RELIGION BRIEFS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 27, 1992                   TAG: 9202270382
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E6   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.
\ WAVERLY PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH has remodeled its kitchen to bring it to commercial standards. The project cost $58,000. Jewell Trent has been added to the staff as church hostess.
\ 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.
\ BONSACK BAPTIST CHURCH at 4845 Cloverdale Road will be dedicated Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service. Reginald McDonough, executive director for Virginia Southern Baptist ministries, will speak.
The 750-seat worship center has been under construction for more than a year and cost more than $2 million. The Rev. Dr. Robert Moore, pastor, said members at the 112-year-old congregation has Baptist has grown from 43 to 1,000 members, and attendance has increased in the several weeks the new building has been in use.
\ 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.
\ SIX LUTHERAN PARISHES serving the north and east areas of the Roanoke Valley will unite for Wednesday night Lenten devotions with a theme, "Visions of the Cross." The services will start at 7:30 p.m. for the following schedule: St. Paul on March 11, Emmanuel on March 18, St. Philip on March 25, Glade Creek on April 1 and Trinity on April 8. Each church will have its own Ash Wednesday worship on March 4.
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.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB