ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996 TAG: 9610280028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: IN RELIGION
SOURCE: MARY LOU BRUTON
Violence against women has become a disturbing reality in our country.
"Every 15 seconds a woman in the United States is subjected to violent abuse at the hands of her spouse or intimate partner," according to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Children who witness abuse and who are abused are also more likely to become abusers themselves, according to the coalition.
Local units of Church Women United will address the issue of violence against women in a service at 11 a.m. Friday at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center, 525 West Commerce St. in Pulaski.
An evening service will be held by the Blacksburg unit of Church Women United at 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church at 102 Penn St. near downtown Blacksburg.
Church Women United is an ecumenical movement that brings together Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women in the United States and Puerto Rico.
The interdenominational group has three services during the year to celebrate and support women's ecumenical ministries, each written by, for and about women. Friday is 1996 World Community Day, with the theme, "Women and Violence and the Church." The service is intended to raise the questions of the individual's and the church's response to the problem of violence against women. Participants will recite a litany based on the Psalmist's cries to God for help and reassurance. A display of candles will be a part of the service, and those attending are invited to bring a candle or flower to remember a victim of violence.
The 11 a.m. service will be hosted by Capt. Walter J. Watson and Capt. Susan Watson. The program will be led by Mary D. Rollins. Readers will include Ima Wallace, Cathryn Humphrey, Alma Houston, Berneice Matthews, Lucy Huff, Frances Parks and Susan Watson. Bill Matthews will perform a trumpet solo, "Women, Do You Know Who You Are?"
Amelia Ball, president of the Church Women United unit in Blacksburg, and Aretta King, the program leader, invite the community to attend the service at St. Paul's and support the effort to break the cycle of violence against women.
Special events
* The Rev. Frank Neff Powell will be consecrated fifth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia at 10:30 a.m. today in Burruss Auditorium, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg. An expected 3,000 people will witness the traditional laying on of hands by Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning and five other bishops.
* Trinity Baptist Church, North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, will sponsor a world missions conference at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday nights. Mission reports from Africa, China and other countries will be presented and the Bible teacher will be Wayne Brooks, pastor of the Woodlawn Church in Fincastle.
* The Rev. Brent Bissett, chaplain for the Triangle AIDS Interface Network in North Carolina, will speak at 11 a.m. Sunday at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, Church and Eakin streets. Following the service there will be a free lunch and panel discussion on the Presbyterian (U.S.A.) General Assembly's recent proposed amendment concerning ordination. The public is welcome, and open discussion will follow.
Revivals
* Sunday through Wednesday at Fairlawn Baptist Church, Pulaski County. Guest evangelist will be Justin W. Jones. Activities include a Sunday dinner at 6 p.m. and special music at each service. Services start at 11 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. each evening.
* Sunday through Wednesday nights, 7 p.m. at Fairlawn Church of God, on Peppers Ferry Road, with the Rev. Perry Stone Jr. as guest speaker. "Hallelujah Night" will be on Thursday at 7 p.m., with Willis Cananda leading the song service. Local ministers will present tag team preaching.
* Sunday through Wednesday at Union Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church, Riner. Guest evangelists will be Timmy Shepherd and Steve Day. Services are 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
* Monday through Wednesday, 7 p.m. nightly at Central United Methodist Church, 803 Wadsworth St., Radford. Guest ministers who will speak on the theme, "The Three R's: Refresh, Rejoice, Recommit" will be the Rev. Charles Burnett, the Rev. Walt Simmerman and the Rev. Don Stansell.
* Nov. 3-7 at Grace Assembly of God, 2030 Redwood Drive, Christiansburg. Services at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, and Monday through Thursday nights at 7 p.m. Guest evangelist will be the Rev. Lowell Haynes.
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