# 46, June 13, 2003

The International Mission Board Eliminates Thirty-seven Jobs

Shepson Kathy Wade was among those terminated. Below is her gracious letter that she sent out to some of her friends. PH feels that all Shepsons should be aware of what has happened to Kathy and others. Kathy's letter is rather personal but is well expressed. Kathy's letter follows:

"Dear friends,

I was thinking what the most difficult piece of news I've had to contend with over the years. There have certainly been a few, but the most heartbreaking has to be the news I received today. After almost 10 years of missionary service plus almost 3 years as managing editor of The Commission magazine--I was one of 37 who lost their jobs today.

The reason given was because of the Board's horrendous $10 million deficit in which the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering from our nearly 16 million Southern Baptists did not measure up to the number of personnel being appointed and commissioned to serve in ministry overseas.

To all of you who write for The Commission, it's been a total privilege to have worked with you. To all of you who have supported me in prayer and encouragement, I wish I could hug all of you. My first dream was to serve as a missionary and see people in an overseas setting come to a relationship in faith with Jesus Christ. I was able to be a part of that. My second dream was working for The Commission--around since 1938--and pay back with tremendous gratitude the inspiration it gave me years before I answered the call to missionary service.

But you know something? My calling to ministry is as strong as ever, and not diminished because of today's events. In fact, as I write this message to all of you, it's stronger than when I walked out of my front door this morning--knowing full well what was before me.

The reason I've been able to pull myself together now to write you this message is because they'll shut our (those who were laid off) access to e-mail down soon and I wanted a way to pass on the news to everyone. I have been hooked up to the Board's Internet service so until I make arrangements for another service, I can be reached by snail mail at 4720 Cutshaw Ave., Richmond, Virginia, 23230, or you can reach me by cell phone at 804-873-5477. But please...those of you overseas...cut me a break and don't call me at 3 in the morning! Just kidding.

I would ask that you please keep the 36 other people in your prayers. Many took it extremely hard today--our editorial assistant being one of them after 23 years of service. There were some others on our staff whom I also understand would be receiving some news. A good friend of mine who was one of the graphic designers was also one of them.

The Commission magazine, as we know it now, will likely cease to exist. Again, because of the budget deficit, it was looked on as one of the products being suspended. I understand that perhaps 2 or 3 more issues will be published and they will consider the economics when 2004 comes around.

I told my bosses today that I was more concerned about the fate of the publication than my job--because I know the impact it has had on individual lives, individual ministries, and individual decisions to be stronger believers in Christ. It's not just 56 pages of stories and photographs winning all types of journalism awards. It has been a testament to how God is continually working through His people.

We were all offered good severance packages and of course, health insurance--my major concern now--because of trying to beat breast cancer. I truly believe I'm on the way to doing that. I was just thinking today that I've always had some type of job since I was 12 years old. So it may be time for a little break before getting out there in that very tight job market right now. Sounds like a job for God to tackle. Yes indeed.

Thanks in advance for keeping me and the other folks in your prayers.

Love to all of you,"

Kathy

PH Comment: The IMB would like for you to think that this cutback is due to the failure of the annual Lottie Moon offering, but this special offering has not experienced reduced collections. The problem seems to be that the IMB has diminished the educational qualifications for missionary appointments and have been appointing too many missionaries in recent years. The IMB can no longer afford to continue to appoint at this rate and will have difficulty funding those already appointed,

Woody Hasty Has Serious Medical Problems

As announced last Sunday by SSBSC Missionary Bill, Woody Hasty is trying to gain strength for a recommended coronary bypass operation. In addition he is being treated for a blood disorder.

Shepson Rob James Is Having Diagnostic Tests

Anne James reported to Missionaries Bill and Charlotte that when she and Rob were returning from France last week, Rob began to feel ill. Tests determined that he has a liver infection which is not hepatitis, but which will require additional testing. Rob does not feel well. Anne has asked that his name be added to the class prayer list.

Also all should be aware that Bob Dibble's oldest daughter, Denise Gaal, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and had a radical mastectomy.

Prayer Rounds

Please remember in your prayers Kathy Wade and others who were terminated at the IMB, Rob James, Woody Hasty, Denise Gaal, young Davis Summers, Janet Moyers, Helen Davis, Kim Dodson, Dot and Cecil Sherman, Terry Marsh's parents, Chester's parents, the Manor Bible Study Class, the Church Staff, the Pastor's Search Committee and those only known to you. One of those known only to Brenda and PH is Peggy Hollingsworth and her family (read article that follows)

Margaret "Peggy" Hamrick Hollingsworth was Brenda's college roommate at Furman University. For the last forty-three years Brenda and Peg maintained a close friendship by phone, letters, visits, and shared vacations. Our two families began vacationing together in 1966. Our collective seven children all have known each other since an early age. Peggy and her husband John returned from a wonderful vacation trip to Switzerland last Friday night. Brenda and Peg talked on the phone on Saturday. Upon returning home Peggy had learned that her father (Dr. John Hamrick - retired pastor of First Baptist Church of Charleston, SC) had been in the hospital while she was in Switzerland. Last Sunday morning she was driving from her home in Greenwood, SC to Charleston to visit her father. Near Harleyville, SC she apparently fell asleep at the wheel, her car was on cruise control and veered off Interstate 26, and she was killed instantly when the car hit a tree. No words can ever describe the pure goodness of this lady. Her life was simply excellence in all that is good. On the day of her funeral last Wednesday, the Greenwood Index Journal had a lead editorial about Peggy. The writer knew Peggy and his editorial comes close to describing her in words. It reads:

Peggy Hollingsworth Lived to Be a Friend to Everyone

June 11, 2003

Ask some people if they believe angels live among us, and without hesitation they'll say yes.
There's a lot of worldly evidence to support that belief, too.
Some folks around Greenwood believe without question that we are not alone, that angels grace our lives and have a hand in guiding us through the uncertain and anxious times that are invariably part of everything we become.
They believe angels help light our way, even when we don't have a clue. They believe, even if we don't realize how much they influence our days, our hours, our minutes in this time and this place.
They believe that day in, day out, those angels are sent to look after us when we need them the most ….. when we need the comfort of a kind word or a hug or simply a reassuring pat on the back.

THAT'S HEADY STUFF. Are there angels among us? Some people believe there are, even if we don't see or hear them. Sometimes, though, there's no doubt. Their earthly manifestation is obvious all around us. It's all too obvious if we'd only see through the eyes of faith that is the essence of the eternity angels represent.
Peggy Hollingsworth had to be one of those angels. It would have been impossible to know her and not recognize that she was much more than what she seemed ….. and that was indeed angelic.
She was so many things to so many people. Most of all, though, she was the epitome of love for those who were on the receiving end of the grace she let flow to all around her.

PEGGY HOLLINGSWORTH once was the recipient of the Greenwood Sertoma Club's "Service to Mankind" award. That was truly indicative of and a reflection of how she lived ….. always for others. She was everything a family could want. She was more than most of us could even imagine. She was indeed a modern-day Good Samaritan who ministered to all who came her way and were in need of a friend.
Margaret Hamrick "Peggy" Hollingsworth was on her way to Charleston Sunday to visit her father. She never made it. She died in an automobile accident along the way.
It's a great loss to her family, of course. It also is a great loss to everyone who was touched by this remarkable lady. She isn't really gone, though. Angels never are.
Are there angels among us? Peggy Hollingsworth offered a lot of proof.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page. (Greenwood Index Journal)

Rob James Wows His Audience in French

Anne James reports:

In telling you about Rob I neglected to brag on his big achievement in Toulouse: he delivered his 25-minute address to the French-speaking Tillich association IN FRENCH!

All of this time PH thought Rob was reading a German Bible

Birthing and Wooing in Mid June

The birthdays for the next week are: Don Bunn is twenty-nine today. Margaret Oliver is twenty-nine on Monday. Sherrill Judd is twenty-nine on Tuesday. Miller Alvis and Kathy Wade are twenty-nine on Wednesday. Kitty Alvis is twenty-nine on next Friday. PH does not know the birthday or age of Beagle "Joe" Alvis.

June is a big wedding month. Six Shepson connected couples will celebrate wedding anniversaries next week. Rob and Anne James have been married forty-four years today. Nobody has informed PH of the name of the ship on which they met. George and Kitty Davis will celebrate thirty-four years of bliss tomorrow. Margaret and Chester Phelps will celebrate thirty-six years of conjoint joy on next Tuesday. Julia and Bob Shepherd will celebrate forty-three years of shared lives on next Wednesday. Peggy and Ed Pruden and Linda and Rick Mears will all celebrate thirty-two years of "for better or for worse" on next Thursday.

Beth Wilson Completes Thirty Years of Teaching Today

Now that Beth has earned a well-deserved retirement, maybe she can devote more time to the upkeep, maintenance and development of the Elizabeth B. Wilson Multipurpose Municipal Auditorium. The auditorium has a piano, a phone, a private outside entrance, two additional exits, is barrier free, and has good acoustics. Could we possibly use a DVD player, a computer and a red letter multiple translations of the Bible on software or CD? Can you imagine a program that would have all of the various translations including the Emily King inerrant Bible? Each Shepson could have his or her own monitor and select the translation of his/her choosing and read along a syllable at a time with Teacher Bob. The set up could be similar to off track betting. Oh well, just random retirement thoughts for Beth from PH. Regarding our study of John, the Spire indicates that Teacher Bob will commence at verse 16 of John 10 on this Sunday. It is your choice to believe it or not.

Summer Social Is Set for Saturday, June 28.

The SSBSC Summer Social Will be at the Double H 3 Farm in Buckingham County. You can arrive as early as 11 AM on Saturday and stay as late as you like. You might be wise to bring folding lawn chairs and walking shoes if you plan to walk any distance. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be provided. A sign up sheet will be passed this Sunday and next. Directions are as follows:

Go west on Patterson Avenue (Route 6) all the way to Scottsville, VA. You will pass through Goochland Court House, Georges Tavern and Columbia (which almost became the Capital of Virginia). You will cross the Rivanna River, pass by Dixie and reach Fork Union, VA. William Hatcher founded the Fork Union Military Academy here. Stay on Route 6 by turning right at the Exxon Station. Continue on Route 6 until you reach Scottsville, VA. There are well-marked sharp turns as you descend the hill to Scottsville. You will briefly travel along the James River on Route 6 in Scottsville. At the next intersection turn left onto Route 20 South. You will cross over the James River (on the bridge) into Buckingham County. Go about one mile and turn left onto State route 679. This is the first state road (paved) on the left after crossing the bridge. After turning left onto route 679, go about thirty to forty yards and turn left on to the gravel road marked by balloons. Follow the gravel road, which leads to the farmhouse. Park on the field by the front gate. There is a short walk to the house. As you pass through Scottsville you should realize that you are in the little town often mentioned on the Walton's TV show. The trip from RRCB to the farm is about 65 miles.

If you must travel by Interstate, drive on I - 64 west to the Gordonsville - Palmyra exit, turn left on Route 15 going south to where Route 15 joins Route 6 at Dixie and into Fork Union. Continue on Route 6 to Scottsville as advised above.

Much of this PHA has been necessarily serious, but hopefully to bring a smile is this:

Principal and Educator Ed Has a Parrot Joke

An old man was sitting on a park bench at the Mall. A young man walked up to the bench and sat down. He had spiked hair in all different colors: Green, red, orange, blue, and yellow. The old man just stared. Every time the young man looked, the old man was staring. The young man finally said very sarcastically, "What's the matter old timer, never done anything wild in your life?" Without batting an eye, the old man replied, "Got drunk one time in Hong Kong & had sex with a parrot. I was just wondering if you were my son."

More Evidence that the Devil Was Lurking on June 1

Did you notice in this week's Spire (that inspiring publication) that the E-mail connections to Rev Barbara, Rev. Chester and Dr. Bob are not functioning? The Spire suggests that this dysfunction was caused by the power surge on June 1. As mentioned in last week's PHA, PH wonders if this might have been the Devil lurking and perhaps Barbara, Chester, and Bob are just not fundamental enough.

And finally PH is indebted to Kitty and Miller Alvis for the following bit of wisdom. Being members of a conservative/moderate/liberal/ecumenical/evangelical Baptist Church we should probably always remember that Satan could be lurking. Not far from Kitty and Miller's home on Utley's Hill is the Goochland Baptist Church (founded in 1771). PH's paternal grandmother grew up in this church. Some months ago Miller and Kitty told PH that this church had a new sign on the road that runs by the church. The sign is much larger than the old one and has words of wisdom for the passerby. Attached is a photo of the current Goochland Baptist Church sign. Can you imagine a similar sign on River Road by RRCB?

Poor Henry's Archives

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