GUEST PREACHER AT COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Dr. Perry G. Downs, professor of educational ministries and associate dean for doctoral education at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., will preach during the 8 and 10 a.m. worship services Sunday at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 40 Ohio St. He has been at Trinity since 1976.

Prior to coming to Trinity, Downs taught at Philadelphia College of Bible, where he also served as chair of the department of Christian Education. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at Canadian Theological Seminary in Saskatchewan and North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. Downs has also been interim pastor in 10 churches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Downs earned a Ph.D. and an M.A.in religious education from New York University; a B.S. in Bible from Philadelphia College of Bible; and a diploma from Miami Bible College in Miami, Fla.

Downs's areas of expertise include faith development, moral development and moral education. He is a member of the National Association of Professors of Christian Education, the Religious Education Association, and the Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education.

Downs's published works include many books, articles, reviews and audio tapes. Among them is his book "Teaching for Spiritual Growth" (Zondervan, 1994). His articles have appeared in such publications as Eternity, Journal of Christian Education, Moody Monthly and Christianity Today. From 1997 to 2003 he has served as the editor of Christian Education Journal.

Downs and his wife, Sandra, have four children, two grown and two adopted. and have been foster parents to more than 30 children. They live in Wildwood, Ill. In his spare time, Downs enjoys fishing.

SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE IN BURLINGTON

The Burlington Area Association of Churches and Ministers is offering a special worship service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 216 E. Chandler Blvd., on the triangle of Edward, Perkins and Chandler. This is a time for those who are grieving to come and join in sharing and hearing prayers, Scripture and music that acknowledge that God's presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle - and that God's word comes to shine light into our darkness.

The service will be followed by a time for light refreshments and fellowship. Invite those you know who are grieving to be with us and perhaps in some way to experience the wonder and hope of Christmas.

For further information, contact the Rev. Joanne Skidmore at (262) 763-7482.

SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE AT RACINE ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Racine Assembly of God, 1325 Airline Road, invites the public to attend the "Miracle of the Drum: The 12th annual Singing Christmas Tree" Dec. 6-9.

The wonder and awe of the season will come alive in song and drama when a young boy is confronted with a very special drum. The 20-foot tall Singing Christmas Tree with thousands of lights will feature the Sanctuary Choir and Children's Choir singing many favorite songs of the season.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 6-8 and at 3 p.m. Dec. 8-9. An additional performance will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 9. Admission is free but tickets are required by calling (262) 886-5644.

Desserts and warm drinks will be sold after each evening performance.

ANNUAL DAY SERVICES AT GREATER ST. LUKE

The trustee board of Greater St. Luke Baptist Church, 1326 State St., will be featured in their annual day services at 7 tonight and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The service tonight will feature a musical with guests from Milwaukee and Racine.

The guest speaker for the service Sunday is Deacon John Mosley. A musical will also be featured.

UNITED METHODIST CHAPLAIN TO PREACH AT CHRIST CHURCH

The Rev. Fid Sailor is the guest preacher during the 8 and 10:30 a.m. services Sunday at Christ Church, 5109 Washington Ave. Sailor is chaplain for the United Methodists' Madison hospital chaplaincy program. Sailor visits each year with more than 2,000 patients, most of whose homes are out of town, at University and other Madison area hospitals.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER USHERS IN ADVENT SEASON

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 2417 Drexel Ave., will usher in the Advent season during services beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday with performances by New Dawn, a youth encounter team consisting of three girls and two boys, all college students. There will be a puppet show, music and interactive worship. Opus 2000 will also perform.

EPIPHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH CELEBRATES ADVENT

Epiphany Lutheran Church, 2921 Olive St., will celebrate Advent during 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening worship services.

ADVENT SERIES AT GREGG CHAPEL

The Advent series "Promise of Jesus" and the last Family and Friends Day of the year will be held during the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday at Gregg Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 2237 Howe St. Special guest soloist will be Brother Eddie Farr from Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Beloit.

GUEST SPEAKER AT OLYMPIA BROWN

In "Moments of Bliss," timeless, brief and wonderful experiences will be described by guest speaker Craig Schwalenberg, assistant minister of the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, during the 9 and 11 a.m. services Sunday at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, 625 College Ave. "Such moments are worth holding on to, worth seeking, and worth sharing with each other," he explained. Schwalenberg is a recent graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School and his ministry is focused on "connections and community."

"Grandmothers Beyond Borders," established by Amy Peterson after her pilgrimage to Uganda, will be presented by Peterson during a potluck lunch at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Olympia Brown UU Church Annex, 419 Sixth St. A free will offering will be accepted for the Grandmothers' group to aid African grandparents who must care for orphaned grandchildren. Call Bunny Bugnacki, (262) 835-4109, for more information.

ORIGINAL ROOT ZEN CENTER CELEBRATES BUDDHA'S ENLIGHTENMENT

The Original Root Zen Center will celebrate the Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony at 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at in the East Building of the DeKoven Center, 600 21st St.

After six years of great effort, the historical Buddha saw the morning star and woke up to his true nature of peace and loving-kindness. More than 2,600 years later, Buddha's Enlightenment is celebrated by Buddhists around the world, and it is Buddhism's biggest holiday.

Buddha's Enlightenment at Original Root Zen Center also features a Pathtaking Ceremony, which this year includes the ordination of one reverend teacher, an installation of two new abbots and an honor ceremony for elders and master teachers. Several people also will become new members by taking precepts, which are vows to help this world.

The Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony is open to the public.

Visit the Original Root Zen Center Web site at http://www.originalrootzencenter.org or contact Holly Johnson for more information by calling (262) 930-1901, or e-mail ORZC@wi.rr.com

TAIZE WORSHIP ON ADVENT WEDNESDAYS AT ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH

Special Advent services will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Dec., 7, 14 and 21 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 1015 4 Mile Road. The Taize meditative style of worship will include scripture reading, prayerful meditation, singing and silence.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HOSTS HOLIDAY CONCERT

First Baptist Church, 3117 Lathrop Ave., will host a holiday concert at 6 p.m. Sunday. The concert will feature the Kiwanis Youth Choir, the first Baptist Church Choir, and a Christmas Carol sing along.

A freewill offering will be accepted. For more information, contact the church office at (262) 554-7735.

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE AT SECOND MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

A women's conference, "Prayer: Access Granted," will be held Dec. 7-9 at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 1250 Lathrop Ave.

Speakers include:

n Friday - Janice Wilcoxson of Mount Sanai of Waukegan, Ill., "Praying for a Healthier You.

n Saturday - Evangelist Mary Weatherspoon of Second Baptist Church, "Lord Teach Us to Pray;" the Rev. Benette Darden of Chicago, "Praying to Break Strongholds and Generational Curses;" The Rev. Gloria Eldrich of Gary, Ind., "Praying to Walk in our Spiritual Gifts and Annointing;" and the Rev. Sharon Robinson of Newark, N.J., "Praying to Break Financial Bondage."

n Sunday - The Rev. Dr. Brenda Little of Chicago, "Prayer: Access Granted."

For more information or to register for the conference, call the church at (262) 633-6180.

SUNDAY OPEN HOUSES AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Sunday Open Houses will be held Dec. 2, 9 and 16 at First United Methodist Church, 745 Main St. Contemporary worship services with the Praise Team begins at 9:15 a.m. and the traditional worship service with organ and choir begins at 10:45 a.m.

For more information call (262) 633-7632 or visit the Web at http://www.1umcracine.org

ADVENT DAY OF REFLECTION AT SIENA CENTER

"Waiting Patiently - An Advent Day of Reflection" will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Siena Center, 5635 Erie St. The day will focus on Advent waiting, using the Sunday scriptures of Advent - Cycle A. Attendees will explore how we wait, the need for patience, openness to the unexpected and the willingness to be surprised.

Cost to attend is $40. For more information or to register, call Sister Rita Lui at (262) 639-4100.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP MUSIC AT FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH

Fellowship Baptist Church, 5607 Wright Ave., welcomes Nicol Sponberg (formerly of the group "Selah") for an evening of inspirational praise and worship music at 7 p.m. Dec. 8.

General admission tickets are available for $15 each. Contact the church office at (262) 633-3206 or stop by the church between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday for tickets. No nursery services are available.

FORUM SERIES AT UW-PARKSIDE

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Forum series "Love Thy Neighbor: An Evolutionary Perspective" will begin at noon Monday in Molinaro 105 at UW-Parkside, 900 Wood Road.

The forum series will feature some reflections on the biblical rule of loving the neighbor as oneself. The speaker will be Wayne G. Johnson, emeritus professor of philosophy at UW-Parkside. Johnson will discuss the evolutionary function of that widely respected moral rule. He will also explore the meaning of "neighbor" in the early Biblical context of that rule, and also explore how the rule aided in the survival of an ancient tribe of people.

All forums are free and open to the public. Visitors to campus should park in the Union Parking lot where no citations are given during forum hours. The forums are sponsored by "Perspectives on Religious Issues; UW-Parkside." For more information, call Johnson at (262) 639-7149.