ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 1996 TAG: 9612090093
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: In Religion
SOURCE: MARY LOU BRUTON
Glena Jessee King's Christmas drama for this Advent season, "Which Plane: Heavenbound or Hellbound?" will be presented at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 14 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Elliston Church of God on U.S. 11/460.
Playwright, actress, artist, vocalist and director of her own plays, King is also co-minister with her husband, the Rev. Ronald King, at the Elliston church. Her energy and creativity combine with her faith to produce characterizations and conflicts which apply to daily life.
King's plays have become annual events at her church. She has written and directed them each December for 18 years. Her talent for writing extends beyond her plays and poems: she hopes to have a book published soon. "Against All Odds: A True Story of Appalachia" takes place in 1922 in Wise County, and is the story of King's own grandfather, Preacher Jim Hood, and how he and his family ministered to the needs of friends and neighbors. The manuscript is presently with a publisher.
Last year's play was based on her book, but her new production is inspired by a dream about heaven and hell that was shared with her by a church member. With that dream in mind, King wrote the play to deal with the eternal questions about the forces of good and evil, and the choices mankind makes. "This play is more biblically based than last year's," King said. Current issues of the homeless, street youth and drugs, and child abuse are intertwined with biblical characters and situations, with the Christmas story being told in the final act.
King plays a homeless character, Lilly, and Nellie Prater is Helen, Lilly's friend. Richard Dalton, who plays Satan, is joined by Julie Jones, the Angel of Light, and Diane Yopp as Gabriel. Some of the other cast and crew members are Michael Smith, Evelyn Marshall Jones, Alma Gilbert, Rosemary Smith, Jean Taylor, Charlie Wells, Bobby Gilbert and Dwayne Yopp.
Guest Mark King and other singers from the congregation are also a part of the presentation. Admission is free, but a freewill offering will be taken.
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The Rev. Grady Wineager, superintendent of the Wytheville district of the United Methodist Church, will be the guest minister Sunday at New Hope United Methodist Church in New River. The 11 a.m. Advent service will include special music provided by Jenene and Gerald Saunders from First Baptist Church, West Street, Radford. Carmelita Bishop and her family will light the Advent candle, and Emily Lacks will be the worship leader. The public is invited to attend.
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The community is invited to hear three bellringing groups at Sunday's 11 a.m. Advent service at Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, 107 W. Main St. The Chapel Ringers will present the prelude "Christmas Triptych," and the Celebration Ringers will provide the introit, "Lullaby Medley." The Chancel Ringers, accompanied by flutists Lane Hollandsworth and Rachel Green, will present "A European Christmas." The Rev. Donald Makin will lead the worship service.
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A Hanukkah potluck party will be held Sunday, 12:30-3 p.m. at the Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive, sponsored by the Blacksburg Jewish Community Center. Those who attend are asked to bring a menorah, candles and a vegetarian potluck dish. There will be a small attendance fee.
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The Light Singers from Liberty University will present a concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Baptist Church, 1505 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg. The singers are students who travel throughout the world promoting greater involvement in missions. The Rev. Monroe Hedrick invites the community to attend the musical program.
The Current will print a listing of Christmas Eve services to be held in the New River Valley. Please send us information about your services by Dec. 16 for inclusion in the listing to be published Dec. 20. Send mail to Mary Lou Bruton, New River Current, Roanoke Times, P. O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Fax: 381-1656. E-mail: newriverxc2infi.net
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Kingby CNB