ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 12, 1995                   TAG: 9510120018
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: N-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long


RELIGION BRIEFS

VIEWS OF THE CANDIDATES, a series of Sunday programs at 10:15 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, will focus on the religious values of four candidates for the Virginia General Assembly. Sunday's speaker will be John Edwards, a Democratic candidate for the state Senate. On Oct. 22 his opponent, incumbent Republican Brandon Bell, will speak. The Oct. 29 leader will be Democratic incumbentClifton "Chip" Woodrum III, followed on Nov. 5 by Newell Falkinburg, his Republican challenger for the House of Delegates. The church is on Elm Avenue at South Jefferson in downtown Roanoke.

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 608 Campbell Ave. S.W., has invited three guest speakers for its annual Harry Y. Gamble Renewal Series. The Rev. Dr. Daniel Bagby, professor of pastoral care at The Baptist Seminary in Richmond, will preach Oct. 22 at 11 a.m., at 4 p.m. for youth and at 6 p.m. The Rev. F. Tupper Garden, minister of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, is the speaker Oct. 25 after a 5:45 p.m. family meal. Gamble himself, pastor of the church from 1946 to 1978, will preach on Oct. 29 at 11 a.m.

CIRCULATION DAY, a project in which donations of food, clothing, furniture and other useful articles are brought to a central place and offered free to whomever can use them, has been approved in principle by the Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference whose board will study how the interfaith group can best support the program. Promoted by Unity of Roanoke Valley, it is expected to take place in the spring of 1996. For more information, call 562-2200.

THE PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITY CENTER, an ecumenical service ministry based at 1228 Jamison Ave. S.E., is resuming its tutoring program for inner-city children. Volunteers are needed to work one afternoon weekly from 2:30 to 4:15. In cooperation with Literacy Volunteers of America, tutors work with both children and adults. Call 982-2911.

THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM, based at Trinity United Methodist Church in Old Southwest Roanoke, will sponsor a luncheon Nov. 9 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the church. With a theme of making the valley aware of the needs of children, it is especially for potential workers in the COP ecumenical ministry. Call Debbie Mooty, director, at 342-3501.

A HAITIAN MISSION CONGREGATION, housed at Ridgewood Baptist Church, is seeking financial support. About 60 Protestant Haitians currently are attending services led by Castin Mesadieu. The mission has received preliminary approval for a stipend from the Roanoke Valley Association of Southern Baptists. Call the Rev. Nelson Harris at 342-6492 for more information.

BONSACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH'S former parsonage at 4493 Bonsack Road is being remodeled for offices, a youth lounge and meeting rooms. The $45,000 project is expected to be completed by Nov. 15. The Rev. John Ashley, pastor, and his family now are living in Blue Ridge; he is receiving a housing allowance.

GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 4404 Williamson Road, is installing an elevator to enable members to reach its three levels of worship, education and fellowship space. The $159,000 project also includes installation of full facilities for those in wheelchairs.

HIGH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, 2302 Florida Ave. N.W., has scheduled a concert Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. to mark the 111th anniversary of the Senior Choir. Guest singers will be Shirley and Kimberly Winn of Scott's Zion Baptist Church in Madison Heights.

SOUTHVIEW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH will send a team of adults and youth to a Botetourt County orchard on Oct. 21 to collect commercially useless apples. With the guidance of the Society of St. Andrew in Bedford County, the fruit will be taken to two Roanoke feeding centers.

A GUIDE TO PRAYER is the focus of a spiritual growth group for the community sponsored by Fincastle United Methodist Church. It is held at the church's Hedrick House each second and fourth Sunday night at 7:30. Call 473-3001 for more information.

A FALL MISSIONS CONFERENCE is in progress through Sunday at Grace Baptist Temple, 1527 Gilford Road N.W. Preaching nightly at 7 is the Rev. Dr. Doug Couch, Southeast representative from Baptist Mid Missions. Several missionaries also will present slide shows. On Sunday, programs will be at 9:45 and 11 a.m. and at 6 p.m.

THE YOUTH DEPARTMENT of St. Matthew Church of God, Apostolic is seeking financial support for Youth Summit '96 to be held April 12 and 13, 1996, at Holiday Inn Tanglewood. For details about the project, call Yvonne Hash, 982-8468.

ERNIE PHILLIPS, a gospel singer formerly with the Kingsmen Quartet, will perform Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 4404 Williamson Road. An offering will be taken.

DANNY QUIRIN, who is scheduled to graduate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in December, will join the staff of Bonsack Baptist Church on Jan. 1. The former businessman in Dumfries will serve as minister of youth. He and his wifeDebbie have four children.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE has honored two members as part of its annual observance of Simhat Torah, a festival that celebrates the giving of the law in ancient Israel. Named to the role of Bride of the Torah was Patrice Katz. Bob Kaplan received the corresponding male title of Bridegroom of the Beginning.

CHILDREN'S SABBATH, a new national observance to sensitize to the plight of abused and neglected youngsters, will be marked at Colonial Avenue Baptist Church by younger members of the congregation leading worship on Oct. 29. A collection of baby food also will be taken.

A MISSION TO HAITI will be sponsored by Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church Jan. 14 through 24. Participants will divide the 10 days between a hospital and a mountain mission center that cares for children.

LINDA AKERS will be honored Sunday at noon to mark her 25 years as secretary at Christ Lutheran Church. Four senior pastors have worked at the parish in that time.

WOMEN'S AGLOWwill hold its day meeting Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Garden Patch Restaurant. Speaker is the president of the Maryland West area board of the charismatic Christian organization, Nancy McGuirk. Call 362-4849 for reservations.

COMMUNITY OF CELEBRATION, an Aliquippa, Pa. quintet, will lead a hymn sing Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in downtown Roanoke. The valleywide event is free. On Nov. 11, the group will direct a workshop for worship leaders from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop is $20. To register, call 343-9341.

SENSORY DISABILITIES and what church people can do to help others who cannot see, hear or speak adequately or who must live with pain will be the theme of workshops being held on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke. The programs are sponsored by the church's Diversity Task Force and are held at 2015 Grandin Road S.W. Call 342-8888 for more details.

A SPIRITUAL RENEWAL WEEKEND will begin Friday at Ghent Grace Brethren Church, 1511 Maiden Lane, S.W. The Rev. Roy Roberts, a Pennsylvania evangelist and sports promoter, will lead programs for youth, men and women and will preach on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. At 1:30 p.m. on Sunday a Covenant Players team will perform at 1:30 p.m. after a potluck lunch.

ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH in the Cave Spring area has suspended its informal Sunday night Celebrate service for the winter months. It is to be resumed in the spring.

THE REV. FLEET POWELL, who has been interim pastor of Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Vinton for two years, will continue in that role for six more months starting in November after a month's leave.

THE REV. GENE HAGENBERGER, former pastor, will return to Ninth Street Church of the Brethren Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 for revival services that will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday and each night at 7:15. The guest preacher now has a church in Roaring Springs, Pa.

JORDANTOWN WESLEYAN CHURCH near Vinton has begun a new group, "Living Free" for those seeking to overcome an addiction. It meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. The church also reports increased attendance from changing its Sunday schedule. Contemporary worship service is now at 9 a.m. followed by traditional worship at 11. The education period has been moved to 7 p.m. following prayer and praise at 6:30. Call 890-3495 for church directions.

THE ADULT RESPITE CARE CENTER, a new ministry of Vinton Baptist Church, has opened in a former office in downtown Vinton near the church. Volunteers staff the center, which enables adults who need constant supervision to spend several hours away from their regular caretakers. Call 343-7685 for more information.

BEAVERDAM BAPTIST CHURCH on Virginia 24 east of Vinton has scheduled an Octoberfest festival for children Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival will include music, crafts, Scripture videos and a free lunch.

THE REV. JOSEPH HENDRICKS will leave Vinton Church of the Brethren in December after a six-year pastorate. In January, he will become minister of a church in Rocky Ford, Colo.

BILL and LAURA SKY of Nashville, Tenn., will sing Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at Rockingham Court United Methodist Church. The church is at 4615 Yellow Mountain Road S.E. An offering will be taken.

SALEM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH has added Scott Sayreto its staff as organist. He is a 1995 graduate of Roanoke College and a former organist and choral director for groups in New Jersey and the Roanoke Valley. Jean Potts of Moneta continues as choir director.

GLENVAR BAPTIST CHURCH, 4804 Stanley Farm Road, Salem, will show a film for the community, "When Silence Speaks," on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. The free film is captioned for the deaf.

Send information to Frances Stebbins, Neighbors, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010-2491 by noon Thursday. Include a daytime telephone number.

Want to know what's going on in the religious community? Get on the Internet and find this listing of Religion Briefs as well as other Neighbors columns in the news section of InfiNet. Call (800) 849-7214 to subscribe.



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