Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 13, 1995 TAG: 9505150016
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF & WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"God in These Mountains" is the theme of a symposium scheduled May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southwest Virginia Community College at Richlands. The event is sponsored by the Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park near Tazewell. The museum has received a grant to expand its educational offerings on the culture of Southwest Virginians.
Leaders will include Loyal Jones, retired director of the Appalachian Center at Berea, Ky.; Dr. Deborah V. McCauley, author of "Appalachian Mountain Religion" and a resident of New Jersey; Dr. Howard Dorgan, a professor at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.; Dr. Elizabeth Fine of the Virginia Tech Appalachian Studies Center; and the Rev. R. Raymond Moore and the Rev. G. Thomas Mustard, Episcopal clergy who serve congregations in the area. To register, send a check for $10 to Historic Crab Orchard Museum, Rt. 1, Box 194, Tazewell, Va., 24651.
New superintendent
The Rev. George Freeman, a former Roanoker who is now pastor of River Road United Methodist Church in Richmond, will become superintendent of the Charlottesville District of the church in June. Freeman, who was pastor of Bonsack Church from 1972 to 1976 and Woodlawn Church from 1976 to 1982, also is a past president of the Roanoke Valley Ministers Conference. His elevation to one of the 18 advisers to Bishop Thomas Stockton represents the only change in the "cabinet" this year. The Virginia Annual Conference convention will be held at the Roanoke Civic Center June 14-18. Business will include a decision on the question of whether to reduce the number of Virginia administrative districts from 18 to 16.
Bomb damages church
Along with the devastation of the Murrah Federal Building in the April 19 bombing in Oklahoma City, the First United Methodist Church across the street received heavy damage. The 1904 structure lost all its stained glass windows including a rare one honoring Abraham Lincoln. For a time, part of the church was used as a morgue. The congregation, now worshiping in a university auditorium, is expected to rebuild.
Pope calls for unity
At a recent commemoration of the 450th Anniversary of the Council of Trent, Pope John Paul II called for Christian unity among Roman Catholics and others who follow the teachings of Christ. The council, which brought about some reforms in the Catholic church in response to the Protestant Reformation, established many practices which remained until 30 years ago when another council, Vatican II, opened long-closed doors between Catholics and other Christian groups. Speaking in the Italian town of Trent, the pope admitted that the Reformation was needed and much still needs to be done to unify Christian groups.
Cal Thomas refuted
A recently published account of community mission giving by Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington underestimated the total amount by nearly $200,000, according to the Rev. J. Philip Wogaman, pastor.
Cal Thomas, a nationally syndicated columnist, had suggested in late April that the church gave only $35,000 to causes to help the Washington needy. The pastor countered that at least $221,000 was donated. The article, which was critical of the church's ministry, was a political attack on the family of President Bill Clinton, Wogaman said. The Clintons often attend church at Foundry. Thomas attacked Wogaman as a "liberal theologian" who does not fully accept the Bible and faulted the church for its acceptance of homosexuals.
by CNB