The 2006 CROP Walk, which exceeded its 2006 goal by more than $20,000, gave out its annual awards Tuesday during the monthly meeting of Durham Congregations in Action at Mt. Calvary United Church of Christ.

Jenny Shafer, executive director, announced that the total amount raised for the walk held in March now stands at $196,966. The goal was $175,000.

Awards went to congregations, businesses, nonprofits and schools, with congregational awards given in three categories related to size. The awards are gold sneakers for first and silver sneakers for second. Here are the winners:

* Large congregations: Immaculate Conception Catholic ($18,525) and Westminster Presbyterian ($15,595)

* Mid-size congregations: McMannen United Methodist ($8,018) and First Presbyterian ($8,000)

* Small congregations: Pilgrim United Church of Christ ($4,646) and Parkwood United Methodist ($3,848)

* Businesses: Kelly Services ($600) and Measurement Inc. ($600)

* Schools: Duke School for Children Middle School ($3,046)

* Nonprofits: Housing for New Hope ($962)

Eight individuals were honored for raising more than $1,000. They are McKenzie Brannon, Mary Holderness, Betty Berghaus, Nancy Rozak, Betty Jane Upchurch; the Hall Family, Pete and Shirley Massey and Dan Read.

The 2007 Durham CROP Walk has been set for April 1 with step off from the front of Duke Chapel at 2:30 p.m.

Good deals for all at this gift market

Hope Valley Baptist has announced an Alternative Christmas Gift Market to be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 in the fellowship hall of the church at 6900 Garrett Road.

"This is not just a sneaky way for us to have a church fundraiser," said Abby Hall, member of the planning committee. "The market is an opportunity for shoppers to come gather with fellow church members and friends for an evening of fellowship and Christmas cheer while shopping."

Hot cider, cocoa and cookies will be served to shoppers, and they will get Christmas cards to give to a friend or family member letting them know that a donation has been made in their honor.

Among the vendors at the market are the following:

* Habitat for Humanity, an organization that helps families attain affordable housing.

* Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that helps impoverished families worldwide become more self-reliant through the gift of livestock and training in their care.

* Family Health Ministries: Nonprofit that ministers to the nation of Haiti, running an orphanage including staffing, supplies and tuition.

* Society for Saint Andrew: Nonprofit aimed at eliminating hunger in America by gleaning fields of excess produce.

* Interfaith Hospitality Network: A ministry to homeless families in which clients spend nights in churches and are assisted in finding a job and moving toward permanent housing.

* One World Market: Non-profit store that sells Fair Trade handicrafts helping low-income artisans from around the world to earn a living wage.

Consecration, Advent sale at St. Paul's

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis Road, will hold an Advent Fair on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. in which members and friends can make crafts, including Christmas ornaments, Advent wreaths and items that may be given as gifts during the holiday season. All ages are welcome.

On Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. the congregation will gather for Holy Communion and a commissioning and consecration service for Diane M. Archer, associate in ministry, and William A. Dahl, diaconal minister.

The Rev. Leonard Bolick, bishop of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will preside.

A dinner will follow the service.

Archer has been approved for commissioning by the church after completing the candidacy process in the church.

As an associate in ministry at St. Paul's, she will serve as minister of education and youth.

Dahl is a member of St. Paul's and has been recommended to the congregation by the North Carolina Synod for call. He will serve the church as the Duke Lutheran Chaplain and will partner with Vicar Kristin Hunsinger, the Duke Lutheran Campus Minister.

New minister 'pounded' by Westminster

The new interim minister at Westminster Presbyterian, the Rev. Jack Walchenbach, preached for the first time last Sunday at the church on Old Chapel Hill Road.

He and his wife, Pat, were welcomed with a reception on Sunday morning and they were "pounded" by the congregation, an old Southern tradition in which the new preacher and his family get their pantry, freezer and cabinets completely stocked with food and supplies. The Walchenbachs are living in American Village.