Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 22, 1994 TAG: 9401220212
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The headquarters of Bedford Christian Ministries recently was broken into and much of the food supply stolen.
Commercially canned food and other household needs are being sought to replenish the shelves. The emergency aid agency for the needy is supported ecumenically by many city and county congregations.
Registration open for conference on children
Registration is open for a Sunday afternoon conference Feb. 27 from 2 to 6 at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. Aimed at improving the spiritual and physical health of Virginia children, "Bread and Stones" is supported by the ecumenical Virginia Council of Churches based in Richmond.
The workshop for church leaders, especially those with an interest in children, will cost $8, which covers a manual of suggestions for church projects.
Planning the conference are Christian educators in the Roanoke area Doris Quarles, Church of the Brethren, 362-1816; Pam Wiegandt, 992-3513, and Elizabeth Bunce-Nichols, 890-2559 Episcopalians, and the Rev. Jean Bozeman, 389-8646, Lutheran.
A registration blank is available from them with a deadline of Feb. 15.
This will be the second annual Bread and Stones conference and is especially for Western Virginians.
Health reform topic of Interfaith Breakfast
"Health Reform: What's Ahead for Virginia?" will be the theme of the third annual Roanoke Valley Interfaith Breakfast scheduled for Feb. 15 at 7 at Vinton Baptist Church.
Keynoter will be Dr. Robert B. Stroube of Richmond, health commissioner of Virginia. Table discussions will follow the speaker's presentation.
The breakfast, which will be vegetarian to conform to dietary restrictions of some religious groups, will cost $7. Reservations are needed by Feb. 4. Checks payable to Roanoke Valley Interfaith Breakfast may be sent to Beth Israel Synagogue, 920 Franklin Road S.W. 24016.
Co-sponsors of the event are the Roanoke Valley Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference, an interfaith group for religion professionals.
Similar to breakfasts held in other large Virginia cities, it is intended to bring together people of all faiths concerned about an issue of general interest. Invitations have been sent to 2,000 in and around the valley, according to organizers Rabbi Jerome Fox and Marty Woodward.
Vinton Baptist is at 500 Washington Ave. in downtown Vinton.
Campus Crusade sets Family Life Conference
A weekend Family Life Conference sponsored by a ministry of the nationwide Campus Crusade for Christ is scheduled March 4 through 6 at the Airport Marriott.
Registration is $55 per couple before Feb. 11, and $70 after that date. Hotel rooms are being offered at $78 per night per couple.
Similar conferences are held in about 50 U.S. cities this year.
Conference topics include issues such as "threats to oneness" in marriage, planning for marriage and communication between marriage partners. There is a Christian emphasis, but it is nondenominational, sponsors said.
Representatives of about 90 congregations were involved in early planning of the conference in Roanoke.
Additional information is available by calling Tod Stillson at 344-8993.
Lutheran Family Services moving to new building
Lutheran Family Services based in Salem for more than 100 years will move part of its facilities to a new building to be erected on Virginia 419 at Cordell Drive Southwest. The offices of LFS will be in the new structure which is on land given by members of the Lionberger family.
Remaining in the Salem building, which formerly was used as a childrens' home, will be the Minnick Education Center. It provides schooling for children with special needs from elementary through high school levels. The education center currently is housed in three places. Moving the offices will free more space for the school.
Most of the old children's home buildings are now used by Roanoke College which bought a major part of the land along Idaho Street several years ago.
The family service agency now includes domestic counseling programs in several Virginia communities and an international adoption program.
Enrollment up at Lutheran-tied Roanoke
Roanoke College in Salem is among colleges affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America where enrollment has increased this year.
The national news service of the denomination reports that the Salem school has 1,699 students, the largest number in its 152-year history. A majority of the 29 denominational schools have seen increases.
Methodists exceed goal for camp improvements
A $500,000 goal in a campaign to upgrade and enlarge Camp Alta Mons, United Methodist Conference Center near Shawsville, has been exceeded by $4,000. The money will be used to build a new swimming pool and make more buildings suitable for cold weather use.
Archbishop reports on Southern Sudan
Christians in the Southern Sudan are "begging for peace, for the right to live in their own land without fear and practice their own faith alongside their Muslim neighbors," Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey reported after a recent visit to the central African nation torn by a religious civil war for a decade.
Carey said that in the midst of some of the greatest misery in the world, Christians and Muslims alike appeared to be heartened by his visit.
The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia has an international partnership with the Southern Sudan. A resolution to be introduced at the diocesan convention Jan. 28-30 asks members of churches to appeal to their representatives in Congress to speed international action to end the war.
Church women's group to hold state assembly
Church Women United in Virginia, an ecumenical organization for Christian women interested in social justice and interracial cooperation, has scheduled its state assembly Feb., 25-27 at the United Methodist Conference Center at Blackstone.
Featured will be Ann B. Garvin, national president of CWU, as well as other leaders for workshops in creative celebrations, Bible study and communications. Cost is $95. Call 982-2098 for registration information before Feb. 9.
by CNB