This year's ceremony will recognize four officers who gave their lives in the line of duty, including Cpl. Billy T. Gregory of the Durham Police Department.

Gregory was a 25-year veteran of the department who died on April 24, 2004. While taking part in mandatory physical fitness training, he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Gregory was active in the community and enjoyed coaching children in sports, especially Pee Wee football in the Oak Grove Athletic Association.

The other three honorees are Byron Douglas Carpenter of the Belmont Police Department, Bobby Lee Cox of the Burke County Sheriff's Department and Christopher Brian Matthews of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

Featured speaker will be a retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Hugh Shelton, a Tarboro native. Attorney General Mike Cooper will preside and the Durham Police Department Choir will sing.

Families of the four honored officers will be recognized with a luncheon after the service.

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Five churches in southwest Durham will host their annual baccalaureate service for graduating high-school seniors on June 4 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1200 W. Cornwallis Road. The service will begin at 4 p.m.

The event is hosted by Epworth United Methodist, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, St. Stephen's Episcopal, Westminster Presbyterian and St. Paul's.

The baccalaureate worship service is open to all graduating high-school seniors and families in Durham. Seniors are invited to wear their caps and gowns.

A reception will follow the service.

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The First United Metaphysical Chapel, 9602 Roxboro Road, Bahama, is hosting the Rev. Hoyt Robinette, an ordained Spiritualist minister, today and Sunday.

Spirit card writing is one of the gifts he will demonstrate during gatherings today and Sunday. Spirit card writing begins when blank 3-by-5 cards are placed in a tightly woven basket with lots of colored pencils, crayons and markers, said the Rev. Connie Graddy, one of the chapel's three ministers.

Robinette then goes into a light trance. When his spirit teachers tell him it is time, he opens the basket.

Beautiful pictures have been placed on the cards with names of loved ones from the spirit world.

A few private readings are available this morning, $50 for members and $55 for non-members. A message service is set for tonight at 7 p.m., during which there will be spirit messages.

Graddy will speak at the 11 a.m. service on Sunday. After the service, Robinette will hold a spirit card writing demonstration. A pot luck dinner will be served in the church fellowship area and at 2 p.m.,

There is limited seating available. Prices are $40 for members and $45 for non-members.

Reservations can be made for any of these events by calling the Rev. Connie Graddy at (336) 364-1733, or at the chapel, (919) 471-0351.

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Durham Mennonite Church, 603 Lynn Road, will offer a series of six Friday evening supper programs, beginning May 26 and continuing through June 30, on "The Da Vinci Code" and the New Testament gospels.

Supper will be served at 6 p.m. and a presentation and discussion will follow at 7 p.m.

On May 26, Pastor Spencer Bradford will give a review of the movie and discuss cultural factors influencing the popularity of the book and the film. On subsequent Fridays in June, presentations and discussions will focus on the gospel accounts of Jesus of Nazareth, using the recent book by Brian McLaren, "The Secret Message of Jesus" as a resource.

Child care is available with further information by calling 687-2995.

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Performances of "How Great is Our God" are on tap today at 7 p.m. and again at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the family life center at Triangle Presbyterian Church.

The 40-voice choir at the church has been practicing for four months to produce this professional-quality cantata, said Beth Robbins, director of music ministries. She has arranged a blend of songs varying from traditional to Southern gospel, all emphasizing the personal benefit of calling upon God.

Triangle Presbyterian is located at 5001 Tudor Place, off N.C. 54 in southwest Durham.

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Presbyterians in the area will gather on Monday at noon at First Presbyterian Church, at the intersection of Main and Roxboro streets in downtown, for lunch and a conversation about issues now before the denomination. The conversation is open to the public.

After lunch, the group will discuss a report to the upcoming General Assembly, the national governing body of the church, on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church.

Leading the conversation will be the Rev. Peter Hausmann of Blacknall Presbyterian, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins of Covenant Presbyterian and the Rev. Marilyn Hedgpeth of First Presbyterian. The Rev. Douglas Oldenburg, a former moderator of the General Assembly, a former pastor and president of Columbia Presbyterian Seminary in Atlanta, will provide a context for the participants to understand the report.

"This report is challenging us to find a new way to be the church in a time of conflict and division," said the Rev. Joe Harvard of First Presbyterian.

Oldenburg also will meet with officers and members of First Presbyterian at 7 p.m. on Monday to discuss the report.

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Russell Memorial CME Church, 703 S. Alston Ave., will celebrate Women's Conference on Sunday at 10 a.m. The Rev. Pamella Mack, the speaker, will focus her remarks on a text from Proverbs 31 in which the virtues of women with strength and dignity are celebrated.

At 4 p.m., the church will celebrate "100 Women in Hats." The Rev. Brenda Harrington of St. Paul CME Church in Apex is the guest preacher for the afternoon service.

All are welcome.

Resurrection UMC preparing for some drama

Resurrection United Methodist has announced its Music and Drama Camp, "It's Cool in the Furnace," June 26-30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children in grades two through six.

The story of faith exhibited by Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abendnego and King Nebuchadnezzar is the focus of the camp experience. The week will be filled with drama, music, crafts, prop building, games and a devotional time each day.

Camp fee is $35 and $25 for siblings. Each child should bring a lunch for each day. A healthy snack is provided during the mid-morning.

The Friday night performance for parents is at 7 p.m., and attendance by all campers and youth helpers is required. Dress for the performance will be jeans and a T-shirt provided by the camp.

Resurrection is located at 4705 Old Chapel Hill Road, across from Githens Middle School. For more information, call Heidi Miller at 489-6552.