Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire will be on the Duke University campus Oct. 6-7 and will lead two events that are open to the Durham community.

Bishop Robinson's election and consecration has been at the center of the worldwide Anglican Communion's ongoing debate over the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the life and ministry of the church. He will lead two events on Monday, Oct. 6, both in Duke Chapel.

From 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m., Robinson will address the topic of preparing leaders for faithful ministry, including his thoughts about preparing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons for ministry. A reception will follow in Alumni Memorial Common Room at Duke Divinity School.

A conversation with Robinson, who is the author of "In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God," will be held that night from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Hosts will be Dean Sam Wells of Duke Chapel and Dr. Janie Long, director of the Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life at Duke. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and event parking is available for $5 in Bryan Center Parking Garage.

"Bishop Robinson has been widely praised for his ministry and courage," said Dean Wells. "I am very much looking forward to learning from him about his faith and his vision for the church."

Robinson was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, consecrated a bishop in the same year and invested as the Ninth Bishop of New Hampshire in March of 2004. His ministry has focused on clergy and congregational wellness, coordinating programs among the seven dioceses of New England, youth and college ministry, and conflict resolution.

His personal story is featured in the 2007 documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So." This film was written and directed by Daniel Karslake, a Duke alum who returned to the campus last year to share the award-winning project with the university community.

St. Stephen's lecturers try to define Bull City

As part of its 50th anniversary year, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church will host three speakers from Duke University to engage in conversation around the questions: Is Durham a city of beauty, growth and excellence? Or is Durham a place of challenge, struggle and opportunity? Or is it both?

The event is set for Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the parish hall at 82 Kimberly Drive and is open to the parish and to guests from surrounding congregations.

The speakers are the Rev. Craig Kocher, associate dean of Duke Chapel; the Rev. Abby Kocher, community minister at Duke Chapel; and Jayne Swank, a 2008 graduate of Duke University and an intern with the music ministry at St. Stephen's.

The three will discuss the many social and economic contours of the Bull City from a faith perspective, including the significant places where God is active in beauty and reconciliation in the city, some of the challenges Durham faces as a community, and the role of both the church and Duke University in the life of the city.

Urban Ministries wants your underwear

Urban Ministries of Durham has put out an appeal to local congregations and civic groups to provide new underwear and socks for the community clothing closet.

The Cadets of Girl Scout Troop 70 have already sponsored an Undie Sunday in September, resulting in 36 pairs of socks and 97 various types of underclothing. The youth of Aldersgate United Methodist are planning an Undie Sunday during October.

Any congregation or group that would like to sponsor and underwear drive should contact Lee Nelson at Urban Ministries by calling (919) 682-0538, ext 26, or leenelson@umdurham.org.

Several churches in step with gay Durham

Several Durham churches will have members participating in the North Carolina Gay Pride Parade, which steps off today at 1 p.m. at the Main Street entrance to Duke's East Campus.

Volunteers from Calvary United Methodist will hand out bottles of cold water from a water booth the church has sponsored for the past eight years. The booth will be located about halfway along the parade route.

This is the church's way of practicing "radical hospitality," said Russ Compton, who co-chairs the church's outreach committee along with Joe Crane.

"Calvary is always present at the parade because we believe that by extending hospitality to all, we welcome those who may feel marginalized by some churches. We are an inclusive church. This is our calling," he said.

The bottles of water always carry a label identifying the church and an invitation to attend church services. In addition to an invitation to worship, this year Calvary is hosting a Pride Social at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday after the 11 a.m. worship service.

Other local churches who will have volunteers marching in the annual event are Watts Street Baptist at 800 Watts St. and Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Road.

St. Philip's holding annual pansy sale

Episcopal Church Women at St. Philip's have announced the annual pansy sale that offers hearty, regionally grown plants.

Flats of mixed colors or all blue, white, yellow, rose, pink, purple and antique shades are available at $14 per flat of 36 plants, or $7 for a half-flat of 18 plants.

Orders will be taken until Oct. 3 by calling Dorothy Smith at (919) 489-5515. Plants can be picked up on Saturday, Oct. 11, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the garden of the church at 403 E. Main St. in downtown.

Evangelist to headline Royster Lecture Series

Dr. Tony Campolo, a nationally known evangelist and author, is the speaker for this year's Royster Lecture Series at Henderson's First Presbyterian Church.

He will speak Sunday at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., and on Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the church, located at 222 Young St. in Henderson.

Campolo is the founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, which works to help at-risk youth in the U.S. and Canada. For 10 years he was a professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and is now professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. An ordained Baptist minister and evangelist, Campolo is now serving as associate pastor of a church in West Philadelphia. He is the author of 30 books.

Music for the Sunday evening lecture will be provided by the North Carolina Boys Choir and Chamber Choir, as well as members of the choirs of First Church and St. John's Episcopal Church in Henderson. Scott Mann, associate director of the N.C. Boys Choir, will provide music for the Monday night lecture. The series is free and open to the public.