THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 29, 1994 TAG: 9412240092
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Many Norfolk residents know Tom Douros as pastor of the Community Church of Norfolk, which he founded in 1958.
More know him as an avid and spirited writer of letters to the editor on a variety of topics but always reflecting a conservative Christian outlook.
Some may remember him as the father who lost a policeman son, killed in the line of duty. Four short months later, another of his eight children made news by joining the Norfolk Police Department, following in his deceased brother's footsteps.
Now Douros, 67, has written a book that has been published locally.
The book is a long-term labor of love, with roots that go back almost 50 years. Primarily a collection of short sayings on a variety of subjects, Douros notes that ``it took me over 40 years to collect them and over two years to type it. I learned to type so I could print the book.''
The spiral-bound, soft-covered book, titled ``Sensible Sayings For Daily Living and Art, Poems, and Salvation,'' is divided into three sections.
The first part, ``Sayings And Comments,'' contains short vignettes on subjects ranging from abortion to zeal. The sayings are extracted from the journals that Douros has kept over the years; most include the date that he first penned them.
Under the heading of ``Decisions,'' Douros writes, ``Many a decision made in a moment was regretted for a lifetime.''
``He who listens best, learns most'' is one of two thoughts included under the heading ``The Student.''
Among the four thoughts on the subject of ``Speech,'' the reader finds, ``Talk less and say more.''
The second section consists of original poetry by Douros, with frequent reference to scripture and to music. He has set words to Liszt's ``Liebestraum'' and to Mendelssohn's ``Songs Without Words.''
The third and final section, ``Redemption,'' is subtitled ``God's Only Plan For The Salvation Of Souls.'' It is a powerful sermon; the kind one would expect an evangelical, fundamentalist preacher to deliver if he had 40 years to prepare it - as Douros did.
Full-color illustrations by artists Ken Hansen, Starr Quinn, Anastasia Douros Mandaleris and Violet Johnson adorn the front cover and appear throughout the text. The original paintings, like Douros' poetry, reflect calm and placid scenes as well as apocalyptic visions of Armageddon. All are eye-catching in their use of color and form.
About 120 copies of the book, which Douros originally titled ``This and That,'' have been printed to date.
``I've given away quite a few,'' Douros said. ``For those who can afford to pay, we ask for a $16.75 donation.''
Proceeds from the donations go back into the project to print additional copies. Neither Douros nor his church are profiting from the endeavor.
``I may turn it over to a national publisher,'' Douros said of future plans for the book. ``The people I've spoken to about it have suggested I try religious publishers. I intend to do it.'' MEMO: ``Sensible Sayings For Daily Living and Art, Poems, and Salvation,'' by
Tom Douros is printed by Ridgway's Inc. of Virginia Beach. It is
available for a donation of $16.75 from the Community Church Of Norfolk,
3728 Peterson Street (phone 853-8933). ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
Tom Douros, pastor of the Community Church of Norfolk, and his
book.
by CNB