N.C. Council of Churches honors civil rights minister

The Rev. Vernon Tyson, interim pastor at Amity United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, was honored Tuesday by the North Carolina Council of Churches.

He was one of three people who received the 2008 Distinguished Service Award for leadership roles in working "sacrificially for the dignity and equality of all God's children and for the full inclusion of all in church and in society."

Tyson, well-known for his stance on civil rights, is a central figure in the book "Blood Done Sign My Name," written by his son Timothy Tyson, a visiting professor of American Christianity and Southern culture at Duke Divinity School. The autobiographical account recalls the 1970 murder of a black man, the unrest that followed the acquittal of three white suspects, and Vernon Tyson's ministry of reconciliation during that period.

"Blood Done Sign My Name" was selected by UNC for its Summer Reading Program in 2005, and has been chosen by numerous community reading programs across the state.

A movie version of the bestselling book is being filmed in Shelby.

Gastonia native Jeb Stuart, son of a minister himself and screenwriter of "Die Hard" and "The Fugitive," is writing, directing and producing the film.

Vernon Tyson's interim appointment at Amity ends next month. He will preach June 8, 15 and 22.

Amity United Methodist Church is at 825 N. Estes Drive. All are invited. For information, call 967-7546 or see amityumc.org.

Services, events set at Church of the Advocate

The Episcopal Church of the Advocate, 1200 Mason Farm Road, will celebrate Holy Eucharist Sunday at 5 p.m.

The Rev. Lisa Fischbeck, vicar of the Advocate, will be the celebrant and preacher. All are welcome and invited to join the congregation for a fellowship hour with refreshments following the service.

The Holy Eucharist also is celebrated each Wednesday at noon in downtown Carrboro.

The Advocate will present the second in a series of theological discussions called "Theology on Deck" on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at 403 W. Weaver Street in Carrboro.

The topic will be "Darwin Was an Anglican." The final session, on May 29, will address "Why Suffering?"

All are welcome. Tea will be served.

The Episcopal Church of the Advocate is new to Orange County.

For information, see www.ouradvocate.org.

Buddhist center offers 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.

The May series focuses on "Faith, Freedom and Spirituality." The June series will focus on the subject of "The Kadampa Buddhist Way of Life." Cost is $10. The first class is free for newcomers.

Kosala Center is at 711 W. Rosemary St. in Carrboro, above the Carrburritos restaurant.

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

Advent Lutheran holds Bible classes, services

Advent Lutheran Church, 230 Erwin Road in Chapel Hill, will begin it summer schedule this Sunday. Worship service will be at 10 a.m.

The Rev. John V. Benham III will be ordained and installed on June 1 at 3 p.m. A reception will follow. All are welcome.

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

Worship services 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. Susan Steinberg will preach Sunday. Her topic will be Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

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

United Church of Chapel Hill's annual beach retreat is this weekend at Sunset Beach.

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.

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

Adult forum, services planned 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.

Binkley Baptist will shift to summer schedule

Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Drive, will hold its last 11 a.m. worship service of the season on Sunday.

Starting June 1, the church will be on its summer schedule, with worship at 10 a.m. Church school, 11 a.m. worship and weekly choir rehearsals will resume in the fall.

The women of Binkley and Barbee's Chapel will meet May 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Binkley Fellowship Hall for an evening of supper, Bible study and fun.

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