Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 27, 1992 TAG: 9202270370
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
RELIGION BRIEFS
LENT, the period of 40 days, excluding Sundays before Easter, begins with Ash Wednesday next week. On that day, many Christians will go to church for special services, some of which include the imposition of ashes placed on the forehead to remind worshipers that everyone returns to the Earth at death.This act of humility on Ash Wednesday is followed by weekly devotions in churches and often special classes to enhance spiritual growth. The color purple, used in the pulpit and altar hangings for the Lenten period, reminds churchgoers that Lent is a time for self-denial and reflection so that the coming joy of Easter, April 19, is better appreciated.
\ THE REV. ROBERT M. HAMNER, pastor of Grandin Court Baptist Church for more than 30 years, will conclude his ministry there July 31 just after his 65th birthday. The native of San Antonio, Texas, came from a pastorate in that city to the Southwest Roanoke church.
He and his wife, Donna, will continue to live in Roanoke after his retirement. During Hamner's pastorate Grandin Court congregation built a worship center and office wing and recently completed a major renovation program. An active ecumenist, Hamner is a former president of the interfaith Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference and has served as vice president of the general board of the Virginia association of Southern Baptists.
\ "JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT," a contemporary Christian musical by British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, will be presented twice in the Roanoke area by an ecumenical youth group from Newport News.
The musical will be given March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 2011 Brandon Ave. S.W. and at Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta the following day at 10 a.m.
Members of the cast come from Episcopal, Lutheran and Presbyterian parishes in the Hampton Roads area, the same denominations that make up the ecumenical congregation at Smith Mountain Lake.
The musical, which lasts about half an hour, is free. An offering is taken for community ministries.
\ AT VIRGINIA HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH, 2014 Memorial Ave. S.W., Jubilate, a University of Virginia touring choral group, will sing Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The choir is sponsored by University Baptist Church of Charlottesville and has 42 members. Michael Norris is director. The choir, whose members are auditioned but are not music majors, will sing works by Franck, Beethoven, Handel, Gretchaninoff and Rutter.
\ ASH WEDNESDAY will be observed at Lawrence Memorial United Methodist Church on Bent Mountain with a service of imposition of ashes at 7 p.m.
\ RALEIGH COURT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1837 Grandin Road S.W., is sponsoring a missions conference this weekend . The workshops will highlight both global and local ministries. Articles, made by artisans in Third World countries, also will be on sale. For information about these SERVV products, call 343-5541.
\ THE ROANOKE VALLEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY has set a goal of 10 homes for the working poor in 1992. Under the leadership of William S. Hubard, the group is raising $195,000 to erect houses on 13 lots. Monthly education programs to help Habitat homeowners with seasonal needs also are under way. Church members of several denominations currently are erecting houses or are planning to do so later this year.
\ THE REV. ROBERT JONES, an administrator of Church of the Brethren work for more than 20 years and most recently director of Camp Bethel, will be honored Saturday with a reception and program at Lord Botetourt High School. Jones and his wife Doris, who also has been on the conference center staff, are retiring but will continue to live in the Roanoke area.
The reception will start at 3 p.m. with testimonial program at 6.
Deadline for religion briefs for Neighbors is Thursday. Material must be delivered to Neighbors Religion Briefs, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010, by noon in order to run in the following Thursday edition.