Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 26, 1994 TAG: 9411280020
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
To encourage giving to one of several Franklin County humanitarian agencies, Boones Mill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is holding today a Living Gift Market. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its building on Virginia 919, a fair will display materials from such groups as Hospice of Franklin, the county's free clinic, Heifer Project International, Habitat for Humanity and the Family Resource Center among others. The Rev. Coretha Morra, pastor, said those visiting the fair will be invited to make a donation to one or more of the agencies. A hand-lettered gift card will then be sent to a person for whom a commercial present would have been bought informing them of the donation in their name. On sale will be crafts from Third World countries distributed through the SERRV international Christian agency. Call 334-5019 for more information.
Habitat house
The Forest Ruritan Club has agreed to finance the first stage of a Habitat for Humanity house in Bedford County. Ground for the house is expected to be broken by the end of the year. The next meeting of a steering committee and any interested in working on the house will be Thursday at 7 p.m. at New Hope Church in Chamblissburg.
Assisted suicide opposed
A national Roman Catholic agency, the Campaign for America Leadership, has issued a statement strongly opposing the new Oregon law that legalizes physician-assisted suicide. The agency also attacked a proposal to life the New York state ban on assisted suicide. Hastening death, the statement says, cheapens human life, and any efforts, such as those supported by the California-based Hemlock Society, will bring about results to society "more lethal than any physical ailment." The agency contends that most Americans are afraid to give such power to doctors and that "suicide is rarely a rational choice."
Not going for broke
Alternatives, an ecumenical Christian agency working to counter commercialism at Christmas, is observing its 21st season by releasing a 15-minute video of conversations with people seeking meaning beyond financial excess. Suitable for adult education groups, "Break Forth With Joy" may be ordered by calling (404) 961-0102.
Christmas tree symbolism
A 30-year-old effort by a Lutheran congregation in Danville to transform the secular Christmas tree into a more tangible symbol of Christ's birth continues to gain momentum and popularity among many Christian denominations. The white and gold Chrismon symbols - a name made from Christ and monogram - have replaced the standard glass globes, Santas and toys that used to adorn trees in churches.
Hundreds of Western Virginia churches now use Chrismon trees. Information about the significance of the symbols and how to make them is available from Cokesbury book stores or from the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 314 W. Main St. in Danville. There the current tree is more than 20 feet tall and contains 300 ornaments.
`Congressional coyotes'
NEW YORK - Clergy leaders said they fear the new Republican leadership in Washington might become ``congressional coyotes'' who feast on the nation's helpless by slashing entitlement programs.
``In the recent election and the campaign leading up to it,'' said the Rev. James A. Forbes Jr., pastor of Riverside Church, ``some of us think we have observed a strange erosion of commitment to care for all of God's children.''
Forbes attended a City Hall news conference with about 20 other clergymen and women, members of A Partnership of Faith in New York, which represents an estimated 75,000 to 125,000 worshipers.
The Rev. Tracy Robinson-Harris, minister of the Community Church of New York, said they were especially concerned about the outlook for women who need help in caring for their children.
``The answer for them is not a minimum age limit on motherhood. It is not orphanages as places to care for their children,'' she said. ``The answer for them is a government that practices justice, equity and compassion for all the people.''
False doctrines
PROVO, Utah - Social and political correctness are false doctrines, according to a Mormon apostle, who says they obscure distinctions between right and wrong.
``I challenge that false doctrine of human behavior. The influence of Satan is becoming more acceptable,'' Elder James E. Faust, a member of the church's council of the Twelve Apostles, told Brigham Young University students.
Faust said he and other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hope young people, ``unfamiliar with the sophistries of the world, can keep themselves free of Satan's enticements and evil ways.''
By embracing political correctness, unknowing people have been led to accept such things as abortion, homosexuality and the so-called ``zero population'' movement, Faust said.
``Any alternatives to the legal and loving marriage between a man and woman are helping to unravel the fabric of human society,'' he said. ``These so-called alternative lifestyles must not be accepted as right because they frustrate God's commandments for a life-giving union of male and female within a legal marriage as stated in [The Old Testament]. If practiced by all adults, these lifestyles would mean the end of the human family.''
In other cases, he said, Satan ``takes some delight every time a home is broken up, even when there is no parent to blame. This is especially so where there are children involved."
by CNB