Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 7, 1991 TAG: 9102080345
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Frances Stebbins
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of daubing ashes on the forehead of worshipers at services on the first day of the penitential period.
The ashes are often obtained from burning the palms of the previous pre-Easter period and remind of the continuity of life as well as the return of humanity to dust.
Observant Christians often deny themselves rich foods or other luxuries during the 40-day time and give the money saved to the needy.
\ DOWNTOWN ROANOKE LENTEN SERVICES are planned each Wednesday from 12:05 to 12:30 p.m. at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, 402 Second St. S.W. A lunch for $2.50 is available following the service until 1 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Steven Teague of Calvary Baptist will offer the Ash Wednesday meditation.
Speakers on succeeding Wednesdays include: the Rev. Jim Rivers, First Christian (Disciples of Christ); the Rev. David Yingling, Central Church of the Brethren; the Rev. Brad Phillips, Huntington Court United Methodist; the Rev. Byron Wilkinson, Thrasher Memorial United Methodist; the Rev. Frederick Clemens, Rockingham Court United Methodist; and the Rev. James Hain, South Roanoke United Methodist.
\ RELIGIOUS BOOKS FOR ALL AGES will be sold Saturday and Sunday at the annual book fair at St. Andrew's Catholic Church.
Hours will be Saturday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and Sunday morning from 9 to 1:30. The sale will be in the cafeteria of Roanoke Catholic Elementary School, 631 N. Jefferson St.
\ THE EASTER MOMENT, a book by Episcopal Bishop John S. Spong, will be the focus of a Lenten study starting Feb. 20 at Windsor Hills United Methodist Church, 3591 Windsor Road S.W. It will begin with dinner at 6; call 774-4730 for more information. The Ash Wednesday Communion with the imposition of ashes begins at 7 p.m.
\ BEGINNER'S HEBREW, a class for those of any faith who want to learn elementary reading of the language of the Old Testament, will be offered at Beth Israel Synagogue.
The class meets Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 through May 28. There is a charge for books and materials. Call 343-0289 for more information.
\ WASHINGTON BIBLE COLLEGE EXTENSION classes for the spring semester will cover the Bible books of Ezekiel and 2 Corinthians. The 12-week series begins Feb. 19 with the Rev. Kenneth Amsler teaching Ezekiel and the Rev. Larry Eenigenburg teaching Corinthians. The Tuesday night classes are from 7 to 8:10 and from 8:20 to 9:30.
The classes meet at Calvary Memorial Church, 2226 Colonial Ave. S.W. One class costs $25 with the second for $15. Call 563-2420 for more information.
\ ASPECTS OF AGING is the focus of a community class at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, 1837 Grandin Road S.W.
The class, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Sundays, features talks and discussion by specialists on children and grief, Living Wills, medical decisions, housing, organ donation and funeral arrangements. Call 343-5541 for details.
\ WESTHAMPTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) has selected the Rev. Joe C. Detamore as its interim pastor. He succeeds the Rev. Johnny Laughridge who left in October. Detamore, a 1981 graduate of Lexington Theological Seminary, took early retirement after serving a Charleston, Ill., church for seven years. Detamore and his wife, Marian, a musician, expect to live in Roanoke for at least six months.
\ ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH has chosen Mary Gunderson, a new member of the parish, as director of music. She succeeds Wayne Gibson. Gunderson, a Lutheran deaconess who has worked in education and music, is a graduate of Valparaiso University.
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 CNB