Twenty quilts, prized possessions of area quilters, will be on display in the Second Annual Quilt Show, sponsored by Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, coming up on Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 7 p.m.

The show will feature a raffle for a "Tennessee Waltz Mission Quilt," made by the women at the church. Handmade gift items will be sold, and shoppers will be invited to enjoy free hot cider.

The quilt is named for the mission trip that the church sponsors each year in June to Sunset Gap, a small community in East Tennessee. Jean Fettig, a church member who went on the mission two years ago, said that about a third of the church's average congregation of 80 were on the trip that year. This will be the seventh year the church has sponsored the trip, and all proceeds from the quilt show will benefit the trip.

Hillsborough Presbyterian, 102 W. Tryon St., is one of the town's historic churches. It was organized in 1816 and moved into a building that had been built in 1814 and set aside for use by whichever religious body in town was the first to call a minister. That first minister was the Rev. John Knox Witherspoon, grandson of Dr. John Witherspoon, the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence.

The present pastor is the Rev. Robert Brizendine.

'Messiah' Open Sing to be held Saturday

United Church of Chapel Hill invites the community to participate in its 43rd annual "Messiah" Open Sing on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.

The musical celebration will be performed by an orchestra and soloists from the community and university.

The event is open to all members of the community; please bring your own score, as a limited number will be available.

Jeremy Nabors, director of vocal music at Chapel Hill High School, will conduct.

United Church of Chapel Hill is at 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Service to remember those who are gone

A Christmas Memorial Service in honor of friends and loved ones who have died will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Unity Center of Peace Church, 8800 Seawell School Road.

The Rev. Bruce Milne will lead the service at 2 p.m. Participants are invited to bring a picture of the person being remembered and a candle to light in honor of that person.

"The pain of the loss of a loved one or close friend seems to get magnified during the holidays," Milne said. "This will be a safe and loving environment designed to help you manage the holidays with a sense of joy despite your loss."

The Unity Center of Peace Church is a Christian, non-denominational church that welcomes everyone.

Lunchtime Advent music series begins

Daniel Steinert, director of music at Christ United Methodist in Southern Village, will perform music of the season at a series of Advent Organ Recitals on Wednesdays, beginning today and continuing on Dec. 10 and 17, from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the church.

Designed as a " Bach's Lunch" recital series, the audience is invited to bring a box lunch to eat before the recital or after the 30-minute program.

The featured instrument will be the 67-rank, three manual Allen Renaissance Organ at the church.

Steinert and two visiting musicians from Minnesota, Brian Koser, who plays the soprano saxophone, and his wife, Pamela, a soprano soloist, will perform in the Cherry Hill Concert Series on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.

Cherry Hill is a plantation house in Inez, a community near Warrenton in Warren County. The house, restored by the late Edgar Thorme, was established as a venue for concerts about 20 years ago and has three concerts in the fall and three in the spring. Established musicians as well as outstanding students in the area are invited to perform.

Steinert will play the Steinway grand piano that was placed in the pre-Civil War house by Joyce Roberts, a piano teacher in Franklinton who is concert director.

A reception will follow the concert. Tickets are $8 at the door.

Benefit event held in honor of Bailey

A benefit "brinner" -- a breakfast meal served at dinner time -- in memory of Joshua McCabe Bailey will be held at Orange United Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Bailey, a member of Orange UMC, was shot to death last summer. Six suspects have been charged with first-degree murder in his death.

The benefit event will be a breakfast meal with pancakes, sausage, bacon and beverages. After the meal, the Orange UMC youth band "Hands & Feet" will perform.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to a fund established in Bailey's memory at the Mental Health Association in Orange County. The fund will benefit transitioning young adults who struggle with mental health issues.

The suggested minimum donation of $5 per person is requested. The church is at 1220 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Tickets available for Duke's 'Messiah'

Tickets to Duke Chapel's annual performance of Handel's "Messiah" are still available for performances on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.

Soloists are Lisa Saffer, soprano; Jennifer Lane, mezzo-soprano; Steven Stolen, tenor; and Grant Youngblood, bass.

General admission is $15. Call the Duke University box office at 684-4444.

Center will celebrate Buddha's Enlightenment

The Chapel Hill Zen Center has issued an invitation for interested people to join in the celebration of Buddha's Enlightenment on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10:30 a.m.

A short talk directed to children will be given, followed by a candle lighting service and circumambulation while chanting the "Heart Sutra."

Refreshments will follow. All are welcome.

The center is at 5322 N.C. 86.

Local writer's book offers path to healing

"Shadows Among Us," a new book by Robin M. Bertram, a Hillsborough writer, provides biblical answers to questions pertaining to fear, anxiety, depression and low-self-esteem.

Bertram is the founder and president of Covenant Renewal Ministries, an active member of the International Society of Deliverance Ministers and has worked for Francis MacNutt as director of Prayer Ministry. She hosts "Transformed: From Grace to Glory" women's conferences in cities across the country.

Her book guides readers through principles of healing in body, soul and spirit as reflected in the life of Christ. It is published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises and is available in area bookstores.

Youth ensembles present concerts

The Wind Ensemble from the Piedmont Youth Orchestra will give a concert in the old sanctuary at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 Rosemary St., at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7.

The orchestra's String Ensemble will give a concert on Dec. 13 at 5 p.m.

The orchestra is composed of young musicians in grades 4 through 6.

Both concerts are open to the public and are free of charge.

Please let us know what's going on in your church or faith group, so we can share your news with our readers. E-mail news and announcements to Flo Johnston at fjohnston3@nc.rr.com.