During the season of Pentecost, the Chapel of the Cross, 304 E. Franklin St., is observing a liturgical Creation Cycle each Sunday from Sept. 13 through Oct. 11 from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

The purpose of the observance is "to affirm God's creation and understanding environmental stewardship of ecological justice." Sessions will include:

•Sept. 13: Dr. Norm Christiansen, founding dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke University, will speak on the history of the development of ecosystems and the human role in them.

•Sept. 20: Dr. Wylie S. Quinn III, organist and choirmaster at Chapel of the Cross, will focus on Haydn's interpretation of the Genesis account.

•Sept. 27: Parishioner Anne Ehringhaus, a doctor of ministry, will present Matthew Fox's four paths to spirituality.

•Oct. 4: Gretchen Jordan, director of Christian Formation at the Chapel of the Cross, will introduce in the church courtyard, the works of Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century prophetess of commanding spiritual authority.

•Oct. 11: The Rev. David Frazelle, associate for parish ministry, will summarize the learnings from this series of presentations.

For further information, contact Linda Rimer, chair of the parish's Environmental Stewardship Committee at 929-7076 or lbrimer@bellsouth.net.

Churches work to feed the hungry

Two local churches have announced participation in Stop Hunger Now events.

Advent Lutheran Church, 230 Erwin Road, is inviting members and friends to help package 10,000 meals for hungry people around the world on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers will scoop rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins into small meal packages. These will be sent around the world to people suffering from hunger.

All ages can participate.

Carrboro United Methodist, 200 Hillsborough Road, will hold a Stop Hunger Now event Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon.

This is the second year the church has done this project, during which 10,000 meals were packaged each time. Everyone is invited.

Stop Hunger Now, a Raleigh-based international hunger relief agency, works with international partners to distribute meals through school feeding programs in hunger-stricken regions.

Church hall showcases congregants' artwork

The long hall in the worship center at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 227 E. Rosemary St., has become a showcase for church members' artwork.

The first show featured oil and wax paintings on board by Shelly Hehenberger, who was a fine arts major in college. Three of her murals now hang in the sanctuary, and four more will be added as she completes them.

Photographs by Roy Lindholm are now hanging in the hall. They will be there until the end of September.

The next show at the church will begin Oct. 1 and will present a variety of quilts made by the women of the church.

Visitors can see the artwork before or immediately after Sunday worship at 8:30 and 11 a.m., or Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only. Call the church office at 942-2678.

Church construction project proceeds

The second phase of a construction project at St. Thomas More Church is well under way. The work includes a Parish Center with social hall, offices and meeting rooms, new art and music building, gymnasium, athletic fields and additional parking.

Because of congestion on the construction site, the church is asking folks to do as much church and school-related business as possible online, over the phone or via snail mail.

The Web address for the church is st-thomasmore.org and for the school is school.st-thomasmore.org. Church phone number is 942-1040. Upper School phone is 929-2241 and Lower School phone is 929-1546.

Concert to feature Renaissance organ

Dr. Daniel Steinert, director of music at Christ United Methodist Church, will perform on the church's Allen 3-manual Renaissance organ on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. The church is at 800 Market St. in Southern Village.

A reception will follow the performance, which will dedicate to the glory of God the additions of the antiphonal division to the organ and will mark the 10th anniversary of its installation.

The Chancel Choir, the Belltones Handbell Choir and brass will participate, along with Loren Miller, trombone and cymbals and Phillip Pitner, trumpet.

The event will include the debut of 10-year-old organist Michael Bennett and an organ/piano duet with Jo Anne West and Carol Martin. The public is invited.

Chatham churches work on Habitat house

Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church in North Chatham will participate in a work day on the Chatham Habitat for Humanity's Faith Works house in Pittsboro on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chapel in the Pines is in partnership with Lystra Baptist, Mt. Zion Baptist, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal, Pittsboro United Methodist, Pittsboro Presbyterian, Christ Church United Methodist, Church of the Holy Family, Chatham Community Church, Church of Reconciliation, Ebenezer United Methodist and Connections Church of Apex and Cary. They are working on the Faith Works house as well as four others.

Anyone interested in helping should call Bill Dengler at 542-3035.

Binkley event launches class series

Launch Sunday on Sept. 13 at Binkley Baptist, 1712 Willow Drive, will include offerings for children and youth as well as courses for adults.

Church school classes meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Worship begins at 11 a.m.

Adult course offerings include "Coffee and Conversation" in which people of faith will be challenged to wonder about what it means to know and be known. Other adult courses include:

•"The Journey of Your Soul," in which participants will consider issues and questions about God, Jesus, human relationships, death, guides, evil, prayer, suffering, illness and health and conflict.

•"Doing Justice: The World as it is and the World as it should be." Speakers active in social justice issues will share their vision and provide class members new ways to live out their faith.

•"Palmer-Coble Bible Study:" This year-long class is for people who wish to explore Scripture seriously.

Further information is available by calling the church at 942-4964 or at office@binkleychurch.org.

New Salem holds Back to Church event

New Salem Church, 5030 Old Graham Road, Pittsboro, is holding a Back to Church Sunday on Sept. 13.

Fall services, ministries and programs are planned for those who have never been to church, for those who have attended all their life, for those going solo and for those who come as a family.

Sunday worship is at 11 a.m. with a nursery for infants and toddlers and King's Kids for children ages 3 to 11.

Call the church at 542-4832.

Ordination services to be held Sunday

Aleese Moore Orbih will be ordained on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 3 p.m. at United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. She serves at the Durham office of the Faith Trust Institute.

The Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune, founder of Faith Trust Institute, will preach. Fortune was one of the pioneers in exposing the religious roots of sexual and domestic violence and in mobilizing religious resources to prevent or heal sexual and domestic violence.

All are welcome to attend.