Kehillah Synagogue in Chapel Hill and Judea Reform in Durham are offering a program about the proposed constitutional amendment that would permanently ban same-sex unions in North Carolina.

Dr. Maxine Eichner, UNC law professor, and Barbara Fedders, a lawyer, will lead the presentation on the meaning of the proposed constitutional amendment and its potential effects on gay couples and non-married opposite sex couples.

The event, free and open to the public, is set for 10 to 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 5, at Kehillah Synagogue, 1200 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill.

On May 8, North Carolina voters will choose whether or not to add an amendment to the state constitution that would define marriage as between one man and one woman.

"Our Jewish tradition calls us to fight discrimination based on sexual orientation," said Rabbi Jennifer Feldman of Kehillah Synagogue. "That is why we are holding a special educational session on Judaism and the North Carolina proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. As committed Jews and concerned citizens of North Carolina, we must oppose this amendment."

"It is extremely important that North Carolina voters understand the broad effects that the amendment would have on families before they vote in May," said Eichner, the featured speaker. "The amendment could undermine a broad range of legal protections for committed but unmarried couples, including same-sex couples."

This program is intended to give community members the tools to speak with friends and family about the potential consequences of voter approval.

New lead minister

The Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Road in Durham, will install the Rev. Deborah Cayer as its fourth lead minister at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, in the sanctuary. Cayer was elected lead minister by an overwhelming majority vote of the congregation last June.

As part of Installation Weekend, a one-day conference titled "Transformations: Building a Multicultural Beloved Community," will convene at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, also on the Eno River campus.

Cayer came to Eno River as assistant minister for spiritual development after serving a dozen years as minister of the historic Unitarian Church in Sharon, Mass. She is a graduate of Smith College and Harvard Divinity School. She is married to Christopher Cayer. The couple has two grown daughters.

The denomination's Multicultural Congregations Program Coordinator, the Rev. Alicia R. Forde, will lead the conference on Saturday. It is open to Unitarian Universalists throughout the five-state Southeast District.

Local and visiting clergy will assist in Cayer's installation service. The Rev. Jeanne Pupke, senior minister of First Unitarian Church in Richmond, Va., will preach at the afternoon ceremony. Forde will preach at the 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. services. A procession of area clergy is part of the formal installation.

Eno River Fellowship was founded in 1966 with 42 members. Today its 550 members constitute one of the Unitarian Universalist Association's 37 medium-sized congregations.

The Eno River Fellowship includes members from Chapel Hill as well as the greater Triangle area.

Symposium

A symposium titled "Awakening the Dreamer - Changing the Dream" is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Binkley Baptist, 1712 Willow Drive.

The event is part of a worldwide initiative to inspire people to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on the planet.

Local volunteers with the Pachamama Alliance, a nonprofit organization, will lead the symposium. The hope is that the event will awaken participants to new ways to look at how the human family lives in the world and will inspire a new vision founded in a shared desire for justice and peace.

Interested persons are asked to register by calling or emailing Velma Ferrell, 919-493-2066 or velmamferrell@nc.rr.com.

The symposium that will meet in the church lounge is free, but those who are able may make a $10 donation.

Country breakfast

Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 2016 Mount Carmel Church Road, will hold its annual Country Breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4. The meal includes country ham, sausage, bacon, eggs, grits, stewed apples, biscuits, coffee and juice. Adults, $10; children younger than 12, $5. Eat in or take out. Call 919-933-8565 for information.

Winter Arts Festival

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian, 314 Great Ridge Parkway, is holding its Winter Arts Festival during February.

Following is the schedule of events, which all begin at 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 8: Traditional Irish and Appalachian Music by Little Windows (Julaub and Mark Weems), whose focus is on unaccompanied ballads. Their first recording "Just Beyond Me" was nominated for a Grammy and has been highlighted on NPR's radio show "The Thistle and Shamrock."

Sunday, Feb. 12: Vocal concert by Sara Womble, a magna cum laude graduate of Duke University in 2010, who wrote and performed an honors thesis and recital on the French songs of Franz Liszt.

Sunday, Feb. 19: Theatrical re-enactment by Kevin Shaw who will perform The Gospel of Matthew.

Sunday, Feb. 26: Avante, a contemporary vocal jazz group that includes eight accomplished singers who will give an a cappella program paying tribute to the greatest vocal jazz groups of this era.

All are invited to enjoy the talent and gifts of these accomplished performing artists from the community. There is no cost, but an offering will be received at each event.

Additional background information on the performers is on the church's website at citppc.org.

Support for moms

Amity United Methodist is offering a new MOM's Support Group and Bible Study for Chapel Hill and Carrboro mothers who are looking for intellectual conversation, spiritual renewal and nurture.

Pastor Tuck Taylor will led the group that will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays, beginning on Feb. 17.

Amity, 825 N. Estes Drive, bills itself as a welcoming congregation "regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, faith tradition or mental or physical disability."