ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 27, 1996 TAG: 9604290007
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Interim ministers
An ordained couple, the Revs. William Ryan and Narka Ryan, long active in Disciples of Christ work in Baltimore, will become interim regional ministers of the Virginia Region of Disciples on Wednesday. Working from the regional office in Lynchburg, the Ryans temporarily will fill the position held by the Rev. Woods Kent, who has retired to Georgia. The Rev. Marilyn Taylor continues as associate regional minister. The Ryans are retired from a 26-year pastorate and from administrative duties for Maryland Disciples. They will be honored at the annual Regional Assembly May 31-June 2 at Lynchburg College.
Bishops retiring
Bishop Thomas B. Stockton of Richmond, leader of Virginia Conference United Methodists for eight years, will retire at the Annual Conference in June. The Virginia Conference covers the state except for counties west of New River, which are part of the Holston Conference based in Tennessee. The bishop there, Clay Lee, also retires in June. New bishops will be elected this summer.
Ecumenical workshop
A National Ecumenical Workshop with four major speakers and many workshops of interest to church leaders will be in session May 6-9 at the Richmond Marriott Hotel. The national meeting will include sermons by Bishop Walter F. Sullivan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond and Bishop Philip Robert Cousins of the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Other keynoters are the Rev. Peggy B. Way of Eden Theological Seminary and the Rev. Barbara Brown Zikmund of Hartford Theological Seminary.
The conference dates from 1963, when a group of Roman Catholics, inspired by Vatican Council II, came together to consider how to work with non-Catholics.
Since 1969, most mainstream American denominations have sent representatives to the annual meeting. The Virginia Council of Churches and the Diocese of Richmond, is sponsor. Call (804) 321-3300 or (804) 295-7185 to register.
Wytheville anniversary
St. John's Episcopal Church in Wytheville will observe its 150th Anniversary on May 18. A service at 4:30 p.m. will include Holy Eucharist led by bishops A. Heath Light and William H. Marmion officiating. Former clergy at the parish also are expected for the service and a reception. For more information, including a reserved seat, call 228-5291
Youth seminar
Four Western Virginians - the Rev. Ed Woodard and Emily Hartman, both of Roanoke; Jennifer Wimmer of Check and Rachel Wilson of Copper Hill - were among those attending a National Youth Christian Citizenship Seminar earlier this month in Washington.
Marilyn Yoder, a deputy assistant to President Clinton, told the 80-member delegation that the president will continue efforts to restrict the sale of tobacco products to children and youth as well as candy cigarettes, which some in the delegation think glamorizes smoking. Updates were provided on the V-chip technology intended to keep unsuitable TV programs from children.
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