A talk by a pioneer of Dead Sea Scrolls research will kick off a series of community events sponsored by the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The events for the 2009-10 academic year will begin with the Sept. 14 lecture by Geza Vermes, emeritus professor of Jewish Studies at Oxford University. He will discuss the scrolls and evaluate their contribution to the study of ancient Judaism and early Christianity.

Vermes' talk will be this year's Eli N. Evans Distinguished Lecture in Jewish Studies at 7:30 p.m. at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education. It is free to the public.

Other free community events sponsored by the center, an interdisciplinary program in the College of Arts and Sciences, will cover topics ranging from the revival of Jewish Mysticism to a film screening about a 1913 case in which a Jewish factory manager was accused of murder. Upcoming events include:

•Nov. 16: Miri Rubin, professor of medieval history at Queen Mary, University of London, will explore the origins of ritual murder accusations against Jews in the Middle Ages.

• Jan. 25: Boaz Huss, associate professor at Ben-Gurion University, will examine some of the major features of contemporary Kabbalah (mysticism), and the context of the revival of Jewish Mysticism in today's culture.

• April 19: Ben Loeterman, writer and director, will screen his new film "The People v. Leo Frank," which recounts the 1913 legal case of a Jewish factory manager in Atlanta who was accused of murdering one of his employees.

Other events will include academic lectures that are free and open to the public but are geared to a scholarly audience. They will focus on Jewish identities, poetry and politics and 18th-century Hebrew printing. The speakers also will hold lunchtime seminars focused on their recent publications.

In addition, the center will host new book launches for history professor Christopher Browning's "Remembering Survival" and religious studies professor Jonathan Boyarin's "The Unconverted Self."

For details on all events, visit www.unc.edu/ccjs/ or call 962-1509.

United Church to show documentary film

United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., will show "Made in L.A.," an Emmy award-winning feature documentary, after the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, Sept. 6.

The 70-minute film follows the remarkable story of three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles garment sweatshops as they embark on a three-year odyssey to win basic labor protections from trendy clothing retailer Forever 21.

In intimate observational style, "Made in L.A." reveals the impact of the struggle on each woman's life as she is gradually transformed by the experience. The film has been described in review as "compelling, humorous, deeply human ... a story about immigration, the power of unity and the courage it takes to find your voice."

The public is invited to the showing in the fellowship hall at 12:15 p.m.

Evergreen church starts adult study series

"Companions in Christ," an individual and small group adult study, begins Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Evergreen United Methodist in North Chatham County.

The study includes reading a weekly article that serves as a focus for the weekly small group sessions and for practicing daily habits of reflection.

The group sessions will begin at 6:30 p.m., following the 6 p.m. fellowship supper with all who are participating in other evening sessions. A nursery and kids' study hall will be available.

This study was developed by leaders of the popular Upper Room Ministries, perhaps best known for daily devotionals. The adult study became so popular that a whole series has since been developed, including studies for children and teens.

The study is designed to aid participants to discern what God is leading them to do. This focus closely relates to Evergreen's stated mission: "Discovering God's will for our lives and living them faithfully and to their fullest."

Michelle Duncan, facilitator for the sessions, took part in this study several years ago and invites questions in advance. Contact information for a return call may be left at the church office, 968-0198 or e-mail info@evergreen-umc.org.

The church is just south of Cole Park Plaza. Visitors are invited to the church's Sunday services, contemporary worship with the Third Watch Band at 9 a.m. and traditional worship at 11 a.m. Breakfast and Sunday school for all ages is held at 10 a.m. Sunday school starts up for fall on Sept. 13.

Adult study series to begin this fall

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, a new Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation meeting at North Chatham School, 3380 Elytra Road, is offering two study series for adults this fall at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays.

All newcomers are welcome and study guides for both classes will be provided.

"How to Spell Presbyterian," a delightful, easy-to-read book by former pastor James W. Angel, will guide our study of the history, beliefs and practices of Presbyterians. One reviewer observed, "All through the book, the author literally breaks into poems to express his Great Spirit and joyful mood, to share with others the uplifting nature of the church of Jesus Christ."

A study of the book of Ephesians will use the study guide "Make New through Christ" by Jerald Jackson. Written by the apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus, Ephesians has been called "The Queen of the Epistles" by one New Testament scholar. Jackson's book looks at the letter in five sessions: New Life, New Fellowship, New Behavior, New Family Order and New Strength.

Chapel in the Pines also offers Sunday school classes for children and youth at 9:15 a.m. and child care is provided during the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

The congregation was developed from a vision of University Presbyterian Church and Salem Presbytery to respond to the growth in North Chatham County. The pastor is the Rev. Mindy Douglas Adams. Further information is at www.citppc.org.

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