Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 15, 1995 TAG: 9507170116
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The New York-Washington Annual Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church will hold its 127th annual meeting in Roanoke beginning Sunday and continuing through Friday.
The CME Church was formed in 1870 by former slaves who had been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South - part of what is now the United Methodist Church.
The church now claims about 800,000 members in more than 3,000 congregations. The Washington-New York Annual Conference includes more than 225 congregations in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and Puerto Rico. Its doctrines remain similar to the United Methodist Church as does its structure, with bishops presiding over districts and overseeing an itinerant clergy.
Though there is currently no CME church in the Roanoke Valley, organizers of this conference "anticipate evangelizing the city of Roanoke in hopes of establishing a CME congregation," according to the Rev. Micheal K. Williams, senior pastor of Broomfield CME Church in Richmond.
About 1,000 delegates and friends of the denomination are expected to attend religious services and business meetings at the Marriott Hotel-Airport.
Sabbatical research
Gerald McDermott, assistant professor of religion at Roanoke College, has received two grants to support a year of sabbatical research at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, N.J., beginning in August.
The center brings scholars from around the world to work on projects relating theology to contemporary concerns.
McDermott's project is entitled "The Devil at Delphi Confessed Christ: Jonathan Edwards and Religious pluralism." It is an exploration of both the relationship between Christianity and other religions and the thoughts of Edwards, an influential early American theologian. McDermott has written two books on Edwards.
Reimer ends service
Judy Mills Reimer of Roanoke recently concluded a year's service as moderator - the top elected official - of the national Church of the Brethren overseeing the denomination's annual conference in Charlotte that concluded July 2.
Delegates voted to redesign, downsize - and possibly relocate - the church's general board, its programming arm. The studies, redesign and possible move are to be completed by Jan. 1, 1998.
The Brethren Church, one of the traditional "peace" denominations, claims 148,000 members in the United States and is headquartered in Elgin, Ill.
Internet listings
Roanoke-based Media Management, which published the nationally distributed National and International Religion Report, has announced a cooperative arrangement with Religion Today to place free Internet computer information on ministries and church-related businesses.
Ministries can create what is known as a "home page," which will be included in the Internet Christian Resource Directory. Steven Wike, president of Media Management, said the listing is intended to include businesses, publishers, para-church groups, Christian media, denominations, colleges and church suppliers. In addition to outlining their services, the listing will include an automated response mechanism individuals can use to contact the organization through electronic or conventional mail.
Information about the service is available by contacting Media Management, P.O. Box 21433, Roanoke, VA 24018, or by e-mail at MediaMgmtAOL.com or 71736.702CompuServe.com.
Handley retires
The Rev. George E. Handley, 65, this week retired as coordinator of the Region 7 Center for Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, based in Philadelphia.
Handley took that position in 1987 when the ELCA was formed by a merger of Lutheran bodies. Before that he had worked 11 years in Salem as Virginia Synod secretary and administrative assistant.
Handley was ordained in 1956 as a pastor in the United Lutheran Church in America. He served congregations in Jamaica, N.Y.; York, Pa.; and Waynesboro, Va.
Regional coordinators work with the synods in their regions to plan programs and events, and to assist in placing church professionals. Region 7 includes seven synods in nine Northeast states.
Catholics convene
About 600 Roman Catholic teen-agers and adults involved in youth ministry are attending the annual Catholic Youth Convention at Lynchburg College this weekend.
Participants from throughout the Catholic Diocese of Richmond will be participating in workshops on topics ranging from "Women in the Church" to "How to Go for Your Goals."
Bishop Walter F. Sullivan will be the principal celebrant of the convention's closing Mass on Sunday.
Burchell resigns
Don Burchell, the man who revealed the $2.2 million embezzlement of church funds by a former treasurer of the Episcopal Church, has announced he is resigning from the treasurer's post.
Burchell was assistant treasurer under Ellen Cooke, whose embezzlement was revealed after she resigned from the job in January. Burchell took the job in February.
Bob Brown, a former assistant treasurer, will take the job until a replacement can be named or the church's Executive Council can elect a new one in November.
Methodists distribute kits
More than 24,000 kits to help needy people all over the world with personal care, school supplies and infant essentials are being distributed through the ecumenical Church World Service agency following the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church held recently in Roanoke. The kits have replaced a blanket drive that the church supported for many years.
Bibles sought
Hands for Christ, a 26-year-old evangelical Christian agency based in Roanoke, is seeking Bibles, contemporary devotional books or those of classic reputation, videos and tapes to be sent to Third World countries where such materials are either unavailable or too expensive. The books will be shipped free of charge to church libraries. Mail materials to 5720 Williamson Road, Roanoke, Va. 24012, or call 362-1214 for more information.
Baptist officer to speak
Margaret Wayland, a Danville homemaker and denominational leader who currently is serving as president of the Southern Baptist General Association of Virginia, will be the guest preacher July 30 at 11 a.m. at Marion Baptist Church.
Methodist move pending
Reston, a planned city in Northern Virginia, is the recommended location of a proposed new headquarters for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The board is moving from New York to reduce costs and bring the largest agency in the denomination closer to many of its churches.
Before construction can begin, the site must be approved by the quadrennial General Conference of the church scheduled for the spring of 1996 in Denver.
The exact location of the property was not disclosed because negotiations are continuing, but church leaders hailed the choice as convenient to all transportation outlets and in an area where the church is strong and influential.
by CNB