Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 4, 1993 TAG: 9312040035
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Frances Stebbins
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia's United Methodists led the nation in their denomination in contributing more than $600,000 for flood relief in the Middle West.
The amount given to help communities in the flood-ravaged states topped the $600,000 the state's Methodists gave last year for Florida hurricane relief. In tallying up the response to the floods, Virginia Conference treasurer James L. Branscombe said nine churches in the conference gave more than $5,000 each. In addition to money church members sent cleaning supplies , clothing and volunteers. Supplies were collected at 45 regional sites throughout the state.
Episcopals form in Highland Countyi
A new congregation, the first for Episcopalians in Highland County, is being formed at Blue Grass under the leadership of the Rev. Frances Nunn, a retired priest who recently moved to that area.
More than 20 people have attended early services of the group which has named itself the Church of the Good Shepherd. The Crab Bottom Presbyterian Church is being used at noon each Sunday for services.
For more information about the congregation, call 342-6797.
Food ministry in 10th year
Potato Project, a ministry of the Society of St. Andrew in Bedford County, is marking its tenth anniversary this year. Starting on a small basis in 1983, two United Methodist ministers, Ken Horne and Ray Buchanan and their families and friends began harvesting commercially useless farm produce from Virginia localities and with funds from churches shipping it to food pantries and soup kitchens to feed the hungry free.
Leaders now estimate that in the 10 years Potato Project, now a nationwide ecumenical ministry, has delivered over 471 million servings to hungry people.
Though potatoes continue to be a major part of the effort, other vegetables and fruits also are saved as well as fresh meat donated by hunters. Gleaning fields has become a popular summer activity of church youth groups of several denominations.
Harris to speak on church and school
E. Wayne Harris, new superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools, will speak Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1415 Eighth St. N.W.
Harris' talk on the future of the city's schools is part of continuing discussions on the relationship of the church to the community and is jointly sponsored by the Sunday school and the youth department of Pilgrim Church.
by CNB