Nitsch (left) and Bechtler

The Bechtler Ensemble – cellist Tanja Bechtler and pianist Paul Nitsch – will help launch a new arts series called “Spirituality in the Arts” with a performance Sunday afternoon at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

The program is Sunday, May 9, at 4 p.m. at the church, 301 Caldwell Lane, off Concord Road.

The duo will perform Robert Schumann’s “Foreign Lands and People,” opus 15, no. 1, Samuel Barber’s “Sonata for cello and piano, Opus 6,” Franz Schubert’s “Litanei,” Claude Debussy’s “Sonata for violoncello and piano in D-minor,” and a transcription of Schumann’s “Traumerei.”

Organizers say that through the new series, “our religious and artistic lives will interweave through quarterly offerings of drama, dance, literature, visual arts, and music.”

Ms. Bechtler played with the Charlotte Symphony 1997-2009. She also has performed with storytellers, poets, dancers and rock bands. Mr. Nitsch is McMahon Professor of Music and artist in residence at Queens University in Charlotte. He also is artistic director of Queens’ Friends of Music and executive director of the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival.

Sunday’s concert is free. Suggested donation is $10. Info: 704-892-0173.

EVENTS AT DCPC

Davidson College will host a Taizé worship service with prayers for healing, and Eucharist on Saturday, May 8, at 5 p.m. in Lingle Chapel. Taizé is an ecumenical monastic community in France which welcomes people from all over the world for retreats involving Bible study and worship. Their music is simple and meditative, with each song sung a number of times, allowing the sung prayer to, in a sense, descend from the head to the heart, becoming a living prayer.

DCPC Worship Service Change: Due to Davidson College’s Commencement at 10 a.m. next Sunday, May 16, DCPC will not hold Sunday school or 11 a.m. worship that morning. Please attend the 8:30 a.m. worship service in the Sanctuary, and join us for our regularly scheduled services resuming on May 23.

BUTTERFLY RELEASE at DCPC: During the spring, the DCPC Weekday Preschool children learned about the metamorphic process that caterpillars undertake in becoming butterflies. As the preschoolers watch and wait for the emergence of the butterflies from the chrysalises, which are hanging in netted tubular bags in our preschool hallways, mark your calendars for the annual Butterfly Release on May 18 at 11:30 a.m. on the front steps of the Sanctuary. All are welcome to attend and enjoy one of the many miracles of God’s creation as we release the beautiful butterflies.

MT. ZION CHURCH FAIR & CONCERTS

All are invited to the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Ministry and Missions Fair on Sunday, May 16, at the church, 19600 Zion St., Cornelius.

Come join us on the front lawn as we celebrate Mt. Zion UMC and community missions both near and far. From 11am-1pm on the front lawn of the church, there will be booths, displays of ministries at Mt. Zion and from the community and activities for children. Boy Scout Troop No. 10 will be grilling hot dogs and burgers for lunch for a donation to benefit an Eagle Scout Project.

Starting at 1pm, Mick and the Ultras will be offering a free outdoor concert as part of the Cornelius Concert Series. Mick and the Ultras is well known in the Charlotte area for playing classic rock and blues. Lee Maiorano and Pat Cashion, both Mt. Zion members, have played with this group since 2007. Bring a blanket and enjoy the fellowship and music.

In case of bad weather, the Missions Fair, lunch and concert will be held in the Family Life Center. Mt. Zion United Methodist is at 19600 Zion Street, Cornelius, NC. www.mtzionumc.net

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

Beth Shalom of Lake Norman will host a “(Re)Introduction to Judaism Informational Session” Saturday, May 8, 12:45 pm, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about Judaism? Would you like to have an adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah? If you were born Jewish and want to connect with Judaism in a deeper way or if you are not Jewish and want to learn about basic Jewish practices and beliefs, this might be your chance.

Rabbi Corey Helfand is planning a course for the study of ethics, the Sabbath and holidays, prayer, dietary laws, life cycle events (such as weddings, mourning rituals and birth ceremonies), the Jewish people and Israel. For those who are not Jewish and are looking to participate, this course can serve as part of the preparation necessary for conversion to Judaism or more simply, an introduction to Judaism.

This informational session is simply to provide information, to learn what people would like to learn, and to see if there is enough interest to make this course come to life. Info: email Rabbi Corey at RabbiCorey@bslkn.org.

CPR CLASS AT DAVIDSON UNITED METHODIST

Nurse Diane Jenkins will lead a CPR certification class Thursday, May 13, frm 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. The course will follow the standards of the American Heart Association and includes CPR and first-aid information. Cost: $25.00. Register and request childcare in the church office or at The Connect Center after worship services on Sunday, May 9.

HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Boys and girls in grades 3-5 who have not taken the classes on Holy Communion are invited to a two-Sunday program at Davidson United Methodist Church May 16 and 23 at 9:30 a.m. Third-graders will meet in their assigned Sunday School rooms. Fourth and Fifth-graders will meet in Room G2. RSVP to Sandy Ferguson (sferguson@davidsonumc.org or 704-892-8277).

PUPPETEER WANTED: A new Puppet Ministry is being considered at DUMC. If you would like to help with the plans and/or if you would like to be a puppeteer, contact Heather Smith (hsmith@davidsonumc.org or 704-892-8277, ext. 245).