It's hard to imagine less fidgeting in the pews of any church than you could see among the 65 teenagers sitting in the Wednesday night service at Acts 2 Ministry, a nondemominational Christian outreach program in downtown Roanoke.

Quiet teens? Some shushed each other when occasional whispers surfaced. These are inner-city kids who meet Acts 2 staffers at their high schools and middle schools before deciding to show up at 406 Luck St. There's a connection going on here that anyone who has volunteered in outreach programs will tell you is hard to make with teens.

Acts 2 has many needs to fulfill its programs, including more equipment for its computer lab, where youths are helped with their homework. Used machines in good working order are ok. A digital camera is needed too. And if you can drive a van to pick up kids after school on occasion and transport them downtown, you're a valuable asset at Acts 2.

For more information call Lee Pusha, executive director, at 345-2495.

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• Posted by Rob Johnson in VolunteerismVolunteerism ::
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Heard about God Tube? It's an increasingly popular Web site drawing with newsy faith-related info you might find worth a look.

Here's the link:

http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-hoping-for-ungodly-returns-christian-video-sharing-site-godtube-gets-30/

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• Posted by Rob Johnson in ReligionReligion ::
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Bake sales and carnivals are mainstays in the world of church fund-raising. Walk-a-thons are pretty dependable too, the long windup to get ready for them by soliciting sponsors ahead of time notwithstanding.

The Roanoke Valley Interfaith Hospitality Network is hosting its third annual walk-a-thon on Sunday, June 1, at 1 p.m., on the grounds of the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Salem. Individuals or teams of walkers are welcome to collect donations from sponsors. Proceeds will support IHN, which helps families secure employment and housing, among other things.

For more information call IHN volunteer Meredith Roller at 343-9982.

Continue reading "What works in raising money for charity" »

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There are plenty of places you're welcome for services today at noon, when the 57th National Day of Prayer will be observed.

In downtown Roanoke there will be a gathering at Lee Plaza, led by the Rev. Edward Burton, pastor of Sweet Union Baptist Church.

Services are also scheduled in the Fincastle Library parking lot, the Buchanan Fire Department parking lot, Bonsak Baptist Church and Parkway Wesleyan Church on Route 460 northeast of Roanoke.

All services on non-denominational.

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Chuck Norris, the martial arts action actor and star of television's "Walker, Texas Ranger," will speak at Liberty University's graduation ceremony on May 10.

Norris had a key recommendation before being invited by Jerry Falwell Jr., Liberty's chancellor: former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Norris was an active supporter of Huckabee's failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

While some conservative Christians have been critical of Hollywood's values as depicted on screen, Huckabee has gone on record as an unabashed fan of action movies, despite their violence.

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