, a member of Bruington Baptist Church, wrote the first place essay. Elizabeth Lane Cassada, a member of Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Danville, wrote the second place essay. The essay contest is open to high school juniors and seniors.
Worship! can be secured by calling the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies at (804) 289-8434 or writing to P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173. Single copies are $3 each or multiples of 5 can be ordered for $10. Shipping and handling will be added to each order.