Historical Society releases booklet. Peace-bearers: Church, Community & Beyond is a new booklet published by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies to be released at the annual meeting of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 18 at Second Baptist Church of Richmond. The booklet includes an essay on the nature of peace by Isam E. Ballenger, missions professor emeritus of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and biographical profiles of five Virginia Baptist peace-bearers, written by Cole Eskridge, a student at the University of Mary Washington and the Center’s current Heritage Fellow. Eskridge interviewed ministers Jim Fox of Front Royal and Mary Cosby of Alexandria as well as Henry Langford, Elmer West and James Massey, all of Richmond. Copies of Peace-bearers will be distributed free of charge at the May 18 meeting. Others may request a copy by sending $2 for shipping and handling to Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies, P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.
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Secretary of Education speaks at Bluefield commencement. Virginia Secretary of Education Gerard Robinson, who has launched numerous initiatives for urban school reform and policy development, will be the featured commencement speaker for Bluefield College May 15, as 129 students receive diplomas. The graduation ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in the BC Quad. In addition to Robinson’s address, commencement exercies will feature remarks from two outstanding graduating seniors — a traditional student and an adult from the inSpire degree-completion program.
Baptist ministry assistants learn and network at conference.
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Baptist ministry assistants gather. Some 21 members of the Baptist Ministry Assistants of Virginia met at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center April 27-30 for its annual Skillshops Conference, this year led by Adrianne Smith of the Southern Baptist Convention’s LifeWay Christian Resources. The theme “Meet with Me” was based on Exodus 33:21-22: “Then the Lord said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.” “The event was a fantastic time of learning, networking, laughing and worshiping God together,” said Joan Newsome of Black Creek Baptist Church in Franklin. “We enjoyed the blessing of God’s glory and were encouraged to share that glory as we returned to our ministries at our church and association offices. The presence of Ruby Fleshman, a former president of our organization who acted as hotel hostess, was an added blessing for all of us.”
Baptist Homes observes special Sunday. Virginia Baptist Homes was the focus of churches across the state May 2 as they observed Virginia Baptist Homes Sunday, a designated date on the Baptist General Association of Virginia calendar. “Partnering with the ministry of Virginia Baptist Homes is one of the ways in which the BGAV acknowledges the importance of ministering to the senior members of our churches as well as their familes,” said Monica Hillery, director of public relations and communications for VBH. To help churches observe the day, VBH distributed bulletin inserts to congregations as a resource for staff and members of the congregations. “Today, with many seniors and/or their families finding themselves without a caring support system, residents residing in Virginia Baptist Homes’ four continuing care retirement communities have a place to call home which is a safe haven with the full spectrum of services provided by dedicated staff,” said Hillery. “Residents whose lives may have previously revolved around a ‘To Do’ list in an effort to maintain their houses, yards, etc. now fill their calendars with activities centered around personal interests, sharing their talents through service to others, etc.” The four communities operated by VBH are Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community in Culpeper, The Chesapeake in Newport News, Lakewood Manor in Richmond, and The Glebe in Daleville near Roanoke.
The 13-member team from Second Baptist Church in Richmond was one of several that participated in Lakewood’s tournament.
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Lakewood Manor holds golf tournament. Lakewood Manor’s annual golf tournament, sponsored by Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation, took place on April 15 at Independence Golf Club in Richmond. The tournament is held annually to benefit Lakewood Manor’s “Endowed Fund for Seniorships.” The fund was established in 2002 to provide funds for residents of Lakewood Manor who require financial assistance. The 119 golfers netted just under $20,000 for the foundation. Taking first place in the tournament was the Bliley’s Funeral Homes team. Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation was established for the sole purpose of raising funds for the benefit of the residents of the communities operated by Virginia Baptist Homes. Lakewood Manor is one of four Virginia Baptist Homes’ continuing care retirement communities in Virginia.