ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 5, 1996 TAG: 9610080025
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
Annual Life Chain observance Sunday
The seventh annual Roanoke Valley "Life Chain" will be held Sunday at the intersection of Williamson Road and Orange Avenue.
Members of more than 50 churches are expected to participate in this silent demonstration against abortion and euthanasia.
Participants will carry signs, provided at the site, but are asked not to otherwise confront passersby.
The event will be held from 2 until 3 p.m., rain or shine. The Roanoke event is one of an anticipated 700 to 800 similar demonstrations scheduled across the United States and Canada.
Church of Brethren's first Moneta service
Following a two-month drive to inform everyone in the Smith Mountain Lake telephone book about a new Church of the Brethren being organized at Moneta, the first Sunday morning service is scheduled Sunday at 10:30. Services are held in the Lakewood Professional Center on Virginia 616. The Rev. Judy Mills Reimer, pastor, said dozens of members of Churches of the Brethren volunteered time for the calls which were directed to households where no church preference was stated. Nearly 800 homes were reached. The congregation was established 15 months ago. Reimer became pastor in January 1996, and since April, weekly Sunday night services have been held.
St. Gerard's marks 50th anniversary
St. Gerard's Catholic Church, 809 Orange Ave. N.W., is marking its 50th anniversary of organization this month with a priest from the congregation as guest officiant Sunday. The Rev. James Goode, now serving a New York parish, will celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. The celebration will continue with a dinner dance Friday at the Sheraton Inn Roanoke Airport.
Two churches sponsor parish nurse program
Two Smith Mountain Lake congregations, Trinity Ecumenical Parish and Resurrection Catholic, are sponsoring of a parish nurse program to assist members and provide preventive health care to others screened by Carilion Health System. The medical corporation will pay the part-time nurse for two years, after which the churches plan to maintain the program.
Panel to review complaint against bishop
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning has convened a panel of five bishops to review a complaint brought against Bishop Frank H. Vest Jr., spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia and a former member of several Western Virginia parish staffs.
The complaint was brought by the congregation of Christ Episcopal Church in Danville and two clergy who said Vest refused to let them call the Rev. Peter Toon as rector of the Danville parish. Toon, a priest from England, is opposed to ordained women and several other positions officially held by the main body of Episcopalians. Two study panels must find Vest in violation of church laws before he could be brought for trial by other bishops.
Call for building supplies and food
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is requesting that building supplies and nonperishable food be sent to a newly opened church warehouse in Clinton, N.C., to help victims of Hurricane Fran. Volunteer workers also are needed for cleanup and repairs in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Puerto Rico. Call (800)454-7780 for more information.
Anti-poverty program distributes grants
The Roman Catholic Campaign for Human Development, a national anti-poverty program in place since 1970, is distributing $7.3 million in grants to low-income groups to create jobs, fight crime, reform schools and help people find affordable homes. The funds were given in the 1995 drive. The campaign is the nation's largest private source of funding for organizations that empower the poor and seek to eliminate poverty and injustice. A news release said these grants, several of which have helped Western Virginia projects, are going to 44 states.
Christ Episcopal Church celebrates centennial
On Sunday, Christ Episcopal Church in Martinsville is marking the centennial of the use of its building at 311 E. Church St. It is the only congregation in Martinsville and Henry County to worship for 100 years in the same building. Worship celebration begins at 10 a.m.
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