Every year, thousands of children go back to school in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, ready to learn and grow. While many children and families eagerly shop for the new school year, others cannot afford the basic supplies they need to get started.

For the ninth consecutive year, University United Methodist, 150 E. Franklin St., will hold a school supply drive to help local children in need begin the school year with new backpacks full of school supplies.

UUMC is once again partnering with Operation New Life, Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project, the Chapel Hill Police Department and the Department of Social Services to provide children with basic supplies through “The Golden Rule Rally.”

Specific shopping lists for each grade can be found on the church website www.chapelhilluumc.org. Click on the “summer” button on the home page for school supply lists and more information.

Supplies will be collected at the church through Sunday, Aug. 12. Peolple can bring backpacks full of supplies to the church office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Financial contributions designated for school supplies are also welcome. Make checks payable to UUMC and note “school supplies.” All donations will help benefit local school children in need.

Southern gospel concert set

Mount Carmel Baptist Church will host the seventh annual Down Home at Mount Carmel Concert, a celebration of Southern Gospel music on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 4 p.m.

This year's event will feature the 40-voice Mount Carmel Choir and a variety of vocal ensembles.

Soloists are Brittany Royster, Timothy Carnes, Will Hendrick and Keith Henderson.

Other performers include solo hand bells specialist Catherine Diggs and pianist Chiayu Hsu. Supporting accompaniment will be provided by bassist Peter Kimosh, percussionist Stephen Coffman and guitarist Mike Bisdee. Davis Bingham, minister of music is the musical director and host.

Selections included on the program are favorites such as “The Old Country Church,” “Don't You Wanna Go Home,” “It Is No Secret,” “Ride That Chariot,” “I Will Meet You in the Morning,” “Mansion over the Hilltop” and “We Have Heard the Joyful Sound.”

Homemade ice cream will be served after the program. Trained adults will provide nursery care for children, birth through age 4.

The church is located at 2016 Mt. Carmel Church Road. The Rev. Dr. Dennis Hill is the pastor.

There is no admission charge and the public is invited.

Church starts new Sunday school course

Also, Mount Carmel has announced a new Sunday school course of study for youth and their parents beginning in August and under the direction of Barrett Freeman, minister of children, youth and young adults.

“The study combines teens and their parents and calls them to explore case studies, with Scripture as the compass,” Freeman said.

The goal, he said, is to renew Christian families.

“Teens get the chance to express themselves with the confidence that comes from being a group. Families will learn from families. Together, as a community, as the body of Christ, we will be stronger,” said Freeman, who sees changing technology as just a new look for old concepts.

“This study will peel back the new look and expose the same old issues and together we will make sure that the Gospel message gets in,” he said.

Sunday School at Mount Carmel begins at 9:30 a.m. with an opening assembly followed by classes at 9:45 a.m.

Seminar explores spirituality and health

Duke University's Center for Spirituality is holding a five-day seminar Aug. 13-17 to inform people about how religious or spiritual beliefs are related to emotional well-being and physical health.

The seminars include lectures by Duke researchers who have worked in the area of spirituality and health for more than 25 years. Lectures will include plenty of time for questions and discussion.

These seminars have been given all over the United States and around the world, including Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brazil and New Zealand.

Although the primary focus is on teaching students, researchers and academic professionals about this area, many of the participants over the past eight years have been people from the community without academic backgrounds or training who simply were interested in spirituality and health.

The tuition for those in the Triangle area who wish to attend but do not want individual mentorship, is $300. More information is available at spiritualityheaklthworkshops.org.

Dr. Harold Koenig is the director of Duke's Center for Spirituality.

Binkley yard sale Aug. 4

Starting on Saturday, Aug. 4, Binkley Baptist, 1712 Willow Drive, will begin receiving donations of goods for the big yard sale on Saturday, Aug. 18 sponsored by Binkley and Barbee's Chapel.

The drop-off period will last through Aug. 17, the day before the sale. Signs at the entrance to the church driveways will direct folks to the drop-off point. Volunteers will be there to help unload.

If you have furniture or other items too large for your vehicle, call the Binkley Yard Sale hotline at 919-830-5419. A volunteer will come to your home or business to pick up your donation.

This is not a consignment sale, but one in which donated goods will be sold with proceeds benefiting church projects. Those who make donations will be given a receipt that can be used to claim an income tax deduction.