DURHAM -- Baha'is in the Triangle will hold a public prayer gathering and information event at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Intercommunity Baha'i Center, 4102 Revere Road, to show solidarity with imprisoned Baha'is in Iran. The faith community and general public are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The event is part of a worldwide day of prayer initiated by the international Baha'i community to demonstrate local support for seven Iranian Baha'i leaders who will appear before the Iranian Revolutionary Court on Sunday. The members of the largest non-Muslim religious minority in Iran are accused of spying for Israel and "spreading corruption on earth."
The seven prisoners are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm. They have been held in Evin prison since spring 2008.
Baha'is view the world's major religions as part of a single, progressive process through which God reveals his will to humanity. Major Baha'i tenets include the oneness of humanity, equality of men and women, eradication of prejudice, harmony of science and religion, universal education and world peace.
For information, call Durham Baha'i public information officer Kathy Lee at 251-8085 or 225-7648. To learn more about the Baha'is in America, visit www.bahai.us.
Christ Community Church is moving
CHAPEL HILL -- Christ Community Church, a growing Chapel Hill-based congregation, is moving to a larger worship space this month. The church will lease space from Extraordinary Ventures, 200 S. Elliot Road, for its Sunday morning worship services and education programs beginning Feb. 14. Sunday school will begin at 9:20 a.m. and worship will follow at 10:30 a.m.
Christ Community is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America and has been meeting at Rashkis Elementary School in Meadowmont since August 2005. The congregation has about 200 members. Extraordinary Ventures is a nonprofit organization that provides meeting space for the community and employment for people with disabilities.
For information about Christ Community Church, visit www.cccpca.org.
Kate Campbell to perform on Feb. 12
DURHAM -- Nashville-based singer/songwriter Kate Campbell will perform a benefit concert for Urban Ministries of Durham at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the parish hall of St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 403 E. Main St.
Campbell's songs are about everyday heroes, human rights, changing landscapes, spirituality and reflecting on youthful views. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show; $8 for 12 and under. Her performance is part of the Strings Attached concert series at St. Philip's. Advance tickets are available by sending checks payable to Strings Attached c/o St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 403 E. Main St. Durham NC 27701, via phone at 682-5708 or through the PayPal link at www.stphilipsdurham.org. Younger childcare is available. Refreshments will be available. Free, monitored parking.
Scout Sunday event at Westminster
DURHAM -- Westminster Presbyterian Church will celebrate Scout Sunday on Feb. 14. The church chartered Cub Scout Pack 451 and Boy Scout Troop 451, and hosts Girl Scout Troop 1152 and Girl Scout Troop 1279.
Scouts will come in uniform, assist with worship and make a report and some special presentations. Several Cub Scouts also earned their God and Me Religious Awards, and will have their medals and certificates presented as part of Scout Sunday. The Scouts will also hold a Scout Fair/Expo in the fellowship hall after each service and during the Sunday school hour, including a birthday party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of American Scouting.
New pastor at Bahama Baptist
DURHAM -- The Rev. Wesley McMurray will be installed as the new pastor for Bahama Baptist Church, 7917 Willardville Station Road, during a 6 p.m. service Saturday. A celebration dinner will follow.
McMurray will be welcomed by the Rev. Norman Gordon, pastor of Northern Freewill Baptist Church. The Rev. John Saunders, director of missions for the Yates Baptist Association, will present the charge to the church, and the Rev. Frank Zedick, past interim pastor, will present the charge to the pastor.
A service of commitment will be led by Andrew Hayes, Bahama Baptist's minister of youth. Special music will be provided by the Male Chorus of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and the Bahama Baptist Choir, led by Jonathan Woodham, minister of music and worship.
McMurray has an associate's degree from the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, a bachelor's degree from Southeastern College and a master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously served as a pastoral assistant at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, as a chaplain and Bible teacher at Gaston Christian School in Belmont, and interim student pastor at Parkwood Baptist Church and First A.R.P. Church, both in Gastonia.
He has also done mission work in Wales, Portugal, North Africa and South Africa. McMurray and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons, Owen and Elliott.
Church collecting Haiti health kits
DURHAM -- Grace Lutheran Church, 824 North Buchanan Blvd., is collecting items for health kits to send to Haiti.
They will be distributed by Lutheran World Relief. Items may be placed in the drop off box at the main door of the church next to the ramp. Donate the following new items by noon Feb. 28: dark color hand towels, dark color washcloths, soap (4 to 5 oz.) in original wrapping, adult toothbrushes in original wrapping, sturdy combs, metal nail files/nail clippers with file attached, and half and three-quarter inch bandages.
DCIA to give out federal funds
DURHAM -- Durham Congregations in Action is accepting applications for federal funds awarded to Durham County under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program for 2010.
The Durham County Local EFSP Board has been chosen to receive $156,821 for emergency food and shelter programs in 2010. The board includes local representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, the Council for Senior Citizens, Durham Congregations in Action, Durham County Department of Social Services, the Salvation Army and others who will determine how the funds awarded to Durham will be distributed among local emergency food and shelter programs of local service agencies.
Local agencies seeking 2010 EFSP funds may download the application directly from www.dcia.org, or may request an electronic form by e-mail to dcia@dcia.org. Agencies needing a hard copy must request one by 4 p.m. Feb.12. Application forms must be completed and delivered by 4 p.m. Feb. 19, either electronically to dcia@dcia.org, or by hard copy to DCIA, 504 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27701.
Send items for local Belief Briefs to Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan at dvaughan@heraldsun.com.
