It was only a tile that fell from the ceiling of Duke Chapel in mid-July (no one was hurt) , but the happening created a Henny-Penny moment for the chapel staff.

Maybe the sky isn't a-going to fall and maybe the ceiling isn't either, but it never hurts to err on the side of caution.

The area from which the tile dislodged, some 73 feet above the pews in the sanctuary of the great Gothic church on the campus of Duke University, is now being stabilized, work that requires scaffolding.

The chapel announced this week that after this work is completed, the chapel will be closed for more complete inspection work.

“The inspection is largely precautionary,” said Christy Lohr Sapp, the chapel's associate dean for religious life.

Inspection will begin on Monday, Sept. 10, and the chapel will be closed for nine days. Sunday worship on Sept. 16 will be moved outdoors to the chapel lawn, with Page Auditorium as the backup in case of rain.

The organ recital by David Arcus scheduled for Sept. 16, has been canceled and rescheduled for Jan. 27 of next year. Fortunately, no weddings had been scheduled in the chapel during the time it will be closed.

Several high-profile events will still be held in the chapel before the closing, however. These include University Convocation on Aug. 22 and an orientation speech by author Maya Angelou on Aug. 26.

The chapel ceiling is inspected regularly, according to the associate dean, but has never had an extensive renovation.

“The Architecture of Duke University” says the chapel was planned in 1923, the cornerstone laid on Oct. 10, 1930, and first used for commencement in 1932. Its formal dedication was on June 2, 1935.

In a related matter, the new Duke Chapel Dean, the Rev. Dr. Luke Powery, has already arrived in Durham and is looking for housing. He begins work on Sept. 1, and will preach for the first time at Sunday worship on Sept. 9.

Dates and plans for his formal welcome and installation are now in the planning stage, according to the associate dean, but will not be completed until after Dean Powery joins the staff.

Programs offered on memory loss

Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Family Services is offering two unique programs for individuals who are experiencing memory loss.

The first is Memory Cafe that meets the first Thursday of the month from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Based on a model in England, the Cafe is a place for individuals with memory challenges to connect and drop by for activities, cafe snacks and beverages.

The second is a support group, beginning in the fall, for people with new diagnoses of early stage Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers, offered in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern North Carolina.

Led by trained mental health professionals from the Alzheimer's Association, the program will meet for three hours once a week for eight weeks, longer if the group chooses.

Topics will include practical and proven advice from legal, medical and other visiting professionals as well as emotional support strategies.

Each week will include time for individuals with Alzheimer's to meet as a group, time for caregivers to meet and a time for everyone to meet together.

Both of these programs are free and offered at the Levin Jewish Community Center, 1937 Cornwallis Road in Durham.

Contact Margaret McWilliams for information at 919-354-4923 or mmcwilliams@shalomdch.org.

Mt. Zion holds Revival services

Annual Revival Services will begin today and continue through Friday at Mt. Zion AME Church, 5124 NC 86 north in Hillsborough.

Speakers are the Rev. Rufus Johnson of Union Grove Baptist tonight; the Rev. Daisy Long of St. Matthews AME Church on Thursday; and the Rev. Vaughan Brayboy of Orange Cross Roads Baptist on Friday.

Services begin each night at 7.

Take and Wear Clothes Closet open

The Take and Wear Clothes Closet at Lystra Baptist will be open Saturday, Aug. 25, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Anyone needing clothes is welcome. Each family can get two bags of clothes and everything is free.

There is no advantage to arriving before 8:45 a.m. because numbers are drawn to determine the order in which people may shop.

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

Campus ministry welcomes new pastor

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Campus Ministry, located on Rosemary Street in downtown Chapel Hill, has a new parish pastor, the Rev. William N. Rose III, who joins the Rev. Mark A. Coulter, campus ministry pastor.

The new pastor brings strengths in building community, interpreting theology, preaching and worship, pastoral care and visitation and teaching.

“I love being a parish pastor working with all age groups, “ Pastor Rose said. “I feel called to help the people grow in their faith and in using their gifts together to put God's kingdom into practice.”

He previously served as pastor of Christus Victor in Columbia, S.C. He has also served at the University of South Carolina, Advent Lutheran in Boca Raton, Fla., and St. David Lutheran in West Columbia.

Pastor Rose grew up in Wilmington and graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 1985. He received his Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 2000. He enjoys surfing, golf, reading and collecting comic books, along with traveling and spending time with his family. He and his wife Cindy have two daughters.

The pace at Holy Trinity picks up in August as college students return and the program year begins. This year Rally Day will be Sunday, Aug. 26, when people of all ages are welcome to check out the new Sunday School offerings.

On that Sunday Pastor Rose will lead an adult forum and a Q&A on Lutheran theology and Christian education.

Starting on Sept. 9, adult Sunday School classes include a Bible study on the book of Genesis, a parent support group and a class discussing the congregation's summer reading list books, “168 Hours, You Have More Time Than You Think” by Laura Vanderkam and “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Jewish congregation holds open house

An Open House for a secular, intercultural Jewish community is set for Sunday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Murphey Hall on the UNC Campus.

Kol Haskalah: A Humanistic Jewish Congregation has a twice-monthly Sunday School leading to B'nai Mitzvah, High Holiday and Shabbat celebrations and welcomes interfaith families.

Learn more about membership and the congregation's philosophy by attending the Open House or at kolhaskalah.org or by calling 919-968-7888.