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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 28, 1994                   TAG: 9408050060
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By Frances Stebbins
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RELIGION BRIEF

VIRGINIA UNITED METHODISTS, at their recent annual conference in Norfolk, presented more than 18 tons of baby blankets and kits for school children, mothers and health workers to be distributed to needy people throughout the world. The Methodists also gave nearly $390,000 for other relief expenses. Nearly 2,500 blankets were donated.

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST members, at their recent Virginia Regional Assembly in Lynchburg, endorsed writing a new five-year plan that will guide major regional decisions for the remainder of the century. A capital funds campaign to upgrade the Craig Springs Conference Center, a new regional office, an endowment for future regional ministry and the establishment of new congregations are likely to be part of the plan.

THE ROANOKE VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN BAPTISTS recently sent 96 young women to a national Acteen convention in Birmingham, Ala. They were among 587 Acteens from across Virginia. The Roanoke Valley delegation was led by Sue Ellen Tyree of Vinton.

LLOYD A. AUSTIN, member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, received the John Wesley Distinguished Award at the recent annual conference in Norfolk of Virginia United Methodists . A retired educator, Austin has served on the board of Ferrum College and Virginia United Methodist Homes as well as several other denominational agencies.

THE ROANOKE JEWISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL, which includes members of Temple Emanuel and Beth Israel congregations, has decided to build a Habitat for Humanity house with a donation of some of its funds. Members are giving the rest of the needed money and will serve as volunteers in building the house for a working family that could not otherwise afford a home.

FAITH EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in Salem has received the Rev. Todd Atkins as its new pastor succeeding the Rev. Sam Harris, who left more than a year ago.

A reception for the new minister and his family will be Aug. 7 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the church on Eighth Street at Carolina.

Atkins, 29, was educated at Montreat-Anderson College, Liberty University and the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Miss. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and has served in Washington State, in Scotland and in Meridian, Miss.

THE REV. CHARLES A. WATKINS, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Salem from 1967 until his retirement in 1982, will be honored at the church Sunday at the morning worship and at a potluck luncheon. Watkins has been named pastor emeritus of the congregation.

by CNB