Anniversary Dinner September 26, 2008

On September 26, 2008, Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry celebrated their twentieth anniversary at the Jepson Alumni Center, University of Richmond. The sixty people who gathered enjoyed Barbara Jackson’s display of notebooks, minutes, pictures and BGAV meeting displays from past years. In addition, there was a media presentation featuring pictures of those who have participated over the years—a significant reminder of the passage of time!

Current Moderator Suzanne Stovall Vinson welcomed the guests and commented upon the significance of VBWIM. Betty Pugh Mills offered the blessing for the meal. After dinner Deborah Loftis introduced three of the four founders, Lynda Weaver Williams, Sharon James and Judith Bailey, who reflected upon their vision for the association in historical context. (Founder B.J. Seymour was ill and unable to attend.)

Barbara Jackson, co-editor, introduced our new book, Celebrating Twenty Years: A History of Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry, 1988-2008, written by the six women who served as moderator during the past twenty years – Judith Bailey, Betty Pugh Mills, Ellen Gwathmey, Deborah Loftis, Amy Holtz, and Elizabeth Rickert Dowdy. Judith Bailey introduced the featured speaker for the evening, Susan M. Shaw, who spoke on the theme, "Transitions: Celebrating Our Past and Envisioning Our Future." Dr. Shaw is associate professor and director of women’s studies at Oregon State University, a native of Georgia, and the author of five books. Her most recent books are God Speaks to Us, Too: Southern Baptist Women on Church, Home and Society and Women Worldwide: Transnational Perspectives on Women. She received her Ph.D. from Southern Seminary in 1987.

Following Dr. Shaw’s speech, Nancy Stanton McDaniel, Moderator-elect, gave the closing prayer.

With a look back, reflecting with old friends on what we have accomplished and in anticipation of the future, the evening was charged with excitement—a true celebration.