THOMPSON PLANS STAFF RETIREMENT
The Rev. Branan J. Thompson, who has been active in Roanoke Valley ecumenical church life since 1968, has announced that he will retire from the staff of Windsor Hills United Methodist Church at the end of this year. An ordained Southern Baptist pastor, Thompson has for the past 20 years been serving as minister to senior adults at the United Methodist parish near Salem’s southern boundary. The pastor, 80, is a native of Georgia. He plans to remain in Roanoke County.
Heather Case has become the fulltime Director of Ministries with Young People at Windsor Hills.
NEW MUSICIAN COMES TO BELMONT CHRISTIAN
David Hopkins, formerly of Union Christian Church in Radford, has joined the staff of Belmont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as its organist and choir director. He will serve part time. The church ‘s members come especially from Southeast Roanoke and the Vinton area.
BOTETOURT BAPTISTS SEE CHANGES
At Mill Creek Baptist Church, an historic congregation in Botetourt County, the Rev. Bob Hetherington, a former executive of the Roanoke Valley Association of Southern Baptists, is serving as interim pastor. A long-time associate there, J.R. Graybill, has resigned.
The Rev. Derrell Naff has succeeded the Rev. Mike Woody as pastor of Buchanan Baptist Church.
UNITED METHODIST CAMP CELEBRATING 60 YEARS
Camp Alta Mons near Shawsville will be 60 years old as a United Methodist Roanoke District Conference Center this year. An all-day celebration is planned on Saturday, Aug. 26, beginning with gathering time at 10 a.m. followed by worship and a potluck lunch. Several free activities for families are scheduled throughout the afternoon. Alta Mons was developed at the site of an old “watering place” resort from the 19th Century and has been steadily improved for day and overnight activities
MUSIC TRANSITION AT BONSACK BAPTIST
With the coming to the staff of Bonsack Baptist Church in early July of Grant Frederick to be Minister of Music, the Rev. Barry Green is now part time until the end of this year. Green joined the staff of the large Botetourt congregation 21 years ago and is retiring.
DEACON JOINING STAFF OF CAVE SPRING METHODIST
The Rev. Tim Craft, a provisional deacon, will join the staff of Cave Spring United Methodist Church Sept.1. Craft, a veteran youth worker for more than 20 years, will have the title of Director of Next Generation Ministry. Craft grew up in Roanoke in Raleigh Court United Methodist Church and attended Virginia Tech and Wesley Theological Seminary.
-Compiled by correspondent Frances Stebbins
