• Summer gospel. North Athens Church of Christ at 19159 Alabama 127 in Athens will host summer gospel meetings at 7 p.m. nightly through Aug. 10. Paul Sanders, minister of Evangelism Southside Church of Christ in Rogersville, will be guest speaker. Transportation is available for those in need. More information: 256-874-1941.

• Leadership course. Curtis Coleman Center for Religious Studies at Athens State University will continue a free four-part course, “Secrets of the Exceptional Leader,” at 6 p.m. on Aug. 10. Courses will be in the chapel of Founders Hall, second floor. It will cover the following topics: Discovering Your Strengths, Growing Your Confidence, Stabilizing Your Emotions and Anxieties and Secrets of Managing Conflict. More information: 256-233-6508.

• Camp meeting. Full Gospel Tabernacle Church will host Paul Furlong from Melbourne, Australia, for camp meetings at the following times: 6:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 11; 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Aug. 12-13; and 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14. More information: www.therevival.com.au, www.kennethvincentministries.com, 256-980-4978, 256-729-8453.

• Gill family benefit. Poplar Creek Missionary Baptist Church, 16031 Poplar Creek Road in Athens, will hold a musical benefit at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, for the Gill family. The event will be held in memory of Maggie Gill and in support of Tonya Gill, who is experiencing a medical crisis. Guest groups and soloists: Spiritual Motivators, Townsend Family, True Religion, Men of Grace, Brother Arthur Jordan, Brother Shaun Moore and Brother Thomas Moore. Donations welcome and can be sent to the church in care of Gill benefit program. More information: Aquanette Mangrum at 256-337-0997.

• Southern gospel singing. Elk River Baptist Church, 10020 Upper Snake Road in Athens, will host Southern gospel music artists Josh and Ashley Franks at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Refreshments served at 4 p.m. More information: 256-278-0588.

• Scholarship banquet. Davids Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 11273 Stewart Road in Tanner, will host the annual Nella White STEM Scholarship Banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Guest speaker is State Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, and Christian comedian Joy Bryant of Birmingham. Singing will be by the Woodruff family. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased by Aug. 6.

• Day observance. The annual Missionary Day Observance of Sweet Home M.B. Church will be 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13. The Rev. Cynthia McCrary, associate minister of Fletcher’s Chapel P.B. Church in Greenbrier, will be the guest speaker. All are invited to come and worship on this occasion. The church address is 803 Westmoreland St., Athens. More information: 256-694-5476.

• After-school program. The after-school program at David’s Temple Church in Tanner will begin Monday, Aug. 14. The program accepts children ages 5-18 and lasts from 3-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Homework assistants, tutoring and study hall will be available. Van pickup is available to all Athens City Schools except Athens High School. Children from Tanner High School can ride the bus. Cost for the program is $10 per week per student. More information: Geraldine McDonald, 256-355-1343.

• Annual session. The annual session of The Greater Richland Creek Missionary Baptist Association will be Aug. 18-20 at the association’s central building on Bledsoe Road in Pulaski, Tennessee. The association is celebrating its 150th anniversary this session. There will be a banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at First National Bank on South First Street in Pulaski. Speaker will be Pastor Morris Tipton of First Missionary Baptist Church in east Nashville. Banquet tickets are $25. Pastor O. L. McWilliams is moderator.

• Pastor anniversary. Poplar Creek Missionary Baptist Church, 16031 Poplar Creek Road in Athens, will honor the Rev. Clarence Johnson and Donna Johnson during a worship celebration at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, with guest speaker the Rev. Carl Johnson of Greater Evangel Ministries; and at a 2:30 p.m. worship celebration, with the Rev. Donald Smith and Center Grove United Methodist Church in charge. Public welcome.

• Event. David’s Temple Church in Tanner will host a Family and Friends Day at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. All are welcome.

Church briefs must be submitted in writing, either on a form available at The News Courier office at 410 W. Green St., Athens, or by sending an email to newscouriersoundoff@gmail.com or a fax to 256-233-7753.