Staff Changes
Jeff Raymond, to First Church, Hopewell, as pastor.
Bob Gordon, to Bealeton Church, Bealeton, as full-time pastor.
Michael Hollinger, to Long Branch Church, The Plains, as pastor.
David Burgess, to Ringgold Church, Ringgold, as intentional interim pastor, effective mid-February.
Jerry Haywood, to Zoar Church, Deltaville, as interim pastor.
John Budde, to Fair-Park Church, Alexandria, as transition pastor.
Carson Rich, to Leesburg Community Church, Leesburg, as youth minister.
Josh O'Dell, resigning as minister of music at First Church, Pulaski.
Judy Powers, to First Church, Coeburn, as choir director/pianist.
W. Michael Martin, resigning as music director of Charles Town Church, Charles Town.
Sarah Roberts, to Rosalind Hills Church, Roanoke, as director of senior adult ministries.
Debbie Beck, resigning as as music director/organist at Craddock Church, Portsmouth.
Ordination
Angie Weston Hoff, minister of family life and education at First Church, Hopewell, was ordained to the gospel ministry by the church on Jan. 15.
Retirement
Ron Sowers has announced intentions to retire as pastor of Western Heights Church, Petersburg, effective March 1.
Deaths
Former Virginia Baptist pastor William Tracy Early died Dec.16 in New York at the age of 71. He served as pastor Urbanna Church, Urbanna, from 1964-1968. He also served as a U.S. Army chaplain. He is survived by his mother, Lillian Early; and a brother, Grady G. Early. A memorial service was held Jan. 7 in Christ chapel at The Riverside Church, where he was a member.
Jeanette White Sodergren died Dec. 28 in Fredericksburg at the age of 105. She was the widow of former Virginia Baptist pastor Henry A. Sodergren. The couple served as missionaries in the Congo. He also served as pastor of Marshall, Hume and Orlean churches in Fauquier County; Calvary Church, Emporia; and Calvary Church, Bowling Green. A funeral service was held Dec. 31 at Ferry Farm Church in Stafford.
Church News
Calvary Church, Lynchburg, will hold a celebration of worship and praise on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in honor of Susie Poindexter who has served faithfully in its music ministry for 23 years. A dessert social will follow the service.
Sandston Church, Sandston, will hold its fourth community concert featuring The Harvesters Quartet and The Travelers Quartet on Feb. 25 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Capstone Christian Bookstore, the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore and Heaven and Earth (at Virginia Center Commons in Glen Allen).
Graduations
George B. Bonnell of Clintwood received the master of divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 9. His home church is Clintwood Church in Clintwood.