Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 14, 1994 TAG: 9405170038
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: from staff and wire reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Rev. John Glenn Linthicum will become pastor of Clifton Forge Baptist Church on June 26. He is coming from Speedway Baptist Church in Indiana. He and his wife, Julia, have a son, Jonathan. Linthicum will succeed the Rev. William Mattox who resigned two years ago. In the interim the Rev. Dr. B. Conrad Johnston has served as pastor.
Sex rule rejected
Representatives of churches in Shenandoah Presbytery, which includes Rockbridge and the Alleghany Highlands counties, have rejected 87-53 a request from Savannah Presbytery to the national General Assembly of the Presbyterian denomination. The proposal would require deacons, elders and ministers to abide by standards requiring fidelity in marriage or celibacy.
The presbytery representatives also responded to an overture critical of a controversial Re-Imaging Conference held last fall by reaffirming many basic beliefs of Presbyterians without listing specific negatives alleged about the conference.
Fosnot ordination
The ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood of James M. Fosnot, who served training periods in Salem, Pulaski and Wytheville, is scheduled May 21 at 11 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond. A reception in nearby Monroe Park will follow the ceremony conducted by Bishop Walter F. Sullivan.
Fosnot spent last summer at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Salem. Earlier in his training he was on the staffs of St. Mary's Church, Wytheville, and St. Edward's, Pulaski. He will celebrate his first Mass on May 22 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newport News. His home is in Ohio.
Eckankar study
The local affiliate of Eckankar, which describes itself as the "religion of the light and sound of God," will begin a new book study May 31 at 8 p.m., 2400 Gate House Lane, Ridgewood Farm, Salem.
The religion teaches "soul travel" to higher states of consciousness, reincarnation, and karma or sin. Paul Twitchell, a World War II Navy veteran originated the religion in 1965. Followers, known as ECKists, describe inner scenes or visions of light and musical or natural sounds as coming from God.
Galyean nominated
Violet S. Galyean of Riner has been nominated to serve a second term on the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The commission represents the nation's largest Protestant denomination on national social and legal issues, including such concerns as abortion, and church-state relationships.
Kellum honored
Nathaniel W. Kellum, treasurer of the Baptist General Association of Virginia since 1982, has received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Bluefield College.
Kellum was data processing manager for Shenandoah Life Insurance Co in Roanoke from 1970 until 1982. He was a membe, of Ridgewood Baptist Church in Salem and, with his wife, Doris, served as a houseparent at Virginia Baptist Children's Home in Salem.
by CNB