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

DATE: THURSDAY, December 16, 1993                   TAG: 9312160352
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CHURCHES PRESENT NATIVITY SCENES

The practice of churches depicting the story of Christ's birth in outdoor tableaux becomes more popular each year in the Roanoke Valley. The presentations often have choral music and are usually confined to a manger scene but may include other aspects of the nativity story.

Following is a list of some of this year's presentations.

\ PENN FOREST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 3028 Penn Forest Blvd. S.W., will have a display that includes several scenes from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

\ VIRGINIA HEIGHTS BAPTIST, 2014 Memorial Ave. S.W., will have its tableau Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7 and 7:30 in its theme garden on the Grandin Road corner.

\ CONNELLY MEMORIAL BAPTIST, Hershberger Road at Westside Boulevard Northwest, will have presentations on Wednesday and Dec. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on Dec. 24 at 5:30. A candlelight Communion service also will be held Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. This will be the 18th year the church has sponsored the scenes.

\ DALEVILLE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, U.S. 220 north in Botetourt County, has scheduled its scene Sunday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

\ HOLLINS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH, 3502 Old Mountain Road N.E., will have its 14th annual presentation Friday through Tuesday, from 7 to 9 p.m. The presentation includes costumes and props made throughout the year by church members.

\ ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Main Street and Market in downtown Salem, presents its tableaux Wednesday and Dec. 23. The children's choir will sing during the presentations from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Junior youth will participate on the first evening, and senior youth on the second.

\ WEST SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH, 500 Turner Road, Salem, has scheduled its scene for Tuesday, Wednesday and Dec. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m.

\ THE RALEIGH COURT PILGRIMAGE, the second annual effort of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, is Sunday night on the lawn at 1837 Grandin Road S.W. at 6:15.

The pilgrimage will include people walking from different streets in the neighborhood and meeting at the church for narration, carols and refreshments.

by CNB