Around the State

Posted: 12/01/06

Around the State

• The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor art department will sponsor the 10th Christmas Workshop Dec. 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This year, the workshop will include a musical component, and a fee of $15 will be charged instead a gift collection as in years past. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult for the entire time. Children will make a variety of Christmas decorations and then will be entertained by Toucan Jam, a duo that plays musical instruments from around the world. Children who wish to attend only the musical portion of the event will be charged $8. Space is limited, and prior registration is recommended. For more information or to register, call (254) 295-4676.

• Phil Rhodes has been named director of institutional research and assessment at Houston Baptist University, effective Dec. 11. He most recently was senior research analyst at Baylor University, serving in that position since 1998.

• Audrey Chumchal was crowned 2007 Miss Mary Hardin-Baylor at the university’s annual pageant. Chumchal, who represented the freshman class, is a biblical studies major. Others honored included Lindsey Harkrider, first runner-up; Katrina Esco, second runner-up; Leslie Anne Estes; and Martha Sicking, fourth runner-up.

• Richard Blackaby, a well-known Canadian Baptist leader, was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree by Dallas Baptist University during its fall convocation. He is president of Blackaby Ministries International, founded by his parents. For 13 years, he was president of Canadian Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta. He also is the author of several books. His father, Henry Blackaby, is author of the best-selling Experencing God.

• Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary Alumni Association has honored Anne Burton with its distinguished alumni award. Burton is a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionary. She has served in Los Angeles as a chaplain at the University of Southern California, worked with migrants and refugees in North Africa, taught English as a Second Language and ministered among international students and visiting scholars. Prior to working with CBF, Burton worked at Rice University and Texas Medical Center in Houston through the Texas Baptist Student Ministries as intern associate director.

• The Texas Baptist Men group of Sur Zarzamora Church in San Antonio is reprinting the 20-volume commentaries of Joshua Grijalva at the request of churches whose pastors want to use them. The cost for 250 sets is about $13,000. For more information, contact Pastor Guadalupe Fonseca at 9339 S. Zarzamora Street, San Antonio 78224-2106.

• Susan Pigott, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology, has been named a founding fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. It is the first academy dedicated to the enhancement of ethical status of animals through academic publication, teaching and research.

Anniversaries

• Dan Chrestman, 10th, as pastor of The Fellowship of Tapestry in Hurlwood, Nov. 10.

• Tommy Culwell, 10th, as pastor of Colonial Hill Church in Snyder, Nov. 24.

• Baptist Temple in San Antonio, 95th, Dec. 10. Former pastors Mark Newton and Loren White will preach. Former Minister of Music Phillip Smith and his wife, Charre, will bring the special music. Following a catered lunch, Christian entertainer Clifton Jansky will present a concert.

Deaths

• James Grider, 71, Oct. 14 in Dallas. A bivocational pastor, he also worked as an auto mechanic. The Campbell resident was preceded in death by his sisters, Lilly Faye Grider, Alline Grider, Pauline Odessa Joe and Jessie Grider, and a brother, Earl. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughters, Debbie Byrd, Cathy Smithey, Debra Wade and Linda Payne; son, Dwight; brother, Frank; sisters, Hazel Branch, Bobbie Hutchins and Ruby Hensley; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

• Ennis Kirkland, 79, Nov. 11 in Jasper. Ordained in 1965, he was pastor of Calvary Church in Jasper, First Church in Spurger, Bon Weir Church in Bon Weir and Plum Ridge Church on Lake Sam Rayburn. A member of Hillcrest Church in Jasper, he was interim pastor of numerous Southeast Texas churches. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bobbie; daughters, Brenda Kay and Becky Gulley; sister, Joyce Hanks; and two grandchildren.

• Don Tew, 65, Nov. 20 in Austin. An architect, Tew designed 68 church sanctuaries and buildings, including Hyde Park Church in Austin, where he was a third-generation member. He also was the architect for 30 Central Texas schools. He served the Austin church as a Sunday school teacher and chairman of deacons. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease last year. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Todd and Monty; and eight grandchildren.

• Russell Pogue, 87, Nov. 20 in Valley Mills. As a student, he was pastor of churches in King, County Line and Val Verde. After graduation, he moved to the Panhandle and was pastor of churches in Kress, Friona, Hereford, Wellington, Peters-burg, Cisco and Spearman. After retirement, he served two years in Uganda with the Southern Baptist Mission Service Corps. After returning to Texas, he held several interim pastorates and was director of missions for Bosque Association from 1995 to 2005. He was a member of First Church in Valley Mills. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Howard and George. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Imogene; daughter, Lois Ferguson; sons, Jim, Dan and Ed; brother, Paul; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

• Dorothy McDowell, 81, Nov. 26 in Dallas. She was a retired employee of the Baptist Standard. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin. She is survived by her sons, Ronald and Mikal; daughter, Pamela Risley; sister, Rosa Harris; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

• Sidney Moore, 87, Nov. 27 in Dallas. She devoted her life to God and family. Her father died when she still was in her early 20s. At that time, she became the sole-support for her mother and three much younger siblings. Although she had several opportunities for marriage, she chose to remain single and provide a home for her mother and a future for her siblings. She held several jobs, but then found her niche at the Baptist Standard, where she retired after more than 30 years of service. She was preceded in death by her brother, T.E., and sisters, Beulah Jones and Annie Carson. She is survived by her brothers, Cecil and Donald.

Events

• Pleasant Grove First Church and First Church of Urbandale, both in Dallas, will merge in a unification service Dec. 31. Urbandale’s facilities will be used for the joined congregations, while Pleasant Grove will provide the ministerial staff. Prior to joining, on Dec. 9 at 10 a.m., a celebration service will be held at the Pleasant Grove Church site to honor the congregation’s 103 years of ministry to the community. Causey Gram is pastor.

Addie Barton

• First Church in Salado will dedicate a historical marker at noon on Dec. 10 recognizing Addie Barton, pioneer missionary to Mexico. She taught school in Saltillo, Mexico, from 1883 until 1910, when the Mexican Revolution forced her home. After returning to Salado, she worked with Mexican refugees until her death in 1921. The marker will be placed next the to church's historic bell, crafted in 1879. The bell will be rung as a part of the ceremony. After the ceremony, a fajita lunch will be served by the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief Feeding team. Brian Dunks is pastor.

• The seventh annual Waco Christmas Celebration will be presented at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Columbus Avenue Church in Waco. A cast of more than 200, including a 100-voice choir, along with handbells, ensembles and choreography, will be featured. There is no cost, and tickets are not required. Doors open 30 minutes prior to performance times. David Hardage is interim pastor.

• Gambrell Street Church in Fort Worth presents “A Choral Evensong in Accordance with the Anglican Cathedral Tradition” Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. Clyde Glazener is pastor.

• Baptist Temple in Houston will present Handel’s Messiah Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. The sanctuary choir, directed by Edward Crowell, will be joined by organist Lew Zailer and the Fidelis String Quartet of the Houston Symphony. Admission is free, and complimentary childcare is provided for children 5 years old and younger. Kelly Burkhart is pastor.