Staff Changes
Lowell Wright, to Trinity Church, Louisa, as pastor.
Robert Johansen, to Spring Creek Church, Darlington Heights, as pastor.
Calvin Sacra, to North Bedford Church, Forest, as pastor.
David Burgess, resigning as pastor of Seventeenth Street Church, Roanoke.
Ray Hall, resigning as pastor of New Life Church, Chesapeake.
Stephen Byrd, to Glade Spring Church, Glade Spring, as interim pastor.
Joseph L. Womack, to First Church, Petersburg, as interim pastor.
Danny Blalock, to Moore's Swamp Church, Elberon, as interim pastor.
Jonathan Wolf, to Dundas Church, Dundas, as interim pastor.
Robert Turner, to Westhampton Church, Richmond, as interim pastor.
Charles Gibson, to Providence Church, Red House, as intentional interim pastor.
Wayne Marker, resigning as minister of administration and education at Monument Heights Church, Richmond, effective Dec. 31.
Randy Cooksey, to Mathews Church, Hudgins, as associate pastor/youth minister.
Tiffany Shelton, to Westhampton Church, Richmond, as youth minister.
Lisa Wolfe, resigning as associate pastor for family ministries at Main Street Church, Emporia, to accept the position of minister with youth and children at Chadbourn Church, Chadbourn, N.C.
Ordination
Darryl Waverly Jefferson was ordained to the gospel ministry on Dec. 10 by Grace Church, Richmond.
Retirement
Harold Cook is retiring as pastor of Springwood Church, Buchanan, effective Dec. 31. He has served as pastor there for the past 25 years.
Death
Virginia Baptist pastor Wilson Metz Corr Jr. died Nov. 15 at the age of 65. He had served as pastor of New Hope Church, Mine Run, since 1981, and was the former pastor of Montague Church, King George. He is survived by his father, Wilson Metz Corr Sr.; his wife, Nancy Durrett Corr; two sons, Floyd Timothy and Mark Todd Corr; a daughter, Tanya Dawn Wolfrey Johnson; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and three step great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held Nov. 19 at New Hope Church with interment in the church cemetery.
Church News
The Plains Church, The Plains, celebrated its 50th anniversary on Dec. 3. The church began when approximately 70 members of Marshall Church decided to establish a church in The Plains. Since that time five ministers have served the church. Jack F. Rudy, current pastor, has served for over 30 years. He led the anniversary service which was followed by a fellowship meal.
Christmas Music
Beulah Church, Rocky Mount; “Home for the Holidays,” Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
Boone's Mill Church, Boones Mill; “One Small Child,” Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
Chesterfield Church, Moseley; “A Great and Mighty Wonder,” Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
Fellowship Church, Chester; “Jesus, There's Something About that Name,” Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
First Church, Collinsville; “Gather at the Manger,” Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
First Church, Woodstock; “One Small Child,” Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.
May Memorial Church, Powhatan; “Ceremony of Candles,” Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
Saluda Church, Saluda; “He is Hope,” Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
Union Chapel Church, Clarksville; “He's Still the King of Kings,” Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
Living Nativity
Bethlehem Church, Richmond; (Midlothian Turnpike) live nativity Dec. 20 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Chamberlayne Church, Richmond; outdoor drama Dec. 22-24 at 6:30 p.m.
McCabe Memorial Church, Martinsville; live nativity Dec. 20-23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
235th Anniversary
Ebenezer Church in Amherst celebrated 235 years of ministry on Sept. 24. Guest speaker
for the service was Rod Hale from the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. There was a display of photos of former pastors and Sunday school and membership records, even a Bible dating back to 1884 and pieces of a log wall of the church with Roman numerals carved on it. Theme for the celebration was “Past, Present and Future.” Pictured above on the church's anniversary are (l-r): Pastor Dwayne Martin, Amanda Burks, Gayle Ryan, former pastor Norman “Mickey” Ryan, Ruth Mays, Rod Hale, Theodore Mays and Henry and Betty Vanhoozier.