Vol. 2, # 28, Feb. 20, 2004

The Denominational Affairs Committee Actually Met on Feb. 18

According to eye witness reports the Denominational Affairs Committee of RRCB met on February 18. Several Shepsons were present including Teacher Bob, Dr. Carolyn and Professor Rob. The committee had been asked by several SSBSC members to meet eight months ago. After snail's pace scheduling, human errors such as a broken water main and an act of nature (snow storm), this committee finally met. No affairs were reported, but there was a rumor circulating that Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler had been seen flying together to San Francisco but apparently this rumor could not be substantiated. Shepson and Teacher Bob has provided PH with the following reliable inside information:

"I am more optimistic after the meeting last night. There was a strong consensus that we are truly no longer SBC. We are going to research pension, health insurance, missions literature, issues (quickly) and identify and talk to our members with IMB and BGAV affiliations to see what effects a change would have. I believe we are going to start moving to disassociate as far as we can without hurting church members. We meet again on March 1, so no more foot-dragging. Bill Gray is still Chair and Carolyn Thomas is Vice-Chair and Rob James Secretary of the Committee."

In addition Bob reported a message from Mary Pankey:

"Mary Pankey said that our WMU has voted to ask the Missions Board to take Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon off our Missions envelopes although people could still contribute to them on their own through the church."

Jerry Rankin Talks

IMB president and Richmonder Jerry Rankin admits that the SBC is planning to leave the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) because the BWA agreed to admit the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) to the BWA. The story in reported by the Associated Baptist Press below:

This story by Associated Baptist Press ( www.abpnews.com) reports what Jerry Rankin, president of the SBC International Mission Board, had to say about the SBC proposal to defund and depart from the Baptist World Alliance, a body encompassing 211 Baptists unions and conventions around the world.

CBF membership influenced BWA decision, Rankin says

By Biblical Recorder staff (news journal of North Carolina Baptists)

RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) -- The Baptist World Alliance's decision to accept the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship into membership helped persuade the Southern Baptist Convention to withdraw from the BWA, an SBC leader said. Jerry Rankin, president of the SBC's International Mission Board and a member of the study committee making the recommendation, told IMB trustees Feb 2 at their meeting in Richmond, Va., that the CBF issue influenced the decision, since letting CBF have membership in BWA has in effect endorsed a schism among Southern Baptists.

Rankin is only the second member of the study committee to speak publicly about the committee's decision and the first to acknowledge the CBF issue played a part in the decision to pull out of the BWA. A study committee report does not mention the CBF issue, but instead says the BWA is becoming increasingly liberal.

The SBC Executive Committee is scheduled to consider the recommendation to leave BWA at a meeting in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 16-17. If approved there, it will go to messengers to the SBC annual meeting in June for final approval.

In an article released through Baptist Press, Rankin also said the proposed withdrawal of the Southern Baptist Convention from the Baptist World Alliance is not expected to affect the ministries of Southern Baptist missionaries or the IMB's partnerships with Baptist unions around the world.

While some Baptist unions may be reluctant to continue cooperation in mission efforts because of the decision, IMB leaders do not anticipate the decision having any impact on the work of missionaries, he said. IMB missionaries sometimes work in cooperation with local Baptist unions, but not always.

While the BWA emphasizes unity in diversity, Southern Baptists feel there must be parameters in terms of theology and doctrine in order to have an authentic basis of fellowship, Rankin said.

He also said he does not anticipate that Southern Baptists will attempt to form an alternate organization, as the study committee's report implied, but will seek opportunities for training, spiritual nurture and missions advance through global and regional conferences and events in partnership with like-minded Baptists.

PH: The Study Committee of the SBC regarding the BWA included the following people: Morris Chapman, Jimmy Draper, Tom Elliff, Paige Patterson, Paul Pressler, Jerry Rankin, Joe Reynolds, Gary Smith and Bob Sorrell. (Are these all men?). As a result of the report of this study committee, the SBC Executive Committee voted 62 to 10 to withdraw from the BWA. Final approval is expected to come from the SBC at the annual meeting of messengers in June 2004

Warren Johnson to be Honored at the IMB
Kathy Wade Reports:

"I'm not sure if many people at River Road Church know but Warren Johnson will have a retirement recognition at the IMB on Feb. 26, 2:30-3:30 p.m. I think Warren is in the Journey class but I'm not sure. Could you make sure the word gets out? I understand there will be a display of his photography and that alone will be worth the trip to the Board."

Food Baskets Mission Project Is Getting Organized

SSBSC Missionaries Charlotte and Bill Report Below:

"Dear Jane (Kizer, interim ISH director), I just talked with Betty Shumaker, coordinator at LAMB'S Basket. She said that River Road Church will become the third Henrico County church involved in the Easter Food Basket program.

St. Michael's Catholic Church gets the names of 20 families from LAMB'S Basket, calls each and asks them what food they would like, buys the food requested, and then delivers it directly to the families.

Trinity Lutheran Church gets the names of 20 families, fills 15 boxes for families of four or more and 5 for senior citizens, buys the food suggested on the same list we received, and then delivers the boxes to LAMB's Basket.

Betty says the major need at the moment is to feed families of four or more.

I committed the Shepherd-Simpson Bible Study Class and any other Sunday School class or individual who would like to participate to fill 20 boxes for families of four or more with food from the list - with a $10 WalMart emergency certificate in each box, and Charlotte and I will then deliver the boxes to LAMB'S Basket. I am counting on Chester and the youth of the church to box up the food delivered to the church and stored in the missions closet.

Charlotte and I are going shopping either late this week or first thing next week to start buying suggested food items and bringing it to the church. Other food brought to church will also be stored in the closet, pending the beginning of the boxing. I have been told that the best boxes to fill are those which are similar to the ones used to ship bananas. Ukrop's is said to be willing to save such boxes for people involved in this campaign."

Charlotte and Bill

Details Regarding the Food Baskets Is Below:

Suggestions for Easter food baskets for a family of four:

For a family of four or more - nine cans of vegetables, six cans of fruit, one box of crackers, one box of cereal, one box of rice, three packages of spaghetti sauce, one box of pancake mix, one package of dry beans, one bag of potatoes, one box of macaroni and cheese, two large boxes of jello, one bottle of syrup, one jar of jelly, three cans of tuna, one box of oatmeal, one bag of apples, two pounds of pasta, one box of bisquick, and one can of ham. NOTE: let's try to include a $10 gift card. Always try to avoid glass containers.

You might want to consider teaming up with a friend to shop for food. If you need help getting your food out of your car and/or to church, call Charlotte and Bill Simpson at 285-3185 and they will unpack it for you. If you want to participate in this local missions project, but are unable to shop yourself, call Charlotte and Bill and they will shop for you. If you have trouble getting out to WalMart, call Charlotte and Bill and they will purchase your gift certificate for you.

John Oliver Knows the History of Downtown Richmond

In response to PH's query in last week's PHA regarding the aerial photo of the downtown MCV area of a half a century ago, John Oliver provided the following correct answers. Shepson Margaret reported John's answers.

John says buildings no longer there are

City of Richmond office [police station], and Trinity Methodist church. Also the old Dental School Building and the John Marshall High School building and athletic field. Guess what= I worked for the dean of the Dental School 1944 to 1946 (PH - Margaret was obviously a child prodigy).

Church buildings in the photo that are still standing are:

First African Church [ the original 1st Baptist]
Monumental Episcopal Church
Old 1st Baptist [second location at 12th & Broad] now used by MCV

Teacher Gene Is Twenty-nine Next Wednesday
and
Ann and Gus were Married Forty-five Years Ago Today
(Could Southern Women Vote Then?)

If One Is Gay and Christian, Don't Go to Truett Seminary

The following article was sent by Shepson Carl Sizemore

Feb. 3, 2004, 7:13AM
from the Houston Chronicle

Gay student loses Baylor seminary scholarship

WACO - A former student at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary says losing his scholarship because he is gay is unfair. Matt Bass told his friends he is gay last spring, and word began to spread. When Truett officials met with Bass last fall, he would not answer questions about his lifestyle but acknowledged that he supports gay rights and marriage. He was notified in December that he would lose his scholarship, money from Truett and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Bass, 24, of Rowlett, was not expelled but left after the fall semester because he could not afford tuition. Bass, who did not earn his undergraduate degree at Baylor, had been at Truett since 2001. Paul Powell, the seminary's dean, declined to discuss Bass' case but said homosexual behavior is forbidden in the Bible and thus inconsistent with Truett's mission. "If a person, according to Scripture, which is our standard, is not a part of the kingdom of God, how can they be in training for a minister?" Powell asked. Bass said he does not believe his lifestyle conflicts with the Bible. He said he had met the requirements of his scholarship: making high grades and attending a church affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He said the pastor knows he is gay and "doesn't make a big deal about it." Bass was recently accepted to Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. He plans on teaching and researching what he calls religious violence against minority groups. In the Baylor student handbook, the school mentions "homosexual acts" along with incest and adultery and fornication under the sexual misconduct policy. Powell said some may be born with a predisposition to homosexual behavior but that they don't have to act on those desires. He compared the situation to some people's struggle with alcoholism. "Our standards of right and wrong are the Scriptures," Powell said. "If we ever abandon them, we're out of business. There's no reason for us to exist."

PH: If the "Scriptures" are the standards for right and wrong, then PH assumes that slavery is fine, polygamy is preferred and foreskins are a mark of success in battle and proof of a commitment to marry (see II Samuel 3:13-14). It would seem that Truett's loss is Candler's gain.

Prayer Rounds

None of us have heard how Emily King's aunt is doing. PH heard tonight (Thursday) that Hilton Almond went into emergency cardiac by pass surgery at Henrico Doctor's Hospital. Hilton had chest pain on Wednesday afternoon, went to the ER, was held overnight, had cardiac catherization on Thursday and emergency surgery was recommended. All of us will pray for a positive result.

Remember in your prayers Hilton Almond, Emily King and her aunt, the family of Gail Pollard, Linda Mears and her family, Matt Brooks, Kay and Bob Culpepper, John and Margaret Oliver, Mary Pentecost, Donald Deer, Dot and Cecil Sherman, Sue Hodder, Carole Royall, Edna Frances Dawkins, the Church staff, the Pastor's Search Committee, the Denominational Affairs Committee, our military in harm's way, the least among us (especially those fellow citizens who are homeless) and those only known to you. PH saw a patient last week who had recently spent two nights in CARITAS. The church in which she stayed was located in Chesterfield County. She was overjoyed with the breakfast which included eggs, sausage, bacon, homemade biscuits, grits, cereal and real coffee. She reported that the hardest part was being picked up at 7AM and returned to the Pace Center near Monroe Park when the temperature was in the low 20's.

PH thought that Cecil Sherman's sermon of last week spoke well of how the poor are blessed. Often due to circumstances beyond any one's control the least among us could actually be one of us. Cecil's text for last Sunday's sermon was Luke 6:20-26. That text begins "Happy are you poor; the Kingdom of God is yours! Happy are you who are hungry now; you will be filled. Happy are you who weep now; you will laugh."

Shepson Gene Will Teach This Sunday

Teacher Bob is off to a warmer climate for this weekend for some type of legal meeting that could not be held in Greenland. Teacher Gene may of may not stick to John. We shall all find out on Sunday. PH would still recommend that you bring a Bible.

Iron Jawed Angels

At this week's Tuesday Night Club there was some discussion about the film "Iron Jawed Angels," which is currently on HBO. The film is about two young educated women who are leaders in the women's suffrage movement during the Wilson Administration from 1913 to 1921. Because of the war issue, women's suffrage was taking a back seat during this time. These two ladies along with many others began to demonstrate before the White House gates. They were ridiculed, beaten and finally arrested for "obstructing traffic." They refused to pay a fine and were sent to a woman's work farm in Virginia. One of the ladies (Alice Paul played by Hilary Swank) is placed in solitary confinement and goes on a hunger strike. When she is finally allowed to return to be among the rest of the women in the dining hall, the other women join her in refusing to eat. The guards physically remove Alice Paul and proceed to force feed her. As she is being forcibly dragged from their midst, the women begin to sing. The verses they sing are:

I was standing by the window
On a cold and lonely day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away.

Chorus:
Will the circle be unbroken
By and By, Lord, By and By
There is a better home awaiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky.

Lord, I told that undertaker;
Undertaker, please drive slow,
For that body you are hauling,
Lord, I hate to see her go.

Will the circle be unbroken.......chorus

I will follow close behind her.
Try to hold up and be brave.
But I would not hide my sorrow
While they lay her in the grave.

Will the circle be unbroken.........chorus

This film reminds us all that over half of our population have only had the right to vote for eighty-four years. Those who had the courage to bring this about should not be forgotten. From the web is a short biography of Alice Paul

Alice Paul (January 11, 1885 - July 9, 1977)

Alice Paul is credited as one of the leading figures responsible for the passage of the 19th Amendment (woman suffrage) to the U.S. Constitution.

Paul was raised as a Quaker, attended Swarthmore College, and worked at the New York College Settlement while attending the New York School of Social Work. She left for England in 1906 to work in the settlement house movement there for three years. She studied at university in England, and returned to get her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (1912).

She was chair of a major committee (congressional) of the National American Woman Suffrage Association within a year, in her mid-twenties, but a year later (1913) she and others withdrew from the NAWSA to form the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage. This organization evolved into the National Woman's Party in 1917, and Alice Paul's leadership was key to this organization's founding and future.

In England, Paul had taken part in more radical protests for woman suffrage, including participating in the hunger strikes. She brought back this sense of militancy, and back in the U.S. she organized protests and rallies and ended up imprisoned three times.

Her emphasis on a federal constitutional amendment for suffrage was at odds with the NAWSA position, which was to work state-by-state as well as at the federal level. Despite the often strong acrimony between the two groups, it's probably fair to say (in retrospect) that the two groups' tactics complemented each other: the NAWSA's taking more deliberate action to win suffrage in elections meant that more politicians at the federal level had a stake in keeping women voters happy, and the NWP's militant stands kept the issue at the forefront of the political world.

After the 1920 victory for the federal amendment, Paul became involved in the struggle to introduce and pass an Equal Rights Amendment. The Amendment was finally passed in Congress in 1970 and sent to the states to ratify; however, the number of states necessary never ratified within the specified time limit and the Amendment failed.

Paul also was active in the Peace movement, stating at the outbreak of World War II that if women had helped to end World War I, the second war would not have been necessary.

Paul died in 1977 in New Jersey, the heated battle for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) having brought her once more to the forefront of the American political scene.

Attached to this PHA is a photo of Alice Paul.

PH

Poor Henry's Archives

February 13, 2004
February 6, 2004
January 30, 2004
January 23, 2004
January 16, 2004
January 9, 2004
January 2, 2004
December 26, 2003
December 19, 2003
December 12, 2003
December 5, 2003
November 28, 2003
November 21, 2003
November 14, 2003
November 7, 2003
October 31, 2003
October 24, 2003
October 18, 2003
October 10, 2003
October 3, 2003
September 12, 2003
September 5, 2003
August 29, 2003
August 22, 2003
August 15, 2003
August 8, 2003
August 1, 2003
July 25, 2003
July 18, 2003
July 11, 2003
July 4, 2003
June 27, 2003
June 20, 2003
June 13, 2003
June 6, 2003
May 30, 2003
May 23, 2003
May 16, 2003
May 9, 2003
May 2 , 2003
April 25, 2003
April 18, 2003
April 11, 2003
April 4, 2003
March 28, 2003
March 21, 2003
March 13, 2003
March 6, 2003
February 27, 2003
February 20, 2003
February 13, 2003
February 6, 2003
January 30, 2003
January 23, 2003
January 16, 2003
January 9, 2003
January 2, 2003
December 26, 2002
December 19, 2002