Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 11, 1993 TAG: 9312100175
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"I've always felt the call of God," King has said. Her plays have become a holiday fixture for the past 15 years in the New River Valley. Most of them, she said, are about the forces of good and evil and survival through faith.
King described her latest work as "a play within a play," and describes the framework as "a short, spirited comedy with a really good spiritual meaning."
Set in the late 1800s, the main story focuses on a "schoolmarm" who runs into problems within her community. "It's a little bit different," King said. "It may be controversial for some people."
As she explains it, the play involves "a powerful dream of heaven and hell" and revelation through brief moments in the lives of both good and wicked biblical figures. In one "touching scene," she said, the prophet Simeon holds the baby Jesus and foresees Christ's crucifixion 33 years later.
The cast comprises about two dozen players, and the production runs about 1 1/2 hours.
For more information, call 268-2006 or 268-5588.
The Blacksburg Jewish Community Center will hold its HANUKKAH PARTY Sunday, 2-5 p.m., at the Blacksburg Recreation Center. It will feature a potluck dinner with traditional holiday foods, music and games, including the dreidel, a kind of top youngsters play with in a game.
Eric Hallerman can tell you more at 552-7283.
Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent, that period of the church calendar when Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the arrival of Christ. Some churches have scheduled special events for Advent and Christmas:
The CAMBRIA BAPTIST CHURCH youth group will present a live Nativity scene at the church, 1310 Cambria St. N.E., Christiansburg, from 7 until 8:30 tonight. Call 382-2490.
Each Tuesday during Advent at 7:30 p.m., CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Church and Jackson streets, Blacksburg, will offer "Out of Silences," meditations based on the Gospel of St. Luke. The series continues through Dec. 21.
For more information, call the church at 552-2411.
\ COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH at Newbern will present a living Nativity tableau on its lawn every Thursday night before Christmas and on Christmas Eve. Each presentation will be from 7 to 8.
\ GLADE BAPTIST CHURCH, 1600 Glade Road, Blacksburg, will have an Advent Celebration Sunday, 11 a.m. The choir will present "Joyful, Sing Alleluia" and illustrate the message of the Christmon Tree.
Call the church at 552-3394 to learn more.
The Christmas music program and plum pudding festival at CHRISTIANSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 107 W. Main St., will be Sunday at 6:45 p.m.
The FLOYD PARISH SENIOR UNITED METHODIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP will present an original drama Sunday, 7:30 p.m., at Haven's Chapel. The play, written by the youth, deals with biblical answers to problems society faces.
\ CAMBRIA BAPTIST CHURCH will present its Christmas cantata Monday, 7:30 p.m., at Straight Street, 300 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg.
The annual holiday dinner at RADFORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 201 Fourth St., will be Wednesday at 6 p.m. Make reservations by noon Monday at the church office. The cost is $4 a person; children under five free. Call 639-2585.
\ SAINT JUDE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, in temporary quarters at 7318 Peppers Ferry Road in Fairlawn (next to Robin Hood Rentals), will hold an Advent Penance service Dec. 20, 7 p.m.
For more information, call 639-5341.
Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord!
The New River Valley Gospel Singers will present "Songs of Christmas" in a candlelight service tonight at 6 at First Baptist Church, 1730 West St., Radford.
Southern gospel duo Bob and Sandy Mullins of Second Chance Ministries will make several appearances this month:
Tonight at 5, they'll sing at Carter Street United Methodist Church, Radford.
Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m., they'll appear at Harris Chapel United Methodist Church in Willis.
Call 639-6271 for more information.
The fourth annual gospel sing to benefit the Montgomery County Christmas Store will be held tonight at Auburn High School in Riner.
The Nippers, the Pilgrim Gospel Singers, the Martin Family and others will be onstage. Admission is $3 at the door, children under 12 free. Refreshments will be available.
Call 381-1137 or 382-1954.
The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, will present "The Singing Christmas Tree," Dec. 18 and 19, 5:30 p.m. both days. The choir, directed by Betty Steger, will perform both secular and sacred songs. Suzanne Steele will be at the organ.
For more information, call Bettye Steger, 980-3643
Church Names in the News:
\ ANGELA AREHART, Hiwassee, has been chosen to represent the Virlina District, Church of the Brethren, at the annual assembly of the Virginia Council of Churches. Arehart is a Pulaski County High School graduate and a licensed minister within the Church of the Brethren.
In Religion is a regular Saturday feature of the New River Current. Please send news of your church or religious organization in care of Rick Lindquist, New River Current, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg 24073. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon Wednesday for use in that week's column.
by CNB