ROANOKE TIMES

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

DATE: THURSDAY, December 8, 1994                   TAG: 9412300050
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S16   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium


RELIGION BRIEFS

UNITY OF ROANOKE VALLEY has chosen the Rev. James Fisher as its next minister. Fisher and his wife, Andrea, will be honored Friday at 6:30 p.m. at a reception at the Radisson Patrick Henry Hotel.

A native of Pittsburgh, Fisher grew up in San Francisco. Educated at Yale and Stanford universities, he became a Unity minister 15 years ago after a managerial career with an oil corporation. He has served congregations in St. Joseph, Mo., and Minneapolis.

Fisher succeeds the Revs. Alan and Kathryn Rowbotham, who left for St. Petersburg, Fla., a year ago after a pastorate of more than 20 years. In the interim the Rev. Harriet Valliere has been pastor. She leaves Roanoke on Dec. 16 for a new assignment in Minneapolis.

THE CATHEDRALS, a nationally traveled male quartet, will perform Dec. 30 at First Baptist Church in downtown Roanoke. The program will start at 7:30 p.m. in the main worship center. The $5 tickets are available at the church office and in Christian book stores.

YOUTH LEADERS from Roanoke Valley Evangelical Christian churches, will gather Dec. 15 at 12:30 p.m. at the Hershberger Road Western Sizzlin restaurant. For more information about the luncheon, call Mike Brummitt at 563-5151.

THE NEW BEGINNING, a Roanoke Valley choral group that sings at nursing and retirement homes, will present a Christmas concert Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4909 North Lake Drive N.W.

A CHRISTMAS CONCERT, "In All of His Glory," will be given Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. at Roanoke Valley Cathedral of Praise, 8100 Angel Lane.

MELROSE BAPTIST CHURCH, 3520 Peters Creek Road N.W., will present its cantata, "Bethlehem Star," on Dec. 18 at 10:45 a.m. It will be sung by the Adult Choir. A program featuring childrens' choirs will take place Sunday at 10:45 a.m.

GLORIA, an oratorio by Vivaldi, will be sung Sunday at 7 p.m. at Bonsack Baptist Church, 4845 Cloverdale Road. Directed by Mark A. Slaughter, it will be performed by the Chancel Choir and the church's orchestra. Children and youth choirs will present Christmas music on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.

AT ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, an interior renovation program has been completed. It includes carpeting and painting throughout. Stained-glass windows given in memory of former members and clergy also have been installed throughout the nave. The church's new rector, the Rev. Anthony Seel of Chicago will begin his ministry Jan. 1.

ST. GERARD CATHOLIC CHURCH,809 Orange Ave. N.W., has announced its Christmas Masses with the Rev. Wayne Ball, pastor, the officiant. They will be at midnight on Dec. 24 and at 10 a.m. on Christmas Day. No evening Mass is planned on Christmas.

LARRY ATKIN, minister of Edgewood Christian Church, has been honored by his congregation for 30 years of the preaching ministry. He was ordained in Knox County, Ky., and has served five congregations.

LOS POSADAS, a Latin American service to focus on the holy family, will be featured on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 2922 Corbieshaw Road S.W. The service dates to 1587 and was brought from Spain to help introduce Christianity to the new world.

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH'S Chancel Choir, with violin accompaniment, will present the Charpentier oratorio, "In Nativitatem Domini," Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. The church is at 214 Mountain Ave. S.W.



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