Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 8, 1994 TAG: 9401080069
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: IN RELIGION LENGTH: Long
Zimbabwe native Josiah Tlou, a professor at Virginia Tech, will be the guest speaker.
A supper featuring international cuisine will begin at 5 p.m. in the fellowship hall. An international singalong will follow, led by Bill Lacy of Radford.
Call Elrica Graham, 980-4640, for additional details.
\ GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Tyler Avenue, Radford, will observe Missionary Sunday at its 11 a.m. worship service.
Roanoke surgeon Dr. Robert Roth will speak. Roth and his wife, Dorothy, served as medical missionaries to Korea from 1960 until 1972.
Missionary Sunday is a yearly event to help support the church's missionaries - William and Grace Warnock - who are serving in Russia. The Warnocks are among 13 United Methodist missionaries in the former Soviet Union.
\ The WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY, sponsored by the Radford-Fairlawn Ministerial Association, kicks off with a catered dinner Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, Eighth and Wadsworth streets, Radford.
This is an ecumenical observance that has been held for a number of years.
The program, "Our Common Ministries of Love" will focus on the association's shared community ministries. Among these are Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, the Radford Clothing Bank and the Radford Food Pantry.
The dinner will cost $4.50 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Make reservations through your own church office by Jan. 14.
The unity week activities culminate with a pulpit exchange on Jan. 23. A number of the ministers in Radford and Fairlawn will be crossing denominational lines that day to preach in other churches. The idea is to emphasize Christian unity.
The Rev. Dr. Gina Rhea has a detailed informational packet. Call her at 639-3696.
\ The monthly GOSPEL SING at the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers union hall, Peppers Ferry Road, Fairlawn, will be tonight at 7. Featured will be The Gospel Strings, the Highland Gospel Singers and special guests, Young at Heart and the Otis Linkous Family.
Admission is free and video cameras are welcome.
Call Carl Ratcliffe, 382-7571 or 382-4654, to learn more.
\ The Wytheville District of UNITED METHODIST WOMEN will hold training sessions for officers of local units Sunday, 2-4 p.m., at Max Meadows United Methodist Church. All local officers should attend.
In case of bad weather, the training session will be postponed until Jan. 16.
Nellie Bolling has more information at 744-2763.
\ CHRISTIANSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 107 W. Main St., will ordain and install deacons and elders Sunday at its 10:55 a.m. worship service. New members also will be received. A church officer retreat is being held this weekend under the leadership of James Neal, a Presbyterian elder from South Carolina.
The senior high youth group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in Room 301.
\ Church Names in the News:
The REV. STEVEN R. EMORY will become pastor of First Baptist Church in Pulaski later this month. Currently minister of Park Avenue Baptist Church in Norton, Emory will succeed the Rev. James Sorrell who died in 1992.
The Rev. Dr. John W. Tresch Jr. has been interim pastor for the past 11 months.
Emory, 33, is from the Petersburg area and is a 1983 graduate of Bluefield College. Following his graduation in 1989 from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, he was ordained in Cary, N.C.
Emory's wife, Kenita, has degrees in both nursing and social work.
During his time in Norton, Emory has been active in several community service ministries, in the Norton/Wise Ministerial Association and in the Wise Association of Southern Baptists. Among his interests he lists singing, Bible monologues and woodworking.
\ PILOT PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS CHURCH, 4491 Old Pike Road (Virginia 615) opens its free clothes closet to the public Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon.
Find out more by calling 382-4443 or 745-2214.
\ CHRISTIAN SINGLES FELLOWSHIP, an interdenominational group, meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at 501 Progress St., Blacksburg (at Faculty and Progress streets).
\ In Religion is a regular Saturday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of your church or religious organization in care of Rick Lindquist, New River Current, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon Wednesday for use in that week's column.
by CNB