Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 15, 1993 TAG: 9307150289
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Rule, 44, was born in Roanoke and spent his early life here before moving to the Richmond area. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech and of St. Francis Seminary at Loretto, Pa. After studies at the University of Notre Dame and his ordination in 1975, Rule taught at the now-closed St. John Vianny preparatory seminary near Richmond. He also has worked in the campus ministry at the University of Richmond and was on the diocesan staff.
Rule, who still has relatives in Roanoke, also was an associate pastor of Holy Trinity parish at Ocean View. For the past 12 years, he has been pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Chesapeake.
\ LOIS BETTIS, a member of First Baptist Church in downtown Roanoke, is marking this monthher 45th year as director of the City Rescue Mission. Bettis and her late husband, the Rev. Gustaf Johnson, started the mission to meet practical and spiritual needs of the city's destitute. The mission, now housed in Southeast Roanoke, is supported by many churches as well as non-affiliated individuals.
\ THE REV. JOHN BODDIE, formerly an assistant at Our Lady of Nazareth parish, is returning to Roanoke as pastor of St. Gerard's Catholic Church.
The 35-year-old priest is coming from a two-year pastorate as an assistant at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia Beach. The Newport News native took undergraduate study at St. Meinrad's College in Indiana and earned his theological degrees from St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore before his assignment to Nazareth.
\ THE REV. DR. ALTON WASHINGTON has begun his ministry at Huntington Court United Methodist Church. He has come from a six-year pastorate at Princess Anne Plaza United Methodist Church of Virginia Beach, a parish with 50 percent of the membership made up of minority groups.
A native of Charles City County, Washington is married to the former Kathleen Shelman of Richmond. He took undergraduate education at St. Paul's College and further study at the divinity school of Howard University. He earned a doctor of ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary.
Washington began his ministerial career in the Baltimore Conference and later spent five years in the Chicago area. He was accepted into the Virginia Conference 13 years ago and has served churches in Richmond and Alexandria as well as Virginia Beach. He and his wife have three adult children.
\ HUNTINGTON COURT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH will sponsor a program for community children Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Known as F.A.S.T. for Fun and Service Together, it includes field trips and activities from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday. Open to children 6 through 12, it will cost $3 per event. Registration is necessary and may be made by calling 366-3465.
\ THE REV. MICHAEL LYLE has begun his duties at Fincastle United Methodist Church. Lyle earned degrees in English from Emory & Henry College and Wake Forest University and worked in television production and electronics before entering Wesley Theological Seminary. Since his ordination, he has been an associate pastor in Loudoun County and Winchester. During the past five years, he served two congregations in Madison County.
The pastor and his wife, the former Brenda Nichols, are native Roanokers. They have two daughters.
\ BONSACK BAPTIST CHURCH has sent 40 youth and 10 adults to Ocean City, Md., this week to participate in a number of resort ministries at campgrounds and on the beach. In addition, two adults, Patti Poch and Patti Shorner, will be in Venezuela July 30 to Aug. 8 on a medical mission team. They will provide dental services to needy residents in Maracaibo.
\ THE ALLEN CHAPEL GOSPEL CHOIR of Washington will perform Saturday at 7 p.m. at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1415 Eighth St. N.W. The program is sponsored by the John Hubbard Memorial Ensemble.
\ A GOSPEL EXPLOSION is scheduled Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Guiding Star Church of God in Christ, 804 Madison Ave., N.W. The Mass Choir of Pilgrim Baptist Church with Dwight and Connie Steele will be the featured group in the event sponsored by the Roanoke Community Choir.
\ AN OPEN-AIR PAVILION for large gatherings in warm weather is under construction at Camp Alta Mons, the United Methodist retreat center near Shawsville. Volunteers are doing much of the work. The pavilion will be used for a camp meeting program in early fall.
\ BETH ISRAEL and TEMPLE EMANUEL, Roanoke's two Jewish congregations, have begun their summer series of joint Friday night services, at 8:15. This week's worship will be at Beth Israel at 920 Franklin Road S.W. For a full schedule, call 343-0289.
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