CHURCH NEWS
• The Christmas story comes to life at Bethlehem Village, sponsored by churches in the Afton, Waynesboro and Charlottesville area. Located on the grounds of Hebron Church, Afton, the village will be open Dec. 19 to 23 from 6 – 9 p.m.. It will open at 4 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 21 (one day only) to allow visitors to enjoy the village during daylight. This year there will be a guided tour in Spanish starting at 7 p.m. on Tues., Dec. 23. Admission is free but donations are accepted. For additional information check the website: www. bethlehemvillage.org.
• Vienna Church, Vienna, owns a small retreat center in Lost River, W. Va., approximately 110 miles west of Washington, D.C. and 45 miles west of Front Royal. The church is willing to offer its retreat center at a reasonable rate to Virginia Baptist church groups that may want to attend the presidential inauguration. For more information call the church office at 703-281-4400.
MISSIONS MOMENT
Antioch Baptist Church, Red Oak, had a very successful VBS in 2008. Its mission project was to raise money to assist in sending one resident of the Patrick Henry Girl's Home in Wylliesburg on a beach vacation planned by the Home. The VBS children were excited about the project and in four nights collected enough money to sponsor two girls. Pictured above are children and adults attending Antioch's VBS.
• The Women on Mission at Main Street Church, Emporia, were honored on Nov. 23 with the presentation of a certificate from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in recognition of the church's increased contributions to the Global Missions Offering in 2007. Pastor David Roberts presented the certificate to WOM representative Fanny Adams. The group accepted the award with the pledge to offer continued support of the CBF and its global missions projects.
• Powers Memorial Church, Hopewell, will celebrate its 55th anniversary on Jan. 18 with a covered-dish luncheon. Former members and friends are invited. Rod Hale is interim pastor.
ASSOCIATIONAL NEWS
• Appomattox Association will host a concert for youth featuring “Three Nails” on Sun., Jan. 25 at 4:30 p.m. at Union Hill Church in Brookneal. “Three Nails” is a music group from Dan River Association.
BAPTISM
At its annual church picnic on Aug. 24, Elon Baptist Church, Pamplin, held its first ourdoor baptism in over 50 years. It took place in the pool at the home of Keith and Lori Vogt. Pictured is Kim Schleef preparing to be baptised by Andrew Matthews, pastor at Elon.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND DRAMA
• Bedford Church, Bedford; “Seasons Greetings,” Dec. 21 at 10:55 a.m.
• Bethany Church, Baskerville; “Bethlehem Speaks,” Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
• Biltmore Church, Glen Allen, “The Splendor of Christmas,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
• Central Church, Richmond; “And the World Received Him,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
• Chancellor Church, Fredericksburg; “Worship Christ, the Newborn King,” Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m.
• Charles Town Church, Charles Town, WV; “Go Tell It!”, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
• Cobham Park Church, Warsaw; “Christmas In My Heart,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
• Colonial Beach Church, Colonial Beach; “Carol of Christmas,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Concord Church, Concord; “The Love of God at Christmas,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Craigs Church, Spotsylvania; “Welcome to Our World,” Dec. 21 at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
• Dan River Church, Halifax; “Come, Let Us Worship the King,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Falling River Church, Brookneal; “Jesus, There's Something About that Name,” Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
NOTEBURNING
Newington Baptist Church, Gloucester, held a note burning during its 135th anniversary celebration. Pictured is Pastor Mike Grey (left) and Ellis Hall burning the note.
• Fieldale Church, Fieldale; “A Cricket Country Colorado Christmas,” Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.
• First Church, Chase City; “There is Peace in the World Tonight,” Dec. 21 at 5 p.m.
• First Church, Nickelsville; “Hope Has Hands,” Dec. 21 at 9:30 and 11 a.m.
• First Church, South Hill; “Emmanuel, Celebrating Heaven's Child,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Fox Hill Church, Hampton; “Christmas! I Love to Tell the Story,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Fredericksburg Church, Fredericksburg; “Angels over Fredericksburg,” indoor/outdoor drama; Sat. Dec. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Dec. 21 from 8 to 10 a.m.
• Gwynn's Island Church, Gwynn; “Hope Has Hands,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
• Hampton Church, Hampton; “Messiah,” Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m.
• Hatcher Memorial Church, Richmond; “Festival of Carols,” Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.
• Hunton Church, Glen Allen; “Once Upon a Holy Night,” Dec. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m.
• Kentuck Church, Ringgold; “Peace on Earth,” Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
• Louisa Church, Louisa; “Holy Night of Miracles,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Madison Heights Church, Madison Heights; “Once Upon a Holy Night,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Mentow Church, Huddleston; “Love's Pure Light,” Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
• Mill Creek Church, Fincastle; “Christmas is Forever,” Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
• Parham Road Church, Richmond; “Welcome to Our World,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Rivermont Church, Danville; “Hope Has Hands,” Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
• Smithfield Church, Smithfield; “One Incredible Moment,” Dec. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.
• Tomahawk Church, Midlothian; “Start at the Manger,” Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Waverly Place Church, Roanoke; “Joyful and Triumphant,” Dec. 21 at 10:45 a.m.
STAFF CHANGES
• Christopher Kiser, to Buffalo Church, Buffalo Junction, as pastor.
• Dave Peppler, to Muddy Creek Church, Powhatan, as pastor.
• Ron Nicholls, to Rappahannock Indian Church, Bowling Green, as pastor.
• Chris Bell, to Woolridge Road Church, Moseley, as pastor.
• Daniel Chu, to Grace Chinese Church, Richmond, as pastor.
• Dallas Stallings, to Berryville Church, Berryville, as interim pastor.
• Aaron Kindley, to Moffett Memorial Church, Danville, as minister of children.
• Evelyn Conner, resigning as music director at Bethel Church, Salem.
• Joyce Kerrick, to Axton Church, Axton, as music director.
VIRGINIA BAPTIST WOMEN'S CHORALE
• The VBWC is a group of Virginia Baptist women who serve in music leadership roles in their churches. In 2009 the chorale will start its new year with a retreat on Jan. 16-17 at Eagle Eyrie. If you are interested in joining, please visit their website at www.vbwc. org and learn more about the group or contact its director, Susan Batten-Bell at [email protected] or Bedford Baptist Church at 540-586-9564.
THE CAMPUS COMES TO YOU
• In partnership with the John Leland Center, the Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network will offer college and masters Bible classes in spring 2009. These classes are ideal for ministers, those considering a call to ministry, church leaders or those who simply desire continuing education. Classes begin the week of Jan. 26, 2009, meet one night a week and conclude the week of May 15. Classes may be taken for credit or audited. Tuition is affordable and scholarships are available for members of BGAV churches. Classes and locations include:
Baptist Student Center, UVa-Wise; Christian Ethics–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Ministry of Worship–Tuesday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke; Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels– Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Spiritual Formations (Growing in Christlikeness)–Tuesday, 9 a.m.-12 noon; Philo-sophy of Religion–Thursday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. New Testament Introduction–Thursday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Masters).
Lebanon Association Building, Glade Spring; Introduction to New Testament–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church, Nickelsville; Christian Ethics–Thurs., 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Henry County Baptist Association Building, Martinsville: Life & Letters of Paul–Monday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
For further information and registration, contact The Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network by phone 540-777-3014, toll free 1-866-223-9344, or email [email protected]. Submit staff changes by email to rdilday@ religiousherald.org or mail to Religious Herald P. O. Box 8377, Richmond, VA 23226.
DEATHS
• Retired Baptist pastor Junius E. Foster died Dec. 4 in Virginia Beach at the age of 86. He served as pastor of Thalia Lynn Church, Virginia Beach, for 20 years until his retirement in 1987. Prior to that he was pastor of Hull's Memorial and Zoan churches in Fredericksburg and Norview Church in Norfolk, as well as five churches in Florida. He had served as a trustee of the Religious Herald. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dotti. He is survived by four children, Darrell, Richard, David and Lynne; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Thalia Lynn Church on Dec. 27 at 11 a.m.
• Bert Johnson, pastor of Summersett Church, Pittsville, died Dec. 4 at the age of 75. He had served as pastor of Edge Hill Church, Hurt, and Friendship Church in Gresham, S.C. He had been pastor at Summersett Baptist for the past 31 years. Johnson had also served on the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. He is survived by his wife, Janie Powell Johnson; three daughters, Cynthia Fontaine, Nancy Vasser and Deborah Fitzgerald; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Dec. 7 at Summerset Church.
• Retired Baptist minister John W. Long died Nov. 26 in Virginia Beach at the age of 90. He served as pastor of churches in the Portsmouth and Roanoke area. He is predeceased by wives, Dorothy Craig Long and Janet Pate Long. He is survived by a son, Paul D. Long; and three grandchildren. A funeral service was held Nov. 30 in Gastonia, N.C.
• Virginia Baptist minister Homer C. South Jr. died Dec. 3 at the age of 85. He had spent 57 years in the ministry, serving as pastor of 25 churches in Maryland and Virginia. He had served as pastor of Olivet Church and Lower King and Queen Church, both in Mattaponi, and Beulah Church, Schley. In retirement he served as associate pastor at Poroporone Church, Shacklesford. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; two daughters, Jean Thomas and Myrna Ashley; two sons, Chris and Phillip South; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Dec. 6 at Poroporone Church.