Monthly Gospel Sing Continues to Draw a Crowd: Fellowship, Food and Music Characterize a 30-Year-Old Fairlawn Tradition
By Jared Turner, The Roanoke Times, Va.
Apr. 14–Sometimes, simple can be good.
At a monthly community gospel singing at the PACE Union Hall in Fairlawn, it’s a way of life.
From smelss of homemade cakes and hot coffee to sounds of instruments churning out Southern gospel and bluegrass, casual is the custom at these second Saturday gatherings.
Tonight’s event, featuring the Montgomery County-based “Redeemers Quartet” and “Heavenly Visions,” should be no different.
“We make this an informal event,” said organizer George Epperly. “You can come in your blue jeans. … We believe we can get people to come that wouldn’t normally go to a church.”
Attendance usually hovers at about 70, musical guests included. There is no admission charge.
The Rev. Claude Dove, an 87-year-old Christiansburg minister who delivered the benediction at the events for 20 years, rarely passes up a chance to attend.
“It’s just a good place to go on a Saturday night,” he said.
Most nights feature two acts with a 30-minute break between them. Attendees — some arrive an hour before the singing begins — gather over an assortment of refreshments purchased with a small savings fund managed by Epperly, his brother Neil and brothers David and Danny Hall.
Having enough food is never a problem. When the crowd is bigger than expected, someone slips across the street to Wal-Mart for an extra bag of tea or another bag of sandwiches.
When George Epperly started attending the events more than a decade ago, the atmosphere was even more intimate.
“A lot of times the groups and their families would be the bulk of the crowd,” he said.
The singing tradition goes back more than 30 years. The bulk of the money in the event fund is donated during a designated offering time at each gathering. The money goes to rent, food and the musicians.
PACE Union Hall, a property of the industrial labor union of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, rents for $60 a night, or $15 an hour.
“That’s very reasonable,” Epperly said.
Musical guests — who he describes as “local talent” found through “word of mouth” — get $50 or $60 for coming.
If a singing group cancels, the Epperly and Hall brothers fill in. They call their quartet “Other Brothers.” Many of the same musicians come year after year.
There’s almost always a little leftover money in the savings fund.
“This is something we’ve done by faith,” Epperly said. “We took it over and the good Lord’s provided for it. That’s the way we see it.”
In religion
n Benefit dinner for the Rev. Richard Kingrea and family. Today, 4 p.m, Harbor of Hope Pentecostal Holiness Church, Christiansburg. 381-9434.
n Family enrichment conference. April 19-22, Radford Church of God in Christ. Speakers and times vary each day. For registration and conference information: 639-5948 or www.radfordcogic.org.
n Ecumenical alliance. April 21, 8:30 a.m., Asbury United Methodist Church, Christiansburg. Topic is ” Blacks and Jews: alliances and arguments.”
n Community Bible study. Sundays, 6:30 p.m., New Mount Olive United Methodist Church, Russell Avenue, Radford. 639-6425.
n Baha’is of the New River Valley devotion and question-and-answer session on the Baha’i faith. Sundays, 6:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, Blacksburg. 818-0611.
n Peaceknits: Charity knitting/crocheting. Third Mondays, 5 to 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren, Blacksburg. Bring supplies. Yarn donations welcome. Patterns and ideas provided. For all skill levels. 961-0354.
n Book discussion group. Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wellspring at Christiansburg Presbyterian Church. Focused on Corinne Ware’s book, “St. Benedict on the Freeway — A Rule of Life for the 21st Century.” Free but books must be purchased. 382-6510.
n Stretching Body and Spirit. Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, 107 W. Main St. A yoga class for Christians. Includes a gentle hatha yoga workout coupled with Christian chanting, prayer and meditation. 382-2802.
n Relationship Bible Study. Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Blacksburg. Meal and wellness program, “Food for Soul.” 552-8782.
n Lutheran Student Movement. Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Campus Center, Virginia Tech. Dinner and fellowship. 552-0066.
n Gospel singing and Bible study. First Tuesdays and every Thursday, 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m., Christiansburg Recreation Center, Christiansburg. Musicians, singers and bench warmers welcome. 382-8543.
n Bible study. Shepherd’s Chapel Bible students seek members to meet every other Wednesday at the Christiansburg Library Community Room. 381-4557.
n Meditation program. Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m., Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga, Blacksburg. Learn a simple, universal meditation practice for people of all faiths and beliefs. 552-2177 or www.meditate-shivabala.org.
n Faith discussion groups. Thursdays, 10 to 11 a.m.; Fridays, noon to 1 p.m., Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Blacksburg. 951-1000.
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Copyright (c) 2007, The Roanoke Times, Va.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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