The Charles M. Jones Peace and Justice Committee of The Community Church at Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist, will begin the 2008 Straley Series on Sunday.

The Straley Series is an annual series of social justice programs named for long-time community activists and church founders Joe and Lucy Straley.

The series will begin Sunday with a presentation on post-Katrina New Orleans. Several members of a Community Church team will discuss their experience going to New Orleans to assist in the recovery efforts.

The Straley Series will continue with the following programs:

• July 20, Environmental Earth Action Task Force. Members of the church's Environmental Action Task Force will talk about their vision, the 100 Ton Challenge and other steps they have already undertaken, and what others can do to address global warming and the challenge of saving our planet.
• July 27, Orange County Organizing Committee. Several members will discuss this new multi-faith community coalition.
• Aug. 3, The South in Black and White. Members will discuss local author and historian Tim Tyson's course, "The South in Black and White: Southern History, Culture, and Politics in the 20th Century."
• Aug. 10, Youth and Witness for Peace in Nicaragua. Church youth will discuss their experiences going to Nicaragua with Witness for Peace, a grassroots organization whose mission is "to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing U.S. policies and corporate practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean."

The Straley Series is open to the general public in the Community Building of The Community Church, 106 Purefoy Road.

Each session begins at 11:45 a.m. with a light lunch, speakers, questions and answers, and wraps up by 1:30 pm. Childcare will be provided, and donations to help cover lunch costs are invited. To register for childcare or for more information about the series, contact Lucy Lewis at llewis2001@earthlink.net or 929-5983, or Peggy Misch at msmisch@gmail.com or 942-5735.

Services, events at United Church

Sunday worship services at the United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., are at 8:45 and 11 a.m. Doug Zabor will play trumpet at both services.

Living Waters for All God's Children Vacation Bible School will begin Sunday at 10 a.m. This is the first of a four-Sunday series of events for children ages 3-11.

The Summer Adult Series will present "Integrating Your Spiritual and Work Lives" on Sunday at 10 a.m.

The Board of Justice, Outreach and Service and committee members for the Alternative Christmas Market scheduled in November will gather Sunday at 10 a.m. to begin planning for market.

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

The church softball team will play St. Thomas More on Sunday at 3:10 p.m. on Field 2.

Sermon Shaping meetings are held on Wednesdays at 7 a.m. in the library. One of the pastors leads a small group in looking at the lectionary texts for the next Sunday. Call 942-3540 or see www.unitedchurch.org.

Services, events at Binkley Baptist

Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Drive, holds summer worship each Sunday at 10 a.m. through August 31.

Congregational listening sessions will be held after worship Sunday and on July 27.

The next Souper Summer Supper intergenerational meal and fellowship will be July 16 at 5:45 p.m. Cost is $5. Call 942-4964 to register.

Jay Dunbar will teach three sessions of QiGong on Sunday mornings starting in mid-July. All are welcome. The sessions will begin at 9:20 a.m. and end at 9:50 so that everyone has time to move to the sanctuary for worship.

Meals on Wheels seeks volunteers to deliver lunchtime meals to homebound older adults and persons with disabilities. Volunteers check on the well-being of each recipient. Call Carol Nobles at 942-2948.

Lystra program provides clothing

Lystra Baptist Church, 686 Lystra Road in Chatham County, has started an outreach ministry to help clothe those in need.

The Take and Wear Clothes Closet provides clothing free of charge to Chatham County residents in need. People who use the service must be referred by the Take and Eat food pantry at Evergreen Church, CORA, Social Services, local churches or other approved agencies.

The program relies solely on donations from individuals, churches and organizations. Donations are welcome. Call (919) 370-3585.

Services, events at Chapel of the Cross

Services of Holy Eucharist at the Chapel of the Cross, 304 E. Franklin St., will be held Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Brief services of Evening Prayer will be held in the chapel Monday and Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.

A service of Holy Eucharist will be held at 4 p.m. at Carol Woods Retirement Community. This service is open to all members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community and is not limited to residents of Carolina Meadows.

The service of Sung Compline is not held during the summer term. Chanted in its entirety by a choir, the ancient monastic service is offered at 9:30 p.m. each Sunday during fall and spring university terms. It will resume on Aug. 24.

The regular schedule of services at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 5:15 p.m. will resume on Aug. 24.

The Centering Prayer Group meets on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in the parish house.

The Chapel of the Cross will offer a three-day training program for people interested in the Godly Play storytelling method. The program is scheduled for Sept. 11-13. Contact Boykin Bell at bbell@thechapelofthecross.org for information or to register.

The Young Adults Group, a joint ministry with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, meets most Fridays at the Carolina Inn for Bluegrass on the Lawn. Contact John Derrick at jderrick@alumni.unc.edu.

There are several openings in the senior choir. For information or to schedule an audition, contact organist and choirmaster Wylie S. Quinn at vquinn@thechapelofthecross.org.

The parish is seeking a director for the Cantus Choir, the introductory choir for 1st- and 2nd-grade children. For information contact organist and choirmaster Wylie S. Quinn at vquinn@thechapelofthecross.org. For information on church services and events, call 929-2193 or see www.thechapelofthecross.org/.

Tutoring offered at Bible Church

Free tutoring will be offered this month at Chapel Hill Bible Church, 260 Erwin Road.

Monday Math and Wednesday Wisdom (reading) will be held every week this month from 7 to 8 p.m.

Elementary and middle school ages are welcome. For information, e-mail crissie@biblechurch.org.

Services, classes at Amity UMC

The Rev. Tuck Taylor Bounds leads worship at Amity United Methodist Church, 825 Estes Dr., Sundays at 11 a.m.

Sunday school for all ages is at 9:45 a.m.

Children are studying the "Way of the Child" curriculum. Adult Bible Study is discussing "Images of Christ."

Bible study also is offered on Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in a private home. The current class is "Changes that Heal: How to Understand Your Past to Ensure a Healthier Future."

Call 967-7546 for directions. or see amityumc.org.

Services, events at the Advocate

The Episcopal Church of the Advocate celebrates Holy Eucharist each Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Kehillah, 1200 Mason Farm Road. A fellowship hour follows the service.

Other activities include a moms-and-tots get-together on Wednesdays; Theology on Deck, a series of lively theological discussions; and Alternative, an inclusive Christian fellowship group for graduate students and young adults (ages 22-35) in the Chapel Hill area. See www.ouradvocate.org.

Buddhist center teaching, meditation

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

Cost is $10. First class is free for newcomers.

Kosala Center is at 711 West Rosemary Street in Carrboro, above the Carrburritos restaurant.

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

Advent Lutheran classes, services

= Advent Lutheran Church, 230 Erwin Road in Chapel Hill, is on its summer schedule. Worship service will be at 10 a.m. Call 968-7690 or go to www.adventlutheranch.org.