
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 1, 1993                   TAG: 9307010576
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: N-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RELIGION BRIEFS

A UNION MUSIC SERVICE, sponsored by nine congregations in the Williamson Road area, is scheduled July 11 at 7 p.m. in Preston Park. "Praise in the Park" will include contemporary Christian music with some guest performers and singing by participants.

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.

\ ST. PHILIP LUTHERAN CHURCH will hold a blessing service Sunday at 10 a.m. for its new building on U.S. 11 in the Hollins area. The church also will be open for public viewing Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and July 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The formal dedication service is scheduled for Oct. 17.\ 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 staff for a year.

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