STAFF CHANGES
Jim Graham, to Wallers Church, Partlow, as interim pastor.
Susan Harvey, to Mount Ararat Church, Stafford, as children's minister.
Connie Scruggs, to Rivermont Church, Danville, as part-time minister to children.
Retirements
Frank W. Casper Sr., pastor of Calvary Church, Concord, has announced his retirement after serving as pastor for over 35 years. A retirement celebration is planned for June 24 at 4 p.m.
W. Jerry Holcombis retiring as pastor of King's Grant Church, Virginia Beach, after having completed 39 years of ministry there. His retirement is effective June 17.
Byrd Puffenbarger retired as pastor of New Hope Memorial Church in Shacklesfords, effective April 30. In 1942 he came to pastor three churches in the Shacklesfords area (one which is now New Hope Memorial). He served in and around this area for over 21 years and three different times at New Hope.
Deaths
Orville G. Keller, a retired minister and member of Gwynn's Island Church, Gwynn, died April 26. He had served as pastor of churches in West Virginia and Maryland. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Keller; two sons, Jerry and Terry Keller; one daughter, Marijane Kiley; four grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. A funeral service was held April 28 at Gwynn's Island Church with interment in West Virginia.
Former Virginia Baptist pastor David Lee Sandridge died May 25 in Jackson, Ga., at the age of 64. He had served as associate pastor of Colonial Heights Church, Colonial Heights; Cool Spring Church, Mechanicsville; and Staples Mill Road Church, Glen Allen. He was pastor of Rose Union Church, Piney River; and Onancock Church, Onancock. He also served as pastor of several churches in Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Marsha Neal Sandridge; and two sons, David Neal and Matthew Carter Sandridge. A funeral service was held on May 27 at First Church in Jackson, Ga.
Ordination
Matthew D. Senger was ordained to the gospel ministry on April 28 by Concord Church in Farmville. He serves as associate/student pastor at Lyndale Church, Richmond.
15 YEARS OF MINISTRY. Temple Church, Covington, recognized its pastor, William Hartsfield, and his wife, Honor, for 15 years of ministry on March 26. He was given a monetary gift and plaque of appreciation. The church celebrated with a covered-dish dinner following the morning service.
Church News
The IMAGE Youth Choir of Derbyshire Church, Richmond, will open its 2006 touring season with a concert at the church on June 18 at 6 p.m. Admission is free. For additional information contact the church at 804-740-7238.
Lyndale Church, Richmond, will hold homecoming and rally day on June 11. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. and dinner on the grounds will follow the service.
Teen Praise, a performing arts ministry for students at Mount Ararat Church, Stafford, will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on June 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. and June 11 at 2 p.m. in its family life center. Admission is free.
Pinecrest Church, Portsmouth, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on June 11.
Former pastor Jim Woodland will speak at 8:30 and 11 a.m. On June 18 there will be a combined 50th anniversary worship at 10:00 a.m. followed by a covered-dish dinner. Revival services will be held June 18-21 with Don Mathis as guest evangelist.
Concert artist Timothy Mark will be in Strawberry Association on June 11. He will be in concert at 11 a.m. at Beaverdam Church, Troy, and at 6:30 p.m. at Shady Grove Church, Thaxton.
Other
Richmond Hill in Richmond will offer “Exploring Your Contemplative Self,” a retreat with guidance in the ways of the Spirit on Thursdays in July from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Suggested donation is $50 and includes lunch. To register contact Karen Moore at 804-783-7903 or [email protected].
The Gospel Chicken House in Montpelier will celebrate its All Day Gospel Sing on June 24 from 12 noon until 10:30 p.m. For more information check its website: www.gospelchickenhouse.org.
Mission Moments
Longwood University
Students from Longwood University have traveled to Slidell, Louisiana, twice this year during winter and spring breaks, to help with hurricane relief efforts. The students wrote Scripture passages and prayers on the studs of the three homes they insulated and sheet-rocked. They made personal connections with the residents in the area, prayed for them daily and continue to pray for them. One home the students worked on was for a family whose father is in the final stages of cancer. Pictured are the students at work and in prayer.
Eureka Baptist Church, Keysville
The Woman's Missionary Union at Eureka Baptist Church made 38 quilts for the Disability Development Home in Farmville and the Heritage Nursing Home in Blackstone. The ladies involved in this missions project were Iva Reinhardt, Claudette Wilmouth, Alene Cruse, Dorothy Curtis, Ethel Baker, Violet Brownlee and Francis Pasciuta. Some of them are pictured here with some of the quilts made.
