ROANOKE TIMES

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

DATE: SATURDAY, October 29, 1994                   TAG: 9410310016
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long


2 LONGTIME PASTORS ARE LEAVING PULPITS IN THE VALLEY|

The Rev. Dr. RAY ALLEN of Blacksburg Baptist Church steps down June 8, 1995, after 35 years in the pulpit and 20 years at Blacksburg Baptist.

During his tenure, Allen has seen his church grow from 800 to 1,100 members, but he feels his greatest accomplishment has been bringing the church into worldwide ministry.

Allen, 57, said he and his wife, Ann, will take to the road in their RV to relax and "recharge our batteries" for a year or so before making long-range plans.

His retirement announcement comes as another veteran area clergyman, the Rev. Vernon Miller, leaves Christiansburg Presbyterian Church Nov. 20 after 26 years. Miller and his wife, Edna Ruth, are moving to Hilton Head, S.C. A reception honoring the Millers is Sunday, 3-5 p.m., at the church fellowship hall, 107 W. Main St.

Preliminary site work and possibly construction of footers for a HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOUSE in Christiansburg could begin today, but it will be a bit longer before volunteers armed with hammers, nails and saws are called in to actually build the four-bedroom structure. Several New River Valley and Roanoke Valley Presbyterian congregations have joined forces to finance the project and provide the volunteers, but various problems have delayed the project. To help, call Jeff Hamley, 382-3929, or Ron Sheffield, 382-4230.

SERVICES and REVIVALS

Homecoming 94 continues through Sunday at Fairlawn Church of God, Peppers Ferry Road (Virginia 114), Fairlawn. The Rev. James Garlen, a former pastor of the church, preaches tonight at 7 and Sunday at 11 a.m. 639-1511.

Walton Pentecostal Holiness Church holds revival services at 7 p.m. through Sunday with Jimmy Hilliard and the Singing Hills.

Revival services with the Rev. Alex Day continue tonight at 7:30 and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Merrimac Pentecostal Holiness Church, Merrimac Road, Blacksburg.

A special service is set for tonight at 7:30 at Goodwins Ferry Church on Spruce Run. The Rev. Layne Board preaches. For more information, call Roy Vaught, 552-2343.

Bible Holiness Church, 611 S. Franklin St., Christiansburg, holds services at 7:30 p.m. through Sunday with evangelist Robert Lands.

"Men's Spirituality" is James Klagge's topic Sunday, 10:30 a.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley, 1301 Gladewood Drive, Blacksburg. A discussion follows. 552-3785 or 552-4749.

Riverview Baptist Church homecoming service is Sunday, 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Shahn Wilburn. No First Light service or Sunday school. Lunch and music by River's Edge, Faithful Men and the Action Crew Teens follow morning worship. Rich Powell, 921-2457.

The Salvation Army, 525 Commerce St., Pulaski, has a revival service Monday at 6:45 p.m. Second Chance sings.

Church Women United of Blacksburg sponsor the annual World Community Day, Friday, 10:30 a.m., at First Baptist Church, 309 E. Clay St., Blacksburg. "Go, See and Act as Sisters" is this year's theme. All women are welcome. 951-1520.

Revival services with the Rev. Lowell Haynes are Nov. 6-10 at Grace Assembly of God, 2030 Redwood Drive, Christiansburg. Services Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., weeknights at 7.

David Pharr offers Bible lessons Nov. 6-9 at Christiansburg Church of Christ, 1250 S. Franklin St. Services Sunday at 10 and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and weeknights at 7:30.

The Rev. Dr. STAN HASTEY, executive director of the Alliance of Baptists, visits Glade Baptist Church, 1600 Glade Road, Blacksburg, next Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5 and 6. Hastey, a columnist for Baptists Today, talks on religious liberty Saturday at 7 p.m. He addresses "The Southern Baptist Convention: The Past, the Present and the Future" Sunday at 9:30 a.m., and leads morning worship at 11. He is the second speaker in the church's "Baptist Heritage and Hope" series. Call the church at 552-3394.

HAPPENINGS

A reminder: Set clocks back one hour tonight to return to Eastern Standard Time.

First Missionary Baptist Church, New River, holds a missionary workshop today. Registration at 9:30 a.m., workshop at 10 a.m.; includes a complimentary luncheon and concludes by 3 p.m. 674-4843.

The Christiansburg Antique Showsale to benefit St. Peter's Anglican Church continues today, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Christiansburg National Guard Armory, College and Depot streets. Adults, $2, children under 10, $1. Food available.

Anath Baptist Church, 3995 Roanoke Road, at the top of Christiansburg Mountain, holds a hallelujah party for young people today at 3 p.m. 552-1639.

Rockford United Methodist Church, Viscoe Road (Virginia 679), off Peppers Ferry Road (Virginia 114), Fairlawn, holds a spaghetti supper and bake sale today, 4-7 p.m. $4 for adults, $2 for children and $10 for families of four or more. Haunted house, 6-8 p.m. Proceeds help send the youth group to the Resurrection '95 youth rally.

Dublin Pentecostal Holiness Church, Oakgrove Place, Dublin, holds a hallelujah night celebration Monday, 6-8 p.m., with skits, games, prizes and candy. Youngsters are asked to dress as a Bible character or an animal (no scary costumes). 674-4729 or 674-8542.

The Bethel-Fairlawn United Methodist Men hold a hot dog supper to benefit the Clement Street and Fairlawn group homes' Christmas gift fund, Nov. 5, 5-7:30 p.m., at Radford Auto Auction, Tyler Road. Donation: Adults, $3.50; children 10 and younger, $2.50.

HOLIDAY BAZAARS

Park United Methodist Church, 303 Park St., Christiansburg: Today, 9 a.m., with homemade baked goods, holiday crafts and handmade items on sale. Turkey dinner starts around 10:30 a.m. Carry-out meals are available. Adults, $4, Children 6-12, $2.50, under 6, free.

Central United Methodist Church, Eighth and Wadsworth streets, Radford: Nov. 5, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., with crafts, handmade items and baked goods. Breakfast and lunch are available. Proceeds benefit mission programs.

Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Lee and Church streets: 52nd annual holiday bazaar is Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., with homemade crafts, candies, baked goods and more. Child care available. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. 552-7545.

St. Paul United Methodist Church, Main Street, Christiansburg: Nov. 5, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., in the fellowship hall, with food, crafts, yard sale items and more. Sports card and memorabilia show in the activities building, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Dublin Church of God: Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in the fellowship hall, with craft items, baked goods and hot dogs with chili.

MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE

Young at Heart and the Gospel Strings are among groups appearing at a benefit gospel sing today, 7 p.m., at Midway Community Church, Virginia Drive (off Merrimac Road). The offering benefits Charlie and Rachel Altizer to help pay medical bills. Carl Ratcliffe, 382-4654 or Jerry Buckner, 381-9721.

The Carpenter's Tools, the Nippers and the Southern Sounds sing tonight, 7:30, at Auburn High School, Riner. $2 donation at the door. Freewill offering. 381-1057.

The Bluegrass Inspirations sing Sunday, 7 p.m., at Riner Grace Brethren Church on Virginia 8, three miles south of Auburn High School. 382-4654 or 382-7571.

Gospel sing, Nov. 6, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Pearisburg Methodist Church. The offering goes toward a wheelchair lift for the Bible Bus Ministry to fourth-graders. Sponsored by the Weekday Religious Association of Giles County. 544-7401.

The Liberty University Singers appear Nov. 6, 4 p.m., at First Missionary Baptist Church, New River. Victoria Snell, 674-4843.

PEOPLE

LANE DUCKER is the new director of Christian education at Presbyterian Church of Radford, succeeding Sarah Windes. Ducker, who has a bachelor's degree in Christian Education from Campbell University, is the wife of the church's pastor, the Rev. George Ducker.

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.



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