This year's celebration will feature the 32-voice Mount Carmel Choir and a variety of vocal ensembles.

Soloists are Walter Barton and Keith Henderson.

Other performers include solo hand bells specialist Catherine Diggs and pianist Christina Ryu.

Supporting accompaniment will be provided by Jim McConnell, acoustic bass, and James Anderson on the drums.

The event celebrates an element of worship that was part of the life of the church for generations.

"Although Southern gospel is no longer a regular part of Mt. Carmel's services, it was an important component of its worship for many years during the church's long 206-year history," according to director of music Davis Bingham.

"Marked by smooth, tight harmonies and sometimes driving rhythms, this easy-to-read, simple gospel music emphasized brotherly love and a happier afterlife. It also afforded spiritual sustenance to millions of Americans, especially in the South and Midwest, in their struggles through World War I, the nationwide influenza epidemic, the Great Depression and World War II," he said.

There is no admission charge and the public is invited.

Homemade ice cream will be served after the program.

Trained adults will provide nursery care for children, birth through age four.

Mount Carmel Baptist Church is at 2016 Mt. Carmel Church Road. Dr. Dennis Hill is pastor.

Duke Chapel minister bound for Richmond

The Rev. Craig T. Kocher, 33, associate dean of Duke Chapel and director of religious life at Duke University, will be the next chaplain to the University of Richmond where he will hold the Jessie Ball DuPont Chair of the Chaplaincy.

His last day at Duke Chapel will be Aug. 9 and he will begin his work in Richmond on Aug. 17. Dean Sam Wells has invited him to come back to Durham and play a role in the Duke Chapel service on Sept. 13. "So I can offer a proper farewell," Kocher said this week. He has been at the chapel for six years.

In his dual role at Duke, Kocher developed and led a university-wide program of religious and spiritual life that included interfaith dialogue, vocational discernment, domestic and international service trips and pilgrimages, and social justice programs. He also assisted with management of the chapel, which has a staff of 25, and served as worship leader and preacher for the chapel's Sunday services. At the University of Richmond, he will direct the work of 7 chaplains and a total staff of 13.

"Craig brings to the University of Richmond immense gifts in relating to students, leading institutions and helping people form and practice faith," Duke Chapel Dean Sam Wells said. "Most of all he brings experience and vision in how we are all to imagine the interaction of faith and intellect in a college setting in the generation to come. We will miss Craig enormously at Duke Chapel, for precisely the reasons Richmond are so eager to have him."

Kocher, who grew up in Chapel Hill, holds degrees from UNC and Duke Divinity School. He is a candidate for a doctor of ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.

He is married to the Rev. Abby Kocher, the chapel's community minister, who plans to continue in that role at Duke through the fall semester.

Ordained by the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Kocher did not always appear headed for a career in ministry. While in college and graduate school, he was play-by-play announcer for UNC's baseball and women's basketball teams and worked as director of sports programming at WCHL-AM.

Kocher said the University of Richmond contacted him in April about the opening.

Grace Church holds annual giveaway

Grace Church of Chapel Hill will host its fifth annual Grace Mart food and clothing giveaway today, Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30.

Thousands of items from furniture and back to school supplies, to clothing and food will be offered free of charge to residents of the Triangle who are struggling in the country's economic crisis.

"We were very excited to serve more than 5,000 residents of Chapel Hill and Durham at Grace Mart over the years and are looking forward to an even greater turnout this year," said Kendrick Vinar, senior pastor at Grace.

Times on both days are from 6 to 9 p.m. Registration opens at 4 p.m. Items are available until supplies run out. Spanish translation for Latino attendees will be available.

Grace Church of Chapel Hill is a non-denominational church that has been serving the Triangle area since 1986. It is located at 200 Sage Road and has services at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays.

Visit www.gracelife.com for further information.

Amity book group to study Enger novel

Amity United Methodist is hosting a book study of "Peace Like a River" by Leif Enger on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. The study is led by the Rev. Nancy Sturdivant.

It is the story of one family's quest to retrieve its most wayward member and is riddled with outlaw tales, heartfelt insights and bona fide miracles. All are welcome.

Amity is located at 825 N. Estes Dr. near the YMCA. The Rev. Tuck Taylor Bounds is the pastor.

Artwork sought for Binkley exhibit

Binkley Baptist is now beginning to solicit artwork for its upcoming Fall Art Exhibit that will be held from Sept. 12 through mid-November.

The exhibit will include work by members and friends of the church including paintings, photos, weavings and stitchery. All work must be framed and ready to hang (eye hooks in frames, but no wire needed). The exhibit can also accommodate movable work such as pottery and jewelry that can be displayed in small cases. The exhibit will accept up to five pieces per contributor. Work may be for sale or for display only, at the discretion of the artist.

The exhibit will include a section for children's art with the same conditions. Parents are asked to exercise judgment about the best work of their children.

The Fine Arts Committee will receive work in the fellowship hall on Saturday, Sept. 12, between 10 a.m. and noon. An entrance fee to cover costs of the exhibit is $5 per contributor or family and is payable on that day.