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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 23, 1995                   TAG: 9503030032
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RELIGION BRIEFS

LENT, a period of 40 days - not including Sundays - before Easter, begins with Ash Wednesday on March 1. The time of preparation for the death and resurrection of Christ has been observed by Christians for more than 1,500 years. It is marked today in many denominations with opportunities for quiet reflection, study of Scripture and emphasis on self-denial.

The word, "Lent" comes from "long thinning" of the hours of daylight, says the Rev. Donald M. Warrick Jr.,, a Botetourt County minister. His congregations of Trinity United Methodist in Buchanan and Andrew Chapel United Methodist will take special offerings for the United Methodist church camp and will agree to pray for specific families in the parish each day until Easter on April 16.

On Ash Wednesday, many who go to special services will have their foreheads touched with ashes obtained from burned palm fronds of the previous Easter. Words of imposition remind worshipers that "people are dust before God" and will return to Earth upon their deaths.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED, an ecumenical and interracial fellowship and service group, will observe World Day of Prayer March 3 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Blvd. N.W.

The worship service this year was prepared by women of Ghana and has a theme of "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action." The program begins at 10:30 a.m. Last year the group supported four Roanoke Valley ministries: Bethany Hall for women substance abusers; a chaplain for jail inmates; the Transitional Living Center for temporarily homeless people; and the West End Community Center for inner city children and youth.

A GOSPEL CONCERT, featuring Danice Hunt, "Ms. Virginia Senior Citizen, will be Sunday at 4 p.m. at the YMCA Orange Avenue instead of Jerusalem Baptist Church.

A BLACK HISTORY MUSICAL is scheduled Sunday at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 312 N. Jefferson St. Presenting songs of the black heritage will be the Rev. Samuel Robinson, and choral groups from Bent Mountain Baptist Church, New Life Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church, and the High Street Baptist Male Chorus and the Echoes of Joy of Madison Heights.

ELDER GREGORY L. JACKSON, pastor of Melrose Seventh-day Adventist Church, will present a recital March 4 at 6 p.m. at the church, 1601 Melrose Ave. N.W. Jackson also will autograph copies of his new book, "Surrender: The Secret to Perfect Peace and Happiness," which will be available for $9.

CAVE SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH will enter into partnership with a congregation in the Pennsylvania-South Jersey Baptist Convention. The church, which has not been designated, serves a heavily populated area with relatively few Southern Baptists. Members of the Roanoke County church expect to visit the church and exchange ideas for effective ministry.

ST. JOHN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4608 Brambleton Ave. S.W., will have seven small groups for the spiritual growth of adults for Lent. Held in homes at different times and places, the groups all will use a workbook costing $8. After the eight-week commitment, members of some groups may decide to continue, said the Rev. Mark Graham, pastor. Call 774-0712 for more information.

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Elm Avenue at South Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke, will sponsor a Lenten Quiet Morning on March 11 from 9 until noon at the church.

"Charismata: Gifts of the Spirit" will be the theme of meditations by the Rev. Thomas O. Dell, rector. Call 343-9341 for more information.

Want to know what's going on in the religious community? Get on the Internet and find this listing of Religion Briefs as well as other Neighbors columns in the news section of InfiNet. Call 800-849-7214 to subscribe.

by CNB