Alternative gift fairs and markets will be open around town beginning this weekend. These are opportunities to turn holiday shopping into a more meaningful experience that will benefit local, national and global objectives, including human rights-related causes, disaster relief and promotion of local arts.

For 20 years, the annual market at United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., has offered a wide range of unique gifts, but has also given a share of all market proceeds to Church World Service, a cooperative ministry providing sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief and refugee assistance to more than 80 countries.

The market at United Church will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 22. Proceeds from the sale of such wares as Mayan weavings, Haitian metal art and crafts and handmade soap from Neem tree oil will support health care, education, the Orange-Alamance Prison Ministry, landmine removal and other programs both here and abroad.

Again this year, the "Art for a Cause" art show will feature a variety of media from local artists.

The alternative Christmas Market at University Presbyterian, 209 E. Franklin St., will be open on Sunday, Nov. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall. This is a chance to buy a Filipino goat for Uncle Jack or honor your third grade teacher by educating children in Kenya, Haiti or Palestine while remembering whose birthday is celebrated during the holiday season.

Binkley Baptist, 1712 Willow Drive, will hold its alternative gifts fair in the fellowship hall on Sunday, Nov. 22, after worship.

Participants include Orange County Habitat for Humanity, Water Partners International, People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, the Coalition for Peace and Justice, the Amani Children's Foundation, Binkley Church Advent Wreaths, the Matt McQuiston Memorial Fund and One World Market.

Church presents musical theater production

The Community Church of Chapel Hill is presenting its third annual musical theater production of "Children of Eden," based on Bible stories from the Book of Genesis.

The show is an often humorous examination of the age-old conflict between parents and children: Adam and Eve, Noah and his family and the Father God.

Music and lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz ("Godspell" and "Wicked") and the book is by John Caird ("Les Miserables"), with a score full of pop, folk, rock, gospel and powerful Broadway moments.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21; and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22. Tickets are on sale at The Community Church every Sunday after services and during the week from 9 a.m. to noon.

The cast includes more than 40 church members from age 7 to 60-something, many with prior stage credits of their own.

The church is located at 106 Purefoy Road.

Greek pastry sale to benefit charities

Baklava (phyllo nut pastry) and finikia (honey dipped cookies sprinkled with nuts) are the most popular selections sold at the annual pastry sale of the Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Philoptochos Ladies Society. This once-a-year opportunity to enjoy authentic Greek goodies is coming up on Friday, Nov. 20, and Saturday, Nov. 21.

Made from traditional recipes by the women in the congregation, this gastronomic extravaganza will also include koulourakia (butter twist cookies), paximathia (Greek biscotti with nuts and raisins) and kourambiethes (powdered shortbread cookies).

For the first time, the sale will be held at St. Barbara's new building on N.C. 751, a church that serves both Chapel Hill and Durham. Hours are from 1 to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The church will be open for prayer and meditation as well as a brief explanation given hourly on the half hour about the beautiful new building. All are welcome to stop in and offer a prayer.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the North Carolina Medical Ministry and other charities supported by the church.

LDS will present weekend film festival

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is holding a film festival over the weekend.

"Once Upon a Summer" will be shown on Friday, Nov. 20, and "The Letter" and "Errand of Angels" will be shown on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Show time is 7 p.m. with free popcorn. No admission charge and all are welcome.

The church is at 1050 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Holiday Craft Bazaar in Hillsborough

Hillsborough United Methodist Church, 130 W. Tryon St, will hold its second annual Holiday Craft Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 21, to benefit the Methodist Home for Children in Raleigh and the Campus Expansion Program at the Hillsborough church. The bazaar will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Most of the 12 vendors are church members and their families who have made handmade clothing for adults and children. Also baby gifts, Christmas decorations and ornaments, handmade holiday jewelry, handcrafted wooden toys, bowls and cutting boards. Knitted, crocheted and felted goods will also be available.

The United Methodist Men will be selling sausage biscuits and coffee and the youth group will sell hot chocolate and cider as well as hold their own bake sale event.

Class offers introduction to Buddhism

An introduction to Buddhism is offered on Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 9 p.m. during this month at the Piedmont KTC Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center, 109 Jones Creek Place, near Homestead Road and old N.C. 86.

Everyone is welcome and there are no prerequisites. The class is informal and designed for discussion with time for questions. A brief sitting meditation is included. A suggested donation for each class is $5. Call 968-9426 for further information.

Coffee blend benefits Habitat for Humanity

Coffee lovers, drink up. Habitat for Humanity has teamed up with Joe Van Gogh, a local certified organic coffee roaster who is offering "Home for the Holidays," a special blend, at its coffee shops on Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill and on Broad Street and Science Drive on the Duke campus in Durham. Ten percent of net profits from its sale will go to the local Habitat for Humanity.

Churches present community Thanksgiving

A Community Thanksgiving Service, hosted by churches of the North Chatham Faith Community, will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. at Perry Harrison School.

This will be the third annual service hosted by the churches, including Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian, Chatham Community, Evergreen United Methodist, Lystra Baptist, Mission Bautista Monte Carmelo, Mt. Gilead Baptist, Mt. Pleasant United Methodist and Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist.

In addition, non-perishable food will be collected for the Take and Eat Food Pantry Thanksgiving baskets.

After worship, a time of fellowship and refreshment will be held. Participants are asked to bring an appetizer to share. All are invited.

Take and Wear Closet open Saturday

The Take and Wear Clothes Closet at Lystra Baptist, a ministry of the North Chatham Faith Community, will be open Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. The closet provides free clothes to anyone who needs them. The closet is also accepting clothes, especially winter coats. Lystra is at 686 Lystra Road.