Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 22, 1995 TAG: 9507240017
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
A year ago of group of Catholics in Christiansburg decided they wanted a parish in their town. Many had been traveling to St. Mary's in Blacksburg, but with new traffic lights sprouting up periodically on U.S. 460, the drive was increasingly becoming a bother. Sociological differences between the towns added to the desire to start a hometown parish.
From the beginning, meeting first at the Knights of Columbus Hall and now at Our Savior Lutheran Church, the parish never had less than 60 people attending Mass. About 50 families are members and the number grows each month, said Father Louis Benoit, pastor of the church as well as Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg.
In May, Bishop Walter F. Sullivan in Richmond recognized the new parish, for the time being called St. Mary's/ Christiansburg or the Catholic Community of Christiansburg. Bishop Sullivan is expected to soon select a name of its own for the parish.
The Richmond diocese will provide money for the Christiansburg parish to buy land near Christiansburg High School for a church. After that, the parishioners will have to raise the money on their own. Their work - and their adventure - are just beginning, Father Louis said.
The parish meets on Saturdays at 7 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Cambria Street. This week's readings will be Genesis 18:1-10, Colossians 1:24-28, and Luke 10:38-42. For more information, call Father Louis at 921-3547 or Gwen Marcenelle at 382-8414.
SERVICES
On tap at the Metaphysical Chapel in Blacksburg at the corner of Lee and Church Streets this Sunday at 7 p.m. is a talk from Nic Tideman on "Peace and Justice." 951-4848.
The Rev. Rudi Gelsey will speak on "The Future: Predictable or Chaotic" Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley on Gladewood Drive in Blacksburg. 552-5273.
The Rev. W. Otis McClung will discuss the spread of the early Christian Church in the Greek empire Sunday at 8:45 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pulaski. McClung is a former pastor and professor of Greek history. 980-4640.
MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE
Sarah Gass will perform hymns, traditional and contemporary music Sunday at 11 a.m. at Grove United Methodist Church on Tyler Avenue in Radford. Gass, from Knoxville, Tenn., is a former voice teacher who has appeared with the Memphis Oratorio Society, the Knoxville Community Chorus, and toured with the gospel group "Truth."
Second Chance, International Country Gospel Music Association Southern Gospel Trio of the Year winner for 1995, will perform their gospel music at the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union building in Fairlawn Thursday at 7 p.m., on July 27 at the Longshop-McCoy Fun Day, and on July 30 at 11 a.m. at Huffville United Methodist Church in Floyd. 639-6271.
"Declaration," a group of six students from Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tenn., will perform at Belmont Christian Church Sunday at 8:30 and 10:50 a.m.
Les Petits Chanteurs du Comte' de Flandre, a boy's choir from France on an international tour, will perform at Zion Lutheran Church in Floyd Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
The Bolt Brothers from Floyd County will perform blue grass gospel music today at 7 p.m. at Oak Grove Church, on Va. 674 two and half miles south of Christiansburg. An offering will be taken.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS
"Windows on the World" is the theme for Vacation Bible School at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Christiansburg, Monday through Friday, 6:45 to 9 p.m. each night. Sunday's meeting, a World's Fair featuring information on missions around the world, will be at 6 p.m. 552-5809.
Vacation Bible School at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Christiansburg is July 30 through Aug. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The theme is "Seaside with the Savior," and it's for kids ages 4 to 12. 639-6322.
"Appreciation of Ecology, the World God Created" will be the focus of Vacation Bible School Sunday through Thursday at First Baptist Church of Radford from 6:30 to 8:30 for children three through sixth grade. 639-4419.
Vacation Bible School at Community Christian Church in Newbern is Aug. 7 to 11. The theme is "Jesus' Kids, Totally His." It's open to all ages and will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every night.
HAPPENINGS
The 85th Piedmont Campground Meeting continues until 30. Worship will be at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day, and 7 p.m. on Sundays, with a children's service at 10 a.m. each day. 268-1042.
The First Baptist Church in Radford will have a homecoming Sunday at 3 p.m. The Rev. Michael Bratton from Bluefield will speak.
The Blacksburg Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will celebrate Pioneer Day today. The anniversary marks when the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in Utah on July 24, 1847. Blacksburg celebration will feature games and contests, food, authentic crafts and music. 552-9195.
Dayspring Christian Academy Learning Center has openings for 4-year-olds for the fall school term. 552-7777.
A "Twin Valley Youth Rally" is scheduled for today from 1 to 9 p.m. at Pulaski County High School. The event will feature sports tournaments, games, food and an evening worship. Sponsored by the Church of God of Prophecy
A retreat for women at the Blue Ridge Christian Camp in McCoy is set of Aug. 4 and 5. The event will feature speakers, food. Registration is $15. 382-4057 or 382-2227.
A free one-day seminar on Christian parenting will be held at the Christian Growth Center on Electric Way in Christiansburg today, from 9 a.m. to noon. Organizers will talk about building spouses in the eyes of children, God's heart for children, and imparting Godly principles through family devotions. 382-2908 or 382-1357.
Youths at Auburn United Methodist Church will perform house cleaning, mowing or weeding. Donations will be used to go to a youth conference. 382-4318.
Floyd Baptist Church is looking for former members to attend a homecoming in September. Contact the church with names and addresses of former members at 745-2677 or at 5 p.m., 745-4473 or 745-3179.
Christian Community Outreach in Radford is having a food outreach on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union Hall in Fairlawn. Food boxes will be available first come, first served to families and people who meet USDA income criteria. 639-5686.
In Religion is a regular Saturday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of your church or religious organization, along with photos, to Kenneth Singletary, New River Current, Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Fax: 381-1656. E-mail: Currentbev.net. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon Wednesday for use in that week's column.
by CNB