Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 1, 1993 TAG: 9307010473
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
William O. Capps, choir director at St. James Episcopal, one of the sponsoring churches, is coordinator.
Another supporter, the Rev. Kenneth Lane of Trinity Lutheran, said the program is being tried to bring many of the community churches together. Participants are Airlee Court Baptist, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox, Bethany Christian (Disciples of Christ), Huntington Court and Grace United Methodist churches, Williamson Road and Hollins Road churches of the Brethren and St. James Episcopal and Trinity Lutheran churches.
Some of the sponsoring churches work together to assist needy transients. For 25 years after World War II, they sponsored weekly outdoor Sunday night services.
"Praise in the Park" is free. Call 366-9482 for more information.
\ BOTETOURT ROMAN CATHOLICS have broken ground for their permanent worship center. The future home of the Church of the Transfiguration will be on U.S. 220, just south of Fincastle.
Sister Evelyn Murray, pastoral coordinator for the 110 families, said construction is expected to begin next month. The Botetourt Catholics have been using two United Methodist church buildings since their organization five years ago.
\ FIRST WESLEYAN CHURCH, 3706 Peters Creek Road N.W., has scheduled a July 4 patriotic service and fellowship time for Sunday. The Chancel Choir and other musicians will perform, and Joe Padnano, a war veteran active in Gideons International, will speak at 10:30 a.m. A nursery will be available, and a potluck lunch will be held after the service.
\ NORTHVIEW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Plantation Road at Ridgecrest Drive in the Hollins area, has scheduled vacation Bible school July 18 through 22. The evening school with sessions from 6:30 to 8:30 is for both children and adults.
"Peter Rock," is the theme of the curriculum and deals with Jesus' disciple Peter through music, stories and crafts. For more information, call 362-8015.
\ SERVICES FOR VIETNAMESE in the Roanoke Valley have begun as a ministry of Virginia Heights Baptist Church, Memorial Avenue at Grandin Road Southwest. The services are held each Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the church's chapel and education area and include classes for children.
More than 20 Southeast Asian adults and children are participanting. Call 344-7748 for more information.
\ THE REV. J. HARRIS STEPHENS has concluded a part-time ministry as parish associate at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. Known as "Stretch," the retired pastor has been on the staff for a year.
\ TODD FLOWERDAY has ended his work as lay minister of worship at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church. Flowerday has been at the parish for two years. He will become campus minister at St. John's Student Parish of Michigan State University in August.
\ THREE SALEM UNITED METHODISTS were among those who achieved ministerial recognition at the recent Virginia Annual Conference in Hampton.
The Rev. Jonathan Bennett, associate pastor of First Church in downtown Salem, and the Rev. Rob Colwell, pastor of Calvary Church, were ordained elders, the designation for clergy who have successfully completed seminary study and the probationary period as a deacon.
Hannah Glisson, director of education at First Church, was certified as a professional associate in her lay ministry.
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