Prayer service focuses on women and AIDS
Stories of women who have been affected by AIDS will be featured Wednesday at the annual World AIDS Day service at St. Andrew's Cathedral.The 5:30 p.m. service will feature a candle-lighting memorial, prayer and music.
Miss Hawaii Olena Rubin will read Gov. Linda Lingle's proclamation setting World AIDS Day in Hawaii.
The state Department of Health will inaugurate the Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award for outstanding service in fighting the AIDS problem in Hawaii. It is named for the former director of the STD/AIDS Prevention Branch drug assistance program who died in August.
Portions of the Memorial Quilt made by the AIDS Names Project Hawaii will be displayed, including the St. Andrew's quilt.
A reception will follow in Davies Hall.
'Tis the season for church concerts
Island churches will provide a musical respite from hectic holiday preparations with concerts planned for next month.» Christian entertainers will perform at the "Christmas in Kaimuki" concerts next Saturday and Dec. 5 at Kaimuki Christian Church, 1117 Koko Head Ave. The concerts at 7 p.m. will feature Na Hoku Hanohano winners Randy and Gay Hongo, Tony and JennyLee Tam Sing, Halau Hoomana o Ka Haku and 10-year-old Angelica Romanillos. Donations will benefit the Common Grace mentoring program for public school students.
» The audience might sing along with the choir performing Handel's "Messiah" at a Dec. 5 concert in Kailua. The free event will be at 6 p.m. at Christ Church Uniting, 1300 Kailua Road. Singers may prepare for the event by attending rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m. next Saturday and the 4:30 p.m. warm-up Dec. 5.
» Nuuanu Congregational Church will be the scene of the Honolulu Chorale's annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 18. Refreshments will be served after the free performance at 7 p.m.
Go to church to get your shopping done
To find Christmas decorations and gifts without the crush at the malls, shoppers have the option of heading for a church fund-raiser.» Tomorrow is the Mini Christmas Craft Fair at St. Piux X Church, 2821 Lowrey Ave., Manoa. The crafts on sale from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. include Christmas decorations, jewelry, etched-glass items and note cards. Homemade jams and jellies and baked goods will also be sold.
» The Christmas Craft Fair at Calvary Chapel, 98-1016 Komo Mai Drive, Aiea, will open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Saturday. On sale will be Hawaiian and Tahitian crafts, quilts and pillows, Christmas ornaments and cards, wooden crafts and baked goods. Local entertainers will perform. It will benefit the church school and children's library.
» The Christmas Craft and Wreath Festival at St. Ann's Church and Schools, 46-129 Haiku Road, Kaneohe, will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Saturday. Christmas wreaths and crafts will be sold.
Islam and politics topic of seminar
The role of Islam in global politics, wars and peace will be discussed at a Thursday seminar sponsored by the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council.Saleem Ahmed will speak on "Moving from a Clash of Civilizations to Congruence: the Muslim Factor" in the 3 p.m. presentation at the East-West Center Burns Hall, 1601 East-West Road.
Ahmed is the author of "Beyond Veil and Holy War: Islamic Teachings and Muslim Practices with Biblical Comparisons." He grew up in Pakistan and has lived in Hawaii for 30 years. He is an insurance company executive.
The event is free and open to the public. For reservations, call Tandy at 944-7784.