
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 14, 1994                   TAG: 9405160005
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Rick LIndquist
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

PLENTY OF `POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE' IN PASTOR'S FAMILY

It's a graduation triple play this month for the Rev. Rick Ecklund and his wife Liz of the Floyd Parish United Methodist Church. Rick Ecklund will graduate next Saturday from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg with his Master of Divinity degree. He's been attending there since 1991. Meanwhile, Liz Ecklund picked up her sheepskin Friday from Virginia Western Community College. And her dad, Gene Walter, who lives in Madison Heights, graduates from Longwood College in Farmville with a degree in computer science. He's turns 71 this year.

STRAIGHT STREET teen center plans to open a "satellite" site in Fairlawn at the former A-1 Auto Parts store on U.S. 11, across from the Golden Corral restaurant. The site still needs a lot of work - and volunteer labor. Kevin Payne is heading up the project. Call 381-1006 to find out more.

Spirit Wind Ministries of Floyd will hold its third annual SPIRIT WIND ANNUAL TREK - a benefit bicycle tour - next Saturday at Shot Tower State Park, Austinville, just off Interstate 77 in Wythe County. Registration starts at 9, and the ride gets under way at 10. Riders obtain pledges to help needy summer campers at Spirit Wind Summer Camp.

Registration forms are available at area bicycle shops. To learn more, call 268-5147.

Making a Joyful Noise:

Decision and guests David Carroll and Jubilant Voices will appear tonight at 7 at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 155 Dunlap Drive, Christiansburg. A potluck supper will be held at 6. Find out more by calling 382-0691 or 763-2525.

The New Life Drama Troupe will be at Straight Street tonight at 8. Admission is free, but an offering will be taken.

To find out more, call Straight Street's concert line, 381-5031.

Strings of Faith, along with Gospel Strings and the Highland Gospel Singers, will perform tonight at the O.C.A.W. building on Peppers Ferry Road in Fairlawn at 7. Admission is free.

Young at Heart will sing next Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Childress Church of God, on Piney Road three miles outside Radford off Childress Road. Call Pastor Philip Newby, 639-1499, or Steve Farmer, 763-3263, for details.

Bob and Sandy Mullins of Second Chance will be on hand for revival services next Saturday, 7 p.m., at North Fork Baptist Church, Ellett. They'll sing the next Sunday at 10 a.m. during homecoming festivities at the Lords Full Gospel Mission, Pilot. Next Sunday evening, they'll be at the Dublin Full Gospel Tabernacle on U.S. 11.

Church Happenings:

The St. Paul Methodist Church mission madness YARD SALE will be held today, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the church parking lot, 220 W. Main St., Christiansburg. Car wash, bake sale, and barbecue too.

United Methodist Women Asbury UMC, 490 Stuart St., Christiansburg are sponsoring a FISH DINNER today, starting at 11 a.m. The menu is fish, slaw, potato salad, green beans and corn bread. Proceeds go toward the church's building fund.

Riner Grace Brethren Church will hold a REVIVAL Sunday through Thursday. Sunday's service is at 11 a.m., each evening service will be at 7. 382-4654.

Carter Street United Methodist Church, Second and Carter in Radford, is holding a SPAGHETTI SUPPER next Saturday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Adults, $3.50; children 12 and under, $1.50 Take-out available. 639-4516.

First Missionary Baptist Church, New River, will present FASHIONS ON PARADE, next Saturday. Refreshments. Call Louise Harvey, 639-0360.

Lafayette United Methodist Church is looking for donations for its AUCTION next Saturday. Items must be in "sellable condition." To donate, call Junior Craighead, 268-2719, or Mickey Apgar, 268-5974.

Proceeds go to repair the church and the parsonage.

Short Takes:

Straight Street, 300 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg, summer schedule: Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Bible study. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. prayer meeting; Fridays, 7-10 p.m., youth night, grades 6-12; Saturday, family/adult night, 7-11 p.m.

Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, 107 W. Main St., will receive new members Sunday. A fellowship follows the service. The Chancel Ringers will play, and the Two-Cents-a-Meal offering will be received.

Catherine Snyder will speak on Sunday, 10:30 a.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley, 1301 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg. A discussion follows the service. For more information, call 552-5273 or 552-4749.

Members of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. can keep up with church happenings, hear devotionals and special reports by calling the toll-free VoiceLine at (800) 872-3283.

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