See Byzantine icnonography exhibit at St. Barbara’s Church in Durham Sunday | News & Observer

A Byzantine iconography exhibit and demonstration will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 8306 N.C.751.

This will be the first U.S. exhibit by Greek iconographer George Bessias and will feature 30 pieces he has drawn. He also will be on hand to answer questions and will do a live demonstration of this timeless and spiritual art form.

The event will take place in the church social hall and refreshments will be served. Church member Helen Paliouras said that Saint Barbara plans to place iconography inside the dome, a distinguishing characteristic of a Greek Orthodox Church, as well as on the curved wall behind the altar. Traditionally, the face of Christ adorns the dome whereas the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus goes behind the altar.

The public is invited to come meet the artist, see his work and learn about the Greek Orthodox spiritual tradition.

LGBT workshop

The Rev. Frank Schaefer will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry to be held at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 3002 Hope Valley Road, Durham, on Saturday, April 18. The theme of the conference is, “Love Your Neighbor.”

In 2013, Schaefer was put on trial in Pennsylvania by The United Methodist Church because he officiated at his son’s same-gender wedding. He was found guilty of violating church law and his credentials of ordination were taken from him. Schaefer appealed the penalty and his credentials were restored by the church’s Committee on Appeals. Because of the highly publicized trial, the Reverend Schaefer has emerged as one of the most recognized advocates in the nation for the full and equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, both in the church and in society.

In addition to the keynote address and worship, the conference will include a panel discussion on coming out in the church and workshops on issues related to advocating for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Registration and the complete schedule for the 2015 Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry is available online at: mfsancc.org/. The cost is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and $10 for students.

Brain disease book club

A book study group at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 403 E. Main St., is reading and discussing “The Troubled Minds” on Wednesday nights through May 5.

The group is discussing stories from people living with family members who have brain diseases of various degrees of severity and exploring the nature of these illnesses, what they are and what they are not.

The group will hear from one another about their own experiences with mental illness, the stigma, what helped and what did not help.

Later sessions will address the church's role, past and present, and how it can engage in ministry to people with mental illnesses.

All are welcome to join the group that meets from 6:30 to 7:30 in the church library.

The book is available at the Regulator Bookshop, 720 Ninth Street.

Women’s luncheon

The Durham Women's Connection will hold its Bring in Spring Luncheon at 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the Commons Dining Room at Croasdaile Village, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway.

The featured speaker is Mandy Lawrence, a former nurse and hospice worker and now an author. Her book “Wisdom from Wilbur” will be available for purchase. Her topic will be “Living Happily Ever After or Fairytale.”.

Elizabeth Scott, executive director of Durham County Community Living Program, will give the monthly feature.

The cost is $10 and includes a hot buffet lunch following the program.

Register by today by calling 919-384-2073 or email dwomen1@gmail.com.

Easter success

The Durham Rescue Mission reports that its annual Easter events offering the working poor and homeless in the Triangle Area a hot meal and free Easter baskets was a great success.

A total of 1,897 people attended the community dinner at mission headquarters, 1201 E. Main St.; 333 volunteers distributed 1,325 Easter baskets; 864 free bags of groceries were distributed; 7,231 articles of clothing were given away; and 1,658 meals served.

Episcopal luncheon

The Episcopal Church Women at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 403 E. Main St., will hold the annual benefit luncheon from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21.

Proceeds will benefit Urban Ministries of Durham, Bromley School, Senior PharAssist, Thompson Children's Home, Threshold, Children's Place, Missionary Christmas Fund and Crisis Response Center.

The cost is an $8 donation. All are welcome.

‘Kingdom Women’

The women at First Calvary Baptist Church, 2000 Chapel Hill Road, will take part in special events titled “At the Master's Feet: Building Kingdom Women.”

Activities include a mission project on Saturday, April 1, in which women will assist with giving out food at the 10 a.m. Mobile Market at Duke Memorial United Methodist, 504 W. Chapel Hill St.

At noon on Friday, April 24, Arlecia Simmons of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga., will lead the Hour of Power service at First Calvary.

WORDshops will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. Minister Cherry Hymes of Living Water Bible Church in Atlanta, will be the presenter.

On Sunday, April 26, Minister Hymes will speak at both the 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. Womanhood Sunday services.

All events are free, and the community is invited.

Call the church office for details: 919-489-4184.