This may be the perfect chance for a crusty old Tom cat with notched ears and bald patches on his back to flex his muscles in front of a crowd, or for a fine specimen of a Maine Coon or an American Domestic to strut her stuff for the judge.

It's the annual Bethesda-Brier Creek Cat Show on April 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for a United Methodist Church in Durham.

For the second year, Bethesda United Methodist Church, 2309 S. Miami Blvd , is offering a show where pampered felines springing from selective breeding lines as well as alley cats whose ancestry may be as checkered as grandma's table cloth have an equal chance to walk away a winner.

As cat-lovers know, cats are always in charge. However there are some rules, but not many, to enter your pet in the church-sponsored show, with proceeds going to feed hungry animals and hungry people.

There's an entrance fee of $10 for one cat and $8 for a second one. Also, each cat must be current on rabies vaccine and must be transported in a cat carrier (some available on request).

Zoey, a cat belonging to Terry Webb, one of the show planners, is the "hostess cat" for the show. She and some of her cat-friends are already blogging on MySpace about who's expected to show up and/or show out at the show.

"Nobody escaped last year, and that was really good," said Webb. "We had a variety of entrants including a Spynx cat (a hairless variety), a Rex cat (a curly variety) and a one-eyed tom."

Vanatis Crawford, a professional cat breeder and judge, will be the only judge, but she will put aside the usual standards she expects in professional shows. Just looking like a cat and being friendly and well-groomed can get a feline noticed in this show. Handlers must be at least 8 years old. Prizes are gift certificates from area restaurants.

Cats will be judged in five categories: long hair and short hair in adults; long hair and short hair in kittens; and the cat that looks most like its owner. Spectators get to vote on the last one.

Dr. Jennifer Goetz of Briar Creek Animal Clinic will provide pet education, and lots of prizes will be awarded, especially to the kids among the spectators.

Tickets for spectators are $2 for adults and $1 for kids. Children 6 and under will be admitted free.

Registration for the show can be made online at www.bethesdaunitedmethodis tchurch.com or by calling Terry Webb at 919-630-5074.

Program provides clothing for children and adults

The Take & Wear Clothes Closet, sponsored by a group of North Chatham churches, will be open on April 22, from 7 to 8 p.m.

The location is Lystra Baptist Church at 686 Lystra Road off U.S. 15-501, the white church on the right. Shoppers should enter the white door on the right.

Clothing for adults and children will be available.

The shop will be open on the following dates as well:

• Saturday, May 2, 9 to 11 a.m.

• Wednesday, May 27, 7 to 8 p.m.

• Saturday, June 6, 9 to 11 a.m.

• Wednesday, June 24, 7 to 8 p.m.

Book sale set to benefit St. Thomas More

St. Thomas More School, 920 Carmichael St., will hold its annual used book sale on Saturday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to noon in the school gym.

Fill a paper bag that is provided with used books (children and adult), videos, DVDs and CDs for only $8 each. All proceeds benefit St. Thomas More School's library.

Admission is free. For information, call Jo Williams, school librarian, at 929-1546.

Blues concert will raise funds for refugees

Hillsborough blues artist Adrian Duke will play a benefit concert at Hillsborough United Church of Christ, 200 Davis Road, Hillsborough, on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m.

Free to the public. Donations will be accepted for refugee resettlement.

Desserts and coffee will be served.

For information, call 732-9183 or see www.hucc.org.

Concert to honor memory of Holocaust victims

The Duke Vespers Ensemble will present "With Perfect Faith," a Holocaust cantata written by Duke Chapel Assistant Conductor Allan Friedman on Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m. in the chapel.

The 50-minute cantata has three components: spoken English texts, Hebrew arias to be sung by a soprano accompanied by a chamber ensemble, and English poetry sung by an a cappella chorus. The poetry for these choruses was written by survivors, victims and children of survivors of the Holocaust. The soprano soloist sings psalms and prayers typically recited on Yom HaShoah, the Jewish day of Holocaust remembrance. All of the sacred texts honor the memory of the victims and recall the senselessness of the slaughter.

The cantata was written in response to a visit to the National Holocaust Museum in Washington. This will be the third time it has been performed. It has been described as "intensely personal" and "profoundly moving."

No tickets are needed to attend this event. A suggested donation of $5 for Amnesty International will be collected before and after the concert, which is made possible in part by the Vereen Family Endowment.

New center for Muslim community open at Duke

A new facility for Muslim Life at Duke University officially opened last week with an open house on Thursday at 406 Swift Ave.

The event began with a reading from the Koran, followed by a call for prayer recited by Muslim students. Duke's Muslim Chaplain Abdullah Antepli introduced speakers Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs; Sam Wells, dean of Duke Chapel; and Bruce Lawrence, professor of religion and director of Duke Islamic Studies Center.

Members of the Triangle Muslim community presented a plaque to Duke President Richard H. Brodhead acknowledging the university's support for the Muslim community on campus.

"We're trying to create a community where everybody who considers themselves Muslim, regardless of their ethnic background, level of practice, commitment to the faith, feels welcome," Antepli said.

The new location will be a place where students can participate in book clubs and weekly gatherings, various cultural events and classes for cooking ethnic cuisine, music and dance. The facility also will serve as a resource to the greater Muslim community as well as non-Muslims who are curious about the faith, he said.

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.

FAITH IN FOCUS

Flo Johnston