Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 16, 1993 TAG: 9301160053
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BRIEFS
Seminar on critically ill"Transforming Survivors to Thrivers," a conference for clergy and others concerned with the spiritual and emotional aspects of illness, is scheduled Feb. 9 at Lewis-Gale Hospital.
The meeting, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., is aimed at those who care for terminally or critically ill patients . The Rev. David Wolfe, chaplain at the hospital, said the stress on such "survivors" is great; the conference will offer help for these care takers such as clergy.
There is room for about 100 people for the event. Registration deadline is Feb. 3. The $15 fee includes lunch. Checks should be payable to Lewis-Gale Foundation and sent to 3000 Keagy Road, Salem, Va. 24153.
Keynote speaker for the meeting is Dr. Richard McQuellon, who directs a cancer-patient service center and teaches oncology in the Bowman Gray Medical School of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. He will speak at 9 and 10:45 a.m. At 1 p.m. registrants will hear Dr. William A. Fintel and Gerald R. McDermott, two Roanoke Valley residents who soon will publish a book on the theme of "God, Cancer and You."
The day will close with a panel made up of survivors of serious illness and their loved ones.
Church speaks out
The New River Baptist Association, which includes Southern Baptist congregations in Wythe, Carroll and Grayson Counties, has adopted the position that "homosexual behavior is sin according to the word of God and . . . and is not an acceptable human lifestyle to God."
Those attending an associational meeting Jan. 7 at Pleasant Grove Church said they are basing their view on the Bible. They also called on those who follow a homosexual lifestyle "to return to the clear teaching of Scripture regarding sin, repentance, salvation and the renewing power of grace."
The statement also says supporters "wish to express their concern and regret that the Baptist General Association of Virginia did not take the opportunity to publicly state the sinful and un-Biblical nature of homosexuality at the November 1992 meeting of that body in Virginia Beach."
New Hungry program
Hunters for the Hungry, a program of the Society of St. Andrew Christian community at Big Island, was so successful in 1992 that the society has decided to set up a separate organization to promote its growth and administration this year.
But, according to director David Horne, the program will continue to have the same design and philosophy under his continued leadership. Hunters for the Hungry provides that those with an excess of venison can take it to designated processors who will in turn give it to regional food banks serving the needy.
Methodists anti-Denver
Three groups of United Methodists from western states are opposing having the denomination's 1996 General Conference in Denver. The change is sought because Colorado voters approved in November an amendment to the state's constitution that the church leaders say denies rights to people of homosexual orientation.
The groups, which include bishops and conference and regional leaders, want the quadrennial convention in a nearby state such as Montana, Wyoming or Utah.