Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 29, 1993 TAG: 9308240752
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Rev. C. Lawrence Dodson recently was honored for completing 35 years of ministry at Windsor Hills Baptist Church.
Dodson organized the church with 11 members in 1958. It now has 578 members.
Dodson has been active in numerous community service organizations during the term of his pastorate. He is president of the Roanoke Valley Baptist Pastor's Conference, trustee of Oak Hill Academy; former trustee and field secretary for the Virginia Alcohol/Narcotic Education Council; member of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, 1970-76; member of the Fifth Planning District Commission; Welfare Board member; and former Little League coach.
Dodson is married to the former Marian Trippeer, a substitute teacher for Roanoke County schools. They have three married children.
\ A surprise choice
A 51-year-old missionary/administrator will be nominated as the new president of the Richmond-based Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Jerry Rankin, currently the board's area director for Southern Asia and the Pacific, still must be approved by the board's trustees but no opposition surfaced after the choice became public knowledge this week.
The surprise nomination of a missionary to the post - after a couple of high-profile mega-church pastors turned down the job - may serve to mute criticism of denominational leaders who have been accused of playing politics with the mission board, some observers inside the denomination said.
Rankin will advance from overseeing 480 missionaries in 15 countries to supervising all the denomination's 3,900 foreign missionaries in 129 countries.
Reports from Southern Baptist news source indicate Rankin has been criticized for having an "autocratic leadership style" and some are uncomfortable with his "encouragement of charismatic gifts" - such as speaking in tongues. Neither of those issues is expected to slow down his confirmation, however.
Rankin is a Tupelo, Miss., native who has served as a foreign missionary since 1970.
\ Wellness forum
"Wellness in the Midst of Life: A Forum for Older Persons of All Faiths," is scheduled June 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Ave. S.W. Sponsored by the Interfaith Coalition for Older Virginians, the conference requires reservations by June 4. The cost, which includes lunch, is $10.
Featured will be William Fintel, a cancer specialist; Gerald McDermott, a professor of religion at Roanoke College, and Shirley Travis of the Virginia Tech faculty. Fintel and McDermott are authors of a new book, "Living With Cancer." Travis' speciality at the Blacksburg university is study of aging. She will speak on "Developing and Maintaining Self-Esteem."
The speakers will begin their presentations at 1 p.m. Before lunch a worship service is scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Reservation checks go to Family Service of Roanoke Valley, PO Box 6600, Roanoke, 24017.
\ A march for Jesus
March for Jesus, a parade to "exalt Jesus Christ as Lord, to display unity in the church and to challenge powers and principalities with praise," has been set for June 12 in Lynchburg. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Radisson Hotel parking lot at Fifth and Church Streets. A rally at the hotel follows. For more information, call 804-237-9754.
Sponsor of the event is Christian Fellowship Ministries International, Inc. of Lynchburg. George R. Jones, coordinator of the march, said the rally is one of 375 being held throughout the nation and is " neither a protest nor an exhibition."
\ Church expansion
Construction has begun on enlargement and renovation of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Bedford. Growth of the congregation to 260 families has made necessary the project which is expected to be finished by the spring of 1994.
The Rev. James Begley is pastor of the church; his sacramental care also includes Resurrection Catholic Church at Moneta with 200 additional families. At Resurrection, administration of daily activities is carried on by Sister Elizabeth Bagen, a member of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. Bagan was for 10 years on the education staff of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke.
\ Praying for Balkans
A prayer vigil for resolution of the conflict in the Balkan nations is scheduled Sunday from noon to midnight at St. John's Episcopal Church, South Jefferson at Elm in downtown Roanoke. The vigil is sponsored jointly with an Education for Ministry spiritual growth group at Christ Episcopal Church of Roanoke.
\ Church is 90
Blackwell Chapel Union Church at Meadowview will mark its 90th anniversary Sunday with worship at 11 a.m., lunch on the grounds and a memorial service in the church cemetery at 2 p.m.
by CNB