Faith briefs

Bible schools

Church of God, 126 Garner Road, Decherd, Tenn., today, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (lunch included), theme: "God Provides True Treasures," 931-224-6659.

Cloud Springs Road Baptist Church, 210 Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Sunday, 6-7:30 p.m., ages 3-fifth grade, theme: "Saddle Ridge Ranch," 706-866-0164.

Comedy

Henry Welch, who has been featured on BET's "Comic View," will present a comedy show on Friday at 7 p.m. at The Mill, 1601 Gulf St., in conjunction with the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church's 120th anniversary. The cost is $10. For information, call the church at 267-6869.

Fellowship

Churches in the Chattanooga District of the United Methodist Church will have a district-wide picnic on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road. Free food will be offered between 4 and 6 p.m., and games and activities will be available for children and youth. A worship service in the church sanctuary will follow at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Fred Dearing, superintendent of the Chattanooga District, speaking. Willie Kitchens and his band will provide music.

Finances

Metropolitan Tabernacle, 2101 W. Shepherd Road, will host Financial Peace University, a 13-week program which teaches families and individuals how to handle their money through common-sense principles and small-group accountability, beginning Thursday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m. The classes include DVD lessons taught by program author Dave Ramsey and live group meetings. Topics will include saving for emergencies, budgeting, relationship and money issues, buying big bargains, getting out of debt, understanding investments, understanding insurance, retirement and college planning, buyer beware, real estate mortgages, and careers and extra jobs. For information or to register, call Joy Miller at 894-3377.

Music

Mark Fuller will present a Southern gospel piano concert at Fairview Church of the Nazarene, 2009 McFarland Ave., in Rossville, Ga., on Sunday at 6 p.m. For information, call the church at 706-866-7904.

The Scenic City Quartet and the Scenicland Boys, both of Chattanooga, will be featured in a benefit singing at Charity Baptist Church 2340 Rossville Blvd., on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. Donations will benefit the church's outreach ministry to the community. For information, call Casey at 423-704-0425 or visit www.sceniccityquartet.com.

Pianist Adam Burnette will present a recital with two-time Grammy Award winner soprano Sylvia McNair on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 3 p.m., at Calhoun First United Methodist Church, 205 E. Line Street, in Calhoun, Ga. Burnette will perform works of Schumann, Rachmaninov, Bach and some of his own arrangements, and McNair will sing selections from her concert "Songs for Sacred Spaces." There is no charge to attend, but a love offering will be taken. For information, call Marvin Beach at 706-403-4598.

The Greesons will present a concert on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m., at Cedar Hill Baptist Church, 60 Dyer Bridge Place, in Ringgold, Ga. For information, call the church at 706-858-0976 or e-mail pastor@cedarhillbaptist.com.

Nursing

Memorial Health Care System will host a class beginning in late September for registered nurses who want to participate in the Faith Community Nurse program. The eight-hour sessions are Sept. 22, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, and the three-hour evening sessions are Oct. 12, Oct. 26 and Nov. 9. All sessions must be completed in order to be commissioned. A commissioning/graduation ceremony will be Nov. 16. The deadline for registration is Sept. 9. For information or tuition cost, call coordinator Connie Blake at 495-6163 or e-mail connie_blake@memorial.org.

Retreats

A day of reflection, "Tending the Vineyard: Christian Perspective on Work," will be offered on Wednesday from 9 a.m. CDT through 3:30 p.m. at the Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, 916 Convent Road N.E., in Cullman, Ala. It will be led by Sister Elizabeth Meadows and will focus on the Christian meaning of work. The cost, including lunch, is $30, and preregistration is required. For information or to register, call the center at 256-734-8302 or retreats@shmon.org.

The Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center and Contemplative Outreach Birmingham will host an Introduction to Centering Prayer retreat Friday from 6 p.m. CDT through Sunday, Sept. 5, following the noon meal. It will be held at the retreat center, 916 Convent Road N.E., in Cullman, Ala. The retreat is for those new to the practice and is offered in order for participants to foster a deeper intimacy with Christ through the silence and stillness of contemplative prayer. The cost, including lodging and meals, is $195 per person. For information, call the center at 256-734-8302 or e-mail retreats@shmon.org.

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