Christ Church in Chapel Hill, through a partnership with Children's HopeChest, plans to send letters of support to children at a Russian orphanage in Slobodskoy.

The church will hold two letter-writing events in support of the project: one on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at 800 Market Street in Southern Village, and the other on May 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Cafe Carolina in Meadowmont.

Letters will be translated and delivered to the orphans, who are ages 5 to 15. This event is open to the community. Refreshments will be served.

First Baptist holds Joy Night for youth

First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill invites young people to "Rejoice in Your Youth" at Joy Night on May 16 at 7 p.m.

The spirit-filled evening will include dance, mime and music performed by youth from churches throughout the Triangle. Youth Christian Fellowship will sponsor the event.

For information, call 942-2552 or e-mail fbc1865@bellsouth.net. First Baptist is at 106 N. Roberson St.

Grace Camps set for summer

Grace Church's summer Grace Camps will offer children ages 5 to 18 activities in subjects including art, dance, sports, drama, photography and adventure.

Camps are Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided, and extended activity sessions for two hours before and after camp are available. Grace Camps are held at Grace Church of Chapel Hill, 200 Sage Road.

For information contact Adam Dawson at 968-4120 or by e-mail at gracecamps@gracelife.com, and see gracecamps.com.

Grace Church in Chapel Hill is a non-denominational church. Services are held Sundays at 9:15 and 11 a.m. For information on the church, staff or church activities, see www.gracelife.com.

Essay contest winners recognized

The Jewish Community Foundation of the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation will recognize the winners of this year's Holocaust Remembrance Essay Contest for local high school students Thursday at the Chapel Hill Kehillah, 1200 Mason Farm Road.

The winners will receive their prizes at this year's Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) event featuring Ilona Engel Fuchs, a Holocaust survivor. The event will be Thursday from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Ariel Mia Iarovici Katz of Durham Academy won first prize in the essay contest. Max Ramage of Durham Academy won second prize.

The Holocaust Remembrance Essay Contest is held annually for local high school students. The Jewish Community Foundation and the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation sponsor the Holocaust Essay Contest to inspire high school students to learn about the Holocaust and to think about the implications of it in their lives and their world.

Buddhist center offers teaching, meditation

The Kosala Buddhist Center in Carrboro offers Buddhist teachings, discussion and meditation with resident teacher Gen Tilopa from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

The April series focuses on the subject "Dealing With Anger." The May series will focus on "Faith Freedom and Spirituality."

Cost is $10. First class is free for newcomers. Kosala Center is at 711 W. Rosemary St. in Carrboro, above Carrburritos.

For information call 967-1861 or see www.meditationinchapelhill.org.

Orientation class offered at Binkley

Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Drive, holds regular worship services each Sunday at 11 a.m.

Church school precedes the worship, starting at 9:30 a.m. The Contemplative Prayer Group meets each Monday in the chapel at 9:15 a.m.

The church will offer an Orientation to Binkley class Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church library for anyone wishing to learn more about the programs, people and ministries. Binkley ministers and congregational leaders will offer information and answer questions. Refreshments will be provided. Anyone planning to attend should e-mail Denise Cumbee Long at denise@binkleychurch.org or call the church office at 942-4964.

For information, call 942-4964 or visit www.binkleychurch.org.

Advent Lutheran holds services, Bible classes

Advent Lutheran Church, 230 Erwin Road in Chapel Hill, holds Sunday service beginning at 10:25 a.m. and Bible classes for adults and children of all ages beginning at 9:05 a.m. All are welcome.

For information, call 968-7690 or go to www.adventlutheranch.org.

Services, events at United Church

Sunday worship services at the United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., are held at 8:45 and 11 a.m. The Chamber Singers will sing at both services.

Church School for all ages is at 10 a.m.

Iglesia Unida, Spanish language worship, will meet Sunday at 11 a.m. in the new Assembly Hall in the west wing of the building.

Aaron Nelson, head of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, will speak with the Sustainability Class on Sunday at 10 a.m. He will discuss on the Chamber's commitment to sustainability.

A lunch Sunday at noon will introduce Advocating for the Community Good, a new multi-racial, multi-faith, multi-congregational coalition advocating for social change in Orange County.

Sermon Shaping meetings are held every Wednesday at 7 a.m. in the library. One of the pastors leads a look at the lectionary texts for the next Sunday.

For information call 942-3540 or see www.unitedchurch.org.

Services, events at Chapel of the Cross

Sunday services at Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church, 304 E. Franklin St., will include Holy Eucharist at 7:30, 9 and 11:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. A service of Sung Compline will be held at 9:30 p.m. in the church.

A service of Holy Eucharist also will be held at 10 a.m. at Carolina Meadows Retirement Community

Brief services of Evening Prayer will be held in the chapel May 7 and May 9 at 5:15 p.m. Services of Holy Eucharist will be held in the chapel on May 7 at 10 a.m. and on May 8 at 5:15 p.m. The May 8 service will include a Rite of Healing.

Adult Education will begin in the chapel Sunday at 10:20 a.m. The proposed capital campaign, A Light on the Hill, will be the topic of discussion.

Parenting Class will meet Sunday at 10:20 a.m. in the student center. Officer Bryan Walker from the Chapel Hill Police Department will discuss safe and sensible use of the Internet.

The weekly Tuesday Morning Bible Study will meet Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in the parish library.

The Centering Prayer Group will meet May 7 at 5 p.m. in the parish house.

On May 10, Awakening Heart, a contemplative prayer support group, will meet at 9 a.m. in the student center. Anyone who has, or would like to develop, a listening prayer practice is invited.

Episcopal Campus Ministry will not meet on Tuesday because of exams.

The Young Adults Group meets for lunch most Sundays after the 11:15 a.m. service. The group also meets after the 9:30 p.m. Compline service on Sundays for refreshments at a Franklin Street restaurant.

A social hour follows the conclusion of the 11:15 a.m. service each Sunday.

See www.thechapelofthecross.org or call 929-2193.

Series studies meaning of Methodism

Sunday worship service at Amity United Methodist Church, 825 Estes Drive, is at 11 a.m. Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m.

The youth group meets Sundays at 5 p.m. and has Bible study on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Starbucks on Franklin Street.

For information, call 967-7546 or see amityumc.org.

Services, events at Unity Center

Sunday services at the Unity Center of Peace Church, 8800 Seawell School Road, are from 11 a.m. to noon. The Adult Forum precedes the service each Sunday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Mark Malachi facilitates Jewish Erev Shabbat services on the last Friday of each month. The service begins at 7:30 p.m. and includes chanting, Hebrew prayers and music.

A healing circle meets weekly on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Course in Miracles continues on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

Call 968-1854 or see www.unitychapelhill.org.