
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 11, 1991                   TAG: 9104120712
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-17   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By Frances Stebbins
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RELIGION BRIEFS

THE UNITED METHODIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY of the Roanoke District has observed its sixth anniversary. The group meets quarterly for lectures on aspects of United Methodist history in Western Virginia. On bus trips, the approximately 25 members have visited old churches and learned of their roles in the development of communities. Retired pastor Alpheus W. Potts is the program director.

\ UNITY OF ROANOKE VALLEY, 3300 Green Ridge Road, will sponsor a three-hour workshop, "New Beginnings for Men and Women," April 27 starting at 9:30 a.m. The leader will be Peg Webb of Blacksburg; she is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice with Alternatives. A $10 donation is suggested. Call 562-2200 for more information.

\ A HUNTINGTON COURT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH lunch program, in which more than 200 meals were served for three weeks during Lent, brought in more than $430 for the relief of world hunger. Although lunch was free, those eating were asked for a donation.

\ A CHOIR FESTIVAL, another in a series of centennial programs of Calvary Baptist Church, is scheduled at the church, 608 Campbell Ave. S.W., on April 21 at 2 p.m. The free event will feature the John Rutter work, "Requiem,"which will be performed by the Calvary Sanctuary Choir directed by Helen F. Robertson and by three other choral groups directed by men trained by her.

These are Taylor Harvey, who will bring the Asbury United Methodist Choir of Salisbury, Md.; Douglas Slusher and musicians from Indianola Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Ohio; and Garnett Carroll and the choir of Williamson Road Church of the Brethren. The directors' service to their churches totals 140 years.

\ THE SECOND ANNUAL MEDICAL MISSIONS CONFERENCE is scheduled Sunday through Tuesday at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, 1837 Grandin Road S.W. Led by the Rev. Paul Eckel of Atlanta, the conference will include nightly sessions at 7:30 at which time seven workers will promote giving to overseas and domestic missions. Eckel also will preach at the 11 a.m. Sunday service and will meet with several church groups for the three days.

\ INSTITUTIONAL CHAPLAINCY MINISTRY of the Rev. Richard Harris will benefit from a yard sale April 21 at St. John Lutheran Church, 4608 Brambleton Ave. S.W. Harris coordinates ministry to inmates of the city and county jails and to patients of the public nursing home at Coyner Springs; his $35,000 budget is raised entirely by church and individual gifts.

\ A LAY SPEAKERS TRAINING PROGRAM has been completed by nine United Methodist adults who join others who updated their certification. Those qualified in the basic course are: Alfred C. Anderson, Karen Holmes, Ron Hoppaugh, Nina Medley, James Merrill, Bob Moffitt, Joanne Peatross, Margaret Robinson and Diane Young.

\ Hollins Road Church of the Brethren has received the Rev. Bruce Noffsinger as its new pastor. he has come from a 10-year pastorate at Mount Hermon Church of the Brethren near Bassett. Noffsinger, 38, grew up in INdiana and was educated at Manchester College and Bethany Theological Seminary.

Deadline for religion briefs for Neighbors is Thursday. Material must be delivered to Neighbors Religion Briefs, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010, by noon in order to run in the following Thursday edition.

by CNB