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.

Pastor asks for blessing on sign

WOODSTOCK -- The church leader behind the giant crosses on Interstate 81 west of Strasburg is asking for the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors' blessing when he asks the Virginia Department of Transportation for a highway sign directing motorists to his church's park.

A new song: Music, band director offers more options to students

EDINBURG -- For Valley Baptist Christian School, the current recession proved to be the right time to expand its music program. For the first time, the school, at 408 Stony Creek Road, will have a full-time music and band teacher this year.

Quaker group to celebrate 275th anniversary of meetings in the valley

CLEAR BROOK -- 'Tis a gift to be simple, as the Quaker hymn goes. That simplicity for the Quaker group in the valley has helped keep it going for 275 years.

Model tomb offers realistic view to Easter re-enactment

By Elizabeth Wilkerson -- ewilkerson@nvdaily.com STRASBURG -- Though he's no stranger to elaborate Easter pageants, Pastor Jay Ahlemann was struck by a different idea as he considered how his church could mark the holiday this year. "It hit me: We...

Neighborhood notes: Shenandoah courtesy cars

Strasburg Courtesy cars Laurel Hill Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): 465-3202 days, 465-3628 evenings. St. Paul Lutheran Church: Howard Paige, 465-5682. Strasburg Presbyterian Church: 465-3920 or Amos Orndorff, 465-8154. Strasburg United Methodist Church: Dumpy Kump, 465-8180 . Toms Brook...

Shenandoah man looks to start youth-oriented church

MT. JACKSON -- Justin Franich fell, then climbed, and now is looking to move north. A joint public hearing of the Mt. Jackson Planning Commission and Town Council is scheduled March 2 at 7 p.m. on a special-use permit for a new church, Freedom Outreach and Worship Center, to operate at 6043 Broad St. Franich, a youth pastor at Calvary Assembly of God in Staunton, will pastor the church.