Waialae church celebrates 50 years

The public is invited to attend Waialae Baptist Church's 60th anniversary next weekend.

A Family Fun Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and include entertainment, games, free food, popcorn, shave ice, free school supplies and door prizes.

Solomon Elimimian, a former University of Hawaii football star, will speak at the youth rally from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On July 26, breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a worship service from 9:45 to 11 a.m. The hula ministry, children's handbell choir, special out-of-town guests and recognition of charter members are scheduled.

Parking is available at Waialae Elementary, 1047 21st Ave., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and on Sunday morning. For information, call 732-5561, ext. 201.

Church welcomes acclaimed singer

Bass singer Gabriel Lewis-O'Connor of the male ensemble Chanticleer will be the guest soloist at the 10:30 a.m. service at Church of the Crossroads (United Church of Christ) on July 26.

O'Connor last appeared with Chanticleer in Honolulu in 2007. The internationally renowned group just completed its second 2009 European tour, a release said.

Originally from Lawrence, Kan., he returned after a stint in England to sing with the Kansas City Chorale and attend graduate school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. There he performed the role of Figaro in Mozart's “;Le Nozze di Figaro”; and sang with Armonia, a 12-voice early music ensemble, before moving west, a release said.

The church is at 1212 University Ave. For more information, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone 949-2220.

'Imagine' billboard stirs debate

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. » A billboard that was put up by the Alabama Freethought Association is causing debate, with some saying the sign reading “;Imagine No Religion”; is offensive and should be removed.

The billboard along Interstate 20 near Pell City was placed there by the association as part of a national campaign by the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The background of the sign is of a stained-glass window with the words sung by John Lennon in the song “;Imagine”; on top. Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the foundation in Madison, Wis., said the sign will be up for a month. The group had wanted a billboard near the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, but Lamar Advertising declined.

“;It was offensive to me,”; said Tom Traylor, general manager of Lamar Advertising in Birmingham. “;We have the autonomy to decide what's in the best interests of our company and what's offensive. I don't think it was the kind of message we wanted to stand behind.”;

Freethought association member Pat Cleveland of Talladega said she's gotten about 50 irate calls about the billboard but that the group's intentions aren't hostile. The Talladega Daily Home reported that a petition drive has been started to take it down.