FAITH BRIEFS

Pezzino called to shared ministry

* The Rev. Pauline Pezzino, a recent graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary, was recently called as minister of Resurrection Lutheran Church, 4309 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road, in Ooltewah, and part-time youth minister at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5001 Hixson Pike.

She began her service, a collaborative effort through a Mutual Ministry Committee composed of people from both congregations, on July 13.

Mrs. Pezzino graduated from seminary in May and was ordained at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Norcross, Ga., the area where she has spent most of her adult life, earlier this month.

At Resurrection, she replaces the Rev. Clay Seneker, a retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in American minister who had served as the congregation's part-time minister for more than a year.

Mrs. Pezzino and her husband, John, are the parents of a grown son and a daughter who is deceased.

Enrichment opportunity

* The Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, located at 916 Convent Road in Cullman, Ala., will host a five-day directed retreat Monday through Friday. The retreat, for those seeking ongoing faith development with an experienced director, will be led by Sister Kathleen Gallas and Sister Mary McGehee. The cost for a private room is $375 per person. For information, call the center at (256) 734-8302.

Music opportunities

* Gaither Homecoming artist Ann Downing will present a concert on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Cedar Hill Baptist Church, 60 Dyer Bridge Place Road, in Ringgold. For information, call the church at 706-858-0976 or e-mail cedarhb@bellsouth.net.

* Ridgeview Baptist Church will host a free outdoor concert on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Kids Station Christian Learning Center, 14237 Alabama Highway. The featured group is Windfall, a seven-piece praise and worship band with a contemporary Christian and classic rock sound from Faith Community Church in West Chester, Ohio. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets, and refreshments will be available for purchase. For information, call Dr. Jim Gennoe at 706-937-2901 or visit www.myridgeviewchurch.com.

* Rhyme and Reason, a Southern gospel trio, will present a concert on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 6:30 p.m., at Ooltewah Baptist Church, 5514 Main St. There is no charge to attend, but a love offering will be accepted. For information, call the church at 238-4831.

Parish nursing

* Memorial Health Care System will provide a faith community/parish nurse preparation class for registered nurses beginning Aug. 19. The program includes three eight-hour days and three three-hour evening sessions for a total of 33 hours, and all sessions must be completed for credit. The topics to be discussed are assessing the health needs of the congregation/faith community, health education and health counseling, community resources, and approaches to grief and bereavement. The registration and tuition deposit payment deadline is Aug. 5. For information, call Connie Blake at 495-6163 or e-mail connie_blake@memorial.org.

Vacation Bible schools

* Cloud Springs Road Baptist Church, 210 Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Wednesdays through Aug. 5, 6:30-8 p.m., ages kindergarten through fifth grade, theme: "Truth Trek," 706-866-0164.

* Covenant Church, 9259 Hixson Pike, Soddy-Daisy, 11 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, ages 4 through fifth grade, theme: "Studio Go! Game Show," 842-7955 or www.VacationBibleSchool.com/CovenantChurch.

* First Baptist Church, 506 E. Eighth St., Wednesday through Friday, 5:30-8 p.m., all ages, theme: "The Jesus Chronicles: A Life Changing Encounter," 265-3229 or www.fbce8.com.

* Northside Presbyterian Church, 923 Mississippi Ave., Sunday through Thursday, 5-7 p.m. (including dinner), ages preschool through sixth grade, theme: "Camp E.D.G.E.: Experience & Discover God Everywhere," 266-1766.

* Red Bank Church of Christ, 3600 Dayton Blvd., 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, theme: "Journey Into Wildwood Forest To Discover the Untamed Nature of God," 875-4816.

* Renaissance Presbyterian Church, 1211 Boynton Drive, Monday through Friday, ages 3-17, 5:30-7:30 p.m., theme: "God's Movement," 624-0724.

* White Oak United Methodist Church, 2232 Lyndon Ave., today, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., ages kindergarten through sixth grade, theme: "Camp E.D.G.E.: Experience & Discover God Everywhere," 877-6042 or http://www.whiteoakumc.org.

Workshop

* David Hiller, an ordained minister, author and spiritual counselor, will lead the workshop "Miracle Shifts" on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Unity of Chattanooga, 604 Black St. The suggested donation is $20. For information, call the church at 755-7990.

Youth event

* "Leaping Over Walls," a series of youth lectures, will be offered at Green's Lake Road Church of Christ, 1209 Green's Lake Road, on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The topics and speakers include "Leaping the Wall of Worldliness" (Matt Johnson), "Leaping the Wall of Religious Persecution" (Cody Boston) and "Leaping the Wall of Borrowed Faith" (Jacob Campbell). An additional session will be offered for women, "Leaping the Walls of Negative Self-Doubt" (Cindy Hunt), and one for men, "Leaping the Wall of Bad Attitude" (Reid Perry). A Lake Winnepesaukah outing follows lunch at noon. For information, call 867-7115 or visit www.glrcoc@att.net.

-- Compiled by staff writer Clint Cooper from news releases