Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 19, 1995 TAG: 9508210028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Many people, especially senior citizens, need non-medical care and assistance, and churches are an obvious place to turn for help. Akers' job will be to match those people, whose requirements range from needing help with housework to needing help with transportation or shopping, with volunteer caregivers. He will also aid with finding and training caregivers.
Akers, 36, has already introduced himself to many church leaders in Christiansburg. Soon he will be expanding his outreach efforts to Blacksburg and other communities. Groups such as the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers are a growing phenomenon nationwide, with more than 300 organizations. The New River Valley group is part of the Voluntary Action Center.
Akers' position will be funded for 18 months by a $25,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest health care philanthropy.
SERVICES
United Methodist Churches throughout the New River Valley are sponsoring this year's Camp Meeting at Page's Meeting House, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of Francis Asbury, considered to be the father of American Methodism. Camp meetings historically have been an important avenue in spreading Methodism. Page's Meeting House is said to have been the first Methodist establishment west of the New River. Clarence Dishman, 639-2807.
Asbury United Methodist Church will change its morning worship time for Sunday only to 10 a.m. No Sunday School is scheduled. Members of the church will travel to Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Strasburg in the afternoon for homecoming.
The Catholic Community of Christiansburg, now known as Holy Spirit Catholic Church, will celebrate its first anniversary today at 5 p.m. with a potluck dinner, followed by Mass at 7 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Cambria Street. The readings will be Jeremiah 38: 4-6, 8-10; Psalm 40: 2-4, 18;Hebrews 12: 1-4; Luke 12: 49-53; and John 10: 27.
Bob Richards will speak on "Benchmarks - Signposts Along the Way" Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley on Glade Road in Blacksburg. 552-5273.
Blacksburg Christian Fellowship on North Main Street will host Nigerian evangelist Chinedu Nebo, who will speak at services at 9:45 a.m., 11:10 a.m., and 7 p.m. Sunday. 552-3437.
An evangelistic crusade at the Christiansburg Church of God of Prophecy on Craig Street continues today, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, at 6:30, with John Noel, from Springfield. 382-0608 or 980-5661.
The Oak Grove Pavilion in Floyd today will host Sol Bird Mockicin, who will conduct evening vespers, incorporating the Native American tradition. 745-2096.
Blacksburg's Metaphysical Church on Church and Lee Streets will feature Chris Faulconer, who will speak on "Pride and Performance" at 7 p.m. Sunday.
St. Jude Catholic Church in Radford will begin its Winter schedule Sunday, when Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday night Mass will continue at 5:15 p.m. The church will also sponsor a inquiry sesssions on becoming Catholic beginning Sept. 5. 639-5341.
Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church on High Street in Christiansburg will celebrate the 3rd anniversary of Pastor L.E. Suggs Sr., Sunday at 3:30 p.m. 382-3863.
Luther Memorial Lutheran Church on Toms Creek Road in Blacksburg will return to its normal worship schedule Sunday. Worship will be at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Fall session of Sunday School begins Aug. 27 at 9:45 a.m. 552-8009 or 953-1046.
Sowders Chapel Baptist Church will have a revival Aug. 27 through Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. each night. The visiting speaker will be the Rev. Russell Gordon, a missionary to Brazil.
HOMECOMINGS
Bethlehem United Methodist Church and Camp Creek United Methodist Church - now united as Camp Bethel United Methodist Church - will celebrate homecoming Sunday at the church on Rt. 679 in Floyd County. Sunday School will be at 11 a.m., covered by a dinner, and singing and a sermon. 745-3603.
Pentecostal Holiness Church on Phlegar Street in Christiansburg will have homecoming Sunday. The Rev. Billy Griffin will speak and "The Harvester's Quartet" will perform. 382-9429.
Homecoming weekend at Banger's Mountain Pentecostal Holiness Church will feature a performance by the Whitts today at 7 p.m. and services and a potluck dinner Sunday. 951-0739 or 731-3153.
Homecoming at Fairview Community Church on Glade Road in Blacksburg will be Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Highland Gospel Singers and the Callwell Family will perform. 951-2321.
Homecoming at Vicker Pentecostal Holiness Church on Peppers Ferry Road in Christiansburg will be Aug. 27. The Rev. Gary Cope of the Appalachian Conference of Pentecostal Holiness Churches will speak and the Kipps Family Singers, a local gospel group, will perform. 381-9796.
Providence United Methodist Church in Pearisburg will have homecoming Aug. 27. Sunday School will begin at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and dinner at noon. 921-2908.
Glenwood United Methodist Church in Barren Springs will celebrate homecoming Aug. 27 at 11 a.m., with a luncheon afterward.
Community Christian Church in Newbern will celebrate homecoming Aug. 27 with Glenn Hughes from Bloomington, Ind. as a guest speaker at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., and Robin Quesenberry of Knoxville, Tenn., at 6 p.m. A potluck dinner will be a 12:45 p.m. and music will be at 5 p.m. 674-4308.
Big Spring Baptist Church on Roanoke Road in Elliston will celebrate homecoming following morning worship Sept. 10. 268-5650.
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.
MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE
Willis Canada, a gospel soloist from Richmond, will perform at the Fairlawn Church of God on Peppers Ferry Road Saturday at 7 p.m. 639-1511.
The Blackwood Brothers will perform at Main Street Baptist Church in Christiansburg Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. The quartet performs music from 60 years of singing and recording. The performance is free, but a love offering will be taken. 382-2160.
HAPPENINGS
Christiansburg Church of the Nazerene on Peppers Ferry Road will have Vacation Bible School Monday through Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., with a closing Aug. 27. 382-0122 or 382-1696.
Glade Baptist Church on Glade Road in Blacksburg will have a yard and bake sale today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Furniture, clothing and other items will be available. 552-3394.
St. Francis Anglican Church at Progress and Wilson Streets in Blacksburg will have its annual plant, bake and yard sale today from 8 a.m. to noon. 552-9011.
Blacksburg Christian Church will have a yard sale today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring hot dogs, drinks, and a bake sale by the church's youths to raise money for camp. 552-1659.
Bethel United Methodist Church on Lovely Mount Drive in Radford will have a spaghetti dinner Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2.50 for children 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under.
Dayspring Christian Academy Learning Center has openings for 4-year-olds for the fall school term. 552-7777.
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.
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.
Copper Hill Church of the Brethren will have Fall Festival Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature an auction, food, a bake sale, crafts, and music. 651-4897.
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