Daily Press from Newport News, Virginia • Page 37

eMuth life Nineteen churches unite in faith and music WHAT: "Field of Praise" music program WHO: 19 churches and Christian organizations WHEN: Noon-5 p.m., Oct. 10. WHERE: Mathews Tabernacle, Route 611, near the courthouse INFO: Call Helen Pope, (804) By Dave Schleck Daily Press MATHEWS When it comes to worship, people in Mathews County don't have many opportunities to intermingle, says Helen Pope, a lifelong member of Zion Baptist Church. "The blacks have their churches, the whites have theirs," says Pope. Three years ago, Pope says God gave her a vision to bring people of all different races and Christian denominations together for a day of "singing and praising the Lord." Next Saturday, that dream should become a reality at the first-ever "Fields of the courthouse on Route 61 1, the Mathews Tabernacle was built on the site a brush arbor used by women to pray don't mean it in a attention.

I use Has Michael Johnston Inspirational speaker "Obviously the story that I have is a hook. negative sense. lt is a way to get people's a platform to present the Gospel. of Praise" gospel program at Mathews Tabernacle on Route 611. Choirs and preachers from 19 different churches and Christian organizations will provide about five hours of music and family entertainment, Pope says.

The diverse group will include Catholics, Baptists, non-denominational churches and other Christian traditions. Free-will donations will go to Hands Across Mathews, an interfaith outreach charity, Pope says. In addition, the Voices of Faith choir at Zion Baptist will be selling hot dogs and soda. Pope says she's pleased to host the event at a local landmark. Located just 9 9 9 9 i 0 6 I To view Internet 1 Vm south of I rx Broadcast News WPEN burned by Cox decision to change lineup Cox Communications' decision to pull WPEN-TV off its cable lineup has crippled the low-power station.

"It kills my station, and the Peninsula gets left out in the cold," said Dave Hanna, general manager of Lockwood Broadcast Group, the Hampton company that owns WPEN. Earlier this month, Cox announced it was dropping WPEN and Court TV on Nov. 1. because of lowviewership. While cable companies are required by law to carry full-power local stations, that does- apply to most low-power stations.

To fill the two slots, Cox is bringing back a redesigned Travel Channel and adding TV Land, a channel devoted to classic sit-coms, dramas and variety shows. It burns Hanna that Cox is making a business decision that ignores all of the positive impact and local programming that WPEN has done for the Peninsula. "Though it's niche programming, it's unique and different," said Hanna. "We've done so much to help the community." And "I beg to differ that no one watches us," he said. Cox's decision will force Hanna to lay off eight or nine people, he said.

He's also had to give up popular shows such as "M.A.S.H." reruns and other programming he can't afford to buy. Although Hanna will continue to operate WPEN as a community-based station, he says, "I'm frustrated, but there's not much I can do." Though it lost WPEN's cable position, Lockwood owns three full-power stations in other markets. In addition to WUPV-TV outside of Richmond, the company has purchased WVFX-TV in West Virginia and KTEN-TV in Texas. GENESIS UPDATE. Though Cox also yanked low-power station Genesis TV 7 off its lineup earlier this year, owners Kenneth and Joan Wright have not given up the fight.

"We're still pursuing our must-carry complaint with the FCC," said Mrs. Wright, general manager of the Hampton-based station. In June, attorneys for the Wrights filed a complainf TMnTnlffMTJiey qualified as a "must-carry" station under FCC guidelines. The dispute could take up to six months to be resolved, she said. "We're still in the fight," she said.

In the meantime, Genesis has been forced to let 10 employees go and cut back its local programming. "When you're not on cable, businesses don't want to advertise with you," she said. WVEC BYTES. Al Zipp joins the news desk on Monday at WVEC-TV, Channel 13. He'll co-anchor the 5 p.m.

newscast with Barbara Clara and file reports for WVEC's 11 p.m. newscast and the 10 p.m. newscast on Local News on Cable. WVEC and Sentara Health System are teaming up for the largest flu shot giveaway ever. "Operation Flu ZIPP.

Joins WVEC's 5 p.m. newscast. Shot" will provide 10,000 free shots to persons 18 and older. The Peninsula locations are the Williamsburg Recreation Center and Coliseum Mall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday. David Nicholson can be reached at 247-4794 or by e-mail at dnlcholsondallypress.com HARVEST RITUAL Jews and Christians join together to celebrate Hoshana Rabbah. Story, D2. CHURCH TOUR. Norfolk museum will host a trolley tour of Norfolk's Victorian-era churches today.

Ticket calendar, D8. fHBSE3 I Entertalnmaiit new4'l 1 1. 'ML for the safe return of soldiers during the Civil War. Local Methodist churches built the first tabernacle in 1879 and used it for revivals, meetings and retreats. Bob Hutson of Mathews owns the current structure, which was built in 1922.

He lets Christian groups use the tabernacle for gospel programs, weddings and other events. The Mathews Tabernacle is on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Mathews Historical Society. Dave Schleck can be reached at 247-7430 or by e-mail at dschleckdallypress.com There are support groups that regard homosexuality as a sin and groups that affirm homosexuals. Here is a sam- -pling of some groups in the local area: CHANGE-ORIENTED RELIGIOUS GROUPS: Kerusso Ministries, founded by Michael John- ston, a Newport News resi- dent who says he rejected his homosexual Identity in 1 988. Johnston speaks to church groups around the country.

Call 872-8878 or (800) 584-5630. Alternative Lifestyle Sup- port Group, organized by is the Peninsula Baptist Asso- elation, open to all Christians who have homosexual loved ones, meets weekly. Contact Thelma Tignor, 898-3380 or 596- 4587. Sought Out, part of a network of ministries world- wide called Exodus Inter- a national. Two groups meet In Hampton Roads.

Call 631-0099. GAY-AFFIRMING GROUPS: I Heaven's Tableland Church, Christian congre- gatlon open to gays, les- bians and blsexuals; Sun- day services are at Williamsburg Regional Library at 1:30 p.m. Call 687-3719. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and i Gays (PFLAG), not affiliat-ed with any religion but provides support and infor- matlon about ty including literature from a religious perspective. Meets monthly at Unitarian Universallst Fellowship of the Peninsula on Youngs Mill Lane In New- port News.

Call 874-3731. New Life Metropolitan Community Church, 10:30 a.m. Sunday services, 1530 Johnston Road, Norfolk. Contact the Rev. Carol Wier, 362-3056.

Integrity Tidewater, open to anyone advocating fairness toward homosexuals In the Episcopal Church, meets monthly at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Todds Lane In Hampton. Call 898-3153. Dignity, Roman Catholic-based but open to all gay and lesbian Christians. Meets weekly at the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia headquarters in -Norfolk.

Call 625-5337. have some committed people who believe that life is precious," Brown says. Founded in 1985, the Peninsula Crisis Pregnancy Center is a Christian organization that promotes abstinence among youth and counsels women on alternatives to abortion. Lisa Persikoff, executive director of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia, says although the "Walk for Life" isn't something she would get involved with, she supports the center's right to publicize its beliefs. Epps stressed that the walk will be a family-oriented event with no protest banners or slogans.

"I'm an advocate," Epps says. "But not an activist." Dave Schleck can be reached at 247-7430 or by e-mail at dschleckdailypress.com Michael Johnston speaks to chuchgoers after a Sunday morning service at New Liberty Baptist Church. Johnston, who says he lived "an active homosexual lifestyle" for nearly 13 years, believes God can change people's desires from homosexual to heterosexual. Buddy NorrltDally Press Gay and Christian? Activist takes controversial both sides of the nnmnsnvua position on homesexuality sites about check out this the Dally site at hen Issue, story on Press Web s.com dailypres ual to heterosexual. He believes everyone is born heterosexual.

And he believes people who act on their homosexual desires without guilt are not Christians. "Ouch," says the Rev. Carol Wler, a lesbian minister who leads New Life Metropolitan Community Church in Norfolk, a congregation comprised largely of homosexuals. Wier disagrees with most of Johnston's views. "He's starting from some incorrect assumptions," she says.

"He's assuming that God doesn't approve of homosexuality." God approves of God's creation, which include gay people. Please see ActlvlstD2 God will chastise you," Johnston, who is 38 years has AIDS. "I truly believe trying to get my attention. see AIDS as evidence of working in my life." shared his life story weekend during Sunday services Liberty Baptist Church, he is a member. doubt, Johnston has his both from within and outside Christian community, this former Denbigh High and Christopher Newport University student speaks at churches around the country about issues that cut to the heart of the human sexuality debate.

Johnston says he lived "an active homosexual lifestyle" for nearly 13 years, until God helped him turn his life around. He believes God can change people's desires from homosex community oriented By Dave Schleck Daily Press HAMPTON ichael Johnston begins his story with the day 12 years ago when he found out he was HIV positive. Back then, he was angry at God. But now, Johnston says his mission is to talk around the country about how God steered him away from homosexuality and back to his "Christian roots." "If you are Christian involved 'Walk For By Dave Schltek Daily Press HAMPTON The Peninsula Crisis Pregnancy Center has been organizing annual fund-raisers for 13 years now, But the new director of the program doesnt think many people have ever heard of the annual "Walk For Life." This year, the anti-abortion demonstration is taking more of a community-oriented approach, according to Lillie Epps, director of the Peninsula Crisis Pregnancy Center. About 300 people from 40 local churches will participate in the "Walk For Life" in downtown Hampton next Saturday morning.

Epps says she lwpes the event brings more attention to her organization and to the abortion alternatives available to women facing a crisis pregnancy. Pub- in sin, says old and God was I God Johnston last at where No critics, the But School Life' to be ltC demonstrations dealing with abortion are not a common sight on the Peninsula, she says. "I don't want it to be a nice little secret," Epps says. Past fund-raisers were held outside Kiln Creek Elementary School in Newport News, Epps says. "This year is going to have more church involvement and business Epps.

Mascots for Chuck Cheese and Chick- Vo- EPPS Fil-A will be handing out coupons. There also will be food, prizes, frw balloons and carousel rides pps says. Mamie Locke, Hampton's vice mayor, will make opening remarks. Participants 7J WHAT: Walk For Life WHO: Fund-raiser for the Peninsula Crisis Pregnancy Center WHEN: Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Carousel Park, downtown Hampton INFO: Call 627-0303 will start at Carousel Park on Settler's Landing Road and walk to Tyler Street and back about two miles. The Rev. Steve Brown, chairman of the event, says supporters of the Peninsula Crisis Pregnancy Center are sponsoring each of the walkers for $5 or more. Participants with $150 in sponsorship get a free T-shirt with the words "Walk For Life: It's A Wonderful Choice." "This says to the community that we.