ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 28, 1995 TAG: 9512280028
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
PEACE IS POSSIBLE NOW, an interdenominational celebration for the new year, will be held Sunday at 6:30 a.m. at Unity of Roanoke Valley, 3300 Green Ridge Road. The program will include music, a meditation by Andrea Fisher, a Unity leader, and worship led by her husband, the Rev. Jim Fisher, pastor of the church. The Roanoke celebration will be part of an annual worldwide observance which began in 1986 involving many religions. Call 562-2200, for more information.
FREE HAIR CUTS were given to 176 children recommended by the Salvation Army in early December in a program begun 25 years ago by two Roanoke barbers. One of these is 71-year-old Paul Plaster who has continued the tradition but now seeks volunteer help from other barbers and stylists. Judy Roberts, one of three stylists who worked with Plaster this Christmas, said she hopes to expand the hair-cutting program in 1996 by recruiting other barbers to work with the Salvation Army ministry to the needy. Volunteers may call the Salvation Army at 343-5335 for more information.
THE REV. DOYAL SPENCE has marked 30 years on the staff of First Baptist Church in downtown Roanoke. Spence, the minister of music, has traveled throughout the nation with Baptist choral groups and is a major force behind the annual Christmas pageant that attracts several thousand to its seasonal performances. Another longtime staff member at First Baptist is the Rev. John D. Cochran, who has completed 26 years. He is minister of education and pastoral care. Both men were recognized recently on their anniversaries.
DIVORCE CARE, a series of evangelical Christian classes to help adults in their adjustment to single life, will begin Jan. 10 at First Baptist Church in downtown Roanoke. Led by Ed Kohl, minister of single adults, the classes will continue through March 27. For time and details call the Positive Single Adults office at 224-3380.
VILLA HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH, 4080 Challenger Ave. N.E., has scheduled a New Year's Eve social and worship program Sunday beginning at 8. Snack foods are requested from those attending. The Lord's Supper will be observed along with time for Christian testimony. Call 977-7305 for more information.
JOANI TABOR, a Roanoker who travels nationally as a gospel singer, will perform on New Year's Eve at 6 p.m. at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, Hershberger Road at Florist Road Northwest.
VALLEY CHRISTIAN CENTER, 4265 Cloverdale Road, will sponsor a "miracle healing service" on New Year's Eve at 7 p.m. Special music and Communion as well as prayers for the sick will be included. Call 977-2382 for more information.
AT EAST GATE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE a Troutville trio known as The Hales and Altar of Prayer will present a gospel concert beginning at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve. The fellowship time will continue until midnight. Call 343-9530 for more information. The church is at 2002 East Gate Ave. N.E.
AN EPISCOPAL WATCHNIGHT SERVICE is scheduled Sunday beginning at 9:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Church, 2339 Grandin Road S.W. Participants are to bring snack food for the social period. Communion at 11 will conclude the service.
THE LIGHTHOUSE is the name recently given to a youth center on First Street at Mountain Avenue Southwest renovated over the past year by teens of St. John's Episcopal Church. The name honors Bishop A. Heath Light who will retire in 1996 after more than 17 years as spiritual and administrative leader of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia. About 30 youths have participated in the renovation, according to the Rev. Frank Allen, who works with them.
FORT LEWIS BAPTIST CHURCH, 4215 W. Main St. in Salem, will begin a series of seminars for adults experiencing separation or divorce on Jan. 7. The seminars, held on Sundays from 5:30 to 7 p.m., will include child care. The series, "DivorceCare," will include lecture and discussion on anger, loneliness, depression, care of children, forgiveness and finding new relationships. Call 380-2044 for more information.
DAWN D. HAKKENBERG, coordinator of lay ministries at College Lutheran Church in Salem, has left the paid staff of the parish. Lack of funding for the job was given as her reason.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in downtown Salem will assume part of the cost of sending a Wycliffe Bible Translators British mission worker to the African country of the Sudan. Elizabeth Newport of North Yorkshire will visit the church Jan. 5-7 to tell of her future ministry of translating Scripture into an African dialect. The Salem parish is cooperating with its international church partner in Skipton, England, in the project.
Send information to Frances Stebbins, Neighbors, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, 24010-2491 by noon Wednesday. Please include a daytime telephone number.
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