Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510160010
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
When about 500 members of Churches of the Brethren in the Virlina District meet in Annual Conference from Nov. 10-11, they will hear two presidents of denominational schools and consider the opening of two new congregations to serve Smith Mountain Lake and Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
"Living in Response to God's Call" will be the theme of the overnight gathering at Bonsack Baptist Church on Alternate U.S. 220. The district covers Southern Virginia with a few congregations in West Virginia and North Carolina. A member of the headquarters staff in Roanoke said the North Carolina plans are the result of many young adult Western Virginians moving to the Triad cities, where Brethren have been few.
Speakers will be the Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Roop, president of Bethany Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Dr. Phillip C. Stone, president of Bridgewater College. The seminary, the only one for the denomination, recently was relocated from the Chicago area to Richmond, Ind. Roop is the author of several books on theology. Stone is a former economist and lawyer.
LARC Conference
"Spiritual Discipline for the Journey" will be the theme of the ecumenical LARC Conference scheduled Nov. 3 and 4 in Fredericksburg. The meeting, which will feature a Canadian Roman Catholic clergyman this year, attempts to bridge theological and cultural gaps among Lutherans, Anglicans [Episcopalians] and Roman Catholics. It is held annually. Discussions are aimed especially at clergy and lay leaders of the three Christian groups, all of which follow worship styles dating back 2,000 years though differing in some beliefs and practices.
Keynoter Thomas Ryan is director of Unitas Retreat Center in Montreal. Sessions of the conference are rotated among Fredericksburg parishes of the three denominations. Registration, which costs $20, is needed by Friday. Call 373-7731 for more information.
Benefit concert
To benefit Bedford Jail Ministry, a gospel concert is scheduled Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at Bedford Middle School. Performing will be the New Light, the choir of Washington Street Baptist Church and several other groups. The Rev. Travis E. Witt is chaplain.
Guest speaker
Barbara Snyder, who has been featured in Guideposts devotional magazine for her physical and spiritual healing, will be guest speaker when Friend Day is observed at Clearview Wesleyan Church, 925 Barrows Mill Road in Martinsville. The service will begin at 10:45 a.m.
Pastoral directory
In observance of National Pastoral Care Week, Oct. 16-20, Roanoke Memorial and Community Hospitals are arranging for a free pictorial directory of pastors in order to promote communication among ministers who visit patients. The pocket-sized directory will include both pictures of pastors and names, addresses and phone numbers. Pictures will be taken Oct. 23, 24, 26 and 27. Call 981-7411 for an appointment.
The hospitals also sponsored a free breakfast for pastors on Oct. 12.
by CNB