Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 20, 1993 TAG: 9303200285
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
RELIGION BRIEFS
Beardslee to be honoredA three-day symposium to honor retiring Hollins College professor the Rev. Alvord M. Beardslee is scheduled April 4-6 in duPont Chapel at the school. Entitled "Sexuality: What Is its Source?," it will include lectures, workshops, receptions and panel discussions. All events are open to the public without charge except for meals.
Beardslee, who has been on the religion faculty since 1959, will retire to Connecticut at the end of the school year. He has been active in many Roanoke Valley religious and human service groups during his years as chaplain and professor.
Both afternoon and evening presentations are scheduled. Guest specialists in the fields of religious ethics, spirituality, feminism, singleness, sexual abuse and AIDS-related issues will be on the programs. All or individual events may be attended. For a full program, call 362-6665.
Donation for center
Retired Martinsville businessman Francis T. West has designated $75,000 to begin an endowment for the Bishop Marmion Resource Center, an agency to promote Christian education in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. Upon West's death the money will generate continuing support for the center and several other educational and church institutions.
The center at 1000 First St. S.W. in Roanoke is named for the retired bishop of the diocese who served from 1954 to 1979. During the early years of Marmion's tenure his efforts to racially integrate a new conference center, Hemlock Haven, were strongly opposed by West. The Martinsville man, in making the gift to the diocese, said he wants the bishop to know that he now believes "there was more right on his side than mine." Marmion said he is grateful for the gesture that "is the work of the Holy Spirit which has brought healing to our diocese."
CROP Walk in Bedford
Bedford's annual CROP Walk to raise funds for the undernourished will take place on April 4.
Participants will walk 6.2 miles. Promoted by the Rotary Club, the walk is part of a national effort of Church World Service which distributes food to the hungry throughout the world. One-fourth of the money raised will be distributed through the ecumenical Bedford Christian Ministries for assistance nearby. Those planning to walk may obtain sign-up forms from the Rev. Kenneth Burger at 586-8765.
Plans for Passover
Passover, the great festival of Judaism that commemorates the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from Egyptian bondage, will begin this year on April 5.
Although Passover is a home-based festival, group participation will be possible through a seder ritual meal at 6:30 p.m. at Temple Emanuel, 1163 Persinger Road S.W., on the opening night. Beth Israel Synagogue at 920 Franklin Road S.W. will have its congregational seder on the following night.
Dialogue to continue
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A consultation of Lutheran and Roman Catholic leaders has called for continuation of their 25-year theological dialogue. They said their next primary task is working toward a declaration that some Reformation-era condemnations are not applicable today.
Participants suggested a possible target date of 1997 for setting aside these 16th century condemnations. The Lutheran World Federation holds its worldwide assembly in 1997. It's also the 450th anniversary of the Catholic Council of Trent's condemnation of a key Lutheran teaching of justification by grace.
The consultation also urged a fuller response and mutual reception of agreements reached thus far in the lengthy interchange and planning soon some sort of public "affirmation of the goal of full communion."
Ruling to be appealed
BLOOMINGDALE, Mich. - Although a federal district judge has ruled that a local high school violates the U.S. Constitution by displaying a portrait of Jesus, the school says it is appealing the decision.
The popular portrait of the "Head of Christ" by artist Warner Sallman has hung in a school hallway for 30 years.