Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 28, 1995 TAG: 9501310021
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A class in Beginners' Hebrew will begin Feb. 6 at Temple Emanuel, 1163 Persinger Road S.W. Taught by Rabbis Jerome Fox and Frank Muller, it will meet through May 22 on Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. The class will teach reading of the consonants and vowels of the Hebrew alphabet as well as the phonetic reading of some major prayers, blessings and biblical passages. The class will cost $18 for materials and is open to teens and adults. Call 343-0289 for more information.
Religion and race
Conversations in Religion and Race, a group of church people interested in more interracial activity within congregations, will plan Black History Month programs at its meeting Monday at 7:15 p.m. at the United Methodist Home, 1009 Old Country Club Road N.W. Call 989-3335 for more information.
Couples group
A couples group to strengthen marriage and family life is being organized in Galax. A potluck meal on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Center and Monroe streets, will be the first event. The goal is to encourage couples in better communication for discussing intimacy, dependence and other issues in marriage. Call Jon D. Weddell at 236-9937 for more information.
Condom policy opposed
BURLINGTON, Vt. - With a growing number of Vermont schools considering condom distribution to students, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Vermont is speaking out against the idea.
``These are challenging times for our youth,'' Bishop Kenneth Angell of the Burlington Diocese said in a recent statement. ``But it does not mean we, their parents, their mentors and guides, should be remiss in challenging them ourselves.
``In fact,'' he continued, ``if we abet or encourage them in the engagement of casual sex, we are indeed selling them short.''
The bishop's statement came after publication of news reports on the first anniversary of a decision by Harwood Union High School in Duxbury to allow the school nurse to distribute condoms.
School officials in Essex Junction are considering the same policy. And the South Burlington High School Student Council is working toward a second survey on student attitudes about making condoms available free at the school.
Harwood officials said during the past year only about a dozen condoms actually have been distributed to students.
Gloria Gibson, spokeswoman for the diocese, said the bishop's statement came in response to requests for guidance from priests and others in the community.
The bishop said, ``We must not give into the `politically correct' temptations which would lead our youth into promiscuity and a sense of false security.''
Food for thought
FILER, Idaho - Filer High School students get more than free lunches when they go across the street to a church once a week.
At First Baptist Church, they also get pamphlets about the Christian life, and information cards if they want to know more about the church.
Placemats are printed with the church's schedule of youth events. Volunteers stop by tables to invite teens to roller skating parties or winter outings. Kids are asked to bow their heads in prayer before their meal.
``I believe this will help foster good attitudes in the minds of these high schoolers toward church now and in the future,'' Rev. LeRoi Arroues said, ``because of this gift to them, with no strings attached.''
On Tuesdays since November the church has been serving free lunches. The first week 17 students tried it; now about 80 students take part. That's one-fourth of the enrollment.
``We had a high school right across the street, and we were wondering how we could reach out in love to the kids,'' Arroues said.
On a recent Tuesday, seven kitchen volunteers spooned up heaping plates of tacos, relishes, home-baked cinnamon rolls and fruit.
``It's better than the food in the school cafeteria,'' said Logan Hudson, 15, ``and they have pop.''
A couple of students have attended a worship service at the church, and one has signed up to go to winter camp.
by CNB