BLACKSBURG -- It's a safe bet that many people wouldn't feel comfortable asking their pastor for almost $20,000. But Sam Quesenberry didn't hesitate asking the Rev. Gary Schroeder at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church for the money, or telling him where to find it.

Nor did she hesitate saying how their congregation could put the sum to good use. Quesenberry wanted to enhance the church's contemporary service, "Alive in Christ." But after six years of hoping and waiting, she decided to explore other options.

That led her to seek out a worship renewal grant from the Calvin Institute of Worship in Grand Rapids, Mich. Schroeder was immediately open to the idea of finding a way to enhance the worship.

"We didn't seem to have any answers as to what to change or how to change it," he said. "So, this possibility of studying worship and using some grant money to bring in speakers and learn more about what's going on out there in the contemporary scene seemed just like a godsend, really."

But something came to Schroeder and Quesenberry's attention before an official proposal was delivered.

"We realized that other churches in the area were probably struggling with some of the same things we were -- how to make worship relevant to the members that were already coming, and how to reach the unchurched that are in our community," Quesenberry said.

So Luther Memorial didn't go in alone. Consultations between Schroeder and clergymen at Blacksburg Baptist, Blacksburg United Methodist, Blacksburg Presbyterian, St. Mary's Catholic and Christ Episcopal churches revealed the mutual need he had suspected.

The six churches decided it would be best to request the money together and share it among them.

The result was a year-long grant for $19,995 from the Calvin Institute of Worship supplied by the Lilly Endowment Fund. Because of the great need, an exception pushed the amount over the traditional $15,000 cut-off for Calvin, which typically awards more than 50 grants per year.

The Rev. Alex Evans, pastor at Blacksburg Presbyterian, was glad Schroeder and Quesenberry asked if his church wanted to get involved.

"I think for any Christian church, worship is the center of the church's life," Evans said. "Anything that can encourage us to think in new and fresh ways about worship is something that we should be doing. Here was an opportunity to get some conversation going, some expert advice, some fellowship and focus on something that's important to all of us as churches."

The grant money will be doled out in several directions. A portion will be used to pay a nationally known consultant who will meet with the churches' leaders in Blacksburg about ways to improve different aspects of worship. A smaller amount will go toward retreats, workshops and seminars for members of the congregations.

Each church will also tailor a sum to fit its needs.

"I think a lot of people when they think of worship renewal may just be focusing on the worship service," said Anne Campbell, a long-time member of Blacksburg Presbyterian. "Worship renewal may have to do with hospitality, it may have to do with your visual arts, your musical offerings ... so in terms of us working locally, each congregation may play this out in so many different ways."

But the collaborative nature of the project, which brings together denominations often divided by their theological views, might be the most exciting part for organizers. The six pastors, who already meet on a regular basis for other joint efforts, hope this one will bring their congregations together, too.

"It'd be hard to say what's lacking in our churches," Evans said. "I think we're always trying to be more authentic, more faithful, more real. We're just always trying to find ways to make worship rich for our lives. It's about God and it's about being God's people."

In religion

Basement sale. Today, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Blacksburg Christian Church. Adult and children's clothing, household items, hotdogs, drinks and baked goods available. 552-8967.

Arts and crafts sale. Today, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Union Hall, Fairlawn. Sponsored by First Missionary Baptist Church. Vendors welcome. 639-1081.

Homecoming and 80th anniversary celebration. Sunday, 11 a.m., Fairview Community Church, Blacksburg. Followed by a 12:30 p.m. picnic on the grounds and a 2 p.m. gospel singing. Special recognition will be given to individuals and family members who attend church or school at Fairview. 382-9439.

Homecoming. Sunday, 10 a.m., Mount View Holiness Church, Barren Springs. Guest speaker is the Rev. James Walker of Radford. (276) 766-3819.

"Diving deep into Jesus." Sunday through Wednesday, 7 p.m, Page's Meeting House, Fairlawn. This camp meeting of the Radford/Floyd and Pulaski/Dublin clusters will feature a different speaker and music each night. Children's program available. 745-4121.

Women's Day Celebration. Friday through Sunday, First Baptist Church, Radford. With facilitator minister Vera Worthy. For information or to RSVP, contact Barbara Brown. 639-5159.

Promotion Sunday. Aug. 27, 11 a.m., St. Paul United Methodist Church, 220 W. Main St., Christiansburg. There will be an introduction of a new curriculum, a dedication of teachers and more. 382-2410.

Dinner on the grounds. Aug. 27, Laurel Hill Church of Christ, Radford. Preceded by the morning worship service and Bible study with guest evangelist Lewis Mikell and followed by a congregational singing at 3 p.m.

n Catholicism information classes. Begin Aug. 29, 6:45 to 8:15 p.m., Newman Center, Virginia Tech. 552-1091.

Guest speakers. Sept. 3, 9 and 10:45 a.m., Riverview Baptist Church, Ripplemead. Mark and Joyce Bryant, a husband and wife who lost six children last year in a house explosion, will give their testimonies. 626-3792.

Wednesday night programs kickoff. Sept. 6, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christiansburg. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by adult and children's programs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 382-2410.

Benefit dinner. Sept. 9, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Floyd United Methodist Church. Featuring music by the "Southern Prophets". No charge but donations accepted for the Floyd Food Bank and the fuel assistance program. 745-4121.

Neighborhood Day. Sept. 17, 11 a.m., St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christiansburg. A new stained glass window will be dedicated. 382-2410.