Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 4, 1993 TAG: 9302040310
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
RELIGION BRIEFS
EIGHT ROANOKE-AREA EPISCOPAL PARISHES have undertaken human service ministries with the $75 each received a year ago during the annual meeting of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. The gift was to be multiplied, if possible, to make the church's concerns felt in the world.The youth of St. John's of Roanoke helped a school in the Sudan, while Christ Church of Roanoke bought cooking supplies for its Habitat for Humanity house buyer. St. Elizabeth's gave its money toward starting a network support group for the unemployed and to start a SHARE food program.
St. James made monthly donations to help pay for lunches for transients and a bus for the emotionally disabled, and Holy Spirit bought and served food at the Salvation Army.
In Salem, most of St. Paul's donation went to the new Community Food Pantry for renovations and staples. In Buchanan, Trinity Church members beautified their community and an adult home with flowers and raised some food. In Fincastle, St. Mark's Church shared in an ecumenical Bible school.
\ CHURCH WEDDING MUSIC will be the theme of a free workshop Feb. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church, 1601 Colorado St. in Salem. The American Guild of Organists is sponsoring the workshop for prospective bridal parties of all denominations. It will include sample weddings with music appropriate for the church service.
\ THE REV. EVERETT KIER has concluded a 10-year pastorate at Grace Church, a Southwest Roanoke evangelical independent congregation. He has not announced future plans.
The Rev. Charles Evans, associate pastor, and elders of the church have assumed leadership of the congregation until a new minister is chosen.
\ A MISSION CONFERENCE focused on both international and valley Christian work is scheduled Feb. 12-14 at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, 1837 Grandin Road S.W.
Dr. David McNeeley, an Episcopal priest and physician who directs Hospital St. Croix in Leogane, Haiti, will speak during the opening Friday night session at 7 p.m. The following morning at 9, McNeeley and a mission volunteer, Layton Evans, will discuss their work at the hospital.
Kaye Hale, director of the Roanoke ecumenical inner-city West End Center, also will speak, and conference participants will tour the new West End Center on Patterson Avenue Southwest.
\ COLONIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 3550 Poplar Drive S.W., will emphasize international and regional missions Sunday through Feb. 14. The Rev. Reid Dalton, who visited several areas of the former Soviet Union last summer, will speak at 11 a.m. Sunday as part of the first program.
On Tuesday night, Dr. David McNeeley, a medical missionary in Haiti, will speak at 7. The Feb. 14 program at 6 p.m. will be a presentation on Genesis House, a Lynchburg ministry to abused children. The facility is sponsored by the Presbyterian Home and Family Services.
\ ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH at Cave Spring has entered into a national program known as Stephen Ministry to enhance the care of members by others with special training. Sandie Gleichauf and Debbie Kluttz have received the two-week training and will prepare others to assist the sick, bereaved and those in personal crisis.
\ TODD FLOWERDAY, minister of music and worship at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church for the past 18 months, is leaving the staff to devote more of his ministry to lay worship planning and leadership. He expects to leave Western Virginia.
\ CHILDREN AT RISK, a video series subtitled "The Battle for the Hearts and Minds of Our Kids," will be shown Sunday and Feb. 14 at Ghent Grace Brethren Church, 1511 Maiden Lane S.W. The videos feature conservative Christian family interpreters James Dobson and Gary L. Bauer. They are free and begin at 6 p.m.
\ TEMPLE EMANUEL, a Reform Jewish congregation, has entered into a membership study known as "Project Jacob: A Vision for Our Future."
In a message to the congregation, Rabbi Frank Muller said the goal of the study is to enrich life for members and encourage them to make a greater impact for good in the Roanoke Valley.
Among the issues being studied is the role of non-Jews in worship participation and congregational activities. Reform Judaism nationally is concerned about the loss of younger members through marriage outside the faith and is seeking a way to include interfaith families.
\ UNITY OF ROANOKE VALLEY has planned a Valentine Day spiritual celebration Feb. 14. Those attending worship are asked to bring a stuffed bear or other toy for cuddling. These will be distributed through the Roanoke City Police Youth Bureau to children who have been abused or neglected.
\ THE REV. JAMES MILLSAPS, who will conclude his ministry at Preston Oaks Baptist Church on Sunday , has been selected as the new chaplain at Friendship Manor.
Millsaps, who has been pastor of the Williamson-Road-area congregation for nearly 19 years, succeeds the Rev. Dr. Denver J. Davis who retired from the the retirement complex staff last year.
\ DIVORCE RECOVERY WORKSHOP, open to people of any religious background, is scheduled Feb. 19 and 20 at Holiday Inn Airport. The workshop, sponsored by the Roanoke Valley Association of Southern Baptists, will include sessions on single parenting, recovery of self-esteem, financial adjustments and the need for intimacy. Registration is $20 and is due by Feb. 17. Call 366-7631 for details.
\ THE REV. DR. ROBERT WAYNE, pastor of Lynn Haven Baptist Church in Vinton for 13 years, will end his work there Sunday He is moving to Richmond to become director of church minister relations for the Virginia Baptist General Board, which coordinates the work of Southern Baptist congregations throughout the state.
Wayne is moderator of the Roanoke Valley Association of Southern Baptists.
\ ROANOKE VALLEY BAHA'IS will celebrate World Religion Day Sunday with a program in Parlor C of the Salem Civic Center from 2 to 4 p.m. Bahai's focus on the oneness of humankind as children of God. Call 982-6984 for more information.
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.