ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 23, 1995 TAG: 9512250020
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: 5 EDITION: METRO
Choral program
At St. John's Episcopal Church in Bedford a choral program is scheduled at 10:30 p.m. Sunday before the traditional Christmas Eve candlelight Communion service. A Christmas Day Communion will be offered at 10:30 a.m.
Plowshare loses support
The future of Roanoke's Plowshare Peace Center is in doubt, according to a report in The Catholic Virginian, weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Richmond, which has been a supporter of the center since its beginning during the Vietnam war of 25 years ago. Apathy about working for peace when many give greater priority to internal problems in the United States was cited as the major reason.
Tom Nasta, a supporter of the center for many years, noted that the center in downtown Roanoke currently has no director and this year's budget of $6,000 is half what it was for the previous fiscal year. Nasta said the goals of the center no longer attract young adults, although it still has a solid core of older members with a commitment to peace, human service and social justice.
Plowshare, an ecumenical ministry supported by many church people several years ago, currently is considering supporting an organization called Food, not Bombs, which provides meals once a week to street people in downtown Roanoke.
Cantata in Wytheville
A cantata, "Rejoice Believers!", will be presented Sunday at the 11 a.m. service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Wytheville. At 10:30 p.m. the traditional Christmas Eve worship will be preceded by special instrumental and vocal selections directed by Lavelva Stevens.
Bikers bring gifts
More than 20 members of the New River Valley Christian Riders showered residents of the Presbyterian Children's Home of the Highlands in Wytheville with Christmas gifts at a recent party. The riders are affiliated with the Christian Motorcycle Association, a group that states that its commitment to Christian ethics is greater than the thrill of highway speed. This was the second year the club has visited the home, according to Larry Linkous, the cyclists' new president. It plans further projects with the residents in 1996.
Alaska work team
Volunteers in Mission, a United Methodist program in which volunteers assist needy people in the United States or in foreign countries, is enlisting adults for a work team to go to the Anchorage, Alaska, area June 17 through 29. The team will construct a pavillion for a church at Chugiak. Sign-up deadline is Jan. 29. Call 362-8015 for more information.
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