The Moravian Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Christ the King Church on Hope Valley Road in Durham will be held in the multipurpose room of the church's new education wing and will include all the things people have come to expect.

Christ the King is the only Moravian congregation in Durham and Orange counties and serves members in Chapel Hill as well as the Durham area.

Chicken pies are one of the items people expect at this bazaar. In fact, they are essential to its success, according to Ginger Ehmann, who chairs the event.

"Many patrons come just to purchase chicken pies and leave with much more," she said. "We know that some patrons look forward to the bazaar with anticipation so they can refill their freezers with much-loved Moravian chicken pies. Our pies are distinctly Moravian, filled with chicken and broth only, no vegetables. Moravian bazaars all over North Carolina and Pennsylvania will all feature chicken pies as their top item."

The bazaar opens its doors at 9 a.m., but some years, pies have been sold out in the first 30 minutes.

"We do recommend that patrons desiring chicken pies arrive no later than 9 a.m., just in case," Ehmann said.

But, hey, chicken pies are just part of the fun for foodies at this bazaar. All the Moravian sugar cakes (just like main lining sugar!) and other baked goods are made by women in the congregation.

Other food items will include peanut butter balls, coconut balls, Oreo truffles, cakes, pies and breads.

New craft items this year will include Moravian themed mini-table top trees, girl's jewelry organizers, college themed table top trees (UNC, Duke, N.C. State) and handmade soaps.

Other items include Moravian Stars (both the very large ones for outdoor decorating and tree toppers), ornaments, knitted scarves, afghans and ponchos, felted wool handbags, folded paper Moravian star ornament, 10-inch beeswax candles and small trimmed beeswax candles with holders.

Normally, the bazaar grosses between $13,000 and $15,000, with proceeds used in various ways, including the women's ministries at the church and donations to Meals on Wheels, Senior PharmAssist and the Durham Rescue Mission.

The church's mission committee determines where the money will be donated each year.

Pastor Frank Venable said that representatives from Moravian churches in Kernersville, Wilmington and Raleigh will be on hand for the bazaar and will meet with representatives from Christ the King during the afternoon to plan for ways in which the four congregations can be involved in ministry together.

Women's group holds holiday boutique

The women of Advent Lutheran, 230 Erwin Road, will hold a Treats & Treasures Holiday Boutique from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.

Tea, coffee, and breakfast sweets will be available to purchase individually or packaged to take home. Handmade items include cards, tags, bags, stationery, floral arrangements, jewelry and stocking stuffers, to name a few.

Proceeds will benefit Abundant Joy Center for Women's Ministry, a new ministry.

The center will help women 18 and older in crisis as well as with healing issues. Trained volunteer peer counselors will provide support one on one, in support groups and through Bible studies. This is a faith-based ministry and will be located in Chapel Hill.

'Come to the Table'

links food and faith

A church cookbook is not an unusual publication, but a cookbook connecting food and the life of faith is unique.

"Come to the Table," published last year by the Congregation at Duke Chapel, not only features recipes, but also graces and essays contributed by members of the Duke Chapel community.

The essays are written by theologians and practitioners who connect "table" topics such as saying grace and offering hospitality, to the life of faith within the Christian tradition.

If you're shopping for presents at this time of year, here's a book to consider.

They are available for $15 by calling 684-3917 or by emailing the Rev. Bruce Puckett at bruce.puckett@duke.edu.

Books may be picked up in person at the church office or may be shipped for an extra fee.

Radio show benefits housing group

In the tradition of the Grand Ole Opry and Prairie Home Companion, the upcoming Murphey School Radio Show on Saturday, Nov. 12, will feature performances, comedy and readings by local musicians and writers. The show is a benefit for Housing for New Hope.

Triangle favorites including Lee Smith and Frank Stasio will join an all-North Carolina troupe, including Housing for New Hope's Terry Allebaugh on harmonica, for this old-time variety show.

The show, which begins at 2 p.m., will be in the auditorium of the recently restored historic school in rural Orange County. Seating is limited to 150 and tickets are $50. The school is located at 3717 Murphey School Road.

Tickets are available online at info@housingfornewhope.org.

Program marks World Community Day

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Church Women United will mark World Community Day on Friday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph CME Church, 510 W. Rosemary St.

The worship program will be presented by the women of Mount Carmel Baptist Church on the theme "Living Our Faith."

All women are invited to attend this celebration.