Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Homily for the Fourth Sunday After Pentecost - A New Dimension of God's Nature

The Gospel - Mark 5:22-24,35b-43

Homily by the Rev. Helen McKee

Dr. David Smith Ordained Priest

By Alice Coles & Jeanne Reynolds

On June 2, 2009, The Right Reverend Herman Hollerith IV, Bishop of Southern Virginia ordained Emmanuel's Vicar, Dr. David Hayes Smith, to the Sacred Order of Priests.

 

Bishop Hollerith presents Dr. Smith with his Ordination certificate at the
Reception following the Ordination Service.

Bishop Hollerith IV was assisted by The Right Reverend A. Heath Light, Bishop of Southwestern Virginia, retired. Visiting clergy from Danville, Suffolk, Norfolk and Roanoke dressed in their red stoles added to the ceremony of the occasion. The Reverend Samuel Colley-Toothaker, Priest at Epiphany Danville, preached the sermon.

Emmanuel's Choir was assisted in leading the hymns and singing the anthems by Epiphany's large choir.

Litanists for the service were The Reverend Susan Grimm and The Reverend Gary Butterworth. John Geyer and Alice Cromer read special prayers. Gospeller and Deacon of the Table was The Reverend William Jones who has served on numerous occasions at Emmanuel as Deacon.

Three of Emmanuel's young parishioners participated in the service: Morgan DePaulo as crucifer, Johnny Hunt as Banner Bearer and Seth Hunt as Gospel Book Bearer. Lay Presenters for Dr. Smith were Dr. Gary Fountain, Morgan DePaulo, Lila Nelson, Richard Camp, Irene Fry, Virginia Adkins and Charles Adkins.

Clergy Presenters included The Reverend Canon Win Lewis and The Reverend Canon Fred Poteet.

The Very Reverend Cleon Ross served as the Minister of the Ceremony.

 

Emmanuel Senior Warden Richard Camp congratulates Dr. Smith on his ordination and presents him with a gift from the Parish as parishioner Jeannette Parramore looks on.

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Following the service a wonderful reception coordinated by Mary Catherine Plaster was held in the Parish Hall. The Church and Parish Hall were resplendent with flower arrangements, ferns and palms.

During his remarks at the Reception, Dr. Smith thanked the Vestry, the members of the Parish, Bishop Hollerith, and all of the priests and deacons in the Diocese for their unfailing support and assistance during his ordination journey over the past eighteen months.

(There are many more photos in the Photo Gallery.)