ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 9, 1997 TAG: 9701100124
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
PEOPLE
The Rev. Gary Rhinesmith, currently serving two rural churches in the Blacksburg area, will become pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4909 North Lakes Drive in Roanoke, in early February. Rhinesmith will succeed the Rev. Joseph Crowther, who went to King of Glory Lutheran Church in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., in August. Rhinesmith, whose wife, Connie, is preparing for veterinary practice, is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa.
The Rev. Gene Anderson, who has been interim rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Radford for the past 15 months, has begun a similar position at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Fincastle. Formerly a minister in the Syracuse, N.Y., area, Anderson and his wife, Suzan, a lawyer, live in Roanoke County.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Beginner Hebrew classes for adults of any faith will be offered from Monday through March 31 at Beth Israel Synagogue. The classes from 7 to 8 p.m. will cover the mechanics of phonetic Hebrew reading. They will be jointly taught by Roanoke's two rabbis, Kathy Cohen and Jerome Fox. The classes are free except for books and materials. Call 343-0289 to register and for more information. Beth Israel is at 920 Franklin Road S.W.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, a congregation that has served Northwest Roanoke since 1922, has been closed because of declining membership, according to Keith Brown, an administrator of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Brown said a decision on use of the property at Palmetto and Olive avenues will be made soon by the synod's executive council. Three other Lutheran parishes serve the northern neighborhoods of Roanoke city and county, Brown noted, and the few remaining members are transferring to them. Emmanuel's former interim pastor, the Rev. Richard Harris, has entered secular employment.
Send information to Frances Stebbins, 1106 Grace St., Salem 24153. Please include a daytime telephone number.
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