Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 24, is coming up next week, so pancakes are on the menu at United Church of Chapel Hill, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Retired Men's Fellowship members will do the cooking and will bring "fat" dishes to share, including bacon, sausage, breakfast-type casseroles and biscuits. On the other hand, some low-fat dishes like fruit will be available as well. And while the eating is going on, the Ambassadors, directed by Bob Lawton, will play jazz.

The Shrove Tuesday tradition of eating pancakes goes back to the tradition of the Lenten fast, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25. For those who choose to do a Lenten fast, Shrove Tuesday would be the last day to indulge in food and one's last chance to use the "fat" in the house. In the past, this was a frugal way of using items before they spoiled. "Fat Tuesday" as it's sometimes called, has become a time to celebrate and indulge with Mardi Gras as a prime example.

Ash Wednesday will begin the 40 days of Lent, the season in the Christian church that's a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter and the gift of new life.

United Church will observe Ash Wednesday with a worship service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. During the service, ashes will be placed on the foreheads of worshippers as a reminder of human mortality. The practice is inspired by the passage "...you are dust and to dust you shall return." The Chancel Choir will offer special music and the Rev. Susan Steinberg will preach.

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

Pancake supper to benefit orphans

Carrboro United Methodist, 200 Hillsborough Road, will host a family pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A donation is requested to benefit the ZOE Ministries, which helps children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and Rwanda.

This ministry provides medical care, food, education and clothing. A representative will be on hand to share information and answer questions about gardening and vocational training programs for these impoverished children.

On a lighter note, the church is making Brunswick stew again this year. Those who want delivery on Saturday, Feb. 28, should call the church office at 942-1223 to reserve an order. Quarts will sell for $7.

Yard sale for Kenyan medical ministry

Orange United Methodist, 1220 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is holding a yard sale fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 7:30 a.m. to noon to raise money for a medical ministry to Kenya next month as part of the locally-based ZOE Ministries.

Fourteen members of the church and two folks from Cary will be on the trip that involves diagnosing and treating hundreds of children each day and participating in Zoe's Giving Hope Empowerment Project.

OUM's team includes a mix of medical professionals and those who can help in other ways. This is the second year the church has participated in this ministry. Last year the team went to Zambia.

Chancel choir auditions in Southern Village

The Chancel Choir at Christ Church in Southern Village will begin rehearsals of Gabriel Faure's "Requiem" today at 6:30 p.m.

There are no auditions necessary and choral scores will be provided. The "Requiem" will be performed with orchestra in the Palm Sunday worship services on Sunday, April 5. All parts, soprano, tenor, alto and bass, are being sought to augment the 30-voice Chancel Choir. Weekly rehearsals will continue through April 1.

Anyone who cannot attend the first rehearsal tonight should contact Dr. Daniel Steinert, director of music at 969-1686 or at dsteinert@christmethodist.org.

Lenten servies begin on Ash Wednesday

First Baptist Church, 106 N. Roberson St., will hold a six-week series of Lenten worship services, beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. The associate ministers at the church will lead the services.

For more information, call the church at 942-2552.

Talk to address Christianity, Buddhism

Theologian-in-residence at University Presbyterian is giving the second in a series of four lectures on Monday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the church, 209 E. Franklin St.

Series speaker the Rev. Marcia Mount Shoop is addressing various aspects of contemporary Christian identity. Her topic on Monday will be "The Wisdom of Emptiness and the Fullness of God: A Christian Conversation with Buddhist Philosophy."

"Interfaith dialogue is a confusing invitation for many Christians," Shoop said. "Even for those who welcome such opportunities, we don't always know how to make sense of our own convictions when we encounter the faithful of other religions."

The lectures are held in Vance Barron Hall that is handicapped accessible. Parking is available in the Chapel Hill Parking Deck on Rosemary Street.

Further information available by calling the church at 929-2102. All are welcome.

Dinner and auction at Wesley ministry

Wesley Campus Ministry at UNC-Chapel Hill will hold its seventh annual Fiesta! dinner and silent auction on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Amity United Methodist, 925 N. Estes Drive. Proceeds will benefit Wesley Work Teams.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and silent auction bids will end at 8 p.m. Silent auction items include autographed basketballs by the UNC men's team and Coach Roy Williams as well as sports tickets, a stay at an Emerald Isle Beach house, gift certificates to local restaurants and retail stores.

To donate items to the silent auction or to reserve tickets call 942-2152.

All are welcome.

Congregation will hold free dance party

Judea Reform Congregation at 1933 W. Cornwallis Road in Durham is throwing a dance tonight at 7:30, featuring Dick Levin & Friends Band. The dance is free and open to the public and will include music spanning the generations.

Get further information on any of these events by calling her at Judea Reform, 489-7062.

Free clothing available at Lystra Baptist

Take & Wear Clothes Closet at Lystra Baptist Church will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 21, and Saturday, March 7. Free clothing is available for adults and children.

The church is at 686 Lystra Road, off U.S. 15-501. Entrance is through the white door on the right of the church.

Call the church at 933-6812 for further information.

Church acquires land for future building

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian, a growing community of faith in North Chatham, has acquired 12 acres of land in Chatham County for a future church facility.

The parcel is located off Mann's Chapel Road and Great Ridge Parkway. Salem Presbytery, a geographic area of the Presbyterian Church USA, provided funds for more than half the property, said the Rev. Mindy Douglas Adams, pastor. The remainder has been pledged by members of the congregation.

Chapel in the Pines developed from a vision of University Presbyterian in Chapel Hill and Salem Presbytery in response to growth in this part of Chatham County. It was officially organized as a congregation on May 4, 2008, beginning with a core group, a critical mass of 33 folks from University Presbyterian. It now has 106 members.

Adams, who is a former associate pastor at University Presbyterian, says the church is drawing members from the area including developments like Farrington Village, Governor's Club and the new Briar Chapel Community, which will eventually have 2,900 units.

She attributes the church's significant growth in a short time to its "energy and passion to serve others and its emphasis on seeing the needs of the community." Along with other North Chatham churches, Chapel in the Pines is active in Take & Eat, Take & Wear and Take and Read.

The church meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room at North Chatham School, 3380 Lystra Road. Sunday school classes for adults, youth and children begin at 9:15 a.m. with child care provided.

GARDENS, ANYONE?

Faith in Focus is looking for congregations with gardens. If you have a garden that benefits your congregation or a community garden that helps feed your neighbors, send us a brief history of how and why your congregation decided to be part of this growing trend, maybe the "eat locally" movement influence you, or maybe it was just a growing awareness among people of faith about the importance of caring for the Earth and feeding from the fruits of this good Earth. Are you now preparing for spring planting? What vegetables or other growing things are you planning for Spring 2009? One Durham church has what they call "a supper garden." Its purpose is to supply vegetables for the church's weekly Wednesday night suppers.

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.

Godspell

PHOTO BY LAURA-CHASE MCGEHEE