The annual book and plant sale coming up on Saturday, May 2, at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will feature not only thousands of used books (more than 4,000 in years past) donated by the congregation to its annual fundraising event, but also a unique publication of its own -- "The Eno River Literary Journal."

The Journal was founded seven years ago by Linda Brooks, former church librarian who now teaches "Prompt Writing" at the fellowship. Brooks handed off the Journal a couple of years ago to Ceil Cleveland, a relative newcomer to Durham.

"I had just volunteered to be on the editorial board when I came here four years ago, and sure 'nuff, the whole thing was dumped in my lap. Happy lap!" said Cleveland this week. "I really love convincing people they can write."

It's Cleveland you will see wearing a "YOU ARE A WRITER" sandwich board around the churchyard between services. She volunteers to read their stuff, make suggestions, and put it all together. This transplanted New Yorker has found a niche she just loves right here in the Eno River congregation.

This year's editorial board -- which includes Cleveland, David Halperin, Lucy Sayre, LaVerne Coan and Ted Fiske -- has selected 40 pieces of work for the 2009 Journal.

"All have published work, fiction or non-fiction, and most of us have taught writing," Cleveland said. "Mostly, we have fun together in helping budding or hidden talent feel recognized and appreciated."

The sale on May 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be preceded by a preview party set for Friday, May 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

So far, seven of the writers have volunteered to read during the preview party. They are Caperton Andersson, Amy Rossi, John Dinyari, Gerda Presson, Robert Walker, Coan and Halperin. If needed, Cleveland said she will read, but that others will probably volunteer as the time nears.

Subjects and voices are just as varied as the writers and members of this large congregation on Garrett Road. Some have published while others are "sweetly and timidly" putting their work out there for the first time, Cleveland said.

This year's categories include Identity, Living With Kids, Relative Lives (living with relatives), The Wonder of Words, Memories, Romantic Love, Nature and Spirit, Stories and Chuckles.

"We have everything from sonnets and translations from French poets (Rilke and Beaudelaire), to working at the phone bank during election, to kids' misbehaviors in a public restroom to Googling a Cheese Sandwich," Cleveland said.

This year, Jo Bouler helped Cleveland with the layout and formatting of the publication.

"As you can tell, this is just a heck of a lot of fun, and certainly a good way for a relative newcomer to learn the hearts and minds of her fellow churchgoers," Cleveland said.

Plans are to publish 200 copies this year. The Journal is self-sustaining with the budget coming from the previous year's sales. In previous years issues sold for $2, but that may be increasing to $3 this year, said the editor.

"This is a very 'inside' publication," she said. "All of us love to write and none of us loves to sell, so we just accost our friends and families and fellow parishioners. There is really a lot of talent here; read the story of the soldier who was wounded in World War II or the story of a man who elected to be a woman."

Cleveland and her husband, Jerrold K. Footlick, a former senior editor of Newsweek, both took early retirement to move to Durham not quite five years ago.

Since the '70s, she's been a university writer, editor, professor and administrator. She's published bunches of stuff in magazines and newspapers and is the author of seven books, fiction, memoir, nonfiction, books on language and writing.

Right now she's whooping it up about the upcoming book sale at Eno River.

"If you're a bibliophile, come and feed your illness," she said. "You'll love it; you'll be smarter and you will help a worthy cause, food and clothing for the homeless, actual homes for the homeless, activities for restless young people, equality and justice for all.

Church will celebrate its 51st anniversary

Amity United Methodist Church, 825 N. Estes Dr., will celebrate the 51st anniversary of its founding on Sunday, April 26. A potluck fellowship meal in the Heiser Fellowship Hall will follow the 11 a.m. worship service. All visitors are warmly invited.

Sunday worship, including Children's Church during the service, begins at 11 a.m. Nursery care is provided. Amity is a warm, diverse, inclusive congregation with programs for all ages.

To learn more, see amityumc.org or call 967-7546.

Church to celebrate homecoming

Lystra Baptist Church will celebrate homecoming on Sunday, April 26. The speaker will be the Rev. David Crabtree, a news anchor for WRAL-TV and a vocational deacon in the Episcopal Church.

The service will begin at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a potluck lunch. The community is invited.

Lystra Baptist is located at 686 Lystra Road, off U.S. 15-501 near Chatham Crossing. The pastor is the Rev. Virginia Taylor.

The Take & Wear Clothes Closet at the church will be open today, April 22, from 7 to 8 p.m. Free clothing for adults and children will be available. Visitors to the closet should enter through the white door on the right hand side of the church building.

Please let us know what's going on in your church or faith group, so we can share your news with our readers. E-mail news and announcements to Flo Johnston at fjohnston3@nc.rr.com.

FAITH IN FOCUS

Flo Johnston