To mark the ordination of the first permanent priest for the Coptic Church in the Hawaiian Islands, Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church is planning several days of prayers, rituals and services.

Events begin today at the Coptic church, 1052 'Ilima Drive in 'Alewa Heights. The ordination ceremony will be 10 a.m. tomorrow, led by Bishop Serapion, the bishop of Los Angeles and Hawai'i, assisted by several Coptic priests and a host of deacons from Canada and the Mainland.

As he is known now, Yuhanna Botros, a computer engineer, is a resident of Canada. Once he is ordained, he and his wife, Margaret, will reside on O'ahu. The biblical name by which he will be known will be revealed at that time.

Information: Wagdi Guirguis at 371-9076.

ESSAY CONTEST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Hawai'i college students can enter an essay contest, "Creating Peace Across Boundaries," until Jan. 2. The winning essay awards, which include cash prizes, will be Feb. 3 at the Ching Conference Center, second floor of Eiben Hall, Chaminade University, 3140 Wai'alae Ave.

The essay should be a collaborative work by a team of two students, one male and one female, each of a different ethnic and religious background. The objective is to create a deeper understanding of peace across culture, gender and religion.

Judges will be Roger Ames of University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Pierre Asselin of Chaminade University and Tracey Wiltgen of The Mediation Center of the Pacific.

For information and rules: www.chaminade.edu (click on Humanities division) or psponsel@chaminade.edu or Poranee Natadecha-Sponsel, 735-4822.

UH CENTER WINS $500K GRANT

The UH Center on the Family's Hawai'i Moving Forward project — which works with grass roots, community service and faith-based organizations — won a grant for $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Compassion Capital Fund, part of President Bush's faith-based initiatives.

The third grant is smaller than previous awards. The center was given $1.8 million in 2002; in 2003, it was given $950,000. Hawai'i Moving Forward is one of only 10 programs nationwide that were funded in 2006.

Public information meetings for organizations interested in participating in certain programs will be conducted in January, and applications will be made available.

Capacity-building workshops are also being planned.

Information: 956-4132.