Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Garrett Road in Durham has just completed a capital campaign to raise $1 million to pay off its debt.

The four-month campaign ended in January and reflects commitments from its congregation to be paid during the coming four years.

This decision to pay off and refinance part of its mortgage will be reflected in the fellowship's budget and will enable the congregation to continue to do long-term social outreach through projects such as Urban Ministries of Durham, North Carolina Farm Workers, a sister community in Nicaragua and issues surrounding immigration.

"We support attempts to improve immigration policies so they are more realistic," said Ross McKinney, chair of the board of trustees.

One of the new justice projects on Eno's drawing board is strong opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment that would make same-sex marriages against the law.

The proposed amendment is on the ballot for the May 8 primary.

"We see this as a violation of human rights, and we strongly oppose it," McKinney said.

Eno River has 550 members and serves primarily Durham and Chapel Hill.

World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer will be observed in Chapel Hill and Carrboro at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 2.

The host church is O'Bryant Chapel AME Zion, 509 Chapel St.

The program, "Let Justice Prevail," was written by the Christian women of Malaysia, who based it on their experience in a multicultural, multi-religious society.

World Day of Prayer brings together Christian women of diverse backgrounds to meet and pray together for issues of particular interest to women, including promoting justice, peace and nonviolence and empowering women and children who are at risk of abuse and abandonment.

The event is sponsored by Church Women United.

In Hillsborough, more than 25 area churches will take part in the service at First Community Baptist Church, 509 Eno St., at noon. Lunch will be served after the service.

Sue Faulkner has directed this event since the death of her mother, Anne Salomon, in 1991. Anne was involved with the World Day of Prayer for 25 years, beginning it in Hillsborough in 1979 along with the late Rev. Herman Ward Jr.

Buddhist day course

Kosala Buddhist Center is offering a day course with Gen Kelsang Tilopa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

An important aspect of Buddhist practice is known as lojong (training the mind). The essence of lojong is learning to look at whatever we encounter in a new way and use it to our advantage. With a slight mental shift, even the most adverse conditions can be transformed into steps along the spiritual path.

In the day course, Gen Tilopa will focus on transforming adverse conditions by using practical techniques for effectively dealing with them.

The workshop will be held at the Buddhist Center at 711 Rosemary St., Carrboro, located above Carrburitos.

The cost is $25. No pre-registration is necessary.

Visit www.MeidtationInChapelHill.org or call 537-9546 for more information.

Joint worship service

University United Methodist, 150 E. Franklin St., and Amity United Methodist, 825 N. Estes Drive, will join together in worship today for Ash Wednesday worship.

A 2 p.m. service will be held in the chapel at University and a 7 p.m. service will be held at Amity.

"For several years now we have offered services for the Chapel Hill community together on Ash Wednesday," said the Rev. Carl King, senior pastor at University. "We invite the community to gather for worship at either service."

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a season of reflection and repentance that will end April 7, the day before Easter.

Organ concert Friday

Organist Alexander Anderson will present a concert titled "Passing Down Genius" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Anderson's program will include Bach's Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major and Liszt's homage to Bach, the Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H.

As a recitalist, Anderson has performed extensively in the United States and Europe. He lives in Carrboro with his wife, Jenny, who is director of music at United Church.

This program is one in a series of concerts at United Church.

Donations in support of the church's music outreach are suggested.

Subsequent concerts are set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17, with a program titled "Saint Patrick Meets Mozart" and a final concert in the series at 8 p.m. Friday, May 18, titled "Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs."

Program highlights will include anthems to be performed on the Chancel Choir's tour to Scotland in June, including Monteverdi's Beatus Vir (Psalm 112) and Telemann's Laudate Jehovam (Psalm 117).