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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 3, 1994                   TAG: 9402030303
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: N-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BY FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RELIGION BRIEFS

LIVERPOOL ORATORIO, the first classical work composed by Paul McCartney, will be performed March 20 at 4 p.m. at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church. Richard Cummins will direct the 30-voice Montgomery County Boychoir, the choir of the host church and eight soloists. The oratorio was first performed in 1991 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society.

\ GREENE MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in downtown Roanoke will hold several Wednesday Lenten activities starting on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 16. A service is scheduled that night at 7:30. A traditional Shrove Tuesday pancake supper will be served at the church for $3 per person or $6 per family on Feb. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30.

The Rev. David Yingling of Central Church of the Brethren will speak at the first 12:05 p.m. service. The service ends at 12:30, but an optional lunch for $3 will be available in the fellowship hall.

The speakers for the succeeding Wednesdays in Lent include: the Rev. Jim Rivers of First Christian (Disciples of Christ), Feb. 23; the Rev. Dennis Herman of Calvary Baptist, March 2; the Rev. James Parke of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic in Salem, March 9; the Rev. Jo Ellen Hetherington of Rockingham Court United Methodist, March 16; the Rev. Nicholas G. Bacalis of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox, March 23; and the Rev. Gregory Adkins of Raleigh Court United Methodist, March 30.

Each service will include special music by host choir members with the liturgy led by Greene Memorial's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Campbell.

\ EVENING WOMEN'S AGLOW, an organization for Christian women of charismatic preference, will hear Wayne and Lisa Taylor Tuesday at 7. The meeting will be held at the office of Winn & Company, 1224 Peters Creek Road N.W.

\ RELIGION AND RACE will be the theme of a conference Feb. 19 at Locust Grove United Methodist Church, 3415 Locust Grove Lane in Salem. Cecelia M. Long, a\ former Roanoker, will speak from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Long is a member of a\ national United Methodist agency to promote integration of races within the\ church. Music will be by The Men of Distinction, directed by Fletcher Nichols.

To reserve the $5 lunch, call 989-3335 or 774-6569. The conference is sponsored by a Roanoke District United Methodist commission, but is open to those of other denominations.

\ THE ROCKINGHAM MALE CHORUS will perform Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at Cloverdale Church of the Brethren on Read Mountain Road. A former pastor of the church, the Rev. Paul Fike, is a member of the choir of retirement-age men.

\ FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN has chosen the Rev. David Miller as its next pastor. Currently a staff member of Manassas Church of the Brethren, Miller is 33 and a graduate of Bridgewater College, Bethany Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Theological School.

Miller will begin his pastorate Sept. 1. Until then the church will be served by an interim minister, the Rev. Cindy Barnum-Steggerda of Daleville, who began her work in January. The Rev. Michael Chandler left the First Church pastorate last May.

\ UNITY OF ROANOKE VALLEY, whose pastors, the Revs. Alan and Kathryn Rowbotham, were honored Sundayon their departure for St. Petersburg, Fla., after 23 years in Roanoke, will have guest speakers in February and March. The Rev. Justin Epstein of Unity of Tidewater will preach Sunday, the Rev. Tony Roebuck of Charlottesville on Feb. 20, and the Rev. Nancy Purcell of Lynchburg on Feb. 27. Emerson Gilmer of the church will speak on March 6, and Betty Tarpley, another member, will speak March 13.

\ THE ROANOKE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR UNION will observe the 113th anniversary of the founding of the national evangelical organization with a potluck dinner Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Westminister Presbyterian Church in America, 2216 Peters Creek Road N.W. Call 563-0924 for reservations.

\ NOON ORGAN CONCERTS on Wednesdays in February are in progress at First Presbyterian Church, South Jefferson at McClanahan streets. Clifton and Kieth Nelson Stroud will be the guest artists on Wednesday; David Campbell will be heard Feb. 16; and George Clark will conclude the free series on Feb. 23. Programs, an annual ministry of the church, are from 12:05 until 13:30 p.m.

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