Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 15, 1994 TAG: 9410170033
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Murchison says that although those who attend probably don't adequately represent the community's diversity, he hopes the sessions can "gather a larger cross section of the community into the conversation." The group discusses complex and divisive issues that spark talk of "culture wars."
The group uses William Sloan Coffin's book "A Passion for the Possible" to initiate discussions on topics including war, the environment, race and class, sexuality and abortion. The group hopes to draw upon the Christian tradition in working to better understand and respond to contemporary questions.
Murchison said the goal is "to begin the search for common ground and to recognize that it's important to all of us to find it."
While the current discussion sessions end next month, Murchison said he expects the dialogue to "inevitably extend" to some other community forum.
For more information, call Murchison at 552-2504.
Harlem Globetrotters basketball legend turned evangelist MEADOWLARK LEMON will be in the New River Valley this weekend. Today, 1 to 3 p.m., Lemon signs autographs at New River Valley Mall.
Sunday at 1:30 p.m., Lemon is the featured speaker at Straight Street's fourth annual fund-raising banquet at Custom Catering, 902 Patrick Henry Dr., Blacksburg.
Tickets are $15 per person and $25 per couple. They are available from Straight Street, 381-1006, and at local Christian bookstores.
Sunday evening at 6, the "Clown Prince of Basketball" is at Riverview Baptist Church's gymnasium dedication in Ripplemead.
SERVICES and REVIVALS
Brian Christensen speaks on "Sex, Spirituality and Transformation," tonight at 7 at Blacksburg Metaphysical Chapel, 105 Lee St. A $10 donation is suggested. 951-2398.
"Of Time and Eternity" is Janet Aquavella's topic Sunday, 10:30 a.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley, 1301 Gladewood Dr., Blacksburg. A discussion follows. Call 552-3785 or 552-4749.
An ordination service for the Rev. Carl Ratcliffe, pastor of the Riner Grace Brethren Church, will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The church is on Virginia 8, three miles south of Auburn High School. Call 382-4654 or 382-7571.
Blacksburg Metaphysical Chapel, 105 Lee St., holds services Sundays from 7 to 8 p.m. Call the church, 951-4848, or Andy Sisson, 953-2390.
Radford Church of God in Christ, Russell Avenue, holds services Sunday through Friday on the theme "Our Destiny: For Such a Time as This," with guest evangelists Brian Keith Williams and Elvin S. Ezekiel. Services are 7:30 nightly. Call 639-5948.
Fairview Community Church, 3766 Glade Rd., Blacksburg, has revival services and music Monday through Saturday, 7:30 nightly. Call 382-9086.
Radford Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1300 Second St., holds revival services Sunday through Tuesday at 7:30 each evening and 11 a.m. Sunday with the Rev. Joseph Galloway. A fellowship dinner is Sunday at 6 p.m. A nursery is available. Call 639-3126.
Christiansburg Church of the Brethren holds revival services Sunday through Wednesday, 7 p.m., with the Rev. Maurice Wright. Call 382-2221.
Abundant Life Fellowship (Pilot Pentecostal Holiness), 4491 Old Pike Road, Pilot, holds revival services Sunday through Thursday. Services Sunday 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and weeknights at 7, with evangelist Shirley Jones. Call 382-4443.
Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren, Virginia 730, Floyd, holds revival meetings Sunday through Friday with the Rev. Bill Stovall. Services Sunday at 7 p.m. and weeknights at 7:30. The church celebrates Love Feast and Communion Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.
Ellett Valley Pentecostal Church, 1264 Misty Hill Circle, holds revival services and singing Wednesday through Sunday with evangelist Bob Smith. Services are 10:15 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. nightly. Call 639-5664 or 552-7113.
HOMECOMINGS
The Salvation Army, 525 Commerce St., Pulaski: Sunday, 10:45 a.m. Second Chance sings. Capt. Robert Vincent delivers the message. A potluck lunch follows the service. 980-2400.
Christiansburg Wesleyan Church, 1030 Harless St.: Sunday, with discipleship hour at 9:45 a.m., morning worship at 10:30 a.m. with former Pastor Barney Jones, and a carry-in lunch at noon. The Perry Sisters sing at the 2 p.m. service. Free transportation available. 381-0279.
Faith Christian Church of Christ, 1125 Roanoke St., Christiansburg: Sunday, with Sunday school at 10 a.m., a pre-worship concert with Mark Ward at 10:45 a.m., and morning worship with Pastor Jim Thomas at 11. A covered-dish dinner follows the service. The New Creations from New Hope Christian Church, Roanoke, sing at 2 p.m. There is no evening service Sunday.
Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren: Oct. 23 with Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and a potluck luncheon to follow. Pastor Richard Thomas will preach.
HAPPENINGS
The 1994 Radford-Fairlawn CROP Walk, sponsored by the Radford-Fairlawn Ministerial Association, is Sunday. The 6.2-mile walk begins at the Dedmon Center, Radford University. Registration is at 1:30 p.m.; the walk starts at 2. Money raised supports local and world hunger relief through Church World Service. Call Polly Jackson, 639-1279, or Gina Rhea, 639-3696.
The fall festival at Glenwood United Methodist Church, Barren Springs, is Oct. 22. A country breakfast is served at 7 a.m., and a hot dog lunch begins at noon. Crafts and baked goods will be on sale, and apple butter will be made.
The Royal Rangers of Radford Pentecostal Holiness Church, Second and Ingles streets, hold a hot dog and bake sale Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the church.
The annual fall holiday bazaar at Park United Methodist Church, 303 Park St., Christiansburg, starts at 9 a.m. on Oct. 29. Homemade baked goods, holiday crafts and handmade items will be sold. Turkey dinner is served starting around 10:30 a.m. Carry-out meals are available. Adults, $4, Children 6-12, $2.50, under 6, free.
Rockford United Methodist Church, Viscoe Road (Virginia 679), off Peppers Ferry Road (Virginia 114), Fairlawn, holds a spaghetti supper and bake sale Oct. 29, 4 to 7 p.m. $4 for adults, $2 for children and $10 for families of four or more. A haunted house will be open 6 to 8 p.m. Proceeds help send the youth group to the Resurrection '95 youth rally.
MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE
Recording artist David Carroll, formerly of Blacksburg, is in concert Sunday, 6:30 p.m., at Tried-Stone Christian Center, 2100 N. Main St., Blacksburg (next to Woodbine subdivision). A nursery is available. 953-1522 or 961-3829.
The Telestials from Nashville sing Sunday, 7 p.m., at Merrimac Pentecostal Holiness Church, Merrimac Road.
Blacksburg Pentecostal Holiness Church is host to Living Waters from Shawsville Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.
Second Chance performs Oct. 23, 10 a.m., at the Rural Retreat Pentecostal Holiness Church. 639-6271 or (800) 664-2434 after 4 p.m.
SHORT TAKES
The Floyd United Methodist Charge conference is at Stonewall United Methodist Church on Sunday at 3 p.m.
The New River Valley Church Hotline reports more than 2,500 calls from those seeking information about participating churches. The line carries announcements for Main Street Baptist Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christiansburg Mennonite Fellowship and Trinity Baptist Church, all of Christiansburg, plus White Memorial United Methodist Church of Shawsville and the Virginia Tech Baptist Student Union. The hot line is available from any Touch-Tone telephone at 382-2046.
Construction on a Habitat for Humanity house in Christiansburg is set to begin Oct. 29. Several New River Valley and Roanoke Valley Presbyterian congregations have joined forces to finance the project and provide volunteers.
Christiansburg United Christian Aid needs good clothing - especially warm jackets and small-size jeans and tops - for needy school-age youngsters. Donations are taken weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. Paul United Methodist Church, next to Duncan's Texaco, Christiansburg. Use the covered side door. Cash donations are welcome. Contact Osie Sowder, 945 W. Main St., Christiansburg, 24073. If your church can help, call Alice Alley, 382-3071.
The Christian Growth Center Youth Group meets Sundays, 6 to 9 p.m., at Straight Street Youth Center, 300 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg. Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets the first Monday of each month, 7 to 9 p.m. at Straight Street. 381-1006.
In Religion is a regular Saturday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of your church or religious organization in care of Rick Lindquist, New River Current, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Fax: 381-1656. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon Wednesday for use in that week's column.
by CNB