Couple plan ministry for troubled juveniles

NEW MARKET -- After learning of the Rock of Ages mission and spending a week in Cleveland, Tenn., helping the cause, Josette and Paul Miller found a cause of their own: Guiding troubled youth along a more spiritual path to enlightenment, happiness and freedom.

Drum up the mood: Local players use music to relax, interact with each other

LEBANON CHURCH -- The home of Kester Devine is so quiet, calm and still on a recent late-winter afternoon that you can almost hear the snow falling. Only a while later, the silence is suddenly broken by a vibrant rhythm spilling from her front room so loudly you can feel it on the soles of your feet through the hardwood floors.

Congregation will fight anti-Semitism with vigil

WINCHESTER -- The Beth El Congregation didn't draw attention when vandals sprayed Nazi-related graffiti on its synagogue in the city in December.

Area church breaks from Lutherans' organization

MT. JACKSON -- Morning Star Lutheran Church voted early last month to break away from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and has received praise and $500 as a result, church officials said.

Keeping the faith: Musican overcomes disability to become pianist, minister

FRONT ROYAL -- Tony Alan Bates considers himself blessed. Blessed with an inherent musical ability, blessed with strong religious faith and blessed with a beautiful wife and son. But of all of his blessings, what was perhaps the most distinctive one originally came in disguise.

Planting a seed

EDINBURG -- The Lord called William Day through a jar of rhubarb jelly. At the Creekside Campground, owned by the Day family, the sight of jelly is as prominent as that of campers. Strawberry, blueberry, peach -- even a hot pepper jelly is present at times -- available for $5 a pint.

'Emmanuel' reborn: Local church revisits popular Christmas play as dinner theater

EDINBURG -- As advent begins, counting down the days until Christmas, valley residents will have the chance to see the story of Christmas brought to life in front of them, performed in a live dinner theater.

Congregations to discuss vote allowing active gays in clergy

By Sally Voth -- svoth@nvdaily.com WINCHESTER -- Lutherans concerned about the direction their church is headed -- especially in light of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly's decision to allow practicing homosexuals into the clergy -- can join...

High Holy Days: Jewish tradition remembers past, offers forgiveness

The most important 10 days in the Jewish year are coming to a close, but the message they convey to the faithful is just taking effect, according to a local rabbi.

First Baptist Church in Woodstock marks 50 years of service

WOODSTOCK -- All of the hubbub at First Baptist Church this year is about it turning 50, but you would not realize it after talking to a few people involved.