Staff Report

GALLIPOLIS - Recognizing the impact matters of religion and faith have on the tri-county area, Heartland Publications and the Ohio Valley Publishing Co. (OVP) are expanding their commitment to coverage of spiritual issues and events.

Because the faith-based community has always been an important part of the OVP's readership, the company's goal is to offer additional coverage to matters that interest these valued readers.

A redesign of the Faith and Values pages that appear in all three of OVP daily newspapers - The Daily Sentinel in Pomeroy, the Gallipolis Daily Tribune and the Point Pleasant Register - will be seen in the near future.

The church calendar and regular columns supplied by local pastors will remain a part of the Faith and Values pages, but both will be supplemented by a weekly children's Bible story coloring page, stories of inspiration from local clergy and churchgoers, and other information of interest to those for whom faith is a vital part of daily existence.

Churches and their congregations are welcome to supply content for the pages, such as human interest stories, poetry, church histories and anniversaries, accounts of missionary work and other topics of interest.

Submissions to Faith and Values add a personal touch to its weekly offerings to readers. Additionally, ideas for stories are also welcome and readers are encouraged to call or e-mail each newspaper with suggestions.

The expanded Faith and Values will remain part of the Friday editions of each OVP newspaper.

In addition, an annual full-color glossy outreach magazine, Faith and Family, is planned by the OVP and Heartland Publications for use by local churches, the chamber of commerce, realtors and other outlets touching newcomers to the area seeking a church to attend. It will also offer needed information about spiritual matters.

Church listings and other information will be included in Faith and Family, a new means of reaching out to the numerous congregrations and faiths in Gallia, Meigs and Mason counties.

A free luncheon is being offered to area pastors to further discuss Faith and Family and its impact on the community on Wednesday, Nov. 7 from noon until 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn near Gallipolis. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Monday, Nov. 5 to Sarah Clontz, Faith and Family coordinator, toll-free at (866) 288-4901.