ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, June 1, 1996 TAG: 9606030022
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
Workshops scheduled on financial planning
"Preparing for Your Financial Security," a workshop especially for church members, will be offered this week at two sites. "Long Term Care" will be the focus of a gathering Sunday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Brandon Avenue at Grandin Road Southwest, and at St. John Lutheran Church, 4608 Brambleton Ave. S.W., on Mondayfrom 7 to 8:30 p.m. The free programs are sponsored by Lutheran Brotherhood. For more information, call 427-5351.
Appalachian ministry study course offered
Union Theological Seminary in Richmond has expanded its continuing education program to include studies on ministry to the Appalachian area. The program, which includes monthly gatherings to discuss religious, social and political issues that affect the work of the church in Western Virginia, is being named the Goodpasture Intercultural Collegia in honor of H. McKennie Goodpasture, who recently retired as professor of mission work. Registrants may enroll through Union Theological Seminary or through the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Virginia Union University Seminary or the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond. Call (804)278-4306 for more information.
Lutherans to gays, lesbians: Join us
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is working on ways to better communicate its welcome to gay and lesbian members. At a recent conference attended by representatives of the ELCA staff and its Conference of Bishops and Lutherans Concerned, a homosexual advocacy group, plans were made for educating parish members. A press release from the denomination's national headquarters in Chicago noted that openly gay Lutherans have been rejected by congregations in several areas.
Catholics, Lutherans draft faith doctrine
The Roman Catholic Church and churches of the Lutheran World Federation are slowly coming to an agreement on the issue that divided them in the 16th century. A national Lutheran church press report says "justification by faith" has been the subject of dialogue for the past 25 years. A final draft on the doctrine is expected to be released this year, to be voted on by an assembly of representatives of the two groups in 1997.
Churches, too, must follow copyright law
Church organizations are not exempt from copyright law, a patent attorney, David W. Pettis Jr., told a recent gathering of United Methodist parish secretaries in Clearwater Beach, Fla. Among the violations often reported, Pettis said, are failing to get written permission for solo music to be taken from a cantata, the audiotaping or videotaping of a musical performance, or reprinting contemporary hymns from a church hymnal. Secretaries, music directors and others wishing to avoid potential copyright suits can get more information by calling Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc. at (800)234-2446, Pettis said.
Russian Orthodox seek military chaplains
Patriarch Alexy, spiritual leader of the Russian Orthodox Church based in Moscow, has blessed the emerging cooperation between his religious group and the Episcopal Church as the Russians seek to restore chaplains to the military. Several months ago, Bishop Charles Keyser, head of Episcopal chaplaincy for the U.S. armed forces, visited Russia to help develop a program. Russia recently appointed a bishop for military personnel.
Church leaders oppose abortion procedure ban
The leaders of several American religious groups, including the United Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Christ and both Reform and Conservative branches of Judaism, have signed a statement urging Congress not to override President Bill Clinton's veto of the so-called "partial birth abortion" ban. The bill would outlaw a rare but controversial late-term abortion procedure.
The statement from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice says it holds human life sacred but believes women with "tragic, untenable pregnancies" should be permitted to end them.
Ex-Roanoker leads French Anglican group
A former Roanoke Valley clergyman, the Rev. Jacques P. Bossiere, recently was elected president of an international executive committee representing French-speaking congregations that follow beliefs and practices of the Church of England. Bossiere, who lives in his native France, taught at Hollins College and was rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Fincastle. At a meeting of Anglican church representatives from Zaire, Rwanda, Guinea, Mauritius, Seychelles, Haiti, Canada, France and the United States, he called for making Anglican practices flexible enough to meet the needs of different cultures.
Orthodox churches to honor archbishop
Members of Western Virginia's Greek Orthodox community will be represented in New York June 30 through July 4 for the 33rd Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Archdiocese of North and South America. The convention will include farewell tributes to Archbishop Iakovos, who has guided the church, including Holy Trinity in Roanoke and smaller fellowships in the region, for 37 years. The primate, who visited Roanoke 18 years ago for the dedication of Holy Trinity, is retiring in July. Iakavos - Greek for James - is 85.
LENGTH: Medium: 98 linesby CNB