Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 4, 1994 TAG: 9406060139
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is taking part in a worldwide appeal for Rwanda launched late last month in Geneva by the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches. The two agencies are seeking $9 million for an ecumenical response in the crisis. The largest part of the aid appeal, about $8 million, is needed for humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire who are affected by the recent civil war in Rwanda. This will be the first time the two agencies have worked together on a major international disaster.
Congregation planned
Plans to open an English-speaking United Methodist congregation in Berlin this fall were announced during the Germany North Annual Conference in early May. Meeting for the first time since the denomination's East and West Germany Conferences merged, the 240 delegates represented the northern portions of the two former countries. The new congregation will receive support from the new German conference, British Methodism and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. It will be served by a minister from the British Methodist Church.
New staff
Two will join the staff of R.E. Lee Episcopal Church in Lexington this summer. The Rev. Sandra M. Levy will become assistant rector on July 1. A recent graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, she was formerly a professor in medical schools in Baltimore, Washington and Pittsburgh. Levy is married to a professor at the University of Maryland and has two grown sons.
A seminarian, Henry H. "Chip" Edens III will begin work with the church on Aug. 13. He will spend a year away from the divinity school of Yale University to learn the practical details of administering parish work. His coming to staff to work especially with college students was made possible by donations from parents of students.
Hymnal cooperation
Creators of the new Spanish-language hymnals for United Methodist and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denominations have agreed to cooperate in compiling a common section of songs to be shared by both groups. Each denominational group will have its own worship liturgy and prayers, but the approximately 400 hymns will be identical, if the agreement holds. Originally the two groups had planned to include the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in setting up a Spanish-language hymnal, but the Lutheran group decided to work independently.
Hunger relief
In Franklin County 65 walkers raised $2,019 in pledges for hunger relief in the annual hike held in mid-May. Registration is now open for the second of three community hunger-relief efforts, a 75-mile bicycle ride on July 16.
Parish nurse program
LORAIN, Ohio - A hospital is training clergy members to respond to sickness involving church members.
``I feel like I'm going out into the community and giving a gift,'' said Sue Dixon, a nurse who directs the program at St. Joseph Hospital and Health Center in northern Ohio.
The decision to start a parish nurse program was based on facts and common sense, she said.
Two-thirds of the people who go to the emergency room really should see a family doctor or social worker, she said. A change in diet or lifestyle could prevent many of their ills.
``We wish to link the needs of the whole person with the resources of the church, the health care system and the community,'' said Greg Palmer, a vice president at St. Joseph's, part of the Humility of Mary Health Care Corp.
Nine downtown churches have organized an Aug. 27 health fair to launch the program.
The Rev. Woody Chamberlain Jr., co-pastor of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, said he plans to incorporate health themes into his sermons and relay nutrition information through the church's food distribution program.
Help for teens
ROCK HILL, S.C. - Children on a path to jail may be detoured toward church under a partnership among the state Juvenile Justice Department, the NAACP and Rock Hill churches.
Troubled teens will have a better chance of making it through a probation sentence without trouble if the community offers them positive activities, said Ernest Brown, an executive board member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People who is involved in the project.
``The church is the most available institution, especially in the black community,'' Brown said.
As part of the program, profiles will be prepared on York County's nonviolent teen-agers who wind up in court. Those profiles will be sent to Juvenile Justice and forwarded to the NAACP, who will pair the teens with churches. Officials expect the process to begin by June 15.
Ten churches have agreed to participate. The churches will be expected to supervise and tutor the teens, offer job training, provide a church member to act as a mentor and make available recreation and religious training.
by CNB