Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 31, 1993 TAG: 9307310017
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Southern Baptists, United Methodists, Evangelical Lutherans, Episcopalians, Disciples of Christ and Church of the Brethren members are among those being urged by their ministers to donate through denominational agencies.
Some groups maintain on-going disaster assistance teams for which church members volunteer for short-term clean-up in the months that follow the emergency period.
-Staff report
Camp pledges
More than $175,000 in advance pledges for the expansion of Camp Alta Mons near Shawsville was reported at a rally July 25 that launched a two-month campaign among Roanoke District United Methodists.
A goal of $500,000 has been set to construct a new swimming pool, enlarge some buildings and make others usable all year.
Featured speaker was retired Bishop Carl Sanders of Richmond, who served the South Roanoke United Methodist Church nearly 50 years ago. Sanders said the decision to upgrade the camp - which is used by people other than United Methodists - affirms a commitment to the kind of ministry that reaches children, youth and adults for years to come.
The second annual camp meeting, an outdoor preaching series, is scheduled at Alta Mons Sept. 10-12. The Rev. Dr. Leonard Sweet, president of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, will speak nightly in a newly constructed pavilion.
-Staff report
Reimer honored
July Mills Reimer, who recently was elected national moderator-elect of the Church of the Brethren, will be honored at her home congregation, Williamson Road Church, on Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Reimer will preside at the annual convention of the church to be held in Charlotte, N.C. June 25-July 2, 1995.
-Staff report
Gay conference
"Gay and Straight Together," the third annual conference for homosexual men and women and those interested in learning more about their lifestyles, is scheduled Sept. 24-26 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke.
The three-day program is sponsored by a committee within the Thomas Jefferson District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Call 919-722-0421 for program details.
-Staff report
Interim minister
Bedford Presbyterian Church has selected the Rev. Francis Avery, a former Roanoker, as its interim minister. A former executive of the AT&T corporation, Avery entered the ministry following his retirement.
He is married to the former Marion Lunsford of Roanoke; both have been active in the Bedford congregation.
-Staff report
Harvest of Hope
The Society of St. Andrew, an ecumenical Christian community based in Bedford County, is expanding its Harvest of Hope gleaning program for adult participation.
For a decade, Virginia youth have visited commercial farms to gather vegetables and fruit unsuitable for sale; these are then transported to food banks and soup kitchens.
The first gleaning retreat for adults is scheduled Sept. 17-19 in Winchester with apples to be the harvested crop. The retreat, which will be educational as well as active, will cost $50. Deadline for registration is Sept. 1; call 1-800-333-4597 for more information. -Staff report
by CNB