ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 21, 1996 TAG: 9612230018
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Lutherans adopt sexuality statement
The national board of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has adopted a statement, "Sexuality: Some Common Convictions," which is intended to guide the thinking of members of the church; the ELCA is widely represented in Western Virginia, and Salem's Roanoke College is one of its institutions.
The statement is the third that the church has tried to set forth since it began studying the issue in 1989. However, the Rev. Karen L. Blomquist, a spokeswoman for the board, said the approved statement does not address homosexuality because there is not yet a consensus on a proper response to this issue and the board did not want acceptance of homosexual behavior to become the focus of the report. The approved message relates to heterosexual behavior and to abuses of human sexuality.
Colorado voters reject tax proposal
Colorado voters have rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that could have slapped many churches with annual tax bills in the thousands of dollars. If the proposition had passed, Colorado churches and synagogues would have had to pay property taxes; the vote could then have affected religious institutions in other areas. After the Colorado Council of Churches and other non-profit groups joined in opposing the measure, voters rejected it by 83 percent. Opposition to the taxation centered on the contribution religious and humanitarian agencies make to their communities, not only for efforts at human betterment but also for freeing other tax dollars.
Most embezzled money recovered
The national Episcopal Church has recovered all but about $100,000 from the $2.2 million embezzlement that its former treasurer Ellen Cooke carried out early in this decade. The Executive Council of the church was told by its finance committee that partial restitution and sale of properties Cooke bought with the stolen money, plus some additional gifts, have reduced the loss to a level where Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning considers the case closed. Cooke was convicted several months ago and is serving a prison term in West Virginia. Browning said he continues to pray for Cooke, who claimed emotional instability as her defense.
No new prayer book soon
Episcopalians will not have to adapt to a new Book of Common Prayer any time soon, a report from the Standing Liturgical Commission of the denomination says. Bishop Frank Griswold, commission chairman, told the church's news service that some new prayers will be put in a supplement and a report is expected early next year on "pastoral considerations involved in developing a rite for the blessing of same-sex unions." A report on what, if any, service may be used for homosexual couples seeking a blessing on their relationship was called for by the 1994 General Convention of the church; some action will be taken on that report at the triennial convention in Philadelphia in July.
Concert Jan. 11 at Oakland Baptist
The nationally traveled Christian music artists The Martins, Anthony Burger and Common Bond will present a program Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at Oakland Baptist Church, 3623 Roundhill Ave. S.W. Associates of singers Bill and Gloria Gaither, The Martins are winners of a Dove award. Common Bond are male triplets. Tickets are $10.50 in advance and $12.50 at the door with reduced rate for senior adults and groups of 15 or more. Call 366-5861 for ticket outlets.
Rural Retreat pageant an original
An original pageant, "The Miracle in Herods Gap," by Sandra Vernon will be presented Sunday at two congregations in Rural Retreat. With an Appalachian Mountains setting, the play includes music and Scripture with a performance at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church and at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Estonian pastors to visit in January
Two pastors from Estonia, Toomas Pajusoo and Artur Pold, will speak next month in Southwest Virginia United Methodist churches. They will be at First United Methodist Church in Pulaski on Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. and at two Abingdon area congregations, Shady Grove at 11 a.m. and Pleasant View at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 12. Pajusoo serves the largest Methodist parish in Northern Europe in the capital of Tallin. Pold directs a church camp, formerly a Soviet work center, on the Gulf of Finland. The men will discuss religious developments in their country, which once was part of the Soviet Union.
'The Future of Faith Communities'
The dean of the School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Dr. John W. Kinney, will continue a series on "The Future of Faith Communities" Jan. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Ave. S.W. The meeting of the Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference, an interfaith group for religion professionals, is open to guests.
LENGTH: Medium: 91 linesby CNB