Women ALIVE Ministries

Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong

Photo: Courtesy David Friedman

On Sunday, Nov. 20, the more than 50-year-old First Unitarian Church of Honolulu on the Pali, is poised to induct Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, the Honolulu churchs first openly gay minister, as well as its first Asian minister. We talked with Kwong about his new role and what it means not only for the Unitarian church, but the larger religious community and the public in general.

HONOLULU: Your first calling was the film industry; in 1997 you received a bachelors in film studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara. What made you shift your focus to ministry?

Kwong: I worked in the film industry for three years, but I became disenchanted and disillusioned. People wore their dysfunction as a badge of honor. So in 2001, I enrolled in an interfaith seminarywhich included Mormons, pagans, Baptists, Hare Krishna and moreand saw the need for a safe place for people to be who they are.

HONOLULU: What has this journey been like for you as a gay person?

Kwong: As Unitarian Universalists, we celebrate all of who a person is, not just the parts we like, or what is normal. The Unitarian church has been ordaining gays and lesbians since the 1960s. Who you love doesnt matter.

HONOLULU: While the Unitarian community is celebrating your induction, not the fact that you are openly gay, this is still no doubt a momentous occasion.

Kwong: Its important to celebrate. This is especially true for younger people, who may be struggling with their identity and face bullying and teen suicide. I want to highlight the churchs role in honoring [sexual orientation] instead of shaming it.

HONOLULU: The Unitarian church is part of the liberal community and doesnt adhere to a dogma or creed. Do you expect to see more conservative religious sects inducting gay and lesbian clergy someday?

Kwong: Im quite proud of a movement that focuses on the world we find ourselves in. I realize some religious institutions follow dogmas and creed and that it is a little harder for change [to come about]. There is hope, but it takes a lot of work in humanizing this issue. LGBT people are a part of our ohana, of our religious community.

HONOLULU: What sort of feedback have you received about your new role as minister of the First Unitarian Church Honolulu, both from the church members and the religious community at large?

Kwong: Its been overwhelmingly positive. Buddhist and Christian clergy and those from other faith traditions will be at the ceremony to send a strong statement that the community is behind us. Were holding the ceremony at the Jewish synagogue.

HONOLULU: Yes, I saw that on the Unitarian churchs website. Why will it be held at Temple Emanu-El instead of at the First Unitarian Church?

Kwong: Interestingly, it started out as a matter of practicality. Our church holds 100 people comfortably, but so far, 150 people have RSVPed for the ceremony and we expect 200 to 250 to show up. So we chose the temple because its larger and its right next door, so its convenient. But the more we thought about it, we realized its a great opportunity to send to a strong theological statement. I have a longstanding friendship with Rabbi Peter Schaktman and were unifying our forces for the common good. We can grow from this together and hopefully move forward.

HONOLULU: Between 2005 and 2008 you were actively involved with the Interfaith Alliance of Hawaii, particularly in regard to the chapters involvement with the now-passed civil unions bill. What sort of work did you do in the community?

Kwong: I was part of an interfaith team brought together for the House Judiciary Committee, then chaired by Rep. Tommy Waters to raise awareness of how this impacts the religious community. Civil unions are not just a political issue, but also a religious issue in providing pastoral care to LGBT folks. In a relationship, what matters is honor, love and commitmentgender is secondary. We had such great dialogue. We are not as conservative as some folks think we are.

HONOLULU: I think many people often do equate religion with conservatism. What sort of challenges and misconceptions do you face as someone who is both religious and gay?

Kwong: I think Evangelical Protestants have done a good job of stating their position [on homosexuality], they have vocalized it and made it known and I respect that. Folks on the more progressive side havent been as good at doing this, because there is a strong unified interfaith voice on equality for all. Its just a matter of time.

HONOLULU: Come January, will you be performing civil union ceremonies at the church?

Kwong: Absolutely. Were in the midst of preparing a Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 service ceremony around civil unions. A dozen clergy [from other religious sects] will also be participating. Were chomping at the bit to be involved in this at the Unitarian church.

HONOLULU: As the new minister, whats in store for the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu?

Kwong: Were looking to grow as a multi-cultural, multi-faith community and look at the church beyond our four walls. Were working with the Unitarian Universalist community in Puna on the Big Island and thinking of adding another service at our church. We want to let the community know that we are here. Unitarian Universalists are not united by a common belief, but a common value to work for the common good.

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Grace Community Church serves as Operation Christmas Child drop-off

Grace Community Church is a drop-off location for Operation Christmas Child, a project to fill 500 gift-filled shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and necessity items for children in need in 100 countries.

Shoeboxes filled with gifits may be brought to the church, 1234 Barger Place, during National Collection Week, Nov. 14 through 21.

While many Ramona families are busy preparing for holiday activities, a group of volunteers is focused on filling empty shoeboxes with school supplies, toys, hygiene items and notes of encouragement for needy kids overseas.

Ramona families are participating in Operation Christmas Child, considered the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. Since 1993, the effort has hand-delivered a reported 86 million gifts to children worldwide.

This year-round project of Samaritan’s Purse is coming to its peak, as local businesses, churches and schools prepare to collect gift-filled shoeboxes next week. Volunteers can drop off their shoebox gifts at the church to help children in 100 countries know they are not forgotten.

Operation Christmas Child collection hours at Grace Community will be from 10 am to noon Monday through Friday, Nov. 14 through 18, from 9 am to 11 am on Saturday, Nov. 19, and from 8 am to 3 pm on Sunday, Nov. 20.

Operation Christmas Child uses whatever means necessary to reach suffering children around the world with these gifts of hope, including sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels and dog sleds.

Tracking technology also allows donors to “follow” their box to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need. To register shoebox gifts and find the destination country, use the Follow Your Box donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

What individuals can do to get involved:

oPrepare–Enlist families, churches, Scout troops, community groups and businesses to take part in creating shoebox gifts for needy children worldwide.

oPack–Fill shoeboxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items and a letter of encouragement. Step-by-step shoebox packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

oVolunteer–Sign up to join Operation Christmas Child volunteers in Ramona as part of the effort to prepare millions of shoebox gifts for delivery to underprivileged kids on six continents.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call Charmaine Bush, coordinator of the collection effort in Ramona, at 760-789-0562. More information also is available at 714-432-7030 and www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

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Anniversaries

BNai Jacob Synagogue: is honoring Rabbi Victor Urecki and his wife, Marilyn, for 25 years of service on Nov. 18-19. Community members are invited to attend the Friday night Sabbath service, followed by an Oneg Shabbat, which is a reception. There is no cost to attend. On Nov. 19, community members are encouraged to attend the Saturday morning service, followed by a luncheon and again there is no charge. On Saturday night there will be a dinner and reception will be held the evening of Nov. 19 at Embassy Suites in Charleston, with the cost of $60 per person, which includes a cash bar and a sit-down dinner. There will be many dignitaries and speakers, including Sen. Joe Manchin, Congressman Nick Joe Rahall, Monsignor Sadie, Imam Haque and Rabbi Cohn. Reservations for dinner Nov. 19 must be made no later than Wednesday, Nov. 16 to Nancy Morton at 304-346-4722.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church,: 442 McDonald St., South Charleston, will celebrate 125 years of service with a father-son rendition on Sunday, Nov. 13 at the church. The Rev. Robert I. Davis (the son in the ministry) and pastor, will speak at the 11 am service and his father in the ministry and former pastor, the Rev. Franklin Murphy, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, will be guest speaker at the 3 pm service, along with his choirs and congregation. Dinner will be served following the morning worship. The Rev. Robert K. Davis, pastor.

Crossroads Fellowship Church,: located at 116 Pennsylvania Ave. North, St. Albans, will have a 23rd Anniversary for Elder/Pastor William N. Brooks and a Mortgage Burning Celebration on Sunday at the church. Guest speaker for the 10:30 am service will be the Rev. Demetrius Russell of Madisonville, Ky. Speaker at the 4 pm service will be Bishop John Faucett of Central Community Tabernacle. Dinner will be served following the morning service. For more information, call 304-768-8721 or visit the website at www.cfcwv.org.

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Cannelton: will have its 108th Church Anniversary on Sunday. Pastor Michael Smith will speak at 11 am and the Rev. Henry Gravely, pastor of the First Missionary Baptist of Hansford, will speak at 3 pm Dinner will be served at 1 pm

First Baptist Church of Boomer: will have its pastors Third Anniversary celebration at 3 pm Sunday at the church. Dinner will be served at 1:30 pm Guest will be the Rev. Walker and Mount Zion Church of Garten.

Miscellaneous

St. John Greek Orthodox Church: will have its 2011 Dinner and Bake Sale from noon to 7 pm Saturday and noon to 4 pm Sunday at the church, 3512 MacCorkle Ave. SE The cost of the dinner is $14 and includes meatballs or chicken with rice pilaf, green beans, grapeleaf roll, Grecian salad, bread, baklava and coffee. A la carte times include spinach pie for $2 each, grapeleaf roll for $1 each and meatball for $1.50 each. Pastries include baklava for $20 a dozen and $10 for 1/2 dozen. Wedding cookies are $10 a dozen; butter twist cookies are $7 per dozen and sweet bread is $7 a loaf. Bottled water and canned soda are $1 and wine is $3. For pre-orders, call the church at 304-925-3906 or Tina at 304-343-5948.

The Achievers Class of the Fifth Avenue Church of God in South Charleston: will open its Clothes Closet from 10 am to noon on Nov. 19. Clothes are free to families and individuals in need. Visitors should enter the church from the E Street side of the building. Free parking is available in the rear of the church. For more information, call Ruth Hunt at 304-744-5062.

Oakridge Bible Church: will present its annual Christmas play, Humbug, by John Wooten, beginning 7 pm on Black Friday, Nov. 25, at the church, 2167 Oakridge Drive, two miles from its intersection with W.Va. 114 (the Airport road). Admission is free. There will be seven performances of the two-hour, drama/comedy. The schedule is 7 pm Nov. 25, 28, 29 and Dec. 1 and 2; 2 pm Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. The play is recommended for adults. No child care is provided. The church requests you not bring children under the age of 6 or restless children. Call 304-343-6000 for information.

King of Glory International Ministries: will have an Apostolic and Prophetic Gathering Conference Friday through Nov. 20 at the church. The theme is A Time of Restoration. The schedule includes: Friday, 7 pm, Pastor Anthony Wright of New Vision Worship Center, North Augusta, SC; Nov. 19, Senior Pastor Gloria McDuffy of A Place of Deliverance Church and Training Center, Garner, NC; 7 pm Nov. 19, Co-Pastor Benita Wright of New Vision Worship Center, North Augusta, SC; and 11 am Nov. 20, Evangelist Carlotta Lynch of Morgantown Faith Center in Morgantown. King of Gory International Ministries pastor is Tina M. Beatty.

First Baptist Church of Tyler Mountain: will have a Fall Festival from 8 am to 2 pm today at the church, 5219 Alpine Drive, Cross Lanes. Featured are: Pies by Mary Cole, former owner of The Farm Table; pumpkin rolls and fudge by the Womens Ministry; yard sale items, Thirty One, Mary Kay, Lia Sophia; childrens books by Daniel Foster; greeting cards by Diana and Angie; crochet by Patty Hill; Pampered Chef; jewelry and oil paintings by local artist Regena Berry; Garden Mushrooms by local artists; Mountain Spa Bath and Beauty Products; wooden toys and painter easels by Bob Singleton; Tastefully Simple and Hair Bows by Amber Torman. Silent auctions, face painting, biscuits and sausage, pinto beans/cornbread and soup/cornbread will be available.

Music

The Sissonville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary: will host a bluegrass gospel concert featuring The Isaacs in a live concert at 7 pm Nov. 12 in the Sissonville High School Gymnasium. Tickets are $15 each and are available at the door. All proceeds will benefit the fire department. Visit The Isaacs.com for information.

Ginny Owens,: award winning contemporary Christian artist, will appear in concert at 6 pm Nov. 12 at Village Chapel Presbyterian Church. Owens has won Dove Awards three times and multiple ASCAP awards. Blind since early childhood, she plays, sings, records and teaches music and has appeared at the Sundance Film Festival and the White House, among locations. The concert will introduce her new CD, Get in, Im Driving. She will also appear in worship at 11 am Nov. 13 at Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church. Advance tickets are $15 plus a small fee. For advance tickets, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2320801580. Tickets at the door are $20. Group discount tickets are $10 for five or more in a group. Email names to e…wvpresbytery.org.

Reach By Faith ministries: will present the 14th Annual Thanksgiving Gospel Sing and Veterans Day Celebration at 6 pm today in the Old Main Building, Old Main Drive, Summersville. Scheduled singers are The Relators, The Cross Bearers Trio, The Gloryroad Travelers, Martha Bell, The Pomeroys, Gary and Brenda Perrine, Amy Perkins, and The Thanksgiving Gospel Choir. The Veterans Museum located inside the Old Main Building will be open to the community. The Veterans Day Celebration thanks our veterans who have served our country to preserve our freedom. Admission is free and a love offering will be received.

The Dominion Trio: from Roanoke, Va., will sing at 6 pm Sunday at Rumble Community Baptist Church.

Forrest Burdette United Methodist Church,: 2848 Putnam Ave., Hurricane, will feature Charles Chandler in a Patriotic Concert at 3 pm Sunday. The performance is part of the 2011-2012 Pipesounds Concert Series on the Harrah Symphonic Organ. Open admission and a nursery will be available. For more information, call 304-562-5903 or visit the website at http://www.pipesounds.org/

The Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) and The West Virginia Multicultural Task Force: are sponsoring the Third Celebration of Praise Gospel Fest at 4 pm on Sunday in the Columbia Gas Company Auditorium, 1700 MacCorkle Ave. Admission is free. Carolyn Henry Glaspy, mother of former Cincinnati Bengals and West Virginia University player Chris Henry, will reveal her touching story about her son and the decision for organ donation. The Nevels Sisters of Youngstown, Ohio; the Viznheirs; Brothers in the Cross; Patricia Smith of Bluefied; Mark Holmes;, and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Young Adult Choir provide music during the celebration. The Rev. Ronald W. English will serve as master of ceremonies. Contact Annette Jones at 304-722-3077 or Marla DAndries by email: mdandr…core.org for more information.

Buddy Liles,: former singer with the Florida Boys Quartet for 25 years, will be singing at 7 pm Monday at Lucy Wilson Baptist Church, Wills Creek, Elkview.

The Believers: will be singing at 7 pm on Sunday during a song and praise service at Simmons Creek United Christian Church on Simmons Creek Road near Belle.

The Jay Humphreys Trio: will sing at 7 pm today at Goldtown Community Church, Goldtown, and at 11 am Sunday at Loudendale Nazarene Church in Charleston.

The Rick Webb Family: will be in concert at 2:30 pm Sunday at Emmanuel Baptist Church. The concert is free, however, a love offering will be taken. Seth Bunting from Danville will also be singing.

The Tri-County Singers: will have their monthly sing at 7 pm today at Bethany Baptist Church, 2504 Grant St. in St. Albans, behind the old Parkway Super Market on MacCorkle Avenue. The 2011 Eternal songbook will be used. All singers are invited to participate in the shape-note, four-part mass choir singing.

Riverview Baptist Church,: 201 Wertz Avenue, will have its annual Men In Black Song Fest at 4 pm Nov. 20. The Martin Luther King Male Choir will sing. The Vandalia Male Chorus will present a mini Christmas concert.

Providence Baptist Church,: Rocky Step Road, Scott Depot, will have a gospel sing at 7 pm today at the church. A special guest singer will be featured. Refreshments will follow the sing.

The Youth Choir of St. Paul AME Church,: 1108 Second Ave., will be in concert at 3 pm Sunday at the church. The theme is The Next Generation of Praisers. Special guest musician Karrington Hill will perform on drums.

The Huffman Family: will sing at 6 pm Sunday at Parsons Chapel, Sixth Avenue.

Springdale Free Will Baptist Church: will have a gospel music concert at 6 pm Sunday at the church, located on Cow Creek Road/Springdale Road, 3 miles north of the Teays Valley Road intersection, located 2 miles east of Hurricane. Featured singers will be Dorsey Johnson and Old Gold Gospel Trio.

Ronnie Hinson from the original Hinsons: will be in service Sunday at Pocatalico Community Church in Sissonville.

The Tignors: will sing at 7 pm. Sunday at Spencer United Methodist Church in Hewitt.

Revivals

Walker Chapel Bible Church,: Walker Ridge Road, will have revival services Sunday through Wednesday. Paul Meadows will be evangelist and there will be special singing nightly.

City of Refuge Church House of Israel: continues its fall revival at 7:30 pm with local groups participating and The Princess of the Hammond B3 Organ Trina Trine from Trina Trine Music, will be ministering in song. The climax will be at 4 pm Sunday with pastor Godfrey and congregation from Iron Gate, Va., delivering the closing message. The church is located at 11719 MacCorkle Ave., Chesapeake.

Special services

The Deacon and Deaconess of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church: will have their annual Candlelight Service at 5 pm Nov. 13 at the church, 5125 Church Drive, Rand. The Rev. Ivan Hawkins, choir and congregation of Community Missionary Baptist Church will be guests.

Good Shepherd Freewill Baptist Church,: 5470 West Pea Ridge Road, Huntington, will have a worship service at 11 am Sunday with the Rev. Herman Dingess preaching. Services continue at 6 pm with special singing by The Connors and Pastor Jason Black preaching. Sunday school begins at 10 am Freewill Baptist Doctrine Bible Study with Pastor Jason Black teaching and youth group meetings continue at 7 pm on Wednesdays.

Holy Empowered Women and Power House of Deliverance Church,: 512 Carver St., Dunbar, will have a Family and Friends Day at 4 pm Nov. 20. Dinner will follow the service. For information, call Tammy Sharp at 304-421-0193.

The Charleston Black Ministerial Alliance: will have a Thanksgiving Service at 10 am Nov. 24 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1530 Third Ave. The Rev. Dr. Braxton Broady will speak.

Metropolitan Baptist Church: will have a Fellowship Service at 4 pm Sunday. Guest preacher will be the Rev. Joe Howard of Albany, Ga. For information, contact the church at 304-342-4766 or stop by the church at 205 Donnally St. Metropolitan Baptist Church and The Metropolitan Bible Institute will resume Bible Study at 7 pm Wednesdays at the church. Pastor Freeman will present two 7-week courses per semester. The courses are Introduction to Christian Education, Knowing Your Temperament through the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Special guest instructors will be presented on certain days. For information, call the church at 304-342-4766.

Dr. Frank Dabreo, a native of Pakistan,: will be guest speaker from 4 to 5:30 pm Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 16 Leon Sullivan Way, as part of the How Shall We Love Our Neighbor as Ourself? Christianity and Islam, So Close and So Far. The series is free and open to the public. Dr. Dabreo is a longtime resident of the Charleston area. He will speak about his knowledge of Islam and his experience with Muslims. Instructor is Dr. Robert G. Newman, Professor of Religion Emeritus, University of Charleston, who teaches the study of history, teachings and practices of both religions in order to gain knowledge, understanding and peacemaking skills needed toys, both nearby and around the world.

Items for Church Activities may be submitted by mail to The Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301, or faxed to 304-348-1233. Notices will be run one time free. Please include a contact persons name and a daytime telephone number. Information will not be taken by phone. The deadline is noon Thursday.

As part of the Irondequoit United Church of Christs ongoing centennial celebration, items were placed back in a cornerstone on Sept. 18. The churchs Sunday school wing was added onto the church in 1952.

Churchgoers dance in the pews during a techno Mass at the Church of All Saints in Stockholm, Sweden, Friday Nov. 11 2011. Rev. Olle Idestrom, not shown, organized the techno Mass for the second time and has been forced to turn away worshippers from the full church. It is the churchs latest attempt at attracting young congregations in a country where attendance at services has been dwindling for decades. SWEDEN OUT
Photo: ANDERS WIKLUND
/ SCANPIX SWEDEN

Mount Pleasant AME Zion Church: Saturday praise and worship service by Spice of Life young adult ministry, 6 pm tonight, 3664 Grade Road, Rockford. 865-977-1082.

Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church: Crafts From Around the World sale, 9 am-2 pm Saturday, Nov. 19, Family Life Center, 7753 Oak Ridge Highway.

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church: John McAndrew concert, 7 pm Saturday, Nov. 19, 2931 Kingston Pike. Suggested donation: $10 and canned food for Redeeming Hope Ministries. Info: 865-523-4176 or www.tvuuc.org.

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church: Usher Board anniversary, 4 pm Sunday, Nov. 13, 3023 Selma Ave. Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church congregation, choir, ushers and pastor George Banks will be guests.

Rock of Ages Baptist Church: Anniversary with the Rev. Robert. S. Brown, 4 pm Sunday, Nov. 13, 420 W. 13th N. St., Morristown, Tenn. Fellowship, food and fun before the service. 423-581-9150.

Faith Lutheran Church: Christmas cookie walk and craft sale, 9:30-11:30 am Saturday, Dec. 3, 239 Jamestowne Blvd., Farragut. Vendors: $15 by Nov. 15; or $20 by Nov. 28. Info: 865-966-9626 or email Faithcookiewalk@yahoo.com.

Christ United Methodist Church: Bazaar 8:30 am-3 pm today, 7535 Maynardville Highway. Crafts, baked goods, breakfast, lunch.

First Baptist Church of Bluegrass: Christmas Craft Bazaar, 9 am-3 pm Saturday, Nov. 19, 1907 Ebenezer Road. Handmade crafts, baked goods.

Freedom Fellowship Christian Church: Anniversary with the Rev. Charles Johnson, 9 am Sunday, Nov. 20, 4027 Papermill Drive.

Christus Victor Lutheran Church: Rummage sale, 8 am-noon, today, 4110 Central Ave. Pike. Items for home, children, Christmas, etc.

Early Bird Special Gospel Show: 7-9 pm Saturday, Nov. 19, Riverside Event Center, 3769 Old Knoxville Highway, Rockford. Cost: $5. Info: www.RiversideTn.com or 865-970-3000.

Beaumont Avenue Baptist Church: Rule High School Day with fellowship, 10:30 am and service at 11, today, 1502 Beaumont Ave. Speakers: Charles Fritts, Zenita Dutton, William Smith and DM Miller. Music by Charlotte Bedell.

First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville: Presbyterian Womens Lecture Series with the Rev. Dr. William P. Wood on The Seasons of a Downtown Church, 8:45 or 11 am and 6 pm (meal follows), Sunday; and luncheon, noon; service at 7 pm (dessert follows), Monday, Nov. 13-14, 620 State St. Free. Child care provided. Luncheon cost: $7. RSVP: alyssa@fpcknox.org or 865-546-2531.

First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge: Health luncheon with Dr. Michael Miller on Seasonal Allergies, noon, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Free. Lunch: $5. Reservations: 865-483-1318.

First AME Zion Church: Men and Womens Day with Johnna Luttrell Cannon, 11 am Sunday, Nov. 13, 2900 McCalla Ave. Info: 865-300-0116.

Shiloh Presbyterian Church: Worship, Sundays, 11 am; Bible study, 6 pm Tuesdays, 904 Biddle St. Info: 865-525-3701.

Refreshing Springs Church of God in Christ: Pastoral anniversary with Dr. Roosevelt Allen, 4 pm Sunday, Nov. 13, 1110 Ohio Ave.

Thursday marked the 48th anniversary of the Alabama church that was bombed and where four Black girls were killed.

On September 15, 1963, Cynthia Wesley, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Denise McNair lost their lives to the blast that erupted just before Sunday’s morning worship service.

In remembrance of the victims, a stone marker with the girls’ names etched and a Bible verse was dedicated at the site as the crowd of about 100 people sang “We Shall Overcome.” The marker was placed at the spot where the powerful explosive was detonated.

Not a day goes by that we dont have people coming by to ask, Carolyn McKinstry, a childhood friend of the girls told the Associated Press of the tens of thousands of visitors the church receives.

Three members of the Ku Klux Klan were convicted years later in the bombing and one remains imprisoned.

Till this day McKinstry says that people are fascinated with the violence that took place in Birmingham.

The deaths of the girls symbolized the profundity of racism in the South during the embryonic civil rights movement of the 1960s.

To contact or share story ideas with Danielle Wright, follow and tweet her at @DaniWrightTV.

Oxana Moore doesnt remember what was in her Operation Christmas Child shoe box.

Small toys, pens and pencils, maybe some candy were all likely inside the brightly wrapped package that she opened in Belarus when she was 13.

I joke that if I knew that God was going to use me 10 years later to share my testimony, I would have written it down, Moore said in a blog entry encouraging people to send the boxes.

She said its not important that she cant recall the contents because its the message that matters. She considers the box, sent by someone from another land, a reminder of Gods love for her.

The days that I prayed as a child and wondered if God was listening, he gently reminded me through a strangers kindness that he was there when I wept and he was there when I rejoiced, she wrote in the blog.

Moore, who later moved to the United States, will be at an Erie County church this month to share her story during an Operation Christmas Child packing party.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritans Purse, an international Christian relief organization that aims to hand-deliver more than 8.5 million shoe boxes full of gifts to hurting children in 100 countries this year, according to a news release.

Organizers of the packing party at Grace Church want to contribute 15,000 boxes to that effort. The boxes filled on Sept. 24 between 9 am and 4 pm will count toward a northwestern Pennsylvania goal of 32,000 gifts this year, said Kathy Schriefer, northwestern Pennsylvania area team coordinator for Operation Christmas Child.

In 2010, the project received 27,444 boxes from northwestern Pennsylvania, she said.

The boxes, filled with small toys and gifts, hygiene products and school supplies, will be delivered to children suffering from terrorism, natural disaster, disease and poverty, according to the release.

Every day, kids around the world are just hoping that something good will happen, Schriefer said. Kids facing poverty, war and disease need to know that they arent forgotten. Packing a shoe box is a unique way we can reach into the lives of children living in some of the most desperate places around the world and let them know their life matters.

Moore grew up in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which happened when she was 2. She was about 13 when she received her Operation Christmas Child gift.

Now 27 and living in Mountain Rest, SC, she said she packs a few boxes herself each year and also travels to tell people about her experience with Operation Christmas Child.

Moore doesnt know who sent her box. Some packers tuck a letter inside but Moore didnt receive one.

Boxes can be prepared by individuals, families and groups. All are welcome at the party.

Were looking for more volunteers from the community to help us get these boxes packed, Schriefer said.

People who cant make the party can pack boxes themselves. A national collection week, with several drop-off sites in northwestern Pennsylvania, is usually held each November.

DANA MASSING can be reached at 870-1729 or by e-mail.

Anniversaries/homecomings

Church in the Valley,: 1173 James River Turnpike, Milton, will have its Homecoming services at 11 am Sept. 25 at the church. Founder of Church In the Valley, the Rev. Jim Franklin will speak. Dinner will be served at noon. The churchs revival services will be held at 7 pm nightly, Sept. 26, 27 and 28. For information, call the Rev. Jerry Duncan at 304-743-4500.

Pilgrim Home Missionary Baptist Church,: located at 7015 Kanawha St. in St. Albans, will celebrate its 88th Church Anniversary on Sunday. Speaker for the morning service will be the Rev. Clyde Burns. Guest for the 3 pm service will be the Rev. Michael A. Poke, choir and congregation of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of St. Albans.

Homecoming services: will be held at 10 am Sunday at Kellys Creek Independent Baptist Church. The Family Ties and Good News Trio will sing. Pastor is Don Kiser. Dinner will be served.

The Mount Olivet Ministers Wives and Widows: will celebrate their anniversary at 3 pm today at First Missionary Baptist Church, Smithers. The Rev. Freddie Davenport is the pastor and speaker. A repast will follow the program.

Humphreys United Methodist Church, Sissonville, will have its 82nd Homecoming Celebration at 7 pm today at the church. The Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus will sing at 11 am on Sunday. A covered dish dinner will be served at noon. For information, call Gladys Straight at 304-988-1410 or Ruth Lanham at 304-988-1955.

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church: will have its Pastors Anniversary Program at 3:30 pm Sunday at the church located in Carbondale.

Institute Church of the Nazarenes Anniversary Committee: will have fish, chicken wings and side dishes for sale from 11 am to 6 pm today in the church activity building, 208 Washington Ave., Institute. Fried potatoes, pinto beans and cornbread, cole slaw, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and homemade cakes will be available for purchase.

Grapevine Chapel at Sissonville: will have its annual homecoming service beginning 10 am on Sunday. The Rev. Billy Casto will preach and Freeman Newhouse and the church singers will sing. Lunch will serve immediately following the service. There will be no afternoon or evening service.

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church: will have its 91st Church Anniversary at 3:30 pm Sunday at the church, located in Chesapeake. The theme is Reclaiming the Lost. Guest speaker will be Elder Leon Taylor of Clifton Forge Church of God in Christ in Clifton Forge, Va., along with his choir and congregation. Dinner will be served immediately after the morning worship service.

Abundant Life Ministries: 1534 Washington St. E., will have its 13th Church and Pastoral Anniversary Celebration for Pastor Wayne and first lady Renea Crozier from Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Speakers include: Sept. 30, Pastor John Jenkins of First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Md.; 7 pm, Oct. 1, LaTrice Ryan of Light of Glory Church of Memphis, Tenn.; and 9 and 11 am on Oct. 2, Bishop Joby Brady of The Potters House of North Dallas, Texas. For more information, call the church at 3-4-342-0058 or visit www.abundantlifewv.com.

Miscellaneous

Milton Baptist Church and Renees Birkenstock of Barboursville: will support Soles4Souls during this years West Virginia Pumpkin Festival. Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and from individuals and distributes them to people in need. Soles4Souls, the Pumpkin Run 5K and Milton Baptist Church will be collecting new or gently worn footwear and then be delivered by Birkenstock of Barboursville to the charity. Donation boxes have been placed in Milton Baptist Church gym and by the church office. Shoes will be collected now through Oct. 9, which is the conclusion of the WV Pumpkin Festival. Visit www.tristateracer.com/RaceDirector/race.php?RaceID158 or http://wvpumpkinpark.com/pdfs/Registration–form–2011–5K.pdf for more information.

Carbondale Baptist Church, located on Cannelton Hollow Road, will have its Fall Festival from 1 to 3 pm today at the church. There will be inflatables, games and other activities for all ages. Gospel music and door prizes will also be featured. Free refreshments, including hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and soft drinks will be available.

Pleasant View United Methodist Church,: Fisher Ridge Kenna, will have its annual Sunday School picnic at noon, Sunday at the church. Jesus and Me Production will provide the sing, which will feature Calgarys Why of Sissonville and Pleasant View Bluegrass Gospel Singers of Fisher Ridge. For information, call 304-988-2112.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation: will co-host a Seneca 2 Forum at 7 pm Sept. 24 at 520 Kanawha Blvd. W. David Hilfiker, physician, writer and social activist, will speak on Finding Hope when Things are Falling Apart. Dr. Hilfiker began his career in rural Minnesota as a country doctor. He spent 10 years at Community of Hope Health Services in Washington DC and subsequently lived and worked at Josephs House, a refuge for homeless men. For the past decade he has lectured across the country and written many articles and authored three books. The forum is free. For more information, visit www.davidhilfiker.com.

Humphreys Memorial United Methodist Church in Sissonville: will have a Heritage Day Celebration from 4 to 8 pm today and Sunday at the church, 8240 Sissonville Drive, Sissonville. Door prizes, free hot dogs and popcorn, inflatables for kids and more will be featured. A live outside concert will be provided by Beyond Love. An inside concert featuring the Martin Luther King Jr. Male Chorus will be held at 7 pm Coffee and desserts to follow the concert. A special sing and dinner will begin at 10:30 am on Sunday at the church. Games will follow for all.

OneKanawha,: along with other partners, will host an advance screening of the documentary, Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness, at 6 pm Monday at Grace Bible Church, corner of Kanawha Boulevard and Vine Street. The film tells the story of residents of a Long Island village taking action after a local immigrant is killed in a hate crime attack by seven teenagers. The film provides a blueprint for people who want act before intolerance turns to violence. A brief discussion will follow, led by several community leaders. Pizza and light refreshments will be served. The film, which is the third full-length documentary in the Not In Our Town series, will air nationwide on PBS stations, including West Virginia Public Television, at 10 pm on Wednesday. For more information, call 304-250-9231.

Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church,: will be hosting a cultural-musical presentation, Echoes In The Valley, at 6 pm today in the main Sanctuary, located on the corner of Quarrier and Greenbrier streets. A special presentation by Thepitchhitters barbershop quartet, Con contemporary music by the Elijah Praise Team and others will be featured. A reception with light refreshments will follow. For more information, call the church office at 304-342-0845 or Outreach Minister at 304-415-9495.

The Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene: is hosting a craft fair and gospel sing from 10 am to 3 pm Oct. 22. Craft tables are available for rental at $15 outside or $20 inside the activities building. Anyone interested in renting a table to sell crafts can call the church office at 304-744-0863.

Metropolitan Baptist Church and The Metropolitan Bible Institute has resumed its Bible study. Pastor Freeman will present two, 7-week courses per semester. The courses are Introduction to Christian Education, Knowing your Temperament through the Fruits and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Christian Ethics, Introduction to Homiletics, and Christianity vs. Cults and other Religions. Courses will be held at 7 pm on Wednesdays and 10 am on Saturdays and are open to all. Special guest instructors will be presented on certain days. For information, call the church at 304-342-4766.

Davis Creek Church of the Nazarene: will host a craft fair and gospel sing from 10 am to 3 pm. Oct. 22 at the church. Anyone interested in renting a table to sell crafts can call the church office at 304-744-0863. Table rental is $15 outside or $20 inside the activities building.

The Winfield Presbyterian Women: will have a yard/rummage sale from 8 am to 2 pm Sept. 24 at the church, located on the corner of fourth and Ferry Street in Winfield. Teaching materials, ideal for first-time teachers will be on sale, along with clothing and household items.

Mount Vernon Baptist Church: will have a 10-week Bible study titled Precept upon Precept, at 6 pm Mondays in the church fellowship hall, 2150 Mount Vernon Road, Hurricane. The first sessions concentrate on the Book of Hebrews. Beginning Oct. 3, classes will be from the Book of Zechariah with the them, They Shall be My People and I Will be Their God, with concluding session on Nov. 14. For more information, contact Angie Ferguson, study leader, at 304-586-2444.

Dr. Don Richardson,: author of Peace Child will present a seminar Sunday and Monday at Spring Hill Baptist Church. Richardson was a missionary and linguist among the Sawi tribe of Irian Jaya (formerly Dutch New Guinea), and now serves as minister-at-large for World Team, a mission organization. He will speak at 9:45 am on Sunday and 6 pm on Monday at the church, located at 4707 Ohio St., South Charleston.

Nitro Church of Christ: will hold a clothing and coat giveaway from 10 am to noon Sept. 24 at the church, located on the corner of Main Avenue and Lock Street in Nitro. For information, call 304-755-5788 or visit www.nitrococ.org.

Riverlawn Presbyterian Church: will have a Get to Know Us Party at 6 pm on Sunday. Weather permitting, a cookout will be held on the church lawn, 2008 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Albans. The Blue Grass Harmony will perform. For more information, call the church office at 304-727-8872.

Trinity Lighthouse Baptist Church,: 490 South Ruffner Road, will host the West Virginia Chapter of Women Ministers Christian Association (WMCA) Faith Day Services on Sunday. Association president, Pastor Josephine Thompson of St. Paul Baptist Church of Buffalo, NY, will speak at the 11 am Sunday worship service. Pastor Deborah Thomas of Non-denominational Pentecostal Ministries will speak at the 4 pm service. Family Ties and City of Refuge will provide the music ministry. The Rev. Robert Jackson is the pastor.

Music

There will be a song and praise service: at 7 pm today at Mammoth Advent Christian Church. The Living Proof Singers will perform.

Paid In Full: will be singing at 7 pm Sunday at Meadowbrook Freewill Baptist Church, W.Va. 114 North, above Capital High School.

The fifth annual gospel: will be held today Agape Ministries, 156 Sixth St., Dunbar. Dinner will be served at 2 pm and singing starts at 5 pm Groups from New York and Georgia as well as local talent, will be featured. For information, call 304-722-7290.

Song evangelist Jim Edens: will sing at 11 am and 1:30 pm on Sunday at Walker Chapel Baptist Churchs homecoming. He will also sing at 1 pm Sept. 24 at Eleanor Park.

The Believers: will be singing at 1 pm Sunday during homecoming services at West Virginia Home Mission in Nitro.

The Jay Humphreys Trio: will be singing at noon today at Jordan Light Baptist Church, Clendenin. They will also sing at noon Sunday at Kellogg Church of God, Huntington, morning worship service at starts at 11 am

Good Shepherd Freewill Baptist Church,: 5470 West Pea Ridge Road in Huntington, will host its Fall Bluegrass Gospel Sing at 7 pm today at the church. Special singing features Highway 3:16 and The Adkins Family.

The New Testaments: will sing at 10 am Sunday at Rumble Community Baptist Homecoming service.

Randy Wood: will be singing at 10 am Sunday at Amy Baptist Church in Yawkey.

Ron Shamblin: will sing at 6 pm Sunday at Parsons Chapel, Sixth Avenue.

Fisher Memorial Church: will have a gospel sing at 7 pm Sept. 24 at the church. The Humphreys, Saving Grace, The New Life Singers, Freeman Newhouse and the choir will sing. Refreshments will be served in the Family Center, following the sing. Call the church at 1/2 mile on Dudden Road, off Goldtown Exit of Interstate 77. Call 304-993-2777 or 304-988-3534 for information.

Happy Valley Boys: will sing at 1 pm Sunday at Laurel City Freewill Baptist Church.

Living for Him: will sing at 6 pm Sunday at Riverview Gospel Tabernacle, Bench Road.

Dennis Jernigan,: of Muskogee, Okla., a worship artist, songwriter and author, will be in concert at 7 pm Sept. 25 at the 9:30 am and 7 pm worship services at New Hope Church of the Brethren, located 4 miles south of Dunmore on W.Va. 92. The community-wide praise and worship service is open to the public. For more information, call Bill Young at 304-799-6503 or cwyo…frontiernet.net.

Revival

Winfield Nazarene Church: will have revival services at 6 pm Oct. 16 and 7 pm Oct. 17-19 at 2986 Winfield Road, Winfield. Evangelist will be the Rev. Elaine Pettit, an Ordained Elder and the only woman Tenured Evangelist in the church of the Nazarene.

The Upper Kanawha Valley Minister and Deacon Fellowship: will have a Soul-Saving Revival at 7 pm. nightly, Wednesday through Friday at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Montgomery. Speaker will be the Rev. Robert Frazier, pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church of Boomer. All pastors, their congregations choirs and groups are invited. Youth night will be Friday.

Revival services will be held Sept. 25 through Oct. 1 at Midway United Methodist Church, W.Va. 62, between Eleanor and Buffalo. Earl W. Cochran will be the evangelist. Singers include Sept. 25, Midway Choir; Sept. 26, Open Door Church Choir; Sept. 27, Baber Agee United Methodist Choir; Sept. 28, Midway Church Singers; Sept. 29, Family Ties; Sept. 30, Pitchford Family; and Oct. 1, Cross reek. The church is wheelchair accessible.

Special services

St. Timothy Lutheran Church,: 900 Lawndale Lane, located off Corridor G, will join more than 10,000 churches nationwide in a national Back to Church Sunday observed at 10:30 am Sunday. Bring a friend. For more information, call 304-343-0424.

Levi First Missionary Baptist Church: will have its annual Mens Day Celebration at 4 pm Sunday at the church, 5125 Church Drive, Rand. First Baptist Church of Vandalia Male Chorus will be in concert.

The Fathers House Missionary Baptist Church: will welcome Pastor Ivan Hawkins and the Community Missionary Baptist Church at 6 pm this Sunday for their evening Fellowship service.

Metropolitan Baptist Church: will have a Fellowship Service at 6 pm Sunday. Guests will be James Jackson and Levi Baptist Church.

Good Shepherd Freewill Baptist Church, 5470 West Pea Ridge Road, Huntington, will have its worship at 11 am Sunday with Pastor Jason Black preaching. Services continue at 6 pm with singing by church choir/congregational specials and Pastor Jason Black preaching. Sunday school begins at 10 am Freewill Baptist Doctrine Bible Study with Pastor Jason Black teaching and the Youth Group meetings continue at 7 pm on Wednesday.

Items for Church Activities may be submitted by mail to The Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301, or faxed to 304-348-1233. Notices will be run one time free. Please include a contact persons name and a daytime telephone number. Information will not be taken by phone. The deadline is noon Thursday.

Your story on the retired bishop of Derrys call for an end to celibacy for priests in the Catholic church was marred by silliness (Should the man in the middle be free to walk down the aisle in a Catholic church, 14 September). Your Ireland correspondent suggests that Dr Daly is challenging centuries of theocracy. Ireland has had its problems with the Roman Catholic church, but God isnt the head of its civil government.

Perhaps you meant theology. Even that is inaccurate. Mandatory celibacy is a discipline of the Catholic church; in other words, a means of formation of the priest, and a discipline is recognised as something that can be subject to change, because it is made by and for humanity. That is why many other senior clerics have said before that there is no reason why it shouldnt change. I understand the late Cardinal Basil Hume even said so at a Guardian lunch, which must be at least 12 years ago, given he died in 1999.

The really important current story about celibacy is not that one retired bishop in Ireland thinks it should no longer be mandatory, but that in Austria the Catholic church is riven by the issue, with 400 – thats 10% – of its priests urging it should change, and that its leading churchman, the cardinal archbishop of Vienna, has said he is open to dialogue. He is a noted friend of the pope. The Austrian rebels are supported by many of the laity across Europe. The call for married priests is getting louder and it wont go away.
Catherine Pepinster
Editor, The Tablet

o Edward Daly is a highly respected bishop in the Irish church. Hehas earned the respect of his people by his generous pastoral care and fine example over many difficult years. That he has now declared a position over the question of celibacy for priests in the Roman Catholic church cannot be ignored. There will always be those who can and will accept the celibate life, alongside their priestly vocation. So be it. But for others that discipline is a difficulty that diminishes their ministry. The bishop is to be congratulated on contributing to a growing debate, the essence of which wont go away and which at some stage in the near future must be honestly addressed.
Chris McDonnell
Little Haywood, Staffordshire

o Bishop Daly needs to take note of the Anglican church, which allows marriage within ministry yet has great problems, including ones of recruiting. The problem the bishop seems not to notice is to do with the need to increase our devotion to our celibate Lord.
Father Bryan Store
Tintagel Catholic church, Cornwall

o The statement by the former bishop of Derry, that the Catholic church should permit priests to marry, will no doubt be met by yet more Vatican declarations of the value of celibacy. Earlier this year I wrote to the pope asking him, in the light of his initiative towards Anglican clergy, to consider the readmission to the active ministry of Catholic priests, such as myself, who have obtained permission to marry on condition of being reduced to the lay state (itself something of an indication of the churchs view of lay people).

The reply by a minor functionary in the secretariat of state to the sensitive issue you have raised came as a bland restatement of the popes insistence on the necessity of celibacy for Catholic clergy. Married life can be an immense support of the work undertaken by clergy, as witnessed by numerous former Anglican priests now working in the Catholic church, not to mention the married clergy of the Greek Rites churches in communion with Rome. It is a shame that the loudest voices in favour of a relaxation of the discipline come only from the ranks of those who no longer fear the threat of dismissal for the crime of daring to hold views at odds with the party line.
Kevin Hartley
Stourbridge, West Midlands