At its annual meeting the Jackson-Feild Homes Board of Trustees elected
new officers for a two-year term. They are Ms. Anne G. Greever -
President, Mrs. Beblon G. Parks - Vice President, Mr. Craig A. Tilley -
Treasurer and Mr. T. Darnley Adamson, III - Secretary.
Also elected are
four new trustees who will serve a three-year term each. They are Ms.
Ann H. Smoot, Mr. Shane M. Tilka, Mr. James M. Cox and Ms. Narendra R.
Pleas.
Ms. Smoot is
retired from the Virginia Department of Education as its Training
Director. She previously worked as a district training and safety
officer for the Virginia Department of Transportation. Prior to her
service with state government, Ms. Smoot was an educator for thirteen
years. A graduate of Emory & Henry, she received her Master's Degree
from the University of Virginia. Her volunteer experience includes
serving as a CASA volunteer and a parent representative on Hanover
County's Family Assessment and Planning Team. Ms. Smoot lives in
Culpepper and has summer home in the Northern Neck.
Mr. Tilka
currently is the Vice President of Operations for Iluka Resources
America having served in a number of capacities within Iluka since 2005.
He received his undergraduate degree from Edith Cowan University in
Australia and his graduate degree from Western Australian School of
Mines. Mr. Tilka and his family live in Chesterfield County.
Mr. Cox is a Vice
President and partner with Manry Rawls, LLC in Franklin. He also is
President of Cox & Moncure, a company that operates a chain of
sixteen mattress stores under the name of Mattress Outlet. A native of
Richmond and an alumnus of St. Christopher's School, Mr. Cox received
his undergraduate degree from Virginia Military Institute and his MBA
from the College of William & Mary. He and his family live in
Franklin.
Ms. Pleas is
native of Georgia who moved to Virginia Beach when she was in high
school. A graduate of Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, she received her
Juris Doctorate from the University of Indiana. Previously a practicing
attorney in the Emporia/Greensville and Sussex County Common wealth
Attorney's Offices, she is now the Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for
Suffolk. Ms. Pleas is a member and treasurer of the Emporia/Greensville
Volunteer Rescue Squad, a former secretary for the Virginia Association
of Volunteer Rescue Squads District 2, and a member of the Board of
Directors of the Emporia/Greensville YMCA.
Education for Ministry (EfM) offers a progressive four year program of
study and discussion which affords everyone an opportunity to learn
more about scripture, Church history, and where theological thought
stands in our world today. A core element of the program is the
Theological Reflection, which is an activity designed to encourage
participants to connect biblical and theological knowledge with
everyday issues of contemporary life, and to ultimately discover ways
to enhance our lives in the Christian context. The program is open to
any person seeking further knowledge of the Bible and related
documents, theology, church history, and ethics. The context is the
mentored small group, as authorized and supported by the School of
Theology at Sewanee, University of the South. Beginning in early
September, EfM groups meet on a weekly schedule through the school
year. 
"The influx of vulnerable people from Central America, including
unaccompanied minors as well as mothers with children, continues to
challenge the United States to respond compassionately. Like Sudanese
or Syrian refugees, these people are fleeing hunger, violence, and the
fear of rape, murder, and enslavement. The violence in Central America
has escalated significantly in recent months, particularly as a result
of gangs and trafficking in drugs and human beings. These people are
literally fleeing for their lives. 
