Editor’s note: Items for Religion Briefs should be submitted, typed or printed, to The Meridian Star by noon the Monday before publication. Please do not call in announcements.

To mail, send to P.O. Box 1591, Meridian, MS 39302. Fax to (601) 485-1275. E-mail to ibrown@themeridianstar.com. Photos may also accompany information when space allows. For information, call (601) 693-1551, ext. 3224.



FYI

• Mustard Tree Bargain Center, 3918 Eighth St. (formerly Victory Outreach Bargain Center), is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Donations accepted for clothing of all sizes, furniture, electronics, appliances, household goods, bric-a-brac, books, blankets, sheets, linens, bedding, beds, bed frames, lawn equipment, tools, office equipment, fans, lights, kitchen items and other items. Tax-deductible receipts issued for all donations.

Beginning Sept. 5, canned goods, dry food and frozen food items will be accepted for a local outreach food pantry. These donations will be used locally to feed the needy and for natural disasters. For more information, contact Rick Burton at (601) 482-2061 or (601) 934-2575.

• A food and clothing bank is open Saturdays, from noon-2 p.m., at Fifth Street Missionary Baptist Church, 2350 Old Highway 45 North. For more information, call Carmelita Eadie at (601) 462-6658.



TODAY

• Pilgrim Hill United Methodist Church’s annual barbecue will begin at 8 a.m. at the corner of Eighth Street and 45th Avenue



SUNDAY

• Druid Hills United Methodist Church’s annual homecoming service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Rex Alman will be guest speaker. Lunch will be served after the morning service.

• Women’s Day will be observed at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church at 3 p.m. Speaker will be Abigail M. Reed, wife of the church’s pastor. The church is at 1012 Donald Ave.

• TOOMSUBA — The congregation of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church will observe the church’s anniversary at 3 p.m. The Rev. Eddie G. Creigh, former pastor, will be guest speaker. The church is at 6950 Lauderdale-Toomsuba Road.

• LAUDERDALE — The congregation of St. Paul Primitive Baptist Church will celebrate the first anniversary of their minister, The Rev. Ecclesiastes Goodwin with a special service at 3 p.m. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Charles Johnson, pastor of Fitkins Memorial Church of the Nazarene and president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. The church is at 0849 Old Highway 45 North.

• The Mattie B. Thomas Women Missionary Society of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church will host its annual calendar tea at 4 p.m. “Women With a Red Hat Attitude” is the theme. The church is at 3704 Davis St.



COMING UP

• The Singing Saints will be in concert Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at Lost Gap Independent Protestant Church, 73 North Lakeland Drive. Refreshments will be served after the program.

• NEWTON — A goodwill program for the Rev. Tommy George Robinson will be held Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Third New Hope District Building on old Hickory Road. Churches are asked to give $100. For more information, call the Rev. Antonio Sheppard, second vice moderator of Third New Hope, at (601) 616-7714.

• Family Conference 2006 will be Sept. 21-23 at Freedom Rock Christian Fellowship, 5718 Fifth St. “Cultivating Our Kingdom Families” is the the theme. Guest speakers are the Rev. Mark Baker of Brunswick, Ga., Sept. 21, 7 p.m.; and the Rev. David Odom of Jackson, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.

On Sept. 23, morning classes are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, and will feature sessions for the family. A picnic will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Highland Park, followed by a concert at 6:30 p.m. at the Frank Cochran Center. Guest gospel rap artist Flame and comedian Broderick Rice will be featured.

Registration is as follows: single, $25; couple, $35; family up to five members, $50; family with more than five members, $65. Youth and children services will be held nightly. Registration deadline is Sept. 15. For more, information call the church office at (601) 693-0502.

• WHYNOT COMMUNITY — Bethany Baptist Church’s annual Memorial Day/Homecoming Service is Sept. 24.