ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 23, 1996 TAG: 9611250059
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MARY LOU BRUTON
In Religion
Last year after the community Thanksgiving dinner at St. Michael Lutheran Church, a member helped a guest carry her turkey "leftovers" to her car. The guest turned to her and gave her a hug and said, "This was the best thing that ever happened to me. I would have been alone today."
The church at 2308 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg, is once again extending the invitation to share Thanksgiving dinner communitywide on Thursday at 1 p.m. This is the third year for the free dinner served to members of the community who are unable to provide a dinner for their families or who may be alone and just desire the fellowship of a "family."
Participation has doubled over two years and more guests are expected this year. Last year's visitors came from a variety of backgrounds. A number of international students from Iran, Taiwan, China and Mongolia attended and tasted sweet potato for the first time, as well as other traditional foods. A hiker from the Appalachian Trail joined the group. Women from Warm Hearth Retirement Community were welcomed guests.
Sue Bowen, chairman of the event; Anna Dalton, in charge of reservations; and Betty Gross, who is in charge of preparing the food, join the Rev. Jacob Mayer in inviting the community to the dinner.
First Baptist Church of Narrows, Kimberling and Wolf streets, also will be busy ministering to its neighbors on Thanksgiving Day. The Rev. Rick Painter said 35 volunteers will be cooking and delivering at least 80 meals this year. Last year the group delivered 72 meals in the area. Members of the congregation and volunteers also will offer and deliver a meal on Christmas Day, as they did last year. Getting an early start on the holiday season, the drama ministry of the church, Voices of Vision, will be presenting "Awesome God" on Sunday at 7 p.m.
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The choir and student members of the Wesley Foundation of Radford University will be leading the 11 a.m. service at New Hope United Methodist Church, New River, on Sunday. The Rev. Carol Dunsmore invites the public to attend.
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The Worship Committee of First Christian Church, 400 Tyler Ave., Radford, is requesting each worshiper to bring a piece of fruit to the 11 a.m. service Sunday. The fruit will be placed in the Thanksgiving worship center during the service, and donated next week to Radford/Fairlawn Daily Bread.
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The Rev. Donald Makin and the congregation of Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, 107 W. Main St., invite the community to the Thanksgiving observances on Sunday. Following the worship service at 11 a.m., a turkey/potluck dinner will be served in the fellowship hall.
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The annual Community Thanksgiving Service for Radford, sponsored by the Radford/Fairlawn Ministerial Association, will be Sunday, 7 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, Tyler Road. The Rev. Wendell Manuel, Presbyterian Church of Radford, will preach. Bring an offering of canned food.
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Kathy Clark, Christian recording artist, will perform Sunday at First Pentecostal Holiness Church, of Radford at 11 a.m. That night at 7 the singer will present a program at Hiwassee Pentecostal Holiness Church in Pulaski County.
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The Christiansburg Ministerial Alliance will be sponsoring the annual Thanksgiving Eve community service at New Life Foursquare Church on the campus of L.I.F.E. Bible College East, 900 Life Drive. The Rev. Mitchell Emswiler of Belview United Methodist Church will speak at the Wednesday service at 7 p.m.
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The Rev. Wallace Shields, rector of St. Francis Anglican Church, asks that worshipers who will attend the Thanksgiving Day service bring a food offering. The non-perishable items will be donated to the Blacksburg Food Pantry. The service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Wilson and Progress Streets, Blacksburg.
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Parents are invited to have their children participate in "Celebration of the Light: A Children's Festival" during the Advent season. The Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley, Glade Road, Blacksburg, is sponsoring the event on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Monday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Each child is led through a ritual of rebirth, involving "The Advent Angel" and candlelight, held in the Advent Garden. Refreshments and community fun follow the ceremony. A $1.50 donation will be asked for each child and the proceeds go to the youth group of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship. For more information and reservations, call Cathy Skinner, 951-3365.
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