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Quarterly newsletter of Presbytery of the James
Citation preview
Branching
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Richmond First celebrates 200 years
Volume 11, number 3 ~ November, 2012 Published by: Presbytery of the James ~ 3218 Chamberlayne Ave., Richmond, VA 23227
Nonprofit Organization
US Postage
P A I D Permit # 911
Richmond, VA 23232
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
By Marika Byrd and Dr. Charles A. Summers
The USA was a mere infant when John Rice
Holt gathered shop keepers, merchants and dock-
workers to form Richmond’s First Presbyterian
Church. Over the decades, as the membership
grew, First moved from its original location near
the docks at Rockets Landing to five different loca-
tions, arriving at the present location in Rich-
mond’s West End in 1950. First’s rich history in
Richmond includes a primary role in the establish-
ment of Union Theological Seminary (now Union
Presbyterian Seminary) and the founding of several
other congregations in Richmond over the past two
centuries. Its missionaries and mission trips have
reached the U. S. and into Africa, Korea, China,
Belarus, and Central America.
“Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present,
Transforming the Future is the theme of First’s
Bicentennial year. Special events have taken place
throughout 2012.
Worship on January 29 focused on Celebrating
the Past with guest speaker Dr. Jack Sadler, Pastor
Emeritus, who served as First’s Senior Pastor from
1974—1999. This Sunday also saw the introduc-
tion of the commissioned hymn “Let All We Do
and Say Give Breath,” composed by Dr. Thomas
Troeger. The hymn text by Sally Ann Morris in-
corporates the Bicentennial theme as well as First’s
mission statement, “Inspire, Nurture, and Serve To
The Glory of God.” Other service music was cho-
sen to honor the Presbyterian Scottish heritage.
The beautiful Bicentennial banner, which features
the three-part Christian Trinity Cross, was unveiled
at this service.
In March, a special reception honored those
with 50 or more years as members of the congrega-
tion, and the Presbyterian Women celebrated their
rich history with a program led by past moderators.
A special worship service on May 13 turned to
Celebrating the Present, as First welcomed guest
preacher Dr. Brian Blount, President and Professor
of New Testament Studies at Union Presbyterian
Seminary. A highlight of the service was the mag-
nificent Reunion Choir of over 50 singers repre-
senting First’s chancel choir members past and
present who gathered for the weekend. June
brought another musical event, the presentation of
Franz J. Haydn’s The Creation, with orchestral
accompaniment, by the combined chancel choirs of
First and Second Presbyterian Richmond.
As First turned its focus to Transforming the
Future, in October the congregation closed out the
year with a Celebration Dinner as well as the visit
by guest speaker Dr. Rodger Nishioka, Benton
Family Associate Professor of Christian Education
at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA.
With hearts grateful for the many blessings of the
past 200 years, First looks forward to many more
years of ministry. In the words of Pastor Dr.
Charles A. Summers, “The Christian faith is not
about the past. It is about the future that God in-
tends for us and for the whole creation. The best
years of our ministry are in front of us. God is al-
ways able to do more than we can ask or imagine.”
Sanctuary First Presbyterian Church, Richmond.
Branching through Presbytery of the James
Grace Covenant Honduras Mission Trip By Ron and Susan David
Exciting news from the Honduras mission of
Grace Covenant Church! As we prepare for our
annual mission trip to Southern Honduras
(January 1-12, 2013), we are happy to report that:
Our eye surgeons were able
to perform almost one hun-
dred surgeries in January,
2012, mostly cataracts, sev-
eral pterygia and one foreign
body removal from the eye.
Our collaboration with Cen-
tro Christiano de Servicious
Humanitario de Honduras
continues to be strong. We
will have a third surgeon in
2013, and a fourth year med-
ical student from VCU School of Medicine
who will do her senior project, tracking out-
come measures.
Hospital San Lorenzo is energized by the an-
nual visits from the surgical team. They are
actively fundraising to build a perma-
nent eye clinic on the grounds of the
hospital. They have already received
the donation of a suite of eye exami-
nation equipment from the govern-
ment of Spain.
Two Grace Covenant members
traveled to Tegucigalpa in June,
where, with nine others, including PC
(USA) missionary, Rev. Mark
Wright, we hammered out the Arti-
(Continued on page 6)
THE VINE, NOVEMBER, 2012 2
Eighty-second Stated Meeting
October 20, 2012
Chester Presbyterian Church
The Vine is published by Presbytery of the James
3218 Chamberlayne Ave., Richmond, VA 23227.
Editorial Rights Reserved. Articles without by-lines are
written by the editor. The Vine is a publication mailed free
to members of Presbytery of the James.
Submissions, corrections, letters of request or request for
additional copies should be sent to: Clifton Edwards, Edi-
tor; Presbytery of the James; 3218 Chamberlayne Ave.,
Richmond, VA 23227
or email [email protected].
Presbytery of the James
United for Mission in Haiti
By Mary Jane Winters
A wooden bell. A gift from Haiti. Try to ring
it. Ah . . . no one hears the sound of a wooden
bell—or the cry of the poor. Those from the Pres-
bytery of the James who traveled to Haiti October
4-11, did hear the cry of the poor and more than
that, they saw how God was at work in the mission
initiatives of the Haitians as they respond to the
vast needs in that country. “We know POJ can
make a difference in the lives of our brothers and
sisters in Haiti. We have the opportunity to come
along side and give them a hand up - not a hand
out. Their perseverance in some of the most diffi-
cult conditions imaginable is impressive and inspir-
ing. It is time for
us to act!” urged
Bill Nix, from
Fredericksburg
Presbyterian
Church, a mem-
ber of the team.
“We returned in-
spired by what is
being done and
committed to fur-
thering this work
by supporting a
new mission posi-
tion in Haiti,” said
Nan Johnson from the Brandermill Church.
The Presbytery of the James is joining with
Presbyterian World Mission to send a new mission
co-worker to Haiti. Many churches and individuals
have given funds to help Haiti, but a new mission
worker on the ground can assist with those funds
and with teams who come and by providing coordi-
nation, leadership training, and advocacy as a wit-
ness to Jesus Christ. This is an opportunity for all
churches in the Presbytery of the James to unite in
God’s mission in Haiti and make a difference.
“no one hears the sound of a Wooden bell”
the Christian presence in Syria and how precari-
ous their lives are. Grounding his remarks in
scripture and faith, he called for initiatives that
will bring peace, democracy, open elections, and
freedom of religion. He answered numerous
questions on a wide range of issues and engaged
his hearers with new insights and perspectives.
Majd spoke at Bon Air Presbyterian Church, at
Union Seminary, at an event jointly hosted with
St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Ca-
thedral, Westminster Canterbury in Richmond,
and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Char-
lottesville. Majd Lahham is the first International
Peacemaker assigned to the Presbytery of the
James in recent memory. Bon Air Presbyterian
Church initiated the request through POJ and pro-
vided the host family. The World Mission Pur-
pose Group provided coordination, promotion,
and speaking opportunities.
Majd Lahham, a deeply committed Christian,
teaches at one of the universities in Syria and also
works with his church’s ministry to the many peo-
ple within his country who have lost their homes
because of the war. He had scheduled an event for
students in his class. “When three did not show up,
I was angry. It was required. I called them on their
cell phones. There was no answer,” Majd said.
Then he learned that they were on the way when a
suicide bomber exploded himself and a truck of
TNT and it was impossible to even recover their
bodies. Majd had declined the offer of the Peace-
making Program to come to the United States and
speak, but that experience changed his mind.
The need for peace in Syria is urgent. Chris-
tians are only 8% of the population and most like
Majd are Orthodox, belonging to the oldest Chris-
tian church, based in Antioch. Majd spoke about
International Peacemaker Provides a Timely Voice for Syria
PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES IN
The Presbytery of the James held its 82nd stated
meeting on Saturday October 20, 2012 at Ches-
ter Presbyterian Church.
Altogether 234 people attended the meeting, includ-
ing 93 teaching elders and 111 ruling elders,
representing 69 congregations.
We enjoyed worship in Chester church's beautiful
sanctuary. The service included the reading of
the Necrology, the installation of the Youth
Council, liturgical dancing by students from
Virginia State University, music by the Chester
church choir, a message by Larry Chottiner on
the raising of Lazarus, and the celebration of
the Lord's Supper.
We welcomed three new ministers, Elizabeth For-
ney, Keith Johnston, and Daniel Hrach. We met
the new Executive Director of Camp Hanover,
Doug Walters, and his family.
We examined and approved for ordination the new
Director of Admissions at Union Presbyterian
Seminary, Kate Boswell. We examined and
received as a candidate for ministry as a teach-
ing elder Noell Rathbun (Ginter Park). We
thanked Ruling Elder John Flournoy for his six
years on the Nominating Committee.
The presbytery thanked Brennen Keene and
Gloria Freye for donating their excellent
legal services to help us complete the pur-
chase the property at 3218 Chamberlayne,
the site of the presbytery office.
We established administrative commissions for
four churches to work with congregations
that have expressed their desire to withdraw
from the PC(USA): Spotsylvania, Christ, St.
Giles, and New Hanover.
After careful consideration and debate, we ap-
proved the recommendation of the Office
Park Task Force, distributing from the pro-
ceeds of the sale of the old presbytery office
property in Glen Allen about $1,800,000 for
a variety of good works.
The presbytery approved the proposed 2013
budget with one exception. We sent the
Shared Mission Support item back to com-
mittee to see if it could be increased.
Thank you, Moderator Mary Baril and parlia-
mentarian Steve Hicks, for guiding us
through the sometimes tangled debates!
Thank you, Chester Church, for your excel-
lent hospitality and delicious lunch!
Rev. Gordon B. Mapes and Rev. Larry Chottiner serve Communion at 82nd Stated Meeting.
Next Meeting
February 16m 2913
Union Presbyterian Seminary
THE VINE, NOVEMBER, 2012 3
Understanding missiology to be “the systematic
study of all aspects of mission,” Stanley H. Skres-
let’s new book introduces this academic field in a
comprehensive fashion. Both theological and secu-
lar studies of mission receive attention in this treat-
ment of the field, which also describes the develop-
ment of missiology over the past century. Skreslet
(D.Min.’89) is the F. S. Royster Professor of Chris-
tian Missions at Union Presbyterian Seminary and
academic dean on the Richmond campus.
‘Comprehending Mission’
Stan Skreslet’s new book
“The renaissance of mission studies in the last
twenty years begs for scholarly attention and as-
sessment,” commented Amos Yong of Regent
University School of Divinity, “Stanley Skreslet is
a sure guide with a command of the territory.”
Stanely H. Skreslet
By Albert Connette
“God has sent the right people, at the right time,
to the right place, with the right message!” This was
a comment made by one of the East Gambella
Bethel Synod leaders at the conclusion of training
sessions Albert Connette and Jesse Mercer of
Olivet Church in Charlottesville led in Ethiopia re-
cently.
The East Gambella Bethel Synod (EGBS) arose
out of the Presbyterian Church’s mission to the
Anuak people along the border of Ethiopia and Su-
dan. It is part of the large and rapidly growing Ethi-
opian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EE-
CMY). Albert had shared in a mission partnership
of Shenandoah Presbytery with another EECMY
Synod for many years before Olivet
Church, where he serves as pastor,
began developing a mission partner-
ship with EGBS.
Several Olivet members have
visited EGBS for fellowship, shar-
ing and training since the beginning
of the partnership in 2010. But re-
cently the Synod had experienced
some conflict and division and so
Albert and Jesse had been asked to
teach on forgiveness, Christian unity
and evangelism during their August
visit. The daily teaching sessions began and ended
with devotions, prayers and rousing singing. Albert
and Jesse’s teachings were translated simultaneous-
ly into Anuak and Amharic for the Synod leaders,
evangelists and pastors present from three different
ethnic-linguistic groups. Olivet and EGBS’s pray-
ers that God would bless this time of sharing, fel-
lowship and leadership training were an-
swered. “We knew all of these scriptures”, one par-
ticipant commented, “but now God has burned
them on our hearts so
we can practice the
forgiveness and humil-
ity needed to bring
healing and unity in
our Synod.”
Albert and Jesse
were welcomed to
Gambella and sent off
with delicious meals of
traditional Anuak dish-
es and singing accompanied by drums. During
their stay in Gambella they also met with the Syn-
od’s management committee to discuss their part-
nership, worshipped with a congre-
gation on Sunday and spent time
visiting with PCUSA missionary,
Michael Weller, who lives in Gam-
bella.
While in the capital of Addis Ababa
Jesse and Albert were able to share
a meal with Niles and Ann Reimer,
retired PCUSA missionaries who
worked with the Anuak people for
many years and are now completing
the translation of the Bible into
Anuak. They also shared lunch with
EECMY President, Rev. Wakseyoum, EECMY
Director of Mission and Theology, Rev. Yonas,
and Director of the coordinating office for the
EECMY Synods with Presbyterian connections,
Rev. Teferi. They also visited several Christian
ministries that work with the thousands of street
children in Addis and had lunch with a group of
Ethiopian youth who grew up on the streets with a
youth who has now been adopted by a family in
the Olivet Church.
‘right people, right place at the right time’
Connette, Mercer share & train
at East Gambella Bethel Synod
Participants in EGBS training sessions
Jesse Mercer with young EGBS
evangelist who has founded 14
churches in his region of Gambella.
Show Me The Money! Robert Johnson, Acting General Presbyter
I have heard, for some time, people in our Presbytery wondering why we don’t get out there and
spend the $5.3 million or so in assets shown in our audit report. It made me curious too – why would we
need to have that much squirreled away, when there are so many ministry needs around that money could
answer.
So, I asked our Presbytery’s Staff Accountant, Cindy Hollingshead to “show me the money!” She
looked at me funny (it isn’t the first time) and said “What money?” That is when my education started.
It is true that our audit reports show $5.3 million in unrestricted assets. However, only a small portion
of that is liquid and intended for totally unrestricted spending. $1.9 million is set aside as an endowment
and reserve for church development projects – for NCDs and other church development purposes. Obvi-
ously, the endowment itself is preserved, so that places $1.6 million off limits of even that total.
Another $1.6 million are frozen in tangible assets – our buildings, equipment and vehicles, as well as
the value of the land that we hold, including Camp Hanover. This is akin to an individual calculating their
net worth, and including (as one should) one’s house, land and Beanie Baby collection in the total. None
of that can be spent unless it is liquidated, so although it is an asset, it is not the same as cash on hand.
Then, $1.8 million is in what in our auditors call the “POJ Building Fund.” This amount is the pro-
ceeds from the sale of our Office Building, and is soon to be dispersed in mission grants. The amounts
left over are mainly our annual operating expenses – money that passes through about as quickly as it
shows up. So, I got showed the money, all right: it waved to me from the many cages it is locked into!
First Things First Purpose Group
Marriage Enrichment Education
Initiative
$21,000 over a three year period
($7,000; $7,000; $7,000)
“Beloved, let
us love one
another,
because love is
from God; eve-
ryone who
loves is born of
God, and
knows God . . .
If we love one another, God lives in us, and His
love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:7-12.
The Marriage Enrichment Education Initiative
will provide proven Marriage and Relationship
skills education opportunities throughout the
presbytery hosted by member churches. Addi-
tionally it will
train trainers who
can continue to
help couples in
their congrega-
tions/
communities.
THE VINE, NOVEMBER, 2012 4
Meadows Presbyterian Church,
Charlottesville
Tumaini Vocational Training Centre
Building in Nyeri, Kenya
$40,000 pledge.
“And God is
able to provide
you with every
blessing in
abundance, so
that by always
having enough
of everything,
you may share
abundantly in
every good
work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
In 2007, Meadows Presbyterian Church entered
into a relationship with the Riamukurwe Parish of
the Presbyterian Church of East Africa to help
provide shelter, clothing,
security and food to al-
most 200 children in the
Tumaini Home for Desti-
tute Children and Hu-
ruma Children’s Home.
This project is for the
completion of the Voca-
tional Training Center.
Lord Jesus Korean Church,
Midlothian
Outreach programs using new
Social Mission Center building
$210,000 over a three year period
($70,000; $70,000; $70,000)
“To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk hum-
bly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Lord Jesus Church has funded one-third of its
budget every year to missions. In recent years,
the congregation of Lord Jesus Korean Church
has committed itself to social missions known
as the Social Mission for Love & Justice, which
has resulted in wide recognition for service to
the community and in revitalization and rapid
growth of church membership.
Small Church Ministry
Purpose Group
Expand the scope of Mission
opportunities for small churches.
“And the king will answer them,
Truly, I tell you, just as you did it
to one of the least of these who
are members of my family, you
did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
$25,000 over three year
($3,750; $6,250; $15,000)
Objectives are 1) To give 15
members of small church con-
gregations the opportunity to
attend one mission trip
(domestic & international)
annually for the next three
years. 2) To increase collabo-
ration among small churches
and 3) To expand congrega-
tions’ vision for spreading the
gospel in Word and deed to
the “outmost ends of the
earth.” Interest sparked in mission is expressed
by seventh-grader Brennan Proctor addressing
the congregation following a day packing meals,
“Yesterday we helped a lot of people and made a
difference in the world. Can we do it again?”
Camp Hanover
Purpose Group
Facilities mainte-
nance and updat-
ing.
$379,000
“Whoever blesses a
neighbor with a
loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be
counted as cursing.” Proverbs 27:14
The overall objective is to focus on preserving
and restoring existing facilities to keep this out-
door ministry available for Presbytery of the
James to enjoy. Needs have been identified and
prioritized.
Needing immediate attention:
Remodeling and updating of director’s house
Roof replacement for Wise Lodge
Required improvement of water system ac-
cessibility through well-water distribution.
Southside Presbyterians in Ministry
Purpose Group
Relocation of
Madeline’s
House
$100,000 Pledged
(depending upon funds
raised locally)
“And the king will
answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one
of the least of these who are members of my family,
you did it to me.’” Matthew 25.40 (NRSV)
Madeline’s House is a 33-bed facility for domes-
tic and sexual violence shelter, which provides a
safe haven for abused women and children. The
only such shelter in Southside Virginia, it serves
twelve counties. Its site is being sold and a new
home must be found.
Office Park Task Force awards $1,800,000 to 12 grant requests
THE VINE, NOVEMBER, 2012
Culpeper Presbyterian Church
Manna Ministry
$27,000 (over a three year period)
($9,000; $9,000;, $9,000)
“For I was hungry and you gave me some-
thing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me some-
thing to drink, I was a stranger and you invited
me in . . .” Matthew 25:35
Manna Ministry seeks to share nourishment,
compassion, and hope in Christ’s Name to all
who enter. The Ministry serves a meal to anyone
in need of a meal on Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays from 11:00 a.m. –12:30 p.m. The meal is
served at the Culpeper Presbyterian Church Fel-
lowship Hall. Our objective is to increase the
meal service to five days a week and hire a paid
coordinator to oversee the ministry.
Stewardship Purpose Group
Assistance to congregations in stew-
ardship
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness there.” Psalm 24:1
$150,000 over a three year period
($75,000; $50,000; $25,000)
Establishment of a stewardship office within
the presbytery structure
Provision of resources for year round stew-
ardship to all of the congregations in the
presbytery
A program of planned giving that each con-
gregation could benefit from in establishing
individual congregational planned giving
programs.
Assistance in capital campaigns for congre-
gations whether they are for a particular pro-
ject or for needs of the congregation that re-
quire capital funds.
Annual stewardship conference Collabora-
tion with Union Presbyteri-
an Seminary in offering
continuing education
events in stewardship or in
providing training and
seminarians in the areas of
stewardship.
Everything we have is a
gift from God.
Union Presbyterian Seminary
Evangelism
$280,000 (Over a four year period)
($100,000; $80,000; $60,000; $40,000)
“As for you, always be sober, endure suffering,
do the work of an evangelist, carry out your min-
istry fully.” 2 Timothy 4:5
Union Presbyterian Seminary has committed it-
self anew to supporting the church’s ministry of
evangelism. Union recognizes the evangelistic
task of the church and the responsibility of the
pastor to provide leadership for that task. Union
is committed to train the leadership necessary for
the revival of the 21st century church. The objec-
tive of this project is to create an Evangelism Pro-
gram to equip pastors and educators who are pas-
sionate witnesses to Jesus Christ, and who will be
vital participants in God’s revitalization of
Christs’s church.
Tabor Presbyterian Church, Crozet
Crozet Cares
“Now the company of those who believed were of
one heart and soul, and no one said that any of
the things which he possessed was his own, but
they had everything
in common. And
with great power
the apostles gave
their testimony to
the resurrection of
the Lord Jesus, and
great peace was
upon them all.
There was not a
needy person
among them . . .” Acts 4:32-34
$105,000 (over a
three year period)
$35,000; $35,000;
$35,000)
Crozet Cares is a pro-
ject designed to bring
the unique needs of
our rapidly growing
rural community under
the aegis of a Tabor
Presbyterian Church
USA initiative in the
areas of health education and arts/entertainment.
EDUCATION
HEALTH
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Haiti Purpose Group
New Mission Co-Worker to Haiti
$125,000 (over a three year peiod)
$62,250; $42,000; $20,750
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you will be witnesses
in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
The project entails the recruitment, involvement
and support of as many churches in Presbytery
of the James as possible working together to
become involved in and financially support the
new mission co-worker(s) in Haiti for three
years, and hopefully beyond. The people of Hai-
ti, Presbytery of the James and the Presbyterian
Church (USA) would all benefit from this pro-
ject.
Woodville Presbyterian Church,
Richmond
Transportation
“Equipping God’s people for the work of minis-
try.” Ephesians 4:12-13.
$35,000, purchase of a van and one year’s insur-
ance premium.
The overall project goal is to connect to the
Church Hill Community through Evangelism,
Christian Education, and Mission. Over the past
five years, Woodville has experienced wonderful
opportunities to nurture a limited number of
youths through a Saturday Enrichment Program
and an Ecumenical Camp Program. These pro-
grams allowed us to connect with many families
within the Church Hill community. Transporta-
tion for these programs and others is critical to
the success of all programs. Currently members
of the congregation use their personal vehicles to
bring children to functions of the church.
5
THE VINE, NOVEMBER, 2012 6
R E T I R E D D. Clyde Bartges ..................................................................................................................................... 70
James Griffes ........................................................................................................................................... 60
Howard Leming ...................................................................................................................................... 60
Norman Nettleton .................................................................................................................................... 60
Russell Davis ........................................................................................................................................... 55
Everett Hellmuth ..................................................................................................................................... 55
Richard Sommers .................................................................................................................................... 55
Choon Duk Suh ....................................................................................................................................... 55
Carroll Londoner ..................................................................................................................................... 50
David MacFarlane ................................................................................................................................... 50
Harold Wallof .......................................................................................................................................... 50
Kenneth Davis ......................................................................................................................................... 45
Robert Pierce ........................................................................................................................................... 45
Virginia Barksdale .................................................................................................................................. 35
William Charles ...................................................................................................................................... 35
Judith Allen ............................................................................................................................................. 30
Dixie Brachlow ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Celestine Cox .......................................................................................................................................... 15
Sue Cyre .................................................................................................................................................. 15
Tom Waltz ............................................................................................................................................... 15
A C T I V E
Charles Pickell, Meadows Church .......................................................................................................... 60
Nathan Dell, All Souls Church ................................................................................................................ 55
Donald Langfitt, Kirk O’Cliff ................................................................................................................. 55
Robert Temple, Village Church .............................................................................................................. 50
Charles Brown, Hebron Church .............................................................................................................. 40
Terry Woodard, Aberdour/Emporia First ................................................................................................ 35
Hyun Bae, Lord Jesus Korean Church .................................................................................................... 30
LoAnn Fairman, Providence Church, Gum Spring ................................................................................. 30
Jay Sanderford, Blue Ridge Church ........................................................................................................ 30
Willie Woodson, Richmond First United Church ................................................................................... 30
Albert Connette, Olivet Church .............................................................................................................. 25
Alex Evans, Richmond Second Church .................................................................................................. 25
Ken Goodrich, Sandston Church ............................................................................................................. 25
Gordon Mapes, Chester Church ............................................................................................................ 25
Laura Sugg, Westminster Church, Charlottesville .................................................................................. 25
Mark Valeri, E. T. Thompson Professor of Church History, Union Presbyterian Seminary .................. 25
Ann Cherry, Member-at-Large ............................................................................................................... 20
Dwight Nave, Covenant Church ............................................................................................................. 20
Sarah Nave, Covenant Church ................................................................................................................ 20
Marion Paul White, Wesley Church ....................................................................................................... 20
Mary Kay Collins, Richmond First Church ............................................................................................ 15
Gay Lee Einstein, Member-at-Large ....................................................................................................... 15
Carla Pratt Keyes, Ginter Park Church ................................................................................................... 15
Nelson Ould, Richmond Third Church ................................................................................................... 15
Elaine Bowen, Member-at-Large ............................................................................................................ 10
Joel Morgan, Westminster Church, Richmond ....................................................................................... 10
Durk Steed, St. Christopher’s School ...................................................................................................... 10
Joshua Choi, Member-at-Large ............................................................................................................... 5
Scott Crannell, Member-at-Large ........................................................................................................... 5
Kevin Germer, Christ Church ................................................................................................................. 5
Gordon Lindsey, Scottsville Church ....................................................................................................... 5
Jeffrey Lee, New Hanover Church .......................................................................................................... 5
Cheryl Sumner, Montrose Church .......................................................................................................... 5
Glenda Hollingshead, Colonial Heights Church ..................................................................................... 5
Joseph Young, Oak Grove Church .......................................................................................................... 5
Disabled? Maybe.
Handicapped? No.
Talented, Yes!
George Dennehy plays many instruments. Resident of Ashland, attends New Hanover.
By Louis Williams
In Romania, disabled/handicapped people are
viewed as cursed by God and are ostracized by the
people. George Dennehy was born in Romania
with no arms. His parents loved him enough to give
him up for adoption so he could have a better life.
At eight he learned to play the cello with his
feet. At the age of 18 he began to
play and sing in such places as the
Ashland Strawberry Faire. As a
result, George was asked to per-
form with an internationally recog-
nize rock band, The Goo Goo
Dolls.
A Romanian film crew heard
about George through a video on
the internet. They came to the U.S.
to film a local story on George and his family. Now
it is time for George to return to Romania where he
will get to meet his biological parents.
The reporter and film crew hope to change the
hearts of the Romanian people so that they will
value disabled people. This is the purpose of the
trip. George is accompanied by his mother, Sharon
Dennehy and Marti Williams.
In a very simple and non-threatening way
George also shares the gospel of Jesus by explain-
ing that God does not make mistakes and he does
not see himself as a mistake.
George Dennehy
cles of Incorporation for KHISH Proyecto Vi-
sion.
We had the opportunity to attend a meeting of
the Presbytery of Honduras. With translation
help and introductions from Rev. Mark, we
were able to outline our approach in serving the
people of Southern Honduras. The presbytery
includes sixteen churches with lay pastors, all
in Central and Southern Honduras.
Thanks be to God for the opportunity to bear
witness to His healing power!
(Continued from page 1)
Grace Covenant Honduras Trip
THE VINE, NOVEMBER, 2012 7
The Wood Ministry is one of many community endeavors at Rockfish Presbyteri-an in Nellysford, VA. Started a number of years ago by Ray Koon, men and women gather at the church on Tuesday mornings to split and deliver wood that has been donated to us from sources throughout Nelson County. Sam Alexan-der, current “leader”, coordinates pickups and deliveries. With the help of a split-
ter, a few chain saws, and a lot of questionable backs, Rockfish delivers free firewood to folks who depend on their stoves and fire places for heat during the winter. Sam’s motto is, “No pine, only hard wood for our neigh-bors.” This ministry has been a great opportunity for Rockfish Presbyterian to serve the folks of Nelson County. (center) Julia Jet, fire wood recipient.
ABERDOUR James (Jimmy) Thompson
AMELIA Hazel Clarke,
Margaret Bultje, Harvey Llewellyn
BLUE RIDGE Carol Joyce Chapman,
Susanne Humphlett Raileanu
BON AIR Louise P. Armstrong
BURKEVILLE James Perkins Agnew, II,
Annie Lee Parsons
CAMPBELL MEMORIAL Donald W. Beard, Walter Lee Harding,
Donald Miller, Rodney W. Smith, Jr.
CHARLOTTESVILLE FIRST Karen Lee Kennedy,
Barbara Ann Holmes Stoudt
COLONIAL HEIGHTS Warren Gardner, Byron Haner
GINTER PARK Jack Bell, S. Miller Eason,
Howard Ostergren
FREDERICKSBURG William J. Kinnamon, Jr.
LAKESIDE Robert Lee Hill, David R. S. Peters,
Richard H. Yearwood, Jr.
LAWRENCEVILLE Robert Earl Temple
LOUISA James D. Scharf
MADISON Claire Louise Schmdt Jaenke,
Edward Drank Peterson
MITCHELLS Esther Putnam White
MONTROSE Edward Roger Call
NEW COVENANT Martha Staton
OAK GROVE Martha Missouri Jeffrey Owens
ORANGE Leroy Crowder, Andrew “Skinny” Redmon,
Jeanne Taylor
OVERBROOK Harry Morgan Bluford
PETERSBURG SECOND Roy L. Christian, Kathleen T. Maitland
RICHMOND FIRST William Willis Berry
PROVIDENCE FORGE Daniel Benjamin Ice
RICHMOND FIRST William Willis Berry
RICHMOND SECOND Robert Wright Bedinger, Sr.,
Homer K. Buerlein
RIVER ROAD
Glad N. Applegate,
Edmund Blalock Gibson,
Richard P. James,
Benjamin Rice Lacy, IV,
Dr. J. Gary Maynard, Jr.,
Richard W. Wiltshire
SCOTTSVILLE Walter (Jimmy) Oslin
SOUTH HILL Ann Fitzgerald
SOUTH PLAINS Janet Riddle
ST. ANDREWS Helena Dunkle, Bonnie Shelton,
Patricia Taylor
ST. GILES
C. Aubrey Featherston, Jr.,
Donald O. Phelps, Robert D. Wendell,
John J. Wickstead, Jr.
TUCKAHOE Eileen Honkala, Mary Shumate
VILLAGE Betty Clement, Mary Anne Fisher
WESTMINSTER CHRLOTTESVILLE John Guerrant, Joseph Payne
WESTMINSTER RICHMOND Barbara Rice
WYLLIESBURG Jean Baxley Vaughan
Necrology*
*Ruling and Teaching Elders, September 2011-September 2012
Teaching Elders
Donald G. Dawe Julius S. Garbett
William Samuel Morris Robert W. Ratchford
Leslie Cransford Robinson George B. Telford, Jr.
Robert C. Vaughan, Jr.
Rockfish firewood project
THE VINE, NOVEMBER, 2012 8
Camp Hanover Celebrates 55 years of Ministry
Labor Day weekend 2012 at Camp Hanover
was a time for celebration. Sixty-plus children
and adults laughed, played, sang together and
worshiped in the woods in Camp Hanover style,
“telling the story” during the fifth annual Family
Camp. Over 200 folks from the “Camp Hanover
Family” travelled from across Virginia and be-
yond to mark the anniversary of 55 years of out-
door ministry taking place at the Camp. The day
was also one of honoring the passion and work of
Bob Pryor, retiring after 22 years of service as
the Camp’s director. Those in attendance were
treated to stirring words and colorful stories
about the history of Camp and the vision of min-
istry for this special place at its inception from
founding Director John Ensign, and had a chance
to meet the new incoming Executive Director,
Doug Walters and his family.
New Executive Director Takes the Reins
Camp Hanover’s new
Executive Director,
Doug Walters, and his
family were introduced
to the Presbytery of the
James at the 82 Stated
meeting of the Presby-
tery that took place at
Chester Presbyterian
Church on Saturday, October 21.
Doug began serving as the Executive Director
on October 1, after he and his family got settled
into the newly renovated Executive Director’s resi-
dence located on the Camp Hanover property near
the entrance. Doug shares that he and his wife
Lynn, and their three children – eight year-old Da-
vid, 6 year-old Joshua, and 2 year-old Kate – are
grateful for the warm welcome they have received
from the camp staff, members of the Camp Hano-
ver Purpose Group, Presbytery staff and other
members of the Presbytery of the James. The ad-
ventures that come with living on-site – hiking the
trails, feeding the chickens, fishing the lake, having
campfires in the woods on cool nights – have been
the high points of the family’s Camp Hanover
experience so far.
Doug is passionate about Presbyterian camp
ministry and brings with him a wealth of experi-
ence and creativity, having served for over a dec-
ade in a variety of leadership roles at various PC
(USA) summer camps and retreat centers. These
sites include Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center in
northern New Jersey, Chesapeake Center in
northeast Maryland, Dogwood Acres in the Flori-
da panhandle, and most recently Ferncliff Camp
& Conference Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Doug has also served multiple terms on the
Board of the Presbyterian Church Camp and
Conference Association.
At the Presbytery Meeting, Doug shared that
he is doing a lot of “listening and learning” in
these early days in his new role, visiting with
past campers and their parents, purpose group
members and pastors, hearing the stories of what
makes Camp Hanover…Camp Hanover. Doug
has been inspired to hear people speak of the rich
spirit of tradition and strong values that are so
integral to this vibrant ministry.
Transformations: Kirkwood IV Updated
ing screen pavilion, into a comfortable, indoor
meeting space now available for year-round usage
by guests visiting Camp Hanover. Spearheading
the effort to revitalize Kirkwood IV gave Camp
Hanover Maintenance Assistant, Jim Marston, an
opportunity to showcase his talents for carpentry.
Along the way, Jim was able to creatively repur-
pose discarded cabinetry and lumber scavenged
from the recent renovations to the Executive Direc-
tor’s residence for new use in the updated building.
The newly insulated building now features
new LP gas heat to keep you warm and toasty on
blustery winter days. New ceiling fans and remov-
able windows keep the air moving when tempera-
tures rise in the summer months. Thanks to the
donation of materials, the costs to update the build-
ing were kept low, and allowed for the additional
lighting to brighten up the space, and the construc-
tion of a small kitchen area with sink, microwave
and refrigerator.
Doug shared at the Presbytery meeting, that
while it was too early in the learning process to
outline his goals for Camp Hanover with any sem-
blance of specificity, his hope was that together
with the churches of the Presbytery, we might look
for new avenues, opportunities and intersections
where Camp Hanover could support the mission
work taking place at the local level, and enhance
the impact and experience of the people each local
congregation is ministering to.
Doug Walters, new Executive Director, Founding director John Ensign and Retiring Director, Bob Pryor.
Old friends and new friends the 5th annual Family Camp over Labor Day weekend.
A handful of talented volunteers and staff
members have transformed Kirkwood IV, an ag-
Jim Marston showcasing his handiwork in the Kirkwood IV kitchen.
Kirkwood IV with new siding and windows becomes a meeting space.