Saturday, April 25, 2009
Focus on Faith: Organizer bringing Bible Bee for youths to Roanoke Valley
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There's a difference between reading the Good Book and hearing someone talk about it.
That's one reason why an organization called the Shelby Kennedy Foundation put together a national Bible Bee for this fall in Washington. Young people between the ages of 7 and 18 will compete in the rich yet bewildering arena of the Christian Bible.
"When you read it yourself, it makes your faith your own faith, and not what someone told you to believe," said Freda Hubert, the lead organizer of a qualifying round of the competition that will be held in the Roanoke Valley. "Any time you get into God's word you're going to examine your own faith."
Quick! Recite Joshua 1:9.
Can't remember? That's OK; the Bible is a big book.
Here's how it works: The competition distributes what it calls the "Bee-liever's Handbook," which is a study guide and source of contest questions. Participants are divided into three groups -- junior, primary and senior -- and are asked to either recite a verse or answer a multiple-choice question in a written test.
Bible memorization contests are nothing new -- Hubert has organized similar competitions in Virginia and North Carolina -- but unlike many others, this one brings the top contestants from many cities for two-day national finals.
Hubert says that besides providing a collegial setting for young people to learn firsthand about the Bible, such contests are a good opportunity for fellowship activities between young Christians of many denominations.
"Most of the people enrolled so far are Baptists," said Hubert, who is a member of Parkway Wesleyan Church in Northeast Roanoke.
Earlier this month, 25 people had signed up for the local competition, out of a maximum of 75, and Hubert was looking for volunteers. She said she was looking for a publicity coordinator, a facilities coordinator and a fundraising coordinator.
She also said she was looking for a building -- possibly a school -- with "a lot of rooms" where participants could spend the day during the competition.
The Roanoke Valley competition is scheduled for Sept. 12, and the national competition for Nov. 5 and 6.
Hubert can be reached at 540-342-0683 or shenandoahquizzing@cox.net.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, that Joshua 1:9 from the New International Version:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
n n n
The Roanoke Seventh-Day Adventist Church is changing and growing.
Pastor Eugene Kitney has been called to serve the church, and is scheduled to preach his introductory sermon Saturday, May 2, according to an e-mail from Carol Doudiken, a church elder.
Kitney served a congregation in Charlottesville for three years, and will nestle into his home with his wife Michele in north Roanoke County.
Kitney succeeds Ron Ihrig, the pastor who oversaw the church's move from its 1.5-acre home of 61 years on Memorial Avenue to its 5.5-acre home on Challenger Avenue.
