Walchenback has served Presbyterian churches in Fort Walton Beach, DeLand and Orlando, Fla., and another in Dallas. He holds degrees from New Brunswick Seminary in New Jersey, from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a doctorate in church history from the University of Pittsburgh.

Doug Elvers, chairman of the interim pastor search committee, said this week that his committee actually conducted a national search. They received resumes and letters of interest from about 56 prospects across the country.

"We think he will match up with us very well," Elvers said. "In one of his former pastorates, he followed a minister who served the church for 28 years. We have a similar situation here."

The Rev. Haywood Holderness, who was Westminster's pastor for 32 years, retired at the end of June.

The church's Session, an elected body that governs the church, voted earlier this month to issue the call to Walchenback, which is effective Nov. 1.

"He has been the head of staff at several large churches, churches with a multi-clergy organization like Westminster," Elvers said.

"He's good at preaching The Word and the churches he has served have had significant programs in helping the poor and homeless."

Walchenback and his wife have two sons and four grandchildren.

Meeting, vigil for nonviolence coalition

The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham will meet Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 2317 Chapel Hill Road. Lunch will be provided.

Dr. Trip Ake of the Center for Child and Family Health will speak on "Common Reactions to Homicide by Children and Adults."

A clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, he leads the N.C. Child Response Initiative team in Durham. The team is composed of local police officers and mental-health clinicians who work to reduce the harmful effects of violence and trauma among families. His presentation will be helpful to the Religious Coalition as it seeks to be a supportive presence in the community.

Also on the agenda is the latest report on gun crime in Durham, including comparisons with other N.C. Middle District cities.

On Thursday the Religious Coalition and Durham Congregations in Action will sponsor a prayer vigil at 6 p.m. to honor the life of Marvin Marcus Blake. The vigil will be held at Pinecrest Apartments, 508 N. Hardee St. Blake, 22, was fatally shot on July 10.

The Israel Project comes to Judea Reform

Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi will present the Israel Project at Judea Reform Congregation on Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The event is free.

She will discuss how to appropriately respond to anti-Israel articles, news reports and editorials, as well as appropriate communication with elected officials.

Mizrahi is the founder and president of The Israel Project, an international non-profit organization devoted to educating the press and the public about Israel, while promoting security, freedom and peace. The project has offices in Washington.

Speakers flock to church for homecoming

Horton Road Original Free Will Baptist Church will celebrate 25 years of service next weekend.

The annual Camp Meeting and Homecoming will run Friday through Sunday and will feature a special guest speaker, the Rev. Robert Picirilli of Nashville, Tenn.

Other speakers will be the Rev. Pat Hall of Wilmington on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by the Rev. Jeff Jones of Fuquay-Varina.

Speakers on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m., will be the Rev. Dale Burden and the Rev. Karl Sexton, both of Virginia Beach; the Rev. Joe Ange of Knightdale, Tenn.; the Rev. Guy Owens of Wendell and Picirilli.

Homecoming on Sunday will begin at 9 a.m. and will feature the Rev. Virgel Nolen of Durham, the Rev. David Lee of Rockingham and Picirilli.

Southland Harmony and the Horton Road church choir will present special music.

The church is located at 1315 Horton Road, where the Rev. Harry G. Brown is the pastor.

Celebration scheduled for recovering addicts

A block party to celebrate city residents who are recovering from alcohol and drug addiction is set for Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Urban Ministries, 410 Liberty St. in downtown.

The event is free and will feature food, music and entertainment for all ages. A special feature will be the inspiring recovery stories of folks who have been assisted by programs offered in the city.

Durham County has an estimated 19,000 addicts and substance abusers, according to information from the Durham Center.

The center contracts with more than 100 area service providers and operates Durham Center Access, a 24/7 emergency response system designed to give immediate access to mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services to children and adults.