Gospel

Berkeley Springs (W.Va.) Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3606 Valley Road, Calvin Taylor, composer and keyboardist, will present two free sacred concerts today at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Otterbein Church, 912 S. Potomac St., Waynesboro, Pa., the musical, Pirates of the I Don't Care-ibbean, will be presented free Sunday at 3 and 7 p.m. by the children's and youth choirs. St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 S. Prospect St., Hagerstown, a free ensemble music recital by Candice Mowbray, Susan Mott, Mike Hoover and Suzanne Thierry will be held Sunday at 4 p.m. There will be a premiere performance of a work by Glenn Caluda from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va., written for this ensemble.

More than a decade after making a limited splash on the regional gospel scene, Brad Cotter is poised to make an even bigger impression as the second winner of USA's "Nashville Star. " The 33-year-old defeated George Canyon and Matt Lindahl in the "Star" finale, which aired live Saturday. Cotter wins a recording contract with Sony Music Nashville. His first single, "I Meant To," co-written with Rick Giles and Steve Bogard, hit country radio stations Monday. "This has been a long, strange trip," Cotter said.

Nine members of Paramount Baptist Church joined more than 300 youth and their leaders July 14-21, 2007 for a World Changers national construction project in Roanoke, Va. Students spent their days shingling roofs, repairing and replacing siding, painting homes, pouring concrete and replacing doors in the Roanoke community. In the evenings, the youth participated in worship, Bible study, and team-building activities. World Changers participants learn what being "On Mission" really means throughout the week: Becoming personally involved in meeting the needs of others while sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

St. Mark's to host book-signing Sunday St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 18313 Lappans Road, will host a book signing for the Rev. Anne Weatherholt's book, "Breaking the Silence: The Church Responds to Domestic Violence," Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the parish hall. Copies of the book will be on sale for $16 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to CASA of Washington County. Representatives from CASA will be on hand with information on local domestic violence programs and support.

By RICHARD BELISLE Staff Writer CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Theda Davis led the six women to the stage of the Capitol Theatre in Chambersburg, then sat down at the piano and began harmonizing with them on the great Negro spiritual, "We Are Soldiers in the Army. " It was catching as a cold. With boisterous rhythm, beaming faces and reverent shouts, the Seven Local Women belted out music that washed over their audience. Within minutes 250 people, half of whom were school kids, were clapping hands and swaying in their seats, keeping time with the movements of the women on stage.

Gospel concert The Dixie Echoes present southern gospel music. Today, 7:30 p.m. Star Theater, 23 W. Seminary St., Mercersburg, Pa. Tickets cost $15. Call the Capitol Theatre Center box office at 717-263-0202. Fishing contest The catch-and-release contest is hosted by Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Williamsport Rotary Club. Open to ages 15 and younger. Participants are asked to use barbless hooks. A limited number of fishing poles and bait will be available.

Camp Joy El's Momentum Connection weekend for middle and high school students in grades six to 12 is Friday, Feb. 17, to Sunday, Feb. 19. "The Power of the Cross" will be the focus for chapel sessions. Activities include the giant swing, go-karts, a night game, a campfire and more.  Momentum's speaker, Brian Harmon, is a staff member of Open Air Campaigners and travels around the United States preaching the gospel in public places with a paintbrush and board.  AMP, a worship band from Tri-State Fellowship in Hagerstown, will provide the worship music for the weekend.

HAGERSTOWN Gregory Walton's mother was always ready to put her son in the spotlight. "Come on Greg," Salita Walton would say, urging him to sing or say something funny. "Like any mother, you always knew your kid has a talent," she said. Gregory's talent is public speaking. The freshman at South Hagerstown High School writes poetry and is a rapper, and he aspires to be a motivational speaker. "A lot of times people talk, but every once in a while people will come across someone who really has something to say," Gregory, 15, said.