From the Pastor

One of the quiet but needed developments going on in the church is the work of a Church Utilization Committee.  While the name of the committee may be a bit inelegant, the work of this committee is important to our future.  God has blessed Skipwith Baptist Church with competent people and good facilities.  We do need to look at the church building and ask important questions – are we organized in how we use our facilities to best accomplish our mission?  I encourage you to be involved in expressing ideas about how we can teach and reach people more effectively.  Pat McGuire is the chairperson of this strong committee; he knows the questions to ask and will be glad to hear from you.

Our church web-site, SkipwithBaptistChurch.org is being updated to  a new look and will be a big improvement.  The web-site is a crucial tool in reaching out to younger people in our community.  The web-site tells the story of history, faith, ministry and calendar of our church.  Take a new look and tell us what you think.  

I am very pleased with some of the plans for the fall programming of the church.  I am convinced that God has put in place a staff that is committed to serving the Skipwith family encouraging worship, spiritual growth and missions.  Every church has its particular challenges.  God has a plan and calling for our church and community.  May we labor together with joy for the high calling of loving one another and serving our community in Jesus name.

In Christ’s peace,    Cecil

From the Director of Children, Youth and Young Adults

There is definitely a connection between God’s calling on your life and grace.  Grace is the heartbeat of our survival in this spiritual journey. We are so filled with fear, insecurities, doubts, and baggage that we sometimes overlook the fact that God calls people to all kinds of different things that are rarely “inside the box” or inside our comfort zone.  That is why God gave this grace as a gift to wrap up all that doubt and fear, and turn it into the strength we need to walk by faith.  The capacity to which God can call you to something has no limits or restrictions.  When we think about what we can do; we limit ourselves.  The God strength we have gives us the ability to go beyond what we may have thought possible!  I encourage you to listen, to open your heart, and to not be afraid or feel unworthy when God calls you to do His will!  He never ceases to amaze me everyday!

Youth Bible School

Our Vacation Bible School in July for children through grade 5 was a great success.  Now April has planned a VBS session for youth which begins on Monday, August 17 and runs through Friday, August 21.   Mark your calendar youth!  This will be a wonderful learning and fun event.

Young Adults SS Class

Our young adults have plans for a cookout on Saturday, August 8 and also a trip to Busch Gardens on Saturday, August 29.

Happy August Birthday

August 4         Patti Page

             5         Robin Gallagher

             7         Arthur Pearson

             8         Dave Wiltshire

             9         Mary Clark

            11        Beverly Taylor

            11        Brandi Levine

            11        Aaron Christian

            13        Gracie Colhoun

            13        Emmett Bass

            16        Sharon Spouse

            21        Don Sprouse

            22        Doug Edwards

            23        Michael Braun

            25        Betty Shelton

            26        Christin Chambers

            28        Lois Bass

            29        Dot Previs

            31        Doris Friedhoff

            31        Susan Clayton

Endowment Fund Report

Second Quarter, 2009

During 2009’s second quarter, stocks enjoyed their best quarter in years, improvement in the housing market, in the financial health of large banks and better investors’ sentiment.

Beginning Value as of 3/ 31/09           $57,490.54

Contributions                                                    .00

Unrealized Gains (loss)                            6,110.03

Ending Value as of 6/30/09                 $63,601.03

The fund, which is invested with the Virginia Baptist Foundation’s Balanced Portfolio, had a 10.6% increase for the quarter.

If you have a loved one memorialized in the Fund and have not responded to our request for information, we urge you to do sin order to have the “Book of Remembrance” current.

Please feel free to contact any member of the Endowment Committee if you have questions regarding the fund.  Members of the committee are: Louise Belfield, Glen Henrichs, Patti Page, Buddy Spencer, Joanne Taylor and Carl Smelley, committee chairperson,  Phone #  270-6660.    

Appreciation for the Memory Garden

Because of my health, I was unable to disperse my husband’s ashes on May 4^th.  I decided to wait until I felt better. I knew that life-long friends, Marianne and Bill Lee from Atlanta were going to be here in early June.  This seemed the best time to proceed along with friends here in town and a couple of our University of Richmond foster kids.

 On June 8^th, a beautiful sunny day, I with my good friends Bob and Marie Piper, foster children Ray and Ashley Gill (Pete and I had a big part in their courtship) and Marianne and Bill Lee plus Doris Friedhoff met at the Skipwith Memory Garden.

Bill Lee began talking about Pete and got a bit choked up.  They were fraternity brothers in college and roommates their senior year.  He told about Pete getting  sixteen other guys dates for a dance  and forgetting one for himself.  Pete ended up calling one of the beauty queens and was surprised when she accepted his invitation to the dance.

Other remembrances were shared.  I read the twenty-third Psalm.  Bob Piper delivered a lovely prayer.  Then Bill, Bob and I scattered Pete’s ashes.

I want to thank the Jo Pennington family and our church for providing this beautiful Memorial Garden for members and their friends to use in years to come.

Mary Lee Johnson

Skipwith Baptist Church

1900 Skipwith  Road

Richmond, VA 23229