Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 14, 1993 TAG: 9310130441
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-33 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
\ THE REV. JAMES E. PARKE, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, has received an award from the Concilium of the Diocese of Richmond for his leadership in supporting Catholic schools. Parke will receive the award Friday night in Richmond.
\ REVIVAL SERVICES and homecoming celebration will begin Sunday at West Main Street Church of Christ in Salem. Steve Hooks will lead Sunday services at 11 a.m., and Jon David Sutphin will lead 6 p.m. services.
Weeknight services, starting at 7, will be led on Monday by Byron Miller and Charles Reese; on Tuesday by Jim Herron and Neil Wheeler; and on Wednesday by Clark Cregger and Jim Bayne. All are currently or formerly affiliated with the church.
\ UNITY OF ROANOKE VALLEY will sponsor a program, "Nurturing Life," Oct. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Charles Frost, a certified practitioner in the Nurturing Life Process program to enhance spiritual growth, will lead the program.
Frost has presented his "play shops" throughout the nation. An offering of $15 is suggested, though not required, for the event. Unity Church is at 3300 Green Ridge Road. Call 562-2200 for more information.
\ CHILDREN'S SABBATH, an annual observance sponsored by the Mental Health Association of the Roanoke Valley, will be marked in 27 Christian and Jewish congregations Friday through Sunday. During those services, worship messages and other events will focus on the needs of children to have fulfilling lives and what congregation members can do to ensure this. Participants represent Baptist, United Methodist, Church of the Brethren, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Disciples of Christ, Lutheran, Jewish, Unitarian/Universalist and Pentecostal groups.
\ BLUE RIDGE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH is marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of its national parent denomination this month. The MCC was established in Los Angeles by the Rev. Troy Perry for men and women homosexuals rejected in 1968 by most mainstream and evangelical groups. The Rev. Thomas Bohache, pastor, said churches of the fellowship are open to the public though their ministry is focused on the needs of homosexuals.
\ SOUTHVIEW UNITED METHODIST members have approved building a new activities wing to serve the Peters Creek Road community. The congregation will raise $850,000 during the next three years, for enlarging the present church which was rebuilt after a 1986 fire.
The new wing will include basketball and volleyball courts, a dining area for 250, and an upgraded kitchen. Additional education and music space will be gained by remodeling the existing structure. The Rev. George M. Pearson Jr., pastor, said the construction is needed because of growth of the parish in the suburban area.
\ A CHRISTIAN LIFE SEMINAR will begin Wednesday night at Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, 2138 McVitty Road S.W. The seminar is at 6:30 and will be held for four weeks. Participants may choose one of two classes, "How to Share Your Faith Without Being Obnoxious" by the Rev. Ed Woodard and "Parenting: An Attitude of the Heart" by his wife, Emma Jean Woodard. Call 774-0595 to register. AN INTRODUCTION TO ECKANKAR, described as "a religion of the light and sound of God," is scheduled Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. at 2400 Gate House Lane, Salem. It will include a book discussion, "Unlocking the Puzzle Box," offering aids to spiritual growth. The Roanoke group is affiliated with the Virginia Satsang Society. Call 389-8043 for more information.
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