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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 2, 1995                   TAG: 9503030046
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RELIGION BRIEFS

ORGANIST ROBERT PARRIS, formerly of Salem, will perform Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Salem. Now associate professor of music and organist for Mercer University in Macon, Ga., Parris also has been choirmaster at an Episcopal parish there. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and of the Eastman School of Music and has lived in Georgia since 1979.

The recital is free.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in downtown Salem, which postponed plans for an extensive building and renovation program because of the expense, is seeking to raise $200,000 to upgrade its facilities, most of which have had more than 40 years of use. Rest-room renovation, painting and roof and exterior repairs will be included.

PRAYER AND SPIRITUALITY, three Monday night discussions for Lent, will begin next week at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Salem. They will be led by the Rev. Dr. W. Melvin Maxey, a member of the church staff, and are open to the community. The discussions will continue on March 20 and April 3.

THE WHY OF CANCER, the last of a series postponed because of weather, is scheduled Sunday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Salem. It will be led by Gerald McDermott, Ph.D. of the Roanoke College religion faculty and co-author of the book, "Living With Cancer."

"MORNING HAS BROKEN," a symphony of favorite hymns, will be presented March 12 at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2101 S. Jefferson St.

Choirs of First Presbyterian, South Roanoke United Methodist, Raleigh Court United Methodist, Central Church of the Brethren and Salem Presbyterian will perform the work under the direction of Joseph H. Kennedy with Robert Chapman the organist. The program is free.

MICHAEL BROWN, music director at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, will present Hymns for Him, a gospel concert, April 8 at 7 p.m. It will be held in the North Cross School auditorium. Brown has just released his first recording.

An offering will be taken.

LAURA LEE and JAY STEWART, missionaries to Kenya for more than 30 years, have returned to the Roanoke Valley for retirement. The Stewarts served with the Southern Baptist Convention.

ROANOKE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, 2015 Grandin Road S.W., is sponsoring a 10-week Welcoming Congregation workshop series with sessions each Wednesday night at 7 through May 3. Using a series of videos, participants will discuss topics including "Gender Socialization," "Homophobia," "AIDS," "A Parent and a Lesbian Daughter."

The series is part of a continuing effort of the church to break down prejudice against people seen as different. Call 342-8888 for more information.

ST. ELIZABETH'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 2339 Grandin Road S.W., will begin a Eucharist on Saturday night at 7:30. A folk hymn group, made up of members from several Episcopal parishes will provide music. The Rev. Harmon Smith of St. Paul's Church in Salem and the Rev. James Drinard Smith of the host church will lead the worship. The alternative style service will be offered each first Saturday evening, especially for those who prefer evening worship.

SLAVA BORISOV, a former Soviet general who converted to the Christian faith after 35 years as a decorated military leader, will speak March 9 at 7 p.m. at Northside Christian Church, 5110 Florist Road N.W.

Commander of military operations in the recent Afghan war, Borisov now works to supply Bibles to Russian military personnel and is an adviser to President Boris Yeltsin.

Special music and testimony also will be presented by Joani Tabor, nationally traveled gospel singer, and Dwight Good. Call 362-2319 for more information.

Send information to Frances Stebbins, Neighbors, P.O. Box 2491. Roanoke, 24010-2491 by noon Thursday.

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