Abigail Lennox and Earl's Chair, led by Henry Lebedinsky (right) performed at St. Alban's Saturday. (Tom Carroll photo)

Multi-instrumental musician Henry Lebedinsky was back on his old turf at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson Saturday for a concert as part of a “The Deer’s Cry: Music for the Celtic Saints” tour.

Mr. Lebedinsky, who now lives in Minneapolis, is the church’s former organist and music director. His group Earl’s Chair backed New York-based singer Abigail Lennox in a program of tunes, songs and stories from Ireland, Scotland and New England.

Earl’s Chair includes Mr. Lebedinsky on guitar and John Michael Ryan, who was lightning-fast on a button accordian. Ms. Lennox sang the pure, high-pitched tones of the Celtic highlands.

- Thanks to Tom Carroll for the photo and report

Davidson Presbyterian Church on Depot Street will host a community breakfast this Saturday, 7 to 11 a.m. Meanwhile, Davidson College will be hosting a theology conference next Monday to Wednesday, March 12-14, on “Reformed Perspectives in Education.” And St. Alban’s Episcopal Church’s Spirituality in the Arts program presents a Lenten screening and discussion with the Rev. Sheila Ennis on “Images of Resurrection in Film” on Sunday night. Read the full story

They were just typical guys: several were fishermen, possibly two tax collectors, and maybe a political activist or two. They weren’t part of the intellectual elite or the chamber of commerce.

So, it makes it easy to relate to the Disciples of Christ. They were so … normal. In fact, sometimes they seemed less like normal adults and more like normal children. Like when they squabbled about who was greatest among them or they vied for a seat next to Jesus. They sound like 7-year-olds at a party, pushing each other around to sit next to the birthday boy or birthday girl. Read the full story

Davidson Presbyterian Church on Depot Street will host a community breakfast this Saturday, 7 to 11 a.m. The menu includes eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, grits, toast, orange juice and coffee. It’s $7 for adults, $5 for children 6 under. Read the full story

625 South St. is the site of the planned Friends Meetinghouse.

After nearly two years of planning, the Davidson Friends Meeting will break ground this Sunday, Feb. 12, on an addition to a home it owns on South Street that is to become its first permanent meetinghouse. The ceremony will be at noon at 625 South St., next to Davidson Elementary School.

The $350,000 to $400,000 project will include a renovation of the existing house and a 2,300-square-foot addition, which will provide space for weekly worship services. The group currently meets nearby at Calvary Presbyterian Church, and will remain there until the new meetinghouse is ready, possibly by the end of summer, member Rebecca Ruhlen said Thursday.

The Davidson Friends Meeting was founded in 1989 by six people with ties to Davidson College, including three professors. They met regularly at the college’s Carolina Inn, on North Main Street. They now have 20 or more at weekly services and about 40 members, and have begun seeking a new home.

Architect's view of the planned renovation, which includes a two-story meeting area at rear.

In 2007, the Quakers acquired the property at 625 South St., including a small house that it has used for children’s classes and committee meetings.

“We’ve been using the house, but it’s too small for our Sunday morning meetings for worship,” Ms. Ruhlen said. So they planned the addition.

The meetinghouse was designed by Davidson architect Paul B. Clark and will be built by Meridian DesignBuild and T/A England Custom Builders. See plans and other details about the new meetinghouse on the Friends’ website.

WANT TO GO?

Sunday’s groundbreaking will be at noon at 625 South St. Meanwhile, the Quakers welcome all to join in worship and to experience Quaker community on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 605 South St., Davidson. More information is available at davidson.quaker.org or by calling 704-895-8404.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Feb. 3, 2010, “Workshop Feb. 18 on Quakers’ plans for South St. site”

Jan. 14, 2010, “Friends meeting moves”

The chapel of Davidson United Methodist Church on South Main Street glowed against dark clouds Friday morning. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

We’re always looking for good photos of Davidson, people and events. Send us your photos for consideration at editor@davidsonnews.net. Read the full story

Many of us get a holiday weekend coming up with the Martin Luther King holiday.  Maybe the weather will remember it is January and drop snow on slopes north of us so families can enjoy some skiing.  Interesting this month how we alternate almost daily between winter and spring temperatures! Today, Around Davidson catches up with an annual Freund family trip and a welcome retirement for Bill Tiemann.  We also have a note about Steve Langley’s paddle ball record and a further note about parking. Read the full story

With New Year’s resolutions around the corner, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Cornelius offers community members a way to focus on getting fit – financially fit, that is. The church offers Financial Peace University, a program intended to teach practical ways to achieve financial goals. Also in January, Davidson United Methodist Church will hold its annual coat drive to collect coats for Crisis Assistance Ministry and other organizations helping those in need. See details below. Read the full story