Staunton Mennonite Church
2405 3rd St - Staunton, VA 24401

Pastor Richard S. Weaver

  "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." (John 20:21)

 

Richard Weaver grew up in Harrisonburg. His father, H.D. Weaver, was the business manager of EMS (EMU). He graduated high school from EMS in 1936 and worked at different jobs from sheet metal, grocery store management to refrigeration until he was drafted by the Army in March, 1944, during World War II.
As a conscientious objector, Richard was first sent to Civilian Public Service Camp #28 at Medaryville, Indiana, where the work projects were farming, wild life reconnaissance and forestry. After 9 months there he transferred to CPS Unit #93, the Harrisburg State Mental Hospital in Pennsylvania. After another 9 months, Richard transferred to CPS Unit #103, a U.S. Forest Service Smokejumpers unit that fought forest fires by parachuting to remote areas. He purchased and flew a 65 HP Taylorcraft airplane trainer from Harrisburg, PA, to Missoula, MT. The plane was used by the Smokejumper Flying Club. Richard served as flight instructor and camp clerk until the camp closed in January of 1946.

He then returned to Medaryville, IN and became camp director. While on furlough, he married Virginia Grove in March, 1946. She accompanied him back to Medaryville as camp nurse and matron. They were charged with closing Camp #28. They then transferred to CPS Unit #55, at Belton, Montana, as director and camp nurse, where they served until discharged from Civilian Public Service.

Back home in Virginia, Richard and Virginia lived at Dale Enterprise near Harrisonburg. Richard worked as a plumber with his father-in-law and Virginia served as a registered nurse at Rockingham Memorial Hospital.

On August 15, 1948, Richard was ordained by lot to the ministry by Virginia Mennonite Conference. After he was ordained, he earned a BA in Bible from EMC (EMU) in 1953. Together, Richard and Virginia served pastorates at Bethel, Horton, Lambert, and Job, West Virginia, then at Rawley Springs and Sandy Bottom in Rockingham County, VA. In 1958, Richard became pastor of Broad Street Mennonite Mission, where he served for 20 years. After leaving Broad Street, he was asked to pastor the New Covenant Mennonite Church from its inception until a younger pastor became available. After retiring from New Covenant, he served Hopewell Mennonite Church at Elverson, PA, as interim pastor from 1988 to 1989.

Richard graciously came out of retirement to serve as interim pastor at Staunton Mennonite Church for 6 months, and then agreed to stay on as half-time pastor. He was Pastor until 1995, and then retired again. Following his retirement from the ministry he was appointed elder until 2003. At that time Richard and Virginia felt they needed to be closer home because of health reasons. Richard and Virginia live at Dale Enterprise and enjoy traveling in their RV, amateur radio, gardening, and visiting with their many friends and family. They are now members at Weaver’s Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, but continue to be active in the life of the Mennonite Church. At Weaver’s he serves as assistant teacher of the Adult Sr. Sunday School Class where his motto is, “You retire from pastorates, but never from ministering”. Richard and Virginia have given us many years of mature insight and contributed many hours to the work here at Staunton Mennonite they continue to be and inspiration to us all.

 

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