Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 23, 1994 TAG: 9407250036
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Rick Lindquist
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The hot line is the brainchild of Ken Farrar of Christiansburg. "We find with choir and youth programs, it's been a real big hit," he said. So far, Main Street Baptist, St. Paul United Methodist and Christiansburg Mennonite Fellowship are participating. "My dream is to get everyone on it," said Farrar, a computer systems manager at Virginia Tech.
The system not only gives callers the latest church information but lets them leave messages and hear devotions. "It's an exciting thing," said Farrar, who paid for the project himself. Recently, he began running brief commercial messages on the hot line to help recover some of his costs. Each church pays $5 a month to have a "mailbox" on the hot line. Farrar also hopes to go from a single-line to a multiline system to eliminate busy signals.
For more information, call Farrar at 382-8553, fax him at 382-5818, or send him a message via the Blacksburg Electronic Village at NRV.Church.Hotlinevt.edu. Hot line users can leave Farrar a message in the administrator's mailbox.
Something's missing at CHRISTIANSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, but there's no mystery. The steeple of the downtown church - built in the 1850s - has been removed for structural repairs. A tall crane from Blue Ridge Timber Frame lifted the spire from its base Wednesday afternoon. It will be returned in time for the congregation's 167th anniversary observance Oct. 9.
The Family Ministries Committee of First United Methodist Church, 1101 Valleyview Drive, Pearisburg, presents DAFFY OLYMPICS Sunday at 3 p.m., with a picnic to follow. Events for all ages include a watermelon seed spitting contest, three-legged race, basketball shoot, horseshoes and more.
The church will provide hot dogs, buns, drinks and ice cream. 921-1021.
HAPPENINGS:
The Salvation Army Home League holds a yard and baked goods sale today, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at its building, 525 Commerce St., Pulaski.
At its homecoming Sunday, New Dublin Presbyterian Church celebrates both its 225th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of its becoming an independent congregation, established in 1769 at the New Dublin settlement on the New River. The Rev. Ben Trawick is pastor. 674-6147.
First Baptist Church, 1730 West St., Radford, celebrates homecoming Sunday at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Lee Suggs of Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church, Christiansburg, and his choir.
The summer reading program at Radford Church of God in Christ, Russell Avenue, meets Monday and Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 8, through Aug. 18, for storytelling, creative writing, library trips and refreshments. The church needs good, used books for this educational endeavor. 639-5948.
The Christian Business and Professional Women's Council of the New River Valley meets for dinner Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., at the Appalachian Building, downtown Pulaski. Meetings are nondenominational. The catered buffet is $6.95. Call for reservations by Sunday: 980-6966, 980-0625 or 980-6558.
First Missionary Baptist Church in New River celebrates homecoming July 31, 4 p.m. The Rev. Roger Hagwood of First Christian Church, Stuart, will speak.
United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church, Main Street and Memorial Boulevard, Narrows, plans a rummage sale Aug. 4, 6-8 p.m., and Aug. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cornelia Smith, 726-7428.
REVIVALS:
The 84th annual camp meeting at Piedmont Campground continues through July 31 with the Rev. Bob Ely, evangelist. Services at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily and Sundays at 10 a.m. Children's service at 10 a.m. daily. The campground is at 5007 Jewell Drive (seven miles from U.S. 460 off Alleghany Springs Road), Shawsville. 268-2163.
Revival services with the Rev. Ralph E. Clark conclude Sunday. Services are at 7 each evening at the Giles Street Tabernacle, Pearisburg. 980-1629.
Evangelist C.G. Slaughter holds services Monday through Thursday, 7:30 each evening, at Victory Temple, 1020 Cambria St., Christiansburg. Music nightly.
First Missionary Baptist Church in New River holds revival services Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. The Rev. Lee Suggs Sr. of Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church preaches Thursday and Friday.
VACATION BIBLE/CHURCH SCHOOL:
Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 155 Dunlap Road, Christiansburg: Monday through Friday, 6:45-9 p.m., for infants through high school. Register Sunday, 6 p.m., at the church. 382-0719, or Sharon Knight, 552-5809.
Merrimac Pentecostal Holiness Church, Merrimac Road, Blacksburg: Sunday through Thursday, 7-9 p.m., with Puppet Love from Florence, S.C. 552-5070.
First Baptist Church, Third and Downey streets, Radford: Sunday through Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., for age 3 through grade 6. 674-8693.
Dublin Pentecostal Holiness Church, U.S. 11 and Oakwood Place: Monday through Friday, 5:50-8 p.m. Pastor Steve Willis, 674-4729.
Fairlawn Baptist Church, 6758 Oxford Ave.: Saturday, 9 a.m., for ages 3 through high school. Lunch provided. Information and transportation: 639-5049.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Roanoke and East Main streets, Christiansburg: Day camp Aug. 1-5, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., for youngsters 4-13. Participants should pack a lunch. The Rev. Rob Goldsmith, 382-4365, or Sarah Carper, 639-4757.
MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE:
The Southern Sounds sing tonight at 7 at Midway Community Church, off Merrimac Road on Virginian Drive, Christiansburg. 381-9721.
The Martin Family sings tonight at 7 at Bangers Mountain Pentecostal Church, Christiansburg.
Carla Karst sings at two Radford churches Sunday. At 11 a.m., she's at Grove United Methodist Church, Tyler Avenue, and at 3 p.m., she visits New Mount Olive United Methodist Church, Russell Avenue. 639-2807.
Singing in the Valley '94 happens Friday at 7 p.m. at Belview United Methodist Church, 3619 Onyx Drive, off Virginia 114, about 21/2 miles east of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. On stage: Second Chance of Christiansburg, Glory Road, Jehovah Jirah, and Sonshine Express Trio. 639-6271.
SHORT TAKES:
Friendship Baptist Church, Third and Bowling streets in Radford, has burned its mortgage ahead of schedule, and the congregation now is debt-free, reports Jim Davis. The church has about three dozen members. Sunday school is at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays. 639-5645.
New Hope United Methodist Church, Church Street, New River, holds Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. Carol Dunsmore is the pastor. 639-1470.
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. Fax: 381-1656. Clear, sharp photographs accompanying news items are welcome. Items must be received by noon Wednesday for use in that week's column.
by CNB