Renovare, a spiritual renewal conference led by Richard Foster, a nationally known leader and author of the classic book, "A Celebration of Discipline," is scheduled Feb. 29 and March 1 at Chapel Hill Bible Church.

This is the third time Triangle churches have joined to sponsor this event. The last conference in 2004 attracted about 900 participants.

"Churches are excited to host this conference because it will be the last time Richard Foster will speak in this part of the country," said local organizer Richella Parham. "He is retiring from his speaking ministry to concentrate on writing."

Chris Webb, the new president of the ministry, will join Foster for the event. He is an Anglican priest who recently moved to the states from his native Wales. George Skramstad will lead the music, which will come from many different Christian traditions.

Foster founded Renovare (Latin word meaning "to renew") in 1988. It seeks to combine the best from the contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, evangelical and incarnational traditions to provide a practical strategy to help individuals nurture their own spiritual growth.

As a result of the last Renovare conference four years ago, a number of people at Chapel Hill Bible Church began spiritual formation groups as suggested by Foster.

"This renewed interest in prayer has created several initiatives in our church," said Cyndi Whisnant, director of communication. "In the fall of 2006, we had a 40-day, 24/7 prayer vigil that had more than 600 people coming to the church to pray each hour."

Registration is under way. The conference fee is $60 until Feb. 15 and $70 thereafter. The fee for full-time students is $40. Checks should be made payable to the Chapel Hill Bible Church and mailed to the church at 260 Erwin Road, Chapel Hill 27514. Or register online at www.biblechurch.org.

The conference is sponsored primarily by local congregations. Sponsors from Durham are Duke Chapel, Duke Divinity School, Hope Valley Baptist Church, Resurrection United Methodist, Triangle Presbyterian and Trinity School. Those from Chapel Hill are All Saints Church, Aqueduct Conference Center, Chapel Hill Bible Church, HillSong Church and Holy Family Episcopal.

Churches schedule Ash Wednesday services

Easter comes early this spring, on March 23. This means Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent, is this coming week.

The dates for Easter -- and, as a result, Ash Wednesday -- shift every year. Easter is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, so it can fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25. Ash Wednesday can occur as early as Feb. 4 or as late as March 10.

Many area churches will hold Ash Wednesday services in which worshipers are reminded that Lent is a season of penance, meditation and reflection.

Fasting may be a part of the observance of Lent. In recent years, Lent observance in some congregations has not focused so much on what one gives up but on what one decides to take on, such as a significant change in life or attitude.

Here are some of the Ash Wednesday services planned:

•Duke Chapel will hold services at 8 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. The Rev. Jenny Copeland will offer a homily and there will be an opportunity to receive the imposition of ashes.

•Westminster Presbyterian, 3639 Old Chapel Hill Road, will have a pancake supper in the fellowship hall at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Ash Wednesday service in the church sanctuary at 7 p.m.

•Watts Street Baptist, 800 Watts St., will hold its service at 7:30 p.m., including the imposition of ashes.

•A Community Ash Wednesday service will be held at Trinity United Methodist, 215 N. Church St. in downtown. Lunch will be served at noon with worship following at 12:30 p.m.

Mayor Bill Bell will lead the worship. The Rev. Joe Harvard, pastor of First Presbyterian, will preach on the topic "A Revision of Reality." The imposition of ashes will follow.

Cooperating churches include Fisher Memorial United Holy Church, Union Baptist, Watts Street Baptist, First Presbyterian and Trinity.

Weekly Lenten lunches to be held at 5 churches

Five southwestern Durham churches will hold Lenten lunches on Wednesdays at noon during Lent. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m. followed by a short worship service.

Here is the schedule:

FEB. 13: St. Paul's Lutheran, 1200 W. Cornwallis Road.

FEB. 20: St. Stephen's Episcopal, 82 Kimberly Drive.

FEB. 27: Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 3011 Academy Road.

MARCH 5: Westminster Presbyterian, 3639 Old Chapel Hill Road.

MARCH 12: Epworth United Methodist, 3002 Hope Valley Road.

Immaculata school holds open house

Durham's Immaculata Catholic School on Burch Avenue hosted an open house this week for prospective students and the community, and its students took part in a couple of community-service projects. This was part of the annual celebration of the nation's 7,800 Catholic schools and their contribution to communities.

Students in pre-kindergarten through grade two collected canned goods for the Food Bank of North Carolina, and grades three through eight collected wash cloths, hand towels and bath towels. Students also earned money to buy blankets for Urban Ministries of Durham.

Gospel group slated for Sacred Grounds show

The Samuel Obie Family will perform gospel music tonight from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Sacred Grounds Coffee House, 2700 N. Roxboro Road. It's the little white building on the Hugo Street side of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

To guarantee a seat, e-mail Dave Lloyd at dave@sacredgroundscoffeehouse.org.

A Duke Chapel Choir greatest hymns CD?

The 150-voice Duke Chapel Choir has released "With Cheerful Voice," a compilation of favorite hymns and anthems featuring the choir with Rodney Wynkoop conducting and David Arcus at the Aeolian Organ. The CD for $20 is available at Duke's Gothic Bookshop, in the narthex after services or by contacting Chapel Music at 684-3898.

Disaster response training at White Rock

Durham Interfaith Disaster Response, composed of several area churches, is sponsoring a volunteer shelter training event on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 8 a.m. to noon at White Rock Baptist Church, 3400 Fayetteville St.

Training will be conducted by the American Red Cross. Congregations of all faiths are invited to participate in the training, which is mandatory for anyone interested in volunteering in a shelter during a disaster.

To register, call (919) 688-8136 by Thursday.