STAFF CHANGES
• Thomas E. Bryant, to Wylliesburg Church, Wylliesburg, as pastor.
CENTENNIAL: Clifford Baptist Church in the Piedmont Association celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 20. Approximately 850 people attending, including former pastors and wives, Marvin and Nancy Kerby and W.T. and Mary Ellen Wright. Another special guest was Alma Roundtree, daughter of the late Pastor J.W. Simmons. A luncheon was served following the morning service. Michael R. Fitzgerald currently serves as senior pastor. Pictured above is the Clifford Baptist sanctuary filled with people at its 100th anniversary service.
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• Jim Steele, to Trinity Church, Martinsville, as interim pastor.
• David Simpson, to Fine Creek Church, Powhatan, as interim pastor.
• Erin Spengeman, to Westover Church, Richmond, as associate pastor.
• Robert “Bob” Fleming, to New Highland Church, Mechanicsville, as pastor of visitation and senior adults.
• Arielle Moen, resigning as minister of students at Round Oak Church, Corbin.
RETIREMENTS
• Sidney E. Rodriguez will retire as pastor of Liberty Church, Skipwith, effective Dec. 31.
• John L. Bryant will retire as minister of education at Mechanicsville Church, Mechanicsville, on Dec. 31, after having served there for 22 years.
NOTEBURNING: New Prospect Baptist Church of Pleasant View celebrated its 231st anniversary with homecoming on Oct 4. Included in the celebration was a noteburning service to acknowledge the release from debt for the property known in the community as the Dodd House. This property, including a farm house and out-buildings on approximately 45 acres, currently houses the New Prospect Food Bank which serves over 300 families month and a clothing ministry. New Prospect’s office is located in the farm house beside the Food Bank. This land will enable future growth for the church and a greater ability to serve the community. Pictured at right are Steve Brown (left), minister of education, and Doug Turner, associate pastor, burning the note of indebtedness.
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• James Dunn will retire as pastor of Fairystone Church, Stuart, effective Jan. 15.
DEATHS
• Former Virginia Baptist minister Ervin E. Hastey died Nov 28 at the age of 89. He and his wife, Ethel, served as missionaries to Mexico for 20 years and to Panama for 3 years. In 1977 he joined the staff of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board directing its worldwide program of evangelism and church growth. He led workshops and conducted preaching missions in 20 countries. Upon retirement from the VBMB, he served as associate pastor for outreach at Monument Heights Church, Richmond. He then returned to Mexico for a 2-year term in the Southern Baptist Mission Service Corps. Returning to the states, he became coordinator in the volunteer missions program for the VBMB. He is survived by his wife, Ethel Ruth Tyson Hastey; five of their six children; four daughters-in-law; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held at Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana in El Paso, Texas.
• Robert Edward “Bob” Watts, pastor of Hitesburg Church, Virgilina, died on Nov. 6 at the age of 69. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Guthrie Watts; four brothers, Bill, Kenny, David and Tommy Watts; and one sister, Mary Ann Smith. Funeral services were held Nov. 9 at Grace Baptist Church with interment in the Hitesburg Baptist Church cemetery.