ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9609300021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
Thinking about the death penalty
Anyone who has read Sister Helen Prejean's best-selling novel "Dead Man Walking" has come face-to-face with feelings about the death penalty. The book, as well as Tim Robbins' acclaimed movie by the same name, forces us to take a hard look at our beliefs about capital punishment.
The Virginia Journey of Hope, an organization opposed to capital punishment, is sponsoring events around the state this week to increase public awareness of the issue. Representatives of the organization will visit the New River Valley on Sunday and Monday to speak out for elimination of the death penalty.
The community is invited to attend any of the events listed below:
SUNDAY
*9:45-10:45 a.m., Lutheran Campus Center, 600 Price's Fork Road
*9:45-10:45 a.m., Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Church and Lee streets
*10 -11 a.m., Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren of Blacksburg, 950 Heather Drive
*10:30-11:15 a.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 120 Church St., Blacksburg
*10:30 a.m.-noon, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley, 1301 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg
*11 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Newman Community and Catholic Campus Ministry, Virginia Tech Memorial Chapel
*12:15 -1:45 p.m., Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, Church and Eakin streets
*4:30-5:45 p.m., Newman Community and Catholic Campus Ministry, Virginia Tech Memorial Chapel
*6-8 p.m., Amnesty International Virginia Tech potluck dinner, Old Dominion ballroom, Squires Student Center
MONDAY
*Noon-1:30 p.m., Episcopal, Lutheran and Presbyterian campus ministries, and the YMCA Room 116, Squires Student Center, Virginia Tech: soup and substance lunch discussion
*7-8:30 p.m., Marie Deans, founder and current board member of Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, speaking at the Lyric Theatre on College Avenue
*8-9 p.m., St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church, 102 Penn St., Blacksburg
SERVICES
*Ann Hess will speak on "Community Involvement" at Asbury United Methodist Church , 490 Stuart St., Christiansburg, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, The congregation will celebrate "Friends and Family Day" at the 11 a.m. worship service. 382-0743.
*Sunday at 7 p.m., Paula Markham will speak on "Presence" (part five of 12 spiritual laws) at the Blacksburg Community for Spiritual Living (formerly the Blacksburg Metaphysical Chapel), 105 Lee St. 951-4848.
*Special services at Victory Temple Pentecostal Church of God, 1020 Cambria St., Christiansburg, begin at 10 a.m. Sunday with music by He's in the Midst and soloist Wanda Gail. Guest minister at the 11 a.m. service will be G. T. Shell from Tulsa, Okla. A covered dish dinner will follow the worship service.
*Holy Spirit Catholic Church will celebrate Mass at 6 p.m. today at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1845 Cambria St., Christiansburg. The readings will be Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25:46-9; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21: 28-32; and John 10:27. 381-0299.
*Blacksburg's St. Mary's Catholic Church on Harding Avenue will celebrate Mass at 5 p.m. today and at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Sunday. The readings will be Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 125:4-9; Philippians 2:1-11 or 2:1-5, and Matthew 21:28-32. 552-1091.
*Belmont Christian Church, 2149 Dominion Drive, Christiansburg, begins an annual Missions Festival starting Sunday and continuing on Oct. 6 and 10. Guest speakers at 8:30 and 10:50 a.m. services will be Martin Sanders, missionary to Colombia; Marion Harris, Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship; and Michael Haubner, Blue Ridge Christian Camp. 382-8521.
*Schaffer Memorial Baptist Church, 580 High St., Christiansburg, will celebrate the 129th anniversary of its founding Oct. 6 at the 11 a.m. worship service and again at 3:30 p.m. Guest speaker for both services will be the Rev. Vincent Palmer II of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. He will be accompanied by his choir and congregation. 382-3863.
ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
*Crockett Springs United Methodist Church, 2780 Crockett Springs Road Shawsville, will have its fall festival today, 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Activities include apple butter making, a rummage sale, string bands, hayrides, a cakewalk and supervised children's games. Proceeds from apple butter sales and the rummage sale to go to missions and for new playground equipment.
*Radford Church of God in Christ's Youth Department is sponsoring a "Uniting the Family" workshop today, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Elder Michael Johnson and Evangelist Eucretia Johnson of Nashville, Tenn., will be the facilitators at the church, 206 Russell Ave., Radford. 639-5948.
*A musical program to benefit Adrianne Claytor, a member of First Missionary Baptist Church, New River Road, Radford, will be held at 6 p.m. today at the church. Donations will be used for medical bills for treatment of Hodgkin's Disease. Featured choirs will be the New River Valley Gospel Singers, Young Voices in Praise and the West Street Baptist Men's Choir. 674-1845 or 674-4336.
*Midway Baptist Church, 3300 North Fork Road, Elliston, begins a "Camp Meeting Revival" Sunday at 7 p.m., and continuing weekday evenings through Friday at 7:30 p.m. The services will be in the picnic shelter at the church, and will feature old-time singing and alternate speakers, the Rev. Bill Monday and the Rev. Willie Yates.
*The Discoveries in Prophecy series entitled "Beyond 2000: Facing the Future with Greater Confidence," led by Mark Finley, will begin Oct. 5 at 7:15 p.m. at Christiansburg Wesleyan Church, 1030 S. Harless St. Class size is limited. 225-6720.
*The Montgomery County Lord's Acre Sale will be Oct. 5 at the Radford Auto Auction Building on Virginia 177. Several gospel music groups will begin performing at 9:30 a.m. A sale of food and crafts follows.
In Religion is a regular Saturday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of your church or religious organization, along with photos, to Mary Lou Bruton, New River Current, Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Fax: 381-1673. E-mail: newriverxc2infi.net. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon Wednesday for use in that week's column.
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