Religion briefs 4/24

Author to lecture about Christ at Trinity Lutheran

Dr. Paul Maier will present a lecture on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ May 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. The seminar is free, but registration is suggested. To register, call 335-6853 or 332-1780 by Monday. Maier is a professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University and an authority on the teachings of Christ. He has written two historical documentaries, as well as theological thrillers. His fiction works include "A Skeleton in God's Closet" and "More than a Skeleton." His nonfiction works include "In the Fullness of Time," "Josephus," and "Eusebius: The Church History." Maier uses a variety of research and comparisons of sacred and secular texts in his seminars.

Diocese Council of Catholic Women to meet

The annual spring assembly meeting of the Council of Catholic Women will be held April 30 and May 1 at Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau. Nearly 150 women from across southern Missouri are expected to attend. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. April 30. Bishop John J. Leibrecht of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese will speak that afternoon and celebrate Mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau. Other speakers are planned throughout the conference, including Judy Kullman of Minneapolis, who promotes Sunday as a Sabbath day; Maggie Gray, president of the National Council of Catholic Women; and the Rev. Oscar Lukefahr of Perryville, who has written several books. For registration information, contact Joan Eggimann at 334-4951.

SEMO faculty and staff plan Bible study

The Lectio Bible Study, sponsored by Corpus Christi, a university organization, will be lead by various faculty and staff at Southeast Missouri State University and will include a devotional reading and roundtable discussion. The meetings, which began April 21, are held from noon to 12:50 each Wednesday at the International Student Center. For information, contact Bob Towner at 335-2997 or Kerry Wynn at 651-2273.

Lutheran women to hold zone meeting Sunday

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League spring rally of the Altenburg zone will be held Sunday at Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna, Mo. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. Speaker is Richard Cook, a missionary for Lutheran Bible Translators on furlough from Africa. A collection will be taken for the Perryville Family Crisis Center.

Wesley United plans service in honor of military

The North Cape County Ministerial Alliance will hold a worship service May 2 to honor military servicemen and their families. The service will be at 6 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church in Fruitland. Six area churches are participating and the community is invited, particularly if a friend or relative is currently serving in the military.

'Outwardly focused church' conference coming April 30

Over time, churches sometimes fall into ruts and stop growing or thriving. An upcoming conference in Cape Girardeau will talk about how to renew a vision and dream for growth. The conference on the "Outwardly focused church" will be April 30 and May 1 at La Croix United Methodist Church. The conference features four sessions lead by the Rev. Ron Watts, pastor of La Croix Church, Dr. Bob Tuttle of Asbury Theological Seminary and Dr. Bob Pierson, senior pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Okla. Other small-group sessions wil be led by La Croix staff and are aimed at offering practical ideas for children's ministry, small groups, contemporary worship and multimedia. For registration information and deals, visit the church's Web site at www.lacroixchurch.org/ofc, or call Tonia at 339-0302.-- From staff reports

Gospel singing at Shiloh Baptist on May 1

Shiloh Baptist Church will host The Gloryroad Travelers and Victory Way gospel groups for a singing service at 7 p.m. May 1 at the church. For information, call (618) 995-2306.

Diocese establishes new parish in Nixa, Mo.

The Springfield-Cape Girardeau Roman Catholic Diocese recently established a new parish in Nixa, Mo. The Rev. Mark Boyer will serve as pastor. Liturgies at the new parish will begin in August. The diocese purchased 11 acres of land in southwest Missouri in 1994 in anticipation of an expansion. Christian County is one of the state's fastest growing areas. Boyer and founding parishioners will find space to lease while a church is being built on the property. The Nixa parish brings the diocese's total to 85 parishes and missions. The Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese was established in 1956 and covers 39 counties in southern Missouri.

--From staff reports