Quiet Care, a small group of women at University United Methodist on East Franklin Street, will be honored on Friday, June 17, as the Burlington District's Lay Ministry of the Year during the annual Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting today through Saturday in Raleigh.

Madeline Sparrow, Marilyn Smith and Nan Babcock are leaders of the group, which has been serving others and building Christian community since 1998, when they began their ministry to provide quiet loving care to home-bound church members.

"The vision of 'Quiet Care' illustrates the power of laity in ministry to the world," said the Rev. Carl King, pastor.

The women assemble small floral arrangements from the flowers that are on the altar on Sunday mornings and deliver them, along with joy, kind words and hugs, to persons who are grieving, recovering from illness or are otherwise confined to their homes.

In addition to weekly visits, each month Quiet Care members send notes to church members with a spiritually uplifting poem written by Madeline's sister, Pansy Dodson. Along with the poem is attached a "hug coupon," redeemable whenever needed.

At Christmas, Quiet Care sends small poinsettias to everyone on their care list. This lay ministry also hosts receptions for families after memorial services at the church.

"My favorite part is going into visits and seeing someone smile," Madeline said. "A lot of them expect to get that hug before we leave."

Quiet Care sends out more than 200 copies of the inspirational poem each month, with recipients scattered throughout the country and in Canada. The hug coupons, Madeline said, are not only to be redeemed at any time, but are intended to be passed along.

"In 2010, the Quiet Care ministry sent 171 cards of joy or sympathy, mailed 819 monthly greetings, delivered 51 Christmas poinsettias, hosted seven memorial receptions and made 188 home visits," said the pastor. "To do all this, Quiet Care members traveled 1,482 miles, all in the footsteps of Jesus."

Gentle Holy Yoga classes set to begin

Celebration Assembly of God, 114 Weaver Dairy Road, is opening its doors to the community for Gentle Holy Yoga classes, beginning Thursday, June 30, from 7 to 8 p.m.

The classes include relaxation techniques, gentle stretching and twisting and beginning yoga poses. It is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels.

Holy Yoga is a Christian ministry that uses Bible passages, contemporary Christian music and traditional yoga poses.

The cost is $5. Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat if possible. Clare Bauer will lead the classes.

Contact Pastor Mike Cureton at 968-3455 for more information. All are welcome.

Graedons to lead health event

Joe and Terry Graedon of WUNC's "The People's Pharmacy," will lead a Triangle-wide event called "Making sense out of Confusing Health Headlines" on Sunday, June 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Levin Jewish Community Center, 1937 W. Cornwallis Road in Durham.

The event is free for seniors and JCC members and is $5 for others. All who attend will be entered in a raffle drawing.

The Graedons will help clarify recent, confusing health headlines such as "Calcium is food for the bones" and "Calcium causes heart attacks," or "Hormones are healthy" and "Hormones cause cancer." The Graedons will help folks learn to make informed, healthy choices, and there will be time to ask questions.

Reserve a spot by June 22 by going to www.shalomdch.org/Graedons or by calling Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Family Services at 489-5335.

Clothes closet will be open Saturday

The Take and Wear Clothes Closet at Lystra Baptist Church will be open Saturday, June 18, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Anyone needing clothes is welcome. There is no advantage in arriving before 8:45 a.m., because numbers are drawn to determine the order in which people shop. Each family can get two bags of clothes and everything is free.

The church is located at 686 Lystra Road, off US 15-501.