ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 16, 1997 TAG: 9701170011
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
PEOPLE
The Rev. Branan G. Thompson, pastor of Colonial Avenue Baptist Church since 1968, has announced his retirement, effective June 30. Thompson said he made the decision because he has served the congregation for half of his 60 years and because of family responsibilities. He and his wife, Gay, a staff member of Roanoke United Methodist Home, will continue to live in Roanoke. Thompson, a native of the Athens, Ga., area and a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, came to the Southwest Roanoke church from Halifax County.
Five Roman Catholic priests who formerly served Roanoke Valley parishes have been given the title of monsignor, a title bestowed in recognition of their leadership in the church. The five are among 13 nominated by Bishop Walter F. Sullivan and approved by the pope.
The men who have ties to the Roanoke Valley are Walter C. Barrett, Thomas J. Caroluzza, James Grealish, Michael S. Schmied and Thomas F. Shreve. All except Grealish, who has a pastorate in Radford, are now serving congregations in eastern Virginia.
OUTREACH
Souper Bowl Sunday will be observed in many Roanoke Valley churches Jan. 26. The 7-year-old national hunger relief program enlists youth of churches, who collect $1 donations from worshipers leaving church. Money is used for hunger relief programs in the community.
Seven volunteers from Westminster Presbyterian Church in America will return Saturday from a weeklong mission trip to Mandeville, Jamaica. There, they have helped repair facilities at a school for the deaf and have carried on personal Christian evangelism.
This is the second year the congregation has sponsored the trip.
SPECIAL EVENTS
New Life Temple, 5745 Airport Road N.W., has scheduled a music and testimonial program Monday at 7 p.m. It will be led by Shirley Oliver, a Richmond Pentecostal preacher, and Sheila Wray, music director. The bad weather date is Jan. 27. Call 563-0775 for more information.
The Rev. David Rogers, a former pastor of Central Church of the Brethren, will return there to conduct the annual Awakening Lenten series of services March 16-19. Sponsored by Churches of the Brethren in the Roanoke Valley, the services will begin at 7:15 nightly. Three morning Bible studies at 10:30 also are part of the programs. Rogers, now retired from pastoral ministry, is on the part-time staff of a North Manchester, Ind., mental health agency.
Send information to Frances Stebbins, 1106 Grace St., Salem, 24153. Please include a daytime phone number.
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