Altenburg Zone to host spring rally April 6

The Spring Rally for the Altenburg Zone of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League will be held April 6 at Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar. Registration will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., with the rally beginning at 1 p.m. The theme for the Spring Rally is "Life Is A Journey," focusing on Proverbs 3:5-6, based on the theme for the Missouri District LWML 2008-2010 biennium. An ingathering will include a variety of school supplies such as pencils, erasers, colored pencils (no crayons), scissors, spiral notebooks, rulers and pencil sharpeners. These will be distributed by the Rev. Charles Bomeka through Lutheran Hour Ministries to Southern Uganda. A light meal will be served after the rally at a nominal cost. The guest speakers for the rally are the Rev. Donald Kirst and his wife Gerry. Kirst is a native of Wisconsin and a 1959 graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. That same year he married Geralding Koenig of Farrar. During his years in the ministry, Kirst served congregations in North and South Dakota, Ohio, Illinois and Kansas. He retired from full-time ministry in 1999. The Kirsts have participated in short-term mission trips through Lutheran Hour Ministries and Mission Opportunities Short Term, doing construction in Haiti; teaching English as a second language in Latvia, India, China and Panama; participating in an eyeglass clinic in Honduras; and leading a men's and women's ministry in Siberia. The Kirsts have also volunteered as conversation partners for international students attending the University of Illinois-Chicago. Gerry is active in Lutheran Women's Missionary League, and Don is a zone pastoral counselor in the Northern Illinois LWML.

Storyteller, comedian to visit church Friday

Christian storyteller and comedian Sylvia Harney will present at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Lynwood Baptist Church. Tickets will be available to purchase in the church foyer before, between and after services Sunday, as well as Wednesday evening between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Tickets also will be available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the church office. Harney has ministered to women for decades by bringing laughter, encouragement and joy to her audience. She shares funny true-life stories and, while she admits her life isn't perfect, she wants others to understand how she can still have joy. Sylvia has appeared on Fan Fair, the Music City News Awards Show, and has worked with numerous country artists. She is author of "Married Beyond Recognition," a humorous look at marriage, and "Every Time I Go Home I Break Out in Relatives."

Computer lab classes scheduled at area church

Abbey Road Christian Church is now accepting enrollment for basic and intermediate computer lab classes for the spring session, April 6 to May 17, for members and non-members. For more information and enrollment forms, call the church at 335-3422.

Three Gospel concerts scheduled in region

• The Palmetto State Quartet of Greenville, S.C., will be in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at the First General Baptist Church of Jackson, 1506 S. Farmington Road. An offering will be accepted.
• The Gloryroad Travelers of Mounds, Ill., and Home Again Gospel Singers of Paducah, Ky., will be in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at Shiloh Baptist church in Villa Ridge, Ill.
• Jo Leadbetter and the Rose of Sharon Gospel Singers will be in concert at 6 p.m. April 6 at the Southside Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

— From staff reports

Tuesday

Presentation on the reconstruction of mankind by cloning, stem-cell research and genetic engineering, 7 to 9 p.m., University Center Ballroom at Southeast Missouri State University. The speaker will be Dr. Robert Weise, professor of life sciences and pastoral ministry at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Question and answer session to follow. No admission charge.