Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 6, 1995 TAG: 9505170006
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Delegates to the annual meeting of the Virginia Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, at Roanoke College May 19-21, will decide whether Bishop Richard Bansemer, in office for two four-year terms, will be re-elected for a six-year term.
Kathryn Buchanan, director of church relations at Roanoke College and currently the synod treasurer, has been nominated for vice president to succeed Leroy Hamlett Jr., who is retiring from the job.
The major speaker will be Bishop Harold Jansen of the Metropolitan Washington Synod whose theme will be "The Good Book, the Worship Book, the Date Book and the Checkbook." The synod covers most of Virginia, with the meeting attracting more than 400 people.
Outdoor evangelism
Fishnet '95, an annual outdoor evangelism event, is scheduled July 12-14 on grounds near Front Royal. For the 21st Anniversary program, Josh McDowell, Tony Campolo and a variety of Christian speakers and musicians will participate. For registration information call 800-228-2961.
Election begins
The process of electing a new bishop to succeed A. Heath Light as spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia has begun with the choice of Robert K. Miller of Christiansburg and the Rev. Frank Dunn of Lynchburg as chairmen of the search committee.
The remainder of the committee will be made up of an ordained and a lay representative from each of the five convocations in the diocese, which covers the western third of Virginia. These representatives are currently being elected.
Light, 65 and in the office since 1979, announced in January that he will retire when a successor is ready. The timetable is for several candidates to be presented to the annual meeting of the diocese next January, with an election to take place soon afterward.
Several Lynchburg clergy, however, have asked for more time between Light's retirement and the consecration of a new bishop; an interim bishop would allow for more time to study the needs of the diocese, they say.
Camp for families
Registration is open for Show and Tell Camp, an intergenerational program to be held at Camp Bethel Conference Center in Botetourt County June 2 and 3. The camp will offer a variety of events for families at a basic cost of $20 per adult and $10 for children over 4.
Call 992-2940 for registration information.
Evening School of religion
Classes on Visions and Violence, the Crisis of Faith Today, Contemporary Challenges, Religion and Politics, and True Spirituality will be offered in evening classes this month at Roanoke College.
The classes will be taught by Roanoke College faculty and are sponsored by the college's Center for Church and Society and Lutheran Cooperative Ministries of the Roanoke Valley.
Classes will be held at 7 and 8:30 p.m. on May 16, May 18, May 23 and May 25 in Olin Hall on the Roanoke College campus. Participants can take one course for $25 or two courses for $40.
Additional information is available by calling 375-2268.
Spirituality enhancement
Two programs to enhance Christian spirituality are open for registration at the Phoebe Needles Conference Center, 732 Turners Creek Road, Callaway. The first, to be held June 30 and July 1, will introduce adults to the continuing spiritual development program, Pilgrims on the Way, in which registrants meet four times yearly and read materials during the intervening months.
The second event is a two-day retreat based on the Enneagram, a means of learning one's personal reflection style. It will be July 28-30 and will be led by Sister Mary Anne Giordano, a Christian educator. Call 483-3381 for registration information on either event.
Physician-clergy dialogue
"Professional Disillusionment" will be the theme of a Physician-Clergy Dialogue May 16 from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley cafeteria. Sponsored by the interfaith Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference, it is open to religion and medical workers and will be led by Dr. Donald Bivins and the Rev. Kirk Lashley. Breakfast is free.
Society expands
The Society of St. Andrew, a Bedford Christian community which salvages commercially useless produce to combat hunger, has opened its third regional office in West Palm Beach, Fla. Over the past three years the agency has expanded its work to Durham, N.C. and to Dallas, Texas.
Caring for Children
A group "exploring ways to ensure that all children live in a caring environment that promotes good health, sound education and protection from violence" will meet Sunday at 12:15 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universality Church, Grandin Road and Brandon Avenue Southwest.
The Promise the Children committee of the church's Service Committee is seeking community input on its goals and the meeting is open to all.
Baptist workshop
"Living Wills and Other Medical Directives" will be the theme of Sally Putnam Sunday at a 2 to 4 p.m. workshop at Clifton Forge Baptist Church, 511 McCormick Blvd., Clifton Forge. Information also will be available on donation of body parts to save the lives of others.
by CNB