Vol. III, # 34, April 1, 2005

The Crockett's Return from Antarctica

Dr. and Mrs. William Sunday Crockett have recently returned to Virginia after doing missionary work in Antarctica. They cannot estimate the number of souls that they may have reached in this unreached continent. Many of you may recall that Dr. Crockett was strongly considered for the position of senior pastor at River Road Church, Baptist about this time last year. If you recall Dr. Crockett had indulged in sin until his own conversion during his young adult years. His wife, the former Penelope Bottoms, also had her share of exposed sin. For background information printed in last year's PHA, you may refer to the following link:

http://www.rrcb.org/ministries/adult/sundayschool/sspha/sspha20040402.html

Dr. Crockett indicated that he plans to return to Antarctica after the Miss Nude World Pageant scheduled later this month in Eden, North Carolina. As you may recall Mrs. Crockett was a former title holder until her conversion at a tent revival. After her conversion she became a student at Bob Jones University where she met Dr. Crockett. Dr. Crockett is the only clergy judge in the contest and confesses that his main motivation for ”working” as a judge is to bare his soul as a witness to God's saving grace. He states, “After all Mary Magdalene was a close friend of Jesus.” Attached to this E-mail PHA is an alleged photo of Mrs. Crockett. PH is sure that all Shepsons and many River Roaders wish the Sunday's continued success down under in Antarctica. The Crockett's join PH in wishing all of you a joyous All Fools Day.

Shelton Connections Are Right Here at RRCB

Last week's PHA included a brief article on Sarah Shelton Henry, Patrick Henry's first wife. Sarah was born at Rural Plains in Hanover County and Patrick and Sarah were married inside the same house that stands today. PH received the following E-mails last week: First from Shepson Don Thomson:

"Henry, That was a good picture of Rural Plains. Many of the furnishings date back before the house was built. I have been told that the four poster in the bedroom came over on the Mayflower and was listed in the Doomsday Book. Fact or fiction, I do not know. The property was handed down from one generation to another, consequently, there has never been a deed, only the Land Grant from the King or Queen which consisted originally of some 5000 acres and was part of Hanover, and New Kent Counties. Bill (Shelton) is the last in the line of the Sheltons." Don T.

The Second E-mail was from Gordon Thomson

"Rural Plains was the home of my grandmother until she passed away in February 04. Hollie Rebecca Bailey Enroughty Shelton lived there for almost 40 years. She was married to William R. Shelton who is my step grandfather. I never knew my real grandfather as he had passed away before I was born.

Bill still lives at the home which was built in 1670. The property was given as a grant of the King. There is a genealogy chart in the front hallway that traces the family via marriages all the way to the kings and queens and the Magna Carta. The home was also used as a Union command center and hospital during the Civil War. That area is bounded by the Totopotomy Creek; hence the Battle of Totopotomy was fought as a lead up to Cold Harbor. Bill also has connections to the Hanover Tavern located at the courthouse area.

Many of you have seen my grandmother over the years. My brothers and I have spent many nights at Rural Plains while growing up. Audrey and I held our rehearsal dinner on the front lawn. Our daughter Bailey is named after her. Periodically, the Richmond Times-Dispatch would do articles on Grandma and Bill and Rural Plains. Bill has made a living as a nurseryman and specializes in English boxwoods.

Thought you'd like to know."

Gordon Thomson

PH would like to know if any Shepsons are related to Pocahontas

Prayer Rounds

Kathy Wade sends a prayer request and remembers Alana Woolley

Doc,
Thank you for the PHA mention of my friend, Leecy. My niece just informed me that her Dad, my former brother-in-law, Kirk Dadisman, will have lung cancer surgery on Thursday, March 31. Please add him to the prayer list and I will follow up with a condition report.

I'm so sorry I missed Barbara and Mary doing the Communion service. I thought of Alana Woolley and how she, too, would have been very proud of her church for letting ALL of God's people minister in so many capacities.

The obituary of Jackie Everett, friend of Carole Royall, Sue Hodder, and former ISH coordinator Alice Matthews, was in last Wednesday's Times Dispatch.

Remember in your prayers: the family of Jackie Everett, Kirk Dadisman, B J Seymour, Leecy Barnett, the family of Randolph Partridge, the family of Dorothy Becker, Dick Morris, Mary Pentecost and the family of D. M. Holbrook, Tom Hicks, the family of Kim Williams, John and Margaret Oliver, Donald and Barbara Deer, IMB missionary John Seale, Diane and Don Retzer, the VCU BSU, Cecil and Dot Sherman, Peggy Harris and her family, Rick and Linda Mears, Audrey Thomson's sister Sharon Ruben and Sharon's family, Jared Oliver, Julia Tyler and her parents, Kay and Bob Culpeper, the Church clergy and staff. Prayers should also be offered for our military and civilians in harm's way and for those only known to you.

Jane Jacobsen Recalls RRCB's Maundy Thursday

PH received an E-mail from former River Roader Jane Jacobsen. Her E-mail speaks for itself:

"Thank you, Henry – as ever, thank you. Except for the wonderful people that we love and miss, it is the Maundy Thursday service at RR that I long for after leaving Richmond. We attend a service most every year – and while there have been special ones, nothing can compare to the comprehensive, thoughtful, reverend, silencing, disturbing, then calming Tenebrae at RR. And then, this morning at work, your column – and I am so touched by your defense of Judas. It is just what this ole girl needed to hear – and certainly, his tragedy was his impatience to see the grace.

There is so much to ponder there – thank you for providing the big picture. Love to you all – and the best of Good Fridays to you."

J

Jane Jacobsen
Executive Director - Confluence Project
400 East Evergreen Blvd. Suite 101
Vancouver, Washington 98660
Jane@ConfluenceProject.org
http://www.confluenceproject.org/

A Few Words from and About Dr. Fowler

"Thanks, Henry, for the mention of my :"29th" birthday coming up Monday (March 28). I have had a wonderful life, born and bread on the mission field, Argentina, where I grew up in three cultures; the Argentine, British and USA. All in all, I thank the Lord for every day of it. With Dorcas my journey has been complete.

Yours in Christ,
Franklin

PH asked Franklin to share more about his early experience in three cultures and he did. Some of his words are shared here:

As to my growing up in three cultures:

1. British: For my elementary schooling I attended the British School of Mendoza. We were the only North American family there.but there was a fairly large British Community, railroads and Banking. Most of my friends there were British boys and girls, so I often was in their homes, afternoon tea, etc. I played cricket, true foot ball, soccer, and learned a lot of British History. I have always appreciated the British people.

2. Argentine. Of course, I was exposed to the Argentina culture, really more European. All Dad and Mom's work was in Spanish. I spoke Spanish as well if not better than English. I preferred to speak Spanish, though at home we spoke English. When I reached High School I went to Buenos Aires where there was a Norton American High School.

3, North America: As mentioned, we spoke English at home celebrated all the holidays, 4th of July, etc. Mother was from Tennessee and Dad from Florida, so I got a lot of stories from there two areas. While on furlough, fairly rare in those days, we lived in Florida and Tenn.
I grew up in Western Argentina, in Mendoza, right up against the great Andes Mountains.
So much for now,
Franklin

PH: We have a number of senior citizens (those on the down side of being twenty-nine) in our class and it is a real joy when we can learn more about them. PH invites any of our members to share any memories from which others might benefit.

Spring Social Is Only Nine Days from Today,
Belated Bill Sent the Following E-mail:

Hi, Everyone! Belated Bill could not find the Spring Social sign-up list Sunday morning and now has to resort to the class e-mail hotline to help get things rolling.

The social (a brunch) is Sunday, April 10th, from 9:20 AM-10:40 AM EDT in the church courtyard.

Bacon and eggs, and coffee, will be furnished.

Needed: orange juice, paper products, breakfast bread, fruit, pastry, muffins, and anything else you think the class might enjoy.

A request: can you either e-mail Ann Sledge at >GusSledge@aol.com< or telephone her at 740-1335 sometime this week to let her know if you will be there or not, and what you will bring if you will be there. If you don't find out until next week that you can come, just come anyway.

Staff members don't worry about bringing anything. Just stop by and enjoy.

Many thanks.

Belated Bill

Dr. Charles Bugg Is Named New Dean
of the School of Divinity at Gardner - Webb University

Dr. Bugg was a Catacombs Lecturer in 2001 and a guest preacher last year at RRCB. He will leave BTSR where he had served as a professor of preaching and assume his new position at Gardner-Webb on June 1. He will also serve as a professor of church ministry and leadership at Gardner Webb

We all wish him well in his new position.

One Hundred and Fifty Baskets Delivered,
The ISH Easter Basket Campaign Is a Success

River Road Church families contributed 150 Easter baskets to the month-long March campaign. Volunteers at the delivery site almost broke into a round of applause when the church bus pulled up with its load of baskets.

Thanks everyone for another major local missions success!

Teacher Bob Returns

Teacher Bob was away for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Did he go to the Holy Land, the Vatican or Eden, North Carolina? Regardless, Teacher Bob is scheduled to return to his teaching mission on this Sunday and may start around verse one of chapter twenty-one of First Samuel or ..............................................perhaps, the Prologue.

Carolyn & George Thomas May Be the Cause of Global Warming

Now that this headline has your attention, PH wants everyone to know that Carolyn Thomas will be twenty-nine on next Thursday, April 7. Now to the Thomas connection to global warming: Brenda and PH had the pleasure of sitting with Carolyn and George at the meeting of the History of Medicine Section of the Richmond Academy of Medicine. This meeting was held last Tuesday evening. During the course of the evening PH asked about the Thomas' courtship and wedding. It seems that Carolyn and George have experienced a number of situations when atmospheric temperatures were unusually high. One example should suffice. Their wedding date was June 28, 1969. The wedding was held in Carolyn's home church in Berryville, VA. The church was not air conditioned. The temperature in Berryville that day reached 104 degrees. That temperature remains a Berryville record. Was this nuptial passion? Was this a rare extreme of nature? Or was this the beginning of global warming? If so, some day a historical marker may be placed in Berryville marking the origin of global warming. Shake Carolyn or George's hand, but be warned that you may develop a fever.

Spring Forward to 3 AM EDT on Sunday Morning

This Sunday at 2 AM EST, get up and move your clock forward to 3 AM EDT. If you do not feel too uncomfortable, you might make this time change before retiring for the evening on tomorrow. Also, tell your pets about the change. If you do feel uncomfortable about making a time change before the official time, call PH for an appointment late Monday morning.

Chorus of Angels

Christ is arisen,
Out of corruption's womb:
Burst ye the prison,
Break from your gloom!
Praising and pleading him,
Lovingly needing him,
Brotherly feeding him,
Preaching and speeding him,
Blessing, succeeding Him,
Thus is the Master near,
Thus is He here!

(from Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832)

PH

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