Faith digest

Anniversary event

Walton Way Temple, Congregation Children of Israel, will mark its 160th anniversary witrh a prayer service at 7 tonight at West Lake Country Club, 3556 Westlake Drive in Martinez. The service will be followed by a dinner dance.

Looking good

Beautician Marci Clark and Mary Kay consultant Sue Frushour will demonstrate beauty tips during the Aiken Christian Women's Club luncheon at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at Woodside Plantation Country Club, 1000 Woodside Plantation Drive in Aiken. Reservations, $14, are due today. Call (803) 649-6697.

Ready to build

- The 352-member Covenant Presbyterian Church will break ground for a $2.5 million addition and renovation at 11 a.m. Sunday at its campus, 3131 Walton Way. The project, to be completed in fall 2007, will add about 8,000 square feet to house a chapel, administrative offices and a recreation and activities room.

- Members of Christ Church Presbyterian, meeting at First Baptist Church of Evans, will break ground at 10:30 a.m. Sunday for a $3.2 million sanctuary and nursery at 910 Furys Ferry Road. The 12,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed in about 10 months.

Finance session

Adrian Arnold, the CEO of Daily Living, will lead a conference on finances at 11 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday at New Creation Christian Church, 3045 Deans Bridge Road.

In concert

Russ Taff will present a concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Christian Heritage Church, 285 Ascauga Lake Road in Graniteville.

Sing a song

Christian contemporary singer Nichole Nordeman will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, 642 Telfair St. Tickets are $15 at area Christian bookstores and the church. Call 823-2450.

Pope pushes rules

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI told followers of a Catholic evangelizing community to adopt new Vatican norms on celebrating Mass, saying adherence to the rules would bring them gifts from God.

Benedict held a special audience last week with thousands of followers of the Neocatechumenal Way, which was developed in the 1960s in Spain.

The Neocatechumenal Way has grown over the past 40 years, spreading to 105 countries and generally enjoying the support of the Vatican.

Its Masses, however, contain unique practices. Followers, for example, typically celebrate Masses on Saturday nights rather than Sundays and receive Communion while seated around a table, rather than standing or kneeling at the altar.

- From staff, wire reports

REACH US

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