If you are a Virginia Tech student who loves the mountains and valleys that surround the campus, and are looking for a quiet place to enjoy God’s creation, you would probably follow US 460 (main road through Blacksburg) west for about 6 miles, crossing the first range of the Alleghany Mountains (eastern-most Appalachians) and on your way up the mountain to the second range, turn left on Craig Creek Road. You would find yourself driving through the JeffersonNational Forest.

One online vacation magazine (away.com) refers to this as: “prize Appalachia country: tumbling waterfalls, rare wildflowers, vividly colored hills and Virginia’s highest peak.” No wonder so many Tech students who want a quiet place to meditate, or talk, or yes, in the evenings a bit of ‘making out’, drive the nine additional miles of CraigCreek road to arrive at Caldwell Fields.

There is a parking area overlooking one of the fields, know as Addison Field, where the bodies of two of those Virginia Tech students – David Metzler, 19 of Campbell County and Heidi Childs, 18 of Forest (both areas in the suburbs of Lynchburg, VA) were found dead of bullet wounds on Thursday, August 27th, in the early morning – apparently victims of an attack the previous night (the parking lot is closed form sunset to sunrise).

Learning many lessons from the on campus massacre two years ago, Virginia Tech President Charles Steger quickly sent a calming but fully factual email to the entire campus community Thursday afternoon. “Trauma like this is deeply painful to us all. Once again, this community is visited by senseless violence and tragedy upon aspiring young minds from our campus,” Steger said in his statement.

The two victims were extremely close friends, as one would expect engaged couples to be. Heidi’s father, a Virginia State Police sergeant, explained that she had called home that day to announce that she had decided to turn her biochemistry major into pre-med and wanted to share her ideas and dreams with David. Caldwell Farms seemed like the perfect place to dream together of the future.

Both suffered gunshot wounds, and were found by a passerby. David’s body was in his car, a 1992 Toyota; Heidi’s some ways distance away. In this era of everyone’s focus on forensic evidence, the only items collected by investigators were hairs, a sweatshirt and the car.

There is a National Forest public shooting range back on Craig Creek Road, close to US 460, but apparently no evidence was found there – although the major speculation going around town envisions the murderer as a deranged shooter returning from practice. The Montgomery County Sheriff Department, that is investigating the case, has not named a suspect and say they are considering the deaths ‘a random act.’

Random or not, the life’s of two young Christians were cut short and the grief has overflowed from the Tech Campus, back to their home church – Heritage Baptist in Lynchburg – and on to other churches. The Childs family had previously lived in Abingdon, Va., where they were members of Abingdon Presbyterian Church in America and active in the home-schooling movement. David’s sister is a teacher at a Lynchburg area Christian school had had dozens of friends in many of the city’s churches, including Redeemer PCA.

Videos of the funeral services, which were held on Tuesday afternoon at Heritage Baptist (David’s at 1:00PM, Heidi’s at 3:00PM) are available on the church website. The services were filled with both grief at the loss and joy of knowledge that these two young Christians are now with their Savior. [Editor’s note: the original URL (link) referenced in this article is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.]

 

 

The Institution of

 

The Rev. William H. Smith

 

as Rector

 

of

 

Covenant

 

Reformed Episcopal Church

 

Roanoke, Virginia

May 17, 2015

An Office of Institution of Ministers into Parishes

 

¶ At the time designated for the new Incumbent’s Institution, the Bishop, attended by the new Incumbent, and by the other Clergy present, shall enter the Chancel. Then, all the Clergy present standing in the Chancel or Choir, except the Bishop, shall go within the rails of the holy Table; the wardens standing on the right and left of the Table, without the rails; the senior warden holding the keys of the church in his hand, in open view, the Bishop shall say,

 

D

EARLY beloved in the Lord, we have assembled for the purpose of instituting the Rev. William H. Smith into this parish, as Presbyter and Rector of the same; and we are possessed of your vote that he has been so elected; as also of the prescribed Letter of Institution. But if any of you can show just cause why he may not be instituted, we proceed no further, because we would not that an unworthy person should minister among you.

 

¶ If any objection be offered, the Bishop, or the Presbyter who acts as the Institutor, shall judge whether it afford just cause to suspend the Service.

¶ And then shall the senior warden (or the member of the vestry supplying his place) present the keys of the church to the new Incumbent, saying,

 

I

N the name and behalf of Covenant Reformed Episcopal Church, I do receive and acknowledge you, the Rev. William H. Smith, as Presbyter and Rector of the same; and in token thereof, give into your hands the keys of this church.

 

I

William H. Smith, receive these keys of the house of God at your hands, as the pledges of my Institution, and of your parochial recognition, and promise to be a faithful shepherd over you; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

 

¶ Here the Bishop shall begin the Office, saying,

 

The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Minister. Let us pray.

 

D

IRECT us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus

Christ our Lord, who hath taught us to pray unto thee, O Almighty Father, in his prevailing Name and words,

 

O

UR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

¶ Then shall the Bishop receive the Incumbent within the rails of the holy Table, and present him the Bible, Book of Common Prayer, and Books of Canons of the General Council and Diocese, saying,

 

R

ECEIVE these Books; and let them be the rule of thy conduct in dispensing the divine Word, in leading the Devotions of the people, and in exercising the Discipline of the Church; and be thou in all things a pattern to the flock committed to thy care.

 

Psalm 26. Judica me, Domine.

B

E thou my Judge, O LORD, for I have walked innocently:

My trust hath been also in the LORD, therefore shall I not fall.

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;

Try out my reins and my heart.

For thy loving-kindness is ever before mine eyes;

And I will walk in thy truth.

I have not dwelt with vain persons;

Neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful.

I have hated the congregation of the wicked;

And will not sit among the ungodly.

I will wash my hands in innocency, O LORD;

And so will I go to thine altar;

That I may show the voice of thanksgiving,

And tell of all thy wondrous works.

LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house,

And the place where thine honour dwelleth.

O shut not up my soul with the sinners,

Nor my life with the blood-thirsty;

In whose hands is wickedness,

And their right hand is full of gifts.

But as for me, I will walk innocently:

O deliver me, and be merciful unto me.

My foot standeth right:

I will praise the LORD in the congregations.

 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be; world without end, Amen.

 

Minister. The Law was given by Moses;

People. But Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ:

Minister and people. Who is God over all, blessed for evermore. Amen.

Minister. Let us pray.

 

M

OST gracious Father, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, who of thy wise providence hast appointed diverse Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we beseech thee, to thy servant, to whom the charge of this congregation is now committed; and so replenish him with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue him with innocency of life, that he may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

 

O

HOLY Jesus, who hast purchased to thyself a universal Church, and hast promised to be with the Ministers of Historic Succession to the end of the world; Be graciously pleased to bless the ministry and service of him who is now appointed to offer the sacrifices of prayer and praise to thee in this house, which is called by thy Name. May the words of his mouth, and the meditation of his heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, our Strength and our Redeemer. Amen.

 

O

GOD, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, visit, we pray thee, this congregation with thy love and favour; enlighten their minds more and more with the light of the everlasting Gospel; graft in their hearts a love of the truth; increase in them true religion; nourish them with all goodness; and of thy great mercy keep them in the same, O

blessed Spirit, whom, with the Father and the Son together, we worship and glorify as one God, world without end. Amen.

 

¶ The Instituted Minister, standing up, shall say,

 

The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Minister. Let us pray.

 

O

ALMIGHTY God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; Grant that, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, all Christians may be so joined together in unity of spirit, and in the bond of peace, that they may be an holy temple acceptable unto thee. And especially to this congregation present, give the abundance of thy grace; that with one heart they may desire the prosperity of thy holy Apostolic Church, and with one mouth may profess the faith once delivered to the saints. Defend them from the sins of heresy and schism; let not the foot of pride come nigh to hurt them, nor the hand of the ungodly to cast them down. And grant that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; that so they may walk in the ways of truth and peace, and at last be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting; through the merits of the same thy blessed Son Jesus Christ, the gracious Bishop and Shepherd of our souls, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

 

Minister. Let us pray.

 

A

LMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

¶ Then may the Minister say,

 

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith.

 

T

HOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

 

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

 

¶ Then shall be said the COLLECT OF THE DAY.

 

Then shall be read the EPISTLE Lesson, the Reader first saying, The Reading (Lesson) from the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 33, beginning at the 1st verse. The Epistle being ended, the Reader may say, Here endeth the Epistle.

 

Reader. This is the Word of the Lord.

People. Thanks be to God.

 

¶ Here may be sung a Hymn or an Anthem.

 

¶ Then, all the people standing, the Minister appointed shall read the GOSPEL, first saying, The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John, chapter 10 , beginning at the 1st verse. In response to the announcement of the Gospel shall be said,

 

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

 

¶ And after the Gospel, the Minister shall say, The Gospel of the Lord, the people then responding,

 

Praise be to thee, O Christ.

 

Nicene Creed

 

I

BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried,

and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

 

¶ Then shall follow the SERMON. After which, the Presbyter shall return to the Lord’s Table, and begin the OFFERTORY, saying one or more of these Sentences following.

 

L

et your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matthew 5:16

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. St. Matthew 6:19, 20

 

THE HYMN

 

A

LL things come of thee, O LORD, and of thine own have we given thee. Amen. 1 Chronicles 29:14

 

O

UR fellow Christians of other branches of Christ’s Church, and all who love our Divine Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in sincerity, are affectionately invited to the Lord’s Table.

 

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church.

 

A

LMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our [*alms and] oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant

that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

We beseech thee also, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.

Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and other Ministers, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.

And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear, and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service, and to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

 

¶ Then shall the Presbyter say to those who come to receive the Holy Communion,

 

Y

E who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.

 

A

LMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden

of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

A

LMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to him.

 

C

OME unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St. Matthew 11:28

So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John 3:16

Hear also what Saint Paul saith.

This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

Hear also what Saint John saith.

If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the Propitiation for our sins. 1 St. John 2:1, 2

 

Lift up your hearts.

Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.

Presbyter. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

Answer. It is meet and right so to do.

 

I

T is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.

 

T

HEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

¶ Presbyter and people.

 

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen.

 

A

LL glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again: For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took Bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me.

Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.

 

W

HEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

 

A

ND we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thine almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

 

A

ND we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness, mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him. And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

 

Presbyter. And now, as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,

 

O

UR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

¶ Then shall the Presbyter, kneeling down at the Lord’s Table, say in the name of all those who shall receive the Communion, this Prayer following.

 

W

E do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his

most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

 

The Agnus Dei          (kneel)

O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, grant us Thy peace.

 

T

HE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.

 

T

HE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

 

Presbyter. Let us pray.

 

A

LMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thine everlasting kingdom, by the merits of his most precious death and passion. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

 

G

LORY be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify

thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

¶ Then, the people kneeling, the Bishop shall let them depart with this BLESSING.

 

T

HE God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant; Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

¶ Then shall the Instituted Minister kneel at the holy Table, to present his Supplication for himself, in this form.

 

O

LORD my God! I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; yet thou hast honoured thy servant with appointing him to stand in thy House, and to serve at thy holy Table. To thee and to thy service I devote myself, body and soul, with all my powers and faculties. Fill my memory with the words of thy Law; enlighten mine understanding with the illumination of the Holy Ghost; and may all the wishes and desires of my will center in what thou hast commanded. And, to make me instrumental in promoting the salvation of the people now committed to my charge, grant that I may faithfully administer thy holy Sacraments, and by my life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively Word. Be ever with me in the performance of all the duties of my ministry; in prayer, to quicken my devotion; in praises, to heighten my love and gratitude; and in preaching, to give a readiness of thought and expression suitable to the clearness and excellency of thy holy Word. Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Saviour. Amen.

 

THE HYMN

Meanwhile, while many Virginia Tech students were still dealing with the grief left over from the April 2007 massacre, those connected to Campus Crusade for Christ have to face this additional result of this even more difficult to understand act of violence.

The Crusade Staff led an impromptu memorial service on Thursday evening. Then Saturday afternoon, a wreath displayed on the Virginia Tech Drill field served as a visible reminder of the tragedy. One freshman visiting the site put it this way: “It kind of brought back like the whole April 16, 2007, thing,” referring to Seung Hui Cho’s rampage in which he killed 32 students and himself. “Even though I wasn’t here for that, it still brought it back. You could tell everybody was, like, feeling it again,” he said.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office continues to ask anyone with information to call the office at (540) 382-2951.
____________________
By Don K. Clements for www.theaquilareport.com