ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 30, 1996 TAG: 9604010002
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Methodist meeting
Western Virginia United Methodists are preparing for their national General Conference, held every four years to make church policy. It will be held April 18-26 in in Denver. The Virginia Conference, with its 349,741 lay members, is the largest in the Southeastern jurisdiction. The Holston Conference, covering counties west of the New River, lists 176,316.
Denver delegates are expected to vote on a report on ordained ministry. If passed, it would change the current classification of diaconal minister to that of a deacon. Men and women aspiring to the professional status of elder would, as now, be ordained deacons first. Diaconal ministers now are lay people set aside for special work in a congregation.
Whether to liberalize or tighten the church position on abortion, consideration of the status of homosexuals in church leadership, whether to approve a Consultation on Church Union covenant and whether to move Board of Global Ministries offices from New York to Northern Virginia will stir debate, as will a proposal to classify members as "baptized" and "professing." The professing will have confirmed baptismal vows made on their behalf in infancy; in its annual assessment to maintain the church above the parish level, a congregation will pay only for its professing members.
Peaks sunrise service
An Easter sunrise service will take place April 7 at 7 at the Peaks of Otter Visitors Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The non-denominational services will be conducted by the Rev. Jerry Parr, pastor of Suck Springs Baptist Church in Bedford County. Special music will be presented.
Moneta sunrise service
The Rev. Gary Scheidt, pastor of Trinity Ecumenical Parish at Smith Mountain Lake, will preach for the Moneta community Easter sunrise service beginning at 7. It will be held at Bethlehem United Methodist Church on Virginia 122. The service is sponsored by the Moneta Ruritan Club and will include participation by several churches.
Holy Land service
Holy Land U.S.A. in Bedford County will present a free Easter sunrise service at 7 in its Garden Tomb area. Special music is planned. The park is on Virginia 746 south of Bedford. Call 586-2823.
SHARE honors
More than 100 SHARE volunteers were honored recently at a dinner at Waverly Place Baptist Church in Roanoke. They came from seven Western and Central Virginia counties and from Roanoke, Lynchburg and Salem.
SHARE stands for Self Help and Resource Exchange. It enables people of all income levels to save money on food through pooling resources and giving time in its distribution. In 1995 volunteers distributed more than 15,000 food packages with 30,000 hours of service given. For information about SHARE, call 982-2074.
Workshop on dying|
"A Christian Perspective on the End of Life" workshop is planned April 10, 1:30-4:30 p.m., in Moneta. It is sponsored by Trinity Ecumenical Parish at Resurrection Catholic Church on Virginia 122. Leaders will be the Rev. Dr. Janet McDowell, a Carilion Health Systems consultant in ethics education and adjunct religion professor for the Mary Baldwin College Adult Degree Program, and Bishop A. Heath Light of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Light studied end-of-life issues several years ago. The program is one in a series sponsored by the church to help older adults with medical and spiritual needs. It is free. Call 297-2628.
Italian dinner
Emmaus United Methodist Church at Moneta will sponsor an Italian dinner today, 5-7 p.m., to benefit its building fund. The meal may be eaten at the church or taken out. The church is on Virginia 749.
Announcers concert
The Announcers, an Alleghany County gospel group, will present a free Easter concert April 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Alleghany County High School in Covington.
Easter cantata
"Masterpiece of Praise," an Easter cantata, will be presented tonight and Sunday night at 7 p.m. at North Roanoke Baptist Church, 6402 Peters Creek Road, Hollins. It will be sung by the Adult Choir directed by Doug Pedigo.
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