Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 24, 1995 TAG: 9506270007
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The opening of a new pool at Camp Alta Mons at Shawsville is scheduled today at 11 a.m. The pool is part of the facilities at the United Methodist center and was made possible by a 1993 capital funds campaign that raised more than $500,000 to upgrade the camp.
Events today will include dedication of the pool as well as recreational activities throughout the afternoon. The pool and its dressing rooms were brought to completion by many volunteers from Roanoke Valley and New River Valley congregations as well as by paid contractors.
Witnesses in Roanoke
The Roanoke Civic Center is host to Joyful Praisers, three separate meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses. The first event began Friday and continues through Sunday. A second gathering will be in session from June 30 through July 2 with the third July 7-9.
Each convention will attract about 5,800 worshipers and is primarily for the inspiration and education of members of the faith. A baptismal service and Bible drama are included at each gathering. Call 982-9084 for a schedule of events.
Episcopalians form search committee
Chosen to find candidates for the next Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, who will be elected in 1996, are these representatives from the five convocations in the diocese: James Henry, Roanoke; Clare Fischer-Davies, Blacksburg; Randall Sartin, Amherst; Frances McCoy, St. Paul and John Furgerson, Glasgow from the clergy and Dr. David Dixon, Roanoke; Chuck Hatfield, Radford; Lynn Stuart, Lynchburg; Joan Short, Big Stone Gap and James Lott, Staunton, from the laity. Co-chairs of the search committee are Frank Dunn of Lynchburg and Robert K. Miller of Montgomery County.
The committee will present several finalists to clergy and lay delegates to a diocesan convention at which an election will take place. A. Heath Light, 66, is retiring after 16 years as spiritual leader.
Clown performance concludes camp
A Clown Conference, which has been in session the past week at Camp Bethel Conference Center in Botetourt County, will end tonightwith a special performance at 7 on the newly completed stage at the Church of the Brethren facility. The program is free, but those attending are to bring their own seating. The camp is at 2743 Bethel Road northeast of Troutville.
Introduction to the faith
A summer program to introduce young adults to the Christian faith with emphasis on Roman Catholicism is scheduled at four Virginia sites beginning July 6. The Western Virginia series will be held at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church, 2505 Electric Road S.W. from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with child care provided.
This is the schedule: July 6, Dr. Robert Benne, professor of religion at Roanoke College, on "Religion and Politics: Hot and Cool Connections''; July 10, Burr Datz, campus pastor at Washington and Lee University, "Catholic Answers to Fundamentalist Questions"; and July 13, the Rev. Kenneth G. Stofft, host pastor, "Sacraments."
Christiansburg gets new Catholic parish
A new Roman Catholic parish is being established in Christiansburg, according to Bishop Walter F. Sullivan, head of the Diocese of Richmond. It will be served by the Rev. Louis Benoit, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg, and is being started with the cooperation of St. Mary's Church in Blacksburg and St. Jude's in Radford. Currently meeting at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Cambria Road, the nucleus congregation is expected eventually to build on a five-acre tract across from Christiansburg High School.
Sullivan said about 44 households are now part of the Christiansburg Catholic Community, which he has not yet named.
Brethren convene
Delegates from Churches of the Brethren in the Virlina District will gather for their annual convention Tuesday through July 2 in Charlotte, N.C. A Roanoke area woman, the Rev. Judy Mills Reimer, will preside as national moderator. Shirley Fike of Germantown Brick Church of the Brethren in Franklin County will direct the district choir. Dr. Gerald Roller of Roanoke will be among the speakers on medical aspects of sexuality.
An ecumenical luncheon will include an address by Episcopal Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning of New York.
Patriotic worship service
A special July 4 patriotic worship service is scheduled July 2 beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Moneta under sponsorship of Trinity Ecumenical Parish, a congregation of Episcopalians, Lutherans and Presbyterians that currently worships at Resurrection Catholic Church on Virginia 122. Members Bill and Carole Haas, who compose, teach and perform in the Richmond area, have arranged the celebration which is open especially to visitors and newcomers in the resort community.. Call 297-2628 for more information.
Holy Land ride
Holy Land U.S.A., a nature park in Bedford County, is offering a three-mile ride by donation July 2-7 and July 9-14. The park, which has sites simulating those in Israel, is on Virginia 746 three miles south of Bedford. Call 586-2823 for more information.
Summer conference
Power in the Spirit, a summer conference for Christians, is planned July 13-15 at Roanoke College in Salem. Sponsored jointly by the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, the meeting will feature several national denominational leaders including author and worship innovator John Ylvisaker, who will lead a Friday night songfest. Call 375-2301 for registration information.
Bike riders sought
Registration is open for the sixth annual bike ride to raise funds to combat world hunger. It will be held July 29 beginning at 6 a.m. at Antioch Church of the Brethren in Franklin County. Riders, on whom donors pledge specified amounts, may choose a 50- or 100-mile ride through the Roanoke area. Last year the ride raised more than $6,000. Call 483-2087 for more information.
Anniversary observed
The 150th Anniversary of the founding of Marion Baptist Church is being marked Sunday with a special service at 11 a.m. Resolutions have been passed by both the town of Marion and the county of Smyth recognizing the leadership of the congregation, which began with 17 members in 1845. Homecoming is scheduled Aug. 27.
New leader for ex-POWs
The Rev. James H. Beaver, pastor of the Bastian Church of God, has been installed as state commander of the Virginia unit of American Ex-Prisoners of War in Richmond. Beaver was a prisoner in Korea for 27 months.
by CNB