The annual memorial service at Old Bethel Church will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 24th "in memory of the good people who have gone on before."

     W. Naff, Jr., will be the spiritual leader at this year's service. He recently resigned after 20 years as principal of the Boyce Elementary School. He was appointed "Lay Reader" for the charge of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Bluemont, by Bishop Robert Hall, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, in July.

     In the June 5, 1980 Clarke Courier story announcing Naff's retirement as principal of the Boyce School, he is quoted as "...having tentative plans to go into ministry on a part-time basis." It is also understood he plans to go to the Seminary in Alexandria this fall in pursuit of the ministry.

     Naff's roots go deep in connection with Old Bethel Church. He served well and long as a member of its Board of Trustees. He also married the former Virginia Burch, whose ancestors go back to James and Elizabeth Sowers, who, among others, on July 16, 1808, "... having received letters of dismission from Buck Marsh Church, do covenant and agree to unite together in a church called Bethel." This quote can be found on page 39 of the Proceedings of The Clarke County Historical Association, Volume XIX, 1977-1978. It is from a historical study by Alexander Mackay-Smith, who quotes from the minutes and records of Old Bethel.

     Susan Hudson, a native of Clarke County and a graduate of Shenandoah College, Winchester, with a bachelor of music degree, will be the soloist at this year's service. She is the daughter of Old Bethel's excellent and faithful organist. She will sing "How Lovely Is The Hand Of God" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee--Thou Art Worthy".

     Executive director Fred Anderson, the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, will be the main speaker. Anderson was the subject of a story in last week's Courier.

     The entire service is expected to last not more than one and one-half hours and will be followed by a picnic lunch at 1 p.m. served on the church grounds, shaded by Bethel's 200 to 300-year-old oaks.