A new book on Christian funerals, which the author, a professor at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, says is "an appeal for reform" was the subject of a public conversation this week about how Christians should conduct funerals.

"Accompany Them With Singing: The Christian Funeral," written by Thomas G. Long, has a strong local connection. Mark Higgins, who operates Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, was cited as one of three funeral directors from across the country who helped the author with his research.

If Long had his way, he would not refer to folks like Higgins as "funeral directors" at all, because he says a better description would be the old fashioned term "undertaker."

"They undertake to help the church do its work when a member dies," he said at the Monday morning conversation at First Presbyterian Church where Long and a panel of three discussed the book. It included Higgins, Bebe Guill, director of development at the Duke Institute on Care at the End of Life and Professor Allen Verhey of Duke Divinity School.

Long said the book is different from the book he conceived. "I ended up writing against what I started out to write," he said. "I was converted by my own research."

The general assumption among Protestants, Long said, is that the purpose of the funeral is to comfort the grief stricken, but as he began to look into the history of Christian funerals, he found the main purpose historically was much larger than that.

"For 1,800 years, the funeral was part of the baptismal journey among early Christians. They prepared the body for burial, dressed the body and in a broad daylight processional followed the casket to the grave, singing as they went, to give the deceased into the hands of God," he said.

This is a far cry from funerals among white, educated, suburban American Christians in the 21^st century, Long said, in which the preparation of the body has been outsourced to the funeral home and the funeral has been turned into a memorial service in which the body is often not present and those attending sit quietly, wondering just what role they play in this event.

He called it a "tragic loss" when the sacred story of the gospel is replaced by a rival, the biography of the deceased. "Open mic speeches in which six cousins and four coaches meander through how much the deceased meant to them," Long said.

Long makes a strong case for the journey metaphor, noting that the body should be brought into the church the same way the "saint" who has died has been coming into church during his lifetime. Only this is for the last time.

Verhey, who is an ethics professor in the divinity school, suggested that Long's journey metaphor did not include time for grieving.

Citing the three days Jesus was in the tomb as an example, Verhey said there was no "Saturday of mourning" in Long's journey metaphor. "In his metaphor the resurrection of the body happens immediately and rushes past Holy Saturday to Easter."

Long's book is available at area bookstores, including the Regulator Bookshop, one of the sponsors of the Monday event. The price is $24.95.

I'll have more from this fascinating talk next week

First interfaith build

Habitat for Humanity of Durham will host its first Interfaith Build and celebrate World Habitat Day on Sunday, Oct. 18. The site for the new house is at 1009 Carroll St.

Starting at 1 p.m., local leaders of Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities will join together to bless and begin building a home in partnership with Habitat and the Rahlan-Siu family, a Montagnard refugee family from Vietnam.

Speakers will include Chaplain Abdullah Antepli of Duke Muslim Student Association, Imam Gregory Marrow of Ar-Razzaq Islamic Center, Rabbi Steven Sager of Beth El Synagogue, Rabbi Michael Goldman of Jewish Life Center at Duke, Minister Peter J.B. Carmen of Binkley Baptist in Chapel Hill, the Rev. Robert Kaynor of St. Stephen's Episcopal, and the Rev. Joe Hensley of St. Luke's Episcopal.

Break negative patterns

First United Metaphysical Chapel will host a free workshop led by Tom Nehrer, author of "The Essence of Reality: A Clear Awareness of How Life Works," on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 1:45 p.m. at 9602 Roxboro Road in Bahama.

"The workshop will be beneficial to all persons regardless of religious affiliation or creed," said the Rev. Connie Graddy, a minister at the chapel. "It is thought provoking and fun, particularly to the open-minded."

The workshop will illustrate techniques that allow a person to reflect on his or her inner nature, which in turn can break negative patterns in real life by changing old belief systems and exposing oneself to any fallacies that may exist, Graddy said.

Nehrer's book will be available for sale. Get further information by calling Graddy at 336-364-1733 or the chapel at 471-0351.

Joint worship service

Calvary United Methodist on Trinity Avenue will worship on Sunday, Oct. 18, with Asbury Temple UMC at 201 S. Alston Ave.

A charge conference will be held at 10 a.m. followed by worship at 11 a.m.

Episcopal conversations

St. Luke's Episcopal will offer Via Media, a contemporary series of faith-based dinner table discussions beginning on Monday, Oct. 19. The program is open to anyone who has ever been curious or interested in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition.

Weekly dinners will be held on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Nov. 30.

The objective is to create an open and inclusive environment that appeals to people wondering about the Episcopal Church of St. Luke's. Participants are encouraged to bring their ideas and questions and the church will provide the informational resources for those seeking a spiritual community to enter.

The Via Media project is a way to further North Carolina Diocesan Bishop Michael Curry's call to create a place where "All are welcome."

Using a combination of learning styles, including video, written materials, small and large group discussion, participants can encounter the basic principles of Christianity through the Anglican approach to Scripture, tradition and reason.

The total price for seven dinners and the Via Media event is $30 for members of the church and $15 for guests. Child care will be available. Registration forms and further information available at www.stlukesdurham.org.

The church is located at 1737 Hillandale Road.

Celebrate Octoberfest today

Octoberfest is on tap today from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal, 82 Kimberly Drive.

The menu includes brats, hot dogs, sauerkraut, German potato salad, chips for the kids, beans, Black Forest cake and streusel. There will be beer for adults and soft drinks for everyone.

The balloon man will on hand to entertain with his fun creations and music and games will be available for everyone. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children under 12 with a maximum of $15 per family.

Organ recital today

Catherine Rodland, whose playing has been described as "transcendent" will give an organ recital on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Duke Chapel.

She is an artist in residence at St. Olaf College. She is a specialist in Baroque and 20^th century organ music.

She received her graduate degrees from the Eastman School of Music where she also earned the prestigious Performer's Certificate. The recital is free and open to the public.

Show up for Psalms

Praying and Singing the Psalms will be on tap Sunday, Oct. 18, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Bradshaw Room at Duke Memorial United Methodist, 504 W. Chapel Hill St.

The Psalms, called "the prayer book of the Bible" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, are a special anthology of prayers, hymns, poems and liturgies. Psalms are memorized by the young, read at the bedside of the ill and the aged, included in worship services, weddings and funeral services.

Interested participants are invited to explore this special book through music and prayer exercises. Just show up.

Chili on the menu

Wonderful Wednesday supper on Oct. 21 served at 5:30 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist this week will feature a menu of chili, cornbread and dessert. It is sponsored by the church's Chancel Choir.

As part of the ongoing "A Healthier You" series, a seminar will cover what type of diet is healthy for the heart. The free presentation, sponsored by the UNC Wellness Center, begins at 6:30 p.m. Judy Hinderliter will be the speaker.

Prices for supper are $4 for adults, $2 for children and students with children 4 and under eating for free. Call the church office at 489-6557 to get your name in the pot.

The church is located at 3002 Hope Valley Road.

Thai dance troupe

A dance troupe from Thailand will perform a traditional Thai drama (likay) with English translation at Triangle Presbyterian Church today, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. in the Family LifeCenter. The church is located off N.C. Hwy. 54 at 5001 Tudor Place.

The 90-minute program will feature a brief history of Thailand brought to life through dance, followed by a traditional Thai melodrama. The drama relates the true story of a notorious Thai gangster who came to know Christ.

The team of dancers and actors from the Christian Communications Institute (CCI) of Payap University in Chaing Mai, Thailand, is touring the eastern United State through Nov. 2.

The troupe performs traditional Thai dance from Thailand's four regions as an expression of praise to God and as a way of presenting the message of the gospel to Thai students and to Christians throughout the world," said the Rev. Esther Wakeman, who with her husband and fellow Presbyterian Church (USA) mission worker the Rev. Robert Collins, organizes and directs the group. Triangle Presbyterian supports the Collins' mission work in the CCI Institute.

The performance is free, but any contributions to the troupe's expenses will be appreciated.