ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 28, 1996 TAG: 9610010030
SECTION: RELIGION PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
University rid of beastly number
SAN FRANCISCO - For years, the Jesuit-run University of San Francisco suffered through bad jokes because of its telephone prefix ``666,'' the so-called devil's number.
Until now.
The Catholic school has worked out a deal with Pacific Bell to transfer its existing prefix to a less sinister ``422'' prefix.
Between now and the end of the year, callers can use either prefix when calling the university. The ``666'' number will no longer work next year.
``I'm relieved,'' said the Rev. Frank Buckley, a theology professor. ``As soon as I heard the good news, I went out and ordered new business cards.''
No one is quite sure what the telephone company was thinking several decades ago when it issued the number, known as the "mark of the beast" in the Book of Revelation.
Despite the notorious number, university spokesman Marlon Villa said the main reason for the change is that the new prefix allows for twice as many extensions.
Villa said the Catholic school has experienced no major calamities from using the devil's phone number.
``Nothing horrible has befallen us,'' he said. ``Perhaps our Christian spirit deflected any spiritual assault by the forces of 666.''
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brethren seek cleanup volunteers
The Church of the Brethren's Virlina District Disaster Response Committee seeks volunteers to help with cleanup from Hurricane Fran in the Raleigh, N.C. area. They will work Oct. 21-25 and may stay for a week or less. Project coordinator Wayne C. Garst said further work is expected in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The committee also will be helping later to repair southern churches burned by vandals. Call Garst at 380-2129.
Sin and culture are lectures' focus
"The Forgiveness of Sins in an Angry Culture" will be the theme of a seminar for religion professionals Oct. 31 at Roanoke College in Salem. The Thursday morning program, with registration at 8:30 in Antrim Chapel, will be led by Dr. Cornelius Plantinga Jr., a professor of systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary and chaplain of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. At 11:30 a.m., Plantinga will speak on "Humility and Gratitude: The Daily Double" in Sutton Student Center. Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. in Antrim Chapel at the college, he will discuss "Pride and Envy: The Deadly Duo." Call 375-2300 for information.
6-year-old seminary has record enrollment
In its sixth year of operation Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond has enrolled a record 190 students. This is a 19 percent increase over fall 1995. Three new members faculty this year are Dr. Charles Bugg, professor of preaching; Dr. Sandra Polaski, assistant professor of New Testament; and the Rev. Cecil Sherman, visiting professor of pastoral ministry. The seminary offers study of Scripture in a manner no longer sanctioned by the more conservative Southern Baptist Convention theological schools.
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