Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 16, 1994 TAG: 9404160021
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From staff and wire reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Details of the proposal and the exact group which would benefit from the money are still being worked out, according to the Rev. David Wolfe, conference president.
Blue Ridge Community Services, a government-funded agency with which the ministers have worked in the past, is expected to provide some of the services, but the grant money will not necessarily all be used by it.
The proposal, which came originally from the Blue Ridge Community Services - formerly Mental Health Services - has been studied for several months. At a recent meeting of the conference Elizabeth Liska of Manassas outlined the goals of the foundation. She is its Virginia representative.
The grant will cover the first 18 months of operation of the project to be chosen. During that time, Liska said, churches which choose to participate will find volunteers to work under a paid coordinator who will in turn be responsible to a coalition of valley religious leaders and a board of directors.
If the project does not generate enough support in 18 months to keep it going, the ministerial group will bear no responsibility to maintain the funding, Wolfe said. Nor do the clergy and lay members of the conference have to raise matching funds.
Blue Ridge Community Services can provide training for volunteers and suggestions for needed projects, he said.
Liska noted that the foundation, through its Faith in Action program, has supported more than 400 such local church-related projects throughout the nation over the past 10 years.
Over the years the ministerial conference has helped start Roanoke Area Ministries and socials several parishes regularly provide for mentally disabled adults in group homes. Its major ministry is the employment of the Rev. Richard Harris as chaplain to three public institutions.
Workshop on addictions
A workshop to inform church people of the Roanoke area about how those addicted to alcohol and illegal drugs can get help is scheduled April 28 at the Ronald McDonald House, 2224 S. Jefferson St.
From 8:15 a.m. to noon, it is free and open especially to pastors and youth workers. Sponsor is the Roanoke Valley Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council. To register for the Thursday meeting, call 776-3550 by April 27.
Hospice, Habitat
Two humanitarian movements supported by many church people are developing Franklin County local organizations. Hospice of Franklin County is now admitting patients, judged by their doctors to be terminally ill, and Habitat for Humanity, which builds houses for the working poor, has enlisted 25 interested people.
To receive Hospice volunteer training on Monday call 489-6503 or 489-6383. Habitat supporters and future building volunteers may call 334-5452.
Howard to lead retreat
The Rev. Leo Howard, director of the Roanoke Valley Pastoral Counseling Center, will lead the annual retreat for religion professionals May 2 at Camp Bethel Conference Center in Botetourt County. "Stress and the Minister" will be his theme. Hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lunch, for which reservations are needed by April 25, is included in the registration cost of $6 for members and $10 for non-members of the sponsoring Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference. Call the Rev. Nelson Harris, 342-6492, for more information. Checks payable to the conference may be sent to him at 703 Hemlock Road N.W., Roanoke, 24017.
Newsletter workshop
A Communications Workshop for church newsletter editors and others who distribute information about religious events will take place April 30 from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church, 2505 Electric Road S.W.
A morning panel will include representatives of the print and broadcast media as well as a correspondent for The Catholic Virginian diocesan newspaper.They will discuss aspects of making religious news and getting it out to the public. The afternoon speaker will be Paul Miller, a public relations specialist.
Registration is needed by April 25. It may be made by sending a check for $10 to Bob Edwards, Catholic Communications Center, 811 Cathedral Place, Richmond, Va., 23220.
Those who prepare church newsletters also may include one for critiquing with their registration.
Olympic housing
ATLANTA (AP) - A coalition of Atlanta churches is trying to provide free housing for families of Olympic athletes during the 1996 Games.
AT&T, which has sponsored programs to send families of U.S. athletes to previous Olympics, is leading an effort to bring families from around the world to Atlanta. The corporation plans to arrange discounted air fares, local transportation and a local hospitality center.
A broad-based multifaith organization called Atlanta HOST is working on locating housing.
"There's a wide network of people who are genuinely interested in providing hospitality out of a spirit of giving back to the community, without getting anything in return," said Dale E. Jones, executive director of Quest Atlanta '96, which created Atlanta HOST.
Quest, a coordinating body for Christian groups doing ministry in Atlanta, met for two years to determine how area churches could provide outreach, hospitality and social services during the Games.
Health plan panned
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - A Roman Catholic bishop has told state legislators that the church could not support a health care reform plan that includes abortion coverage.
"We cannot and will not support a health care plan which requires everyone to carry and pay for abortion coverage regardless of individual conscience," Bishop Kenneth Angell said in an open letter to Gov. Howard Dean and members of the Legislature.
The House rejected an amendment last month that would have required the Health Care Authority to develop an optional benefits plan that did not include abortions.
by CNB