ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 24, 1996 TAG: 9608260015
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
$1 million headed to burned churches
The National Council of Churches will distribute nearly $1 million of the $8.3 million it has collected so far in its first round of grants to predominantly black churches that have been damaged by fires.
The first grants will go to congregations in Orangeburg, S.C.; Seattle; Millen, Ga.; and Lauderdale, Miss., which must rebuild. Two other churches in Fruitvale, Tenn., and Boligee, Ala., will use the money for repairs. Members of churches affiliated with the ecumenical council have contributed.
Meanwhile, critics of the council have charged that it has publicized the arson fires at black churches in order to raise more money for racial ministries. The Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, chief executive of the council, has denied that any partiality has been given to black churches in the South.
Anglicans, Methodists consider reuniting
A new report by officials of the Church of England and the British Methodist Church has recommended that the two denominations - known in America as Episcopal and United Methodist - enter into formal talks aimed at reuniting the two bodies. They separated more than 200 years ago following the growth of Methodism from a movement led by John Wesley, a Church of England pastor who sought reform in that denomination. The new proposal suggests a gradual process of "growing together into unity" through a series of small steps.
Breakfast to raise funds for Habitat
To help raise funds for a Habitat for Humanity house, members of Glenwood United Methodist Church on Virginia 100 at Barren Springs will sponsor a country breakfast Aug. 31 from 7 to 10. The menu includes ham and sausage biscuits. The church is reached from Interstate 81 Exit 89-A.
Musician schedules concert, workshop
A concert and workshop featuring liturgical musician Marty Haugen is scheduled Nov. 22 and 23 in Antrim Chapel of Roanoke College in Salem.
"Sing to the Glory of the Lord" will be its theme. Cost is $20 for both events and includes Saturday lunch. Registration is also open for the separate events, a Friday night prayer and concert by Haugen starting at 7 and the Saturday workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Haugen is nationally known for his contemporary sacred music used especially in Lutheran, Episcopal and Roman Catholic worship. Registration is requested by Nov. 15. Call 375-2300 for more information. The program has been rescheduled from one canceled by a snowstorm last winter.
James Grealish takes diocesan office
The Rev. James Grealish, 51, has become one of three coordinators for Roman Catholic work in the Diocese of Richmond assisting Bishop Walter F. Sullivan. Grealish, 51 and a native of Ireland, has been pastor of St. Jude Church of Radford for the past year. Prior to that he served as pastor of parishes in Wytheville, Pulaski and Bristol. The coordinators will be a bridge from regions in Virginia with which they are familiar to diocesan headquarters in Richmond.
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