Faith digest

Magical night

Chad crew's amazing magic show will hold a benefit and food drive for golden harvest at 8 tonight at the American Legion Post 192, 1 Legion Drive in Evans. Tickets are $15 for ages 11 and younger and $20 for adults and include pizza and a drink. Bring a canned good and receive a booklet on magic. Tickets are available at the Magic Shack, 3850 Washington Road, Suite 2-F, La Petite Plaza in Martinez.

MLK observance

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, of the 7th Congressional District of Alabama, will be the guest speaker for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial observance at noon Monday at Bell Auditorium, 712 Telfair St. There will be a musical prelude including a performance by gospel singer Bradley "Jubba" Dyer Jr., at 11 a.m. For more King memorials, see the listings under "Special Events" in the Faith Calendar.

Dental mission

Dentist Rhoda Sword will speak on her dental mission to China during a women's prayer breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way. Courtesy reservations are due Thursday. Those attending are asked to bring an old shoe. Call 733-2236.

Healing crusade

Craig Marsh, a New Zealander who says he was miraculously healed from stomach cancer in 1999, will lead a healing crusade from 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Jan. 22, at Gracewood United Methodist Church, 2117 Tobacco Road. He also will speak at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the church. Call 798-2200.

Vegging out

Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber will greet fans during the opening of the LifeWay Christian Store in Augusta Exchange from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at the store's new location, 254 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway. Call 738-9261.

Rhythm method

PHOENIX - Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Olmsted is requiring couples who want a church wedding to take instruction in natural family planning, also known as the rhythm method.

Church teaching holds that artificial birth control methods are sinful and accepts only abstention from relations during the time a woman ovulates each month.

The Arizona Republic reported on articles by Bishop Olmsted addressing the issue. The bishop argued that a "marriage itself is gravely harmed" and marital infidelity increases when a couple uses artificial methods.

- From staff, wire reports

REACH US

Contact Tharon A. Giddens, features editor, at (706) 823-3347 or tharon.giddens@augustachronicle.com.