# 52, July 25, 2003

Rob James Will Conclude Tillich Lectures on this Sunday

Paul Tillich said, "The first duty of love is to listen."

Catacombs Lectures, July 27, 2003

Rob Advises:

It is not necessary to read anything to participate fully in the sessions, including the discussion, but those who have the interest and time might look over or read the items listed prior to the last session this Sunday. "Table" refers to a four columned table given out in class entitled "Finding the Best Attitude in Our Encounters with Other Faiths."

July 27
Contextual Exclusivism
The Table, especially column 4
Tillich and World Religions, chapter 5, plus preface and chapter 1 if not already read

PH: This time spent in study will be enriching and there is no tuition charge, but Missionary Bill might ask for some school supplies. PH encourages all Shepsons and guests to purchase Rob's book

Paul Tillich also said,

"Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt."

The Catacombs Lectures Continue Next Sunday, August 3 with Jim Slatton

Pastor Emeritus and Reverend Doctor James Slatton will present the next Catacombs Lecture on August 3. Teacher Bob has obtained the details from Jim. Bob writes:

"I have talked with Jim Slatton again and he is still on tap for Sunday, August 3rd. His planned topic is "Baptist Origins--The 'Whitsett Controversy'." I told him the class would start at about 10:00 a.m., and would end around 10:30 a.m. or so as the choir leaves. However, I forgot that the choir does not assemble in August so perhaps we could give him a few more minutes." Bob Shepherd

PH has heard from more than one choir member that the choir members can remain in their seats until Jim has concluded his presentation. Chancel Choir Member and Shepson Terry Marsh writes:

"Jim absolutely can have all the minutes he wants. I have it on good authority that the choir will not be leaving. Therefore, he will again be preaching to the choir." Terry

The Catacombs Lectures Will Continue with Shepson Gene Damon and BTSR President Tom Graves Later in August

PH wrote Gene in hopes of learning of his topic. Gene's response is:

"Not yet. I have two things I am working on but don't know if it is one thing for two weeks or two things for one week each. Might not know until I get back from vacation just before I have to teach. We'll be gone for the next two weeks and I'll have to work on it while away -- guess it is something to do if we have some rainy days while camping.". Gene Damon

PH: Does Gene's answer sound like a theologian or a mathematician? There must be a formula to describe this situation. If X is the unknown lecture that Gene will present on August 10, followed by August 17, then the following may be plausible.

X = a + b (where a is the lecture on August 10 and b is the lecture on August 17)

Or

2X = a + b

Or maybe Beautiful Mind Dick Morris can present a more accurate formula that might appear in next week's PHA.

Regardless, Gene and Betty are camping somewhere. Maybe we should pray for some rain in their locale so that Gene will be well prepared. Perhaps a word from Tillich might inspire Gene:

"The courage to be is rooted in the God who appears when God has disappeared in the anxiety of doubt."

Beginning on August 24, BTSR President Tom Graves will conclude the Catacombs with the first of three lectures. And then before you know it, Teacher Bob will resume the study of the Gospel of John.

Picking and Strumming Dick Morris Will Soon Master "Old MacDonald Had A Farm."

Dick's letter to PH speaks for itself:

Henry,
Jim Ladd is a very good guitar player. The VCU Guitar Ensemble has a mix of members, some of whom are professionals and others are accomplished amateurs. Jim was asked to join that group in recognition of his skills as a player. They will put on a good concert this Sunday.

I am definitely not a member. I'm still trying to figure out the chord changes in "Old MacDonald had a Farm". Dick

Based on the statement below by Paul Tillich, Shepson Dick is a mature person:

"The awareness of the ambiguity of one's highest achievements (as well as one's deepest failures) is a definite symptom of maturity."

Jim Ladd is in the VCU Community Guitar Ensemble (a 20-member guitar orchestra), which will perform a free concert at VCU's Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, July 27th, at 4:00 P.M. All are invited.

Richmond Magazine Selects Shepson Gene Cox As Best TV Anchor

The most recent issue of Richmond Magazine named Shepson Gene Cox as the Best Television Anchor. The magazine quotes Gene as saying: "That's what I get for subscribing to all those copies." Kidding aside, Cox is grateful for the honor and proud of the team that helped him get it. "We've been together for about twenty years," says Cox. "I think what we have here works."

But, But

Gene was also selected as the "Local Media Person You Wouldn't Want to Be Stuck in an Elevator With." Richmond Magazine writes, "Gene? Really? But you love Gene, don't you? He's not in a rush to hop in an elevator with anyone, but, says Cox, "'There's an inconsistency there that I think would be best explained by the readers." PH wonders if this latest selection has any connection with Gene being chosen by Style Magazine as the "Most Studly Male TV Anchor." See PHA # 39, April 25, 2003, for more details concerning this unique honor.

Can the SSBSC handle this type of publicity? Yes, we can. We have so many Shepsons whose presence could appear in the media almost any time.

Prayer Rounds

Margaret Phelps had successful carpal tunnel surgery. A recent communication from Chester via Charlotte and Bill reports the following:

"We talked with Chester this afternoon [Thursday] and he reported that Margaret's stitches will be removed Monday or Tuesday, but that she will have to be careful using her hand for a good while longer (the other hand will be fixed soon, also). Unfortunately, while he was working at the farm last weekend, Chester snared the index finger on his right hand with a razor while putting up sheetrock which necessitated 5 stitches above the finger and four below it. The nearest medical care was in South Hill, 30 miles away. He is OK, thankfully."

PH: In case the reader is unaware, South Hill is in Southside Virginia. Physicians are scarce in this vicinity of Virginia. Wonder why?

SSBSC Missionary Charlotte Simpson apparently has shingles around her eyes. There is the possibility that she may also have poison ivy. Regardless, she is being treated for both.

PH has been informed by a reliable source that Dot Sherman's condition has declined. We should all be thinking and praying for Dot and Cecil during this difficult time. Cecil's sermon last week spoke such wise words to any who have dealt with significant adversity in life.

Carole Royall's aunt, Lillian Rosser who lives in Whitakers, NC, is in a terminal condition. Our thoughts are with Carole and her family during this difficult time.

Margaret Oliver has good news about John. She writes:

"John is getting stronger each day, and appetite good. He is walking the halls up and down about 5 times, twice a day." Margaret Oliver

Please remember in your prayers Margaret and Chester Phelps, Charlotte Simpson, Dot and Cecil Sherman, Carole Royall's aunt Lillian Rosser, John Oliver, Nancy Werner's nephew Doug Baumgardner, Kathy Diamond, Woody Hasty, Donna and Rob Brown, Janet Moyers, Denise Gaal, Dick Harwood, Beth Wilson's Aunt Florence Booker, Rob James, young Davis Summers, Helen Davis, Kim Dodson, Chester's parents, the Manor Bible Study Class, the Church Staff, the Pastor's Search Committee and those only known to you.

July ISH Mission Project Is Underway

From SSBSC Missionaries Charlotte and Bill

THE NEXT TIME YOU PASS A TARGET STORE
PLEASE REMEMBER THE ISH SCHOOL SUPPLIES CAMPAIGN

The annual River Road Church school supplies campaign on behalf of Interfaith Services of Henrico (ISH) will be held from July 15-August 15.

Supplies needed include such items as wide-rule loose leaf notebook paper, wide-rule spiral notebooks, black and white composition books, ball-point pens, #2 pencils, pink erasers, blunt scissors, pocket folders, Elmer's glue, glue sticks, washable markers, highlighters, colored pencils, crayons (8,16,24 count boxes), index cards, boxes of tissues, rulers, bottled anti-bacterial soap, 3-ring binders (1,2,3-inch), compasses, protractors, pencil boxes, and writing tablets.

Every year about the middle of July, Target stores begin making available large quantities of many school supplies at rock-bottom prices. This year their wide-rule, 70-page spiral notebooks are already available for 27 cents apiece. You can purchase a box of 24 notebooks for $6.48. Many of the other items listed above should probably become available in the next week or so if previous years are any indication.

Gifts may be brought to the Shepherd-Simpson Bible Study Class on Sunday mornings or to the church office during the week. If you would like to participate in the campaign, but don't have time or transportation to shop, please call Charlotte and Bill Simpson at 285-3185 and they will shop for you.

PH: If any Shepson knows of a better deal on school supplies than Target, let Charlotte and Bill know about your find.

Last Call For River Roadsters to Get "In the Mood."

The River Roadsters of River Road Church will travel to Norfolk on Sunday, September 21, to attend the well-received musical event, "In the Mood: A 1940's Musical Revue." This revue highlights the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskin Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra, and more.

Deadline for "In the Mood" Is Monday

We will leave church at 12:30 P.M. and return at approximately 9:30 P.M. The cost of the trip is $94 per person, which includes two wonderful meals. The deadline for reservations is Monday, July 28. Tickets for this performance are sold out and our tickets will not be held for us after the July 28 deadline. Please call Eunice Wolford at 794-4651 for more information.

Shepsons Take A Break On Birthday and Anniversary Celebrations

PH is not aware of any Shepson birthdays or anniversary events for the next week. Since this PHA # 52 will mark the end of the first year of publication of this almanac, the next PHA will attempt to review the first year and begin anew. There is no doubt that PHA readers are a tolerant group.

Stats from the Deer Man

PH received the following stats from Donald Deer on PHA # 51:

"If you're interested in statistics
# 51 was sent to 65 people,
had 2994 words,
and came to 12 pages!"

Interim Report Due Next Thursday

Next Thursday at 6 PM another summer dinner gathering will occur in Fellowship Hall. The same rules will apply. Bring a side dish or dessert and a few dollars for the meat and bread. At 6:45 PM, the Pastor Search Committee will provide those present with an "Interim Report." Is the PSC considering SBC connected pastoral candidates or non SBC connected pastoral candidates? Maybe they will find a John Woolman type (see below). Advance reservations are required for the meal and you must contact the church office by "high noon" on Wednesday, July 30 or you might have dreams about Gary Cooper.

John Woolman the Quaker (1720 - 1772)

Several weeks ago Interim Pastor Cecil mentioned Quaker John Woolman in a sermon. He related that Woolman was recognizing the evils of slavery in the mid eighteenth century in the colonies. Woolman lived most of his life in New Jersey and first became aware of the evils of slavery at the age of twenty-three when his employer asked him to write a bill of sale for a slave. He told his employer that he did not feel that the institution of slavery was in keeping with the Christian religion. On an essay on "Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes," Woolman concluded his essay with these words:

"To conclude, 'tis a truth most certain that a life guided by wisdom from above, agreeable, with justice, equity, and mercy, is throughout consistent and amiable, and truly beneficial to society. The serenity and calmness of mind in it affords an unparalleled comfort in this life, and the end of it is blessed. And, no less true, that they who in the midst of high favours remain ungrateful, and under all the advantages that a Christian can desire are selfish, earthly, and sensual, do miss the true fountain of happiness and wander in a maze of dark anxiety, where their treasures are insufficient to quiet their minds. Hence, from an insatiable craving they neglect doing good with what they have acquired, and too often add oppression to vanity, that they may compass more. "Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!" Deut. 32:29" PH

Fun Foto: Attached to this PHA is a photo of SSBSC celebrities at last month's farm social. Standing L to R are Teacher Bob, Beth Wilson of the EBWMMA, Beth's friend George and seated is Julia Shepherd, founder of Julia's Tuesday Night Club.

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