Vol. 2, # 49, July 16, 2004

The Reverend Doctor Michael J. Clingenpeel Is Elected and Called to Be RRCB's Fifth Pastor.

The Reverend Doctor Michael James Clingenpeel was voted unanimously at last Sunday's called business meeting to become RRCB's fifth pastor. His wife Vivian will return to RRCB after more than thirty years. She sang with the Chancel Choir while she was a student at the University of Richmond. Timothy Clingenpeel is the couple's son. He is a rising senior at Wake Forest University. This week's Religious Herald indicated that Dr. Clingenpeel will write for three more issues of the Herald before leaving his post as editor and business manager of the Religious Herald after twelve years of service for that historic religious newspaper. Many who met Mike, Vivian and Timothy last Saturday night were impressed by Mike's remarks. Below is a photo of the three Clingenpeels. The photo credit goes to River Roader Warren Johnson. This photo will also be sent as an attachment in a separate E-mail.

Prayer Rounds

Alana Woolley's Memorial Service Is Set for Sunday, July 25 at 4 PM.

Information from the church office indicates that Alana Woolley's Memorial Service will be in the church sanctuary on Sunday afternoon, July 25 at 4 PM. Alana was theologically educated and a member of the Board of Administration, the Journey Class, the Modern Theological Discussion Group, the Book Lovers and the Board of Christian Education. Alana had worked for twenty-three years at the International Mission Board. Cecil Sherman quoted Alana at this year's Christian Education Banquet. It seems that the Board of Christian Education was discussing why the attendance in Sunday School at RRCB was not as good as the worship service. Cecil quoted Alana as saying: "River Road Church is the type of Baptist church that gives people permission not to attend Sunday School." PH is hopeful that many Shepsons will be able to attend Alana's Memorial Service.

Margaret and John's Grandson Has Left for Afghanistan

The Oliver's report the following regarding their grandson Jared

"Henry, Sorry to be so late getting this to you, but just found out exact details.
Jared Oliver, Company B, 3/116th Infantry, left Thursday afternoon for Afghanistan via Germany and Turkey on private airlines; then transport on military planes to destination. This week has been stressful for the family as well as the troops: originally scheduled to have left Monday; postponed to Tuesday, and then postponed again for today's departure."

Cecil Is Back at BTSR.

PH learned from another seminary professor that Cecil Sherman was back at BTSR for a Doctor of Ministry Seminar this past Monday. Don't be surprised to see Cecil this Sunday.

Remember in your prayers the family of Alana Woolley, Jared Oliver, Cecil and Dot Sherman, Rick and Linda Mears, Franklin Fowler, Sheri Coombs, Sandra and Carl Sizemore, Julia Tyler and her parents, Donald Deer, Mary and Julian Pentecost, Kay and Bob Culpepper, John and Margaret Oliver, Mike and Vivian Clingenpeel, the Church staff, the Executive Committee, our military and civilians in harm's way, and those only known to you.

Donald Deer was scheduled to have hip surgery on July 12. PH has not received a post surgical report and hopefully, the surgery was successful.

The Catacombs Are Underway

Last Sunday all in attendance heard Jeff Andrews, a friend of Terry Marsh's. Jeff told his remarkable story about turning from a life of crime to a new life directly related to his understanding of the scriptures.

This Sunday Chris Lindbloom of the Chancel Choir will enlighten us regarding the meaning of the music program at RRCB. Chris' exact title is:

Why We Do What We Do in the Way We Do It
(an exploration of the worship and music traditions at RRCB)

Shepson Terry Marsh wrote the following promo:

"Why does the choir sing an introit and then process down the aisle to the chancel? Why does the choir wear robes? Why is the overwhelming majority of our music classical? Why do we use a pipe organ rather than guitars and drums in our service? It would appear that we are in the distinct minority on all these points.

With respect to the music, my snotty answer would be that we like good music, the only other kind being bad music. But is it that simple? Is it only a matter of taste?

Chris strongly believes in our form and style of worship. But, he will argue, if taste is the only reason for our music and liturgy, then we're doing it for the wrong reasons. Come hear why. See you Sunday".

The Reverend Doctor and Shepson Rob James Will Speak on July 25

Rob reports his topic as follows

The American Civil Religion: Good Thing, Bad Thing, Or Both?

"My Catacombs Lecture will be a version of the presentation I made to the Religious Liberty Committee of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, of which I am a member For our July 25 Catacombs event, I am hoping for some lively discussion of the following question.

How do we relate our Baptist stand on keeping church and state separate to the powerful strain of patriotism that is inside nearly all of us? Without question there is a religious ingredient in the way we feel ourselves stirred by the history, inspired by the heroes, and grasped by the values of the land that has birthed us -- the nation whose power and influence now girdle the globe as that of the world's one and only super power. Can we get any clues from the way St. Paul says "principalities and powers" rule in our lives, both for good and for ill, in "this present age?"

Two More Shepsons Will Soon Reach Twenty-nine

Peggy Pruden will be twenty-nine a week from today and Marian Judd will be twenty-nine a week from tomorrow. Also Ellie and Gene Cox will celebrate thirty-eight years of wedded bliss a week from today.

The ISH School Supplies Campaign Began Yesterday

Items requested again this year are:

wide rule notebook paper
3 X 5 index cards
ball-point pens
washable markers
pocket folders
crayons
pencils
wide rule spiral notebooks
bottles of glue/glue sticks
blunt-end scissors
rulers
pocket folders
colored pencils
composition books
pink erasers
compasses
3-hole wide rule notebooks
highlighters

River Road Church tries to gather school supplies for ISH well before the beginning of school so that Henrico Social Service caseworkers can notify clients that they may sign up to receive supplies. If you don't have time to shop, but wish to participate, call Charlotte and Bill Simpson at 285-3185 or Brenda and Henry Holland(PH) at 288-8295 and they will shop for you.

The Local Church

Be sure to read Mike Clingenpeel's editorial in this week's Religious Herald. Mike writes about the local church and his words might hint at some of his hopes for RRCB. Also PH found it interesting that the Baptist World Alliance plans on reciting the Apostles' Creed at their 100th anniversary meeting in 2005. Did Jesus or one of the eleven or Paul write the Apostles' Creed? PH: Give me that old time religion as Dr. Crockett is resting.

PH

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