WASHINGTON (ABP) — Conservatives breathed a sigh of relief Oct. 27 after the surprise announcement that White House Counsel Harriet Miers had withdrawn her nomination for an open seat on the Supreme Court. But her change of heart — in…
Methodist woman finds ministry home as associate pastor in Baptist church
RUTLEDGE, Tenn. (ABP) — Betty Shirley uses the word “ironic” to explain how she, a United Methodist, became associate pastor of a Baptist church in a small, conservative Tennessee town. Last spring, Shirley was expecting appointment to a congregation within…
Baylor may reduce board size; is it efficiency or more politics?
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University regents are expected to consider a proposal at their Oct. 28 meeting that would reduce substantially the size of the school's governing board over the next several years — eventually cutting it to less…
Alterations to housing bill spark religious outcry
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A wide variety of religious and political leaders are expressing outrage over House leaders' last-minute alterations to an affordable-housing bill they say discriminate against religious groups. The House passed a bill late Oct. 26 that would exclude…
Alabama Baptist conservatives disband, citing success
MULGA, Ala. (ABP) — Alabama Baptist Conservatives, a network of pastors organized in 1997, officially disbanded Sept. 29, saying they accomplished their goal of steering the state's Baptist convention in “a conservative direction.” “The state convention has taken a stand…
Church & People News for October 27, 2005
Staff Changes R. Drexel Rayford, to Walnut Grove Church, Mechanicsville, as pastor. Thomas Spizzirri, to Hebron Church, Drewyville, as pastor. Greg Anderson, to Belmont Church, Charlottesville, as pastor. Charles Young, to Cut Bank Church, McKenney, as pastor. Pat Taylor, resigning…
The dry Mr. Claybrook
Heritage Column for October 27, 2005 By Fred Anderson Richard Claybrook liked a hot toddy in the evening. He enjoyed sipping on a julep in the morning. Twice a day Richard Claybrook imbibed. On the Sabbath Richard Claybrook preached from…
What to look for in a retirement community
Another View for October 27, 2005 By Franklin T. Fowler Many senior adults are looking for, thinking of or planing for a retirement community home in their future. Some may be ready to move now, others are thinking of it,…
Re-examining capital punishment
Disaster relief update
The latest on Virginia Baptists' disaster relief ministries. • Hurricane Wilma: Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief teams are once more springing into action to assist victims of Hurricane Wilma in Florida. Our feeding unit that had been assigned to Slidell, La.,…
Empowered to serve
Cover story for October 27, 2005 For more than a month, Virginia Baptists have been among hundreds-maybe thousands-of volunteers from across the country who have made their way to the Gulf Coast to help victims of the two hurricanes that…
Baptist, other leaders cite Rosa Parks as paragon of Christian conscience
DETROIT (ABP) — Reacting to news of Rosa Parks' death Oct. 25, Christian leaders said Jesus was the model for the woman who kept her bus seat in order to stand against injustice. “She saw her participation in the struggle…