Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 4, 1995 TAG: 9502070009
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF & WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Bishop A. Heath Light, spiritual and administrative leader of Episcopalians in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia since 1979, plans to retire "in the next year to 18 months."
The bishop, 65, told the 76th Annual Council of the diocese last weekend in Blacksburg that he will serve until a new leader is consecrated. The process of nominating and electing a new bishop is expected to require more than a year and is initiated by the Standing Committee of the diocese.
In other action, delegates to the annual business meeting approved a $3 million capital funds campaign to be conducted in 1996. Referring to this drive, Light said he wishes to leave to his successor enough money to establish an endowment so that ministries will not be as limited by financial shortfalls as they have been in recent years.
A straw ballot of delegates at the meeting revealed support of at least 85 percent for the three major goals in the drive.
They are renovation and enlargement of the diocesan headquarters and its adjacent education center in Old Southwest Roanoke, improvements to the Phoebe Needles Retreat Center near Callaway in Franklin County and an endowment of at least $1.5 million to provide funds for an unspecified number of regional, national and international missions into the next century.
The last time the Episcopalians conducted such a drive was in 1979 when more than $1 million was raised for regional and national needs.
Lynchburg merger
Two old United Methodist congregations in Lynchburg have merged, and two suburban parishes north of that city also have voted to form a new church. First United Methodist, which has been on Court Street for 166 years, joined last month with the Chestnut Hill Church on Fort Avenue. Ministries will be continued for the inner city at the Chestnut Hill site. The two suburban churches, Madison Heights and Bayley's Chapel, will build together a new church to be known as Amelon United Methodist. For now services continue in the Madison Heights building.
Goddess studies
The Women's Center at Hollins College will offer a class this spring titled ``Spirituality for Women: The Goddess Within.'' The four-week class aims to explore alternatives to traditional religious archetypes.
An introduction to the class, taught by the Rev. Denise Rotival Huffman, will be Feb. 21, 7 p.m. in the Gordh Room of the Hollins College Chapel.
For more information, call 362-6269.
New spokesman
OMAHA, Neb. - Former Nebraska Gov. Kay Orr said she will become the state spokeswoman for a Christian outreach program.
Orr, 56, will be a voluntary spokeswoman for ``Living for Tomorrow,'' a program that will tie radio, newspaper and radio advertisements with a toll-free hotline to deal with conflict management. People who see or hear the ads will be able to call a hotline to receive a booklet and audio cassette.
``Basically the ads tell people it's OK to ask for help,'' Orr said.
Orr said working with the program scheduled to begin Feb. 13 will allow her to touch people in ways she couldn't when she was governor.
Orr, a Republican, served as governor from 1987-1991 before losing to Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson by 4,030 votes.
Her new job is part of a project by an auxiliary of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, of which. Orr is a member.
Mountain for prayer
TOLEDO, Ohio - A 12-story mountain? In the heart of the city? For prayer?
Even the developer says it's ``crazy.'' But Charles Witte, a retired engineer, says it will be built.
Witte leads a nonprofit group of civic and religious leaders looking for a 25-acre site for the $5 million mountain. The Peace Mountain Foundation Inc. wants to provide a quiet setting for people to pray and meditate.
``We want to create an environment where people can talk openly about peace,'' Witte said recently. ``Where they can pray and meet.''
Peace Mountain would be made of reinforced concrete but covered with earth and stone and topped with artificial snow to resemble the real thing. Inside would be a climate-controlled grotto containing meeting rooms, fountains and an amphitheater for performances and lectures.
``It is crazy,'' Witte said. ``That's what makes it so challenging. But it is going to happen. I'm sure of that.''
Supporters hope to locate a site this year and then will start making presentations to church and civic groups in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan to raise money and sign up volunteers.
Baptists fight alcohol
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Members of a Baptist church close to a new downtown arena have voted to fight plans to permit the sale of alcohol at the arena.
City officials have expressed optimism they can work out their differences with the Downtown First Baptist Church, but said for now the two sides have agreed to disagree.
``Certainly the mayor's office understands the church and its stance on alcohol,'' said Tam Gordon, spokeswoman for Mayor Phil Bredesen. ``At this point the two have politely decided to agree to disagree, and we'll continue to try to resolve this issue.''
Church members recently adopted a resolution stating the church ``strongly opposes any changes in law which would allow the sale or use of alcohol at the arena.''
More than 250 members attended the church business meeting and voiced their opposition, Pastor Dan Francis said.
The 20,000-seat arena is being built 15 feet too close to the church to qualify for a city beer permit. Metro Nashville law requires businesses be 100 feet from a church or school to sell beer.
Metro is petitioning the state General Assembly to make an exception for the arena, a $120 million project.
The arena, slated to be finished in August 1996, is four blocks from the world headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Temples planned
SALT LAKE CITY - Mormon church leaders have announced plans to build temples in Bolivia and Brazil.
The proposed temple in Cochabamba, Bolivia, would be the first in that country, while the Recife, Brazil, temple would be Brazil's second, according to the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A temple in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was completed in 1978.
The Mormon church said construction on the temples will begin once plans are completed and all necessary governmental approval is obtained.
by CNB