Baker University

The story of the Hebrew people’s escape from Egypt will be told through the lens of African-Americans during the Cooperative School of Christian Mission from Thursday through July 20 at Baker University in Baldwin.

Sylvia Craig will lead discussions about African-Americans’ liberation from slavery in the United States and their continuous struggle with racism today. Last year, a similar event at Baker attracted about 150 participants.

The relation of the United States to Mexico is another topic that will be explored. Lois Waters, Norma Bolanos and Gary Roellchen will lead this study.

“Creating Interfaith Community” is the title of a session to be led by Glory Dharmaraj, Sam Muyskens, Sydney Stigge-Kaufman and Bill Beachy. They will look at the theological and contemporary issues involved in creating interfaith community and its implications for global mission.

Mary McCoy will bring the interfaith idea to youth with the elementary study, “Who is That Kid Next Door?: Creating Interfaith Community.” A Korean study on creating interfaith community also is planned. Hyun Kyung Chun will lead it.

The school includes worship sessions, chapel time, prayer walks and spiritual growth classes. It is sponsored by the United Methodist Women, the Kansas East Conference Mission and Justice Ministry Area and the District Councils on Ministry.

This event is open to the public. The cost is $45 per person if the participant calls and registers ahead of time, or $50 per person for those who register at the door.

For more information, call Julie Buzbee at (785) 272-9111.

Calvary Temple Assembly of God

Women’s ministries of Calvary Temple Assembly of God will be host to a family picnic at 4 p.m. Sunday on the church grounds, 606 W. 29th St. Terrace.

The meal will feature hot dogs, hamburgers and homemade ice cream.

The event will replace regular Sunday night services.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Topeka Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will have an old-fashioned county fair, called “Pioneer Day,” at 2 p.m. July 24 at Lawrence Chapel, 3615 W. 10th St.

The 10 congregations of the Mormon Church in northeast Kansas will join together to enjoy pie-judging and barrel-rolling contests, water activities, handcart and sack races and other pioneer events. There will be a potluck supper.

The 24th of July commemorates the arrival of the first company of Mormon pioneers in 1847 in the Utah’s Salt Lake Valley. It is celebrated by church members around the world in honor of the sacrifices of their ancestors.

Clinton Parkway Assembly of God

The women’s ministries of Clinton Parkway Assembly of God will sponsor the second annual “Backpack Outreach” at 8 a.m. Aug. 9 at the church, 3200 Clinton Parkway, to give away backpacks filled with school supplies.

The event is designed to help provide supplies for children to attend classes, as well as giving students backpacks in which to carry them.

Children must be accompanied by their parents to receive the free items, which will be donated by members and attendees of the church, as well as several Lawrence-area businesses.

For more information, call the church at 843-7189.

First United Methodist Church

Evening vacation Bible school for children from preschool through sixth grade will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt.

This year’s theme is “Scuba, Super Cool Undersea Bible Adventure.”

For more information, call the church at 841-7500.

Immanuel Lutheran Church & University Student Center

The 75th anniversary celebration of Immanuel Lutheran Church will be July 20, and the community is welcome to join church members for a time of “Celebration, Remembrance and Anticipation.”

A social gathering at the church, 15th and Iowa streets, will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a special service at 10:30 a.m.

The Rev. Howard Patten will deliver the message. Other pastors who have been associated with the church will also participate.

A luncheon will be in Stidham Union at Haskell Indian Nations University, followed by a time of reflection at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

Members will share their memories, accompanied by a multimedia presentation of the church’s history.

During the day’s celebration, initial drawings will be unveiled for the future expansion of the congregation.

The University Student Center associated with the church was formed in 1965, and the two combined in 1986. The congregation itself is 75 years old.

For more information, call 843-0620.

Living Water Church

Ron Foster, a Bible teacher who recently returned from a preaching tour at the Ojibway Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, will visit Living Water Church, a new congregation that meets in the Lawrence Visitor Center, 402 N. Second St.

Foster will preach at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. The meeting is open to the public.

Plymouth Congregational Church

The Rev. Nancy Thellman will preach at the 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday worship services at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt.

She is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church and a Lawrence native.

The Rev. Peter Luckey, Plymouth’s senior pastor, is attending a meeting of the United Church of Christ General Synod through Wednesday in Minneapolis.

Redeemer Lutheran Church

The women’s sewing group of Redeemer Lutheran Church will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church, 2700 Lawrence Ave. The group is continuing to tie quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

The social concerns committee is seeking donations to help the needy by purchasing school supplies. Those who wish to donate may call the church at 843-8181.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church

Registration continues for the children’s “Gift Opener” program in August at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St.

The summer children’s program continues to be offered at the 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday services.

Trinity Episcopal Church

Ellyn Owen and Rita Tracy, deacon, will present “The Asset Approach — 40 Elements of Healthy Development” during the adult forum at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the parish hall of Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vt.

The program focuses on how church members of all ages can help to create, build and support opportunities for the healthy growth of children and youth.

Trinity Lutheran Church

The Rev. John Kreidler, assistant to the bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will be the guest presider and preacher Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 N.H.

He also will join the “Know Your Church” adult study, which meets at 9:45 a.m. Sunday.

Twelve young people and adults from the church will leave Monday to attend the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Atlanta, an event held every three years for Lutheran high school students.

The Rev. Gary Teske, senior pastor, is due to return Monday from a three-week mission trip to Papua New Guinea. Later this summer, he will give a presentation on the mission team’s activities.

Women of the ELCA will have its annual salad luncheon at noon Wednesday in the church’s social room.

Veritas Christian School

The community is invited to attend an open house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. July 20 at Veritas Christian School, 256 N. Michigan.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet the school’s administrator, teachers, coaches, staff and board members.

Veritas is adding grades 10 and 11 in the fall, and plans to add 12th grade in the fall of 2004.

It is a classical Christian school with membership in the Association of Christian Schools International and the Association of Classical Christian Schools.

For more information about the open house or the school, call 749-0083.

West Side Presbyterian Church

Molly Jorgensen, harpist, will present the special music for the 11 a.m. Sunday worship service at West Side Presbyterian Church, 1204 Kasold Drive.

“The Nightingale” by Deborah Henson-Conant is the name of Jorgensen’s contribution to the service. It will be preceded at 10:40 a.m. by the Summer Hymn Fest.