Ed Duryea still recalls his family's struggles when his grandmother battled Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- often called Lou Gehrig's disease -- before hospices were widely available. Years later when his father was diagnosed with cancer, Duryea remembers how hospice helped ease the pain for his dad and his family.

"The support services we received through hospice care made the process much less overwhelming on our family as a whole and enabled us to enjoy our final months with my dad," Duryea said. "One of my missions as an employee of Agape Hospice is to educate as many people as I can on the availability and value of this benefit to patients and their families."

Duryea in May became a community liaison and volunteer recruiter for Agape, a faith-based service led by a Methodist minister, to help patients and their families in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Colleton and Allendale counties.

"Hospice came in and basically took over his care and told us what to expect and sort of put our minds at ease about the whole process and really helped us to make the best of the remaining weeks we had with our dad," Duryea said. "I was not really that familiar with hospice up until that time. It gave me an appreciation for the service and what to do for the family."

Duryea dispelled some misconceptions about hospice:

"Hospice is not just for people with cancer."

"Also, hospice is not a place. Hospice care can take place wherever the patient is: at home, in a hospital or assisted living facility."

"Hospice takes a holistic approach with people with terminal illnesses and their families and helping them to live the final stage of their life as fully as possible."

Duryea said working with senior citizens has always been close to his heart. As a member of The Baptist Church of Beaufort, he volunteers with its Oasis Club and delivers meals to shut-ins.

"Most of my life, I have had an interest in working with seniors," Duryea said. "I had a grandmother I was real close to that had ALS Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a hideous disease. I spent time with her during this process at home, while living with my aunts and in the nursing facilities back in my young days, and I guess that started my interest in helping seniors."

Helping others also has been a constant in his life. While the owner of the John Demosthenes Co., the tailor shop for Parris Island, Duryea returned to school to obtain his registered nursing license so he could better assist with surgeries while on short-term medical mission trips to Haiti, Nigeria and Rio de Janeiro.

He's also worn many hats in Beaufort County since he came to the Lowcountry 35 years ago from Texas. Duryea came to Beaufort as the city manager in 1975 where he spent the first four years building Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Others might remember him as general manager of Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, followed by 24 years as owner of the John Demosthenes Co. He was a longtime volunteer with the Beaufort Water Festival and served as commodore in 1978. Statewide, he has served for 20 years on the State Ethics Commission and on the Baptist Hospital Board in Columbia.

In July, Duryea was elected as the district governor-elect for Rotary District, which covers the eastern half of South Carolina.

AGAPE FAMILY LIFE CENTER

A Back-To-School Expo is from 10 a.m.-noon today at the center, 5855 South Okatie Highway, Hardeeville. Music, food, face painting and a school supply giveaway are planned.

Details: 843-784-6008

JERICHO AME CHURCH

The church will hold its annual Rainbow Tea at 3 p.m. today. Bertha Johnson, from Springhill AME Church, will speak. The church will hold its Platform Program at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The church is at 342 Broad River Blvd., Beaufort.

Details: 843-522-1648

FELLOWSHIP CONCERT CHOIR OF BEAUFORT

The choir will present "An Evening of Praise, Joy and Laughter" with inspirational skits at 6 p.m. today at the Quality Inn Hotel, 2001 Boundary St. in Beaufort. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served. A $25 donation is requested.

Details: Scott Gibbs, 843-812-6111; Gloria Jackson, 843-470-0858; Julia Butler, 843-263-0658

COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY

The Bluffton Evening Class of Community Bible Study will host an open house and reunion from 5-7 p.m. Sunday<FEFF> at the home of Nancy Scheider, 10 Brittle Fern, Bluffton. Class alums and anyone seeking to learn more about CBS offerings this fall are invited.

Details: Paul Larsen, class teaching director, 843-681-2899

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HILTON HEAD ISland

The children's and youth ministries will kick off fall schedules with informational meetings for parents at 11 a.m. Sunday. The children's ministry parent meeting will be in Fellowship Hall. The youth ministry meeting for parents and youth will be in Hover Park followed by a cook-out.

"Biscuits & Blessings," a blessing of the animals followed by a banana split social, begins at 4 p.m. Sunday under the south portico on the church grounds. Pets are to be on a leash or in crates. The church is at 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island.

Details: 843-681-3696, mhall@ fpchhi.org, www.fpchg

FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH, ST. HELENA ISLAND

Sunday School will be at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. beginning Sunday. The church is at 109 Olde Church Road, St. Helena Island.

Details: FABSTHelenaSC@ embarqmail.com

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY OF BEAUFORT

"Soul" will be the Bible lesson topic presented at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at 401 Scott St. Sunday School begins at 10:30 a.m. The society meets at Temple Beth Israel.

Details: 843-441-2262

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF BEAUFORT

Kathy Folsom, an advocate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will speak about standing on the side of love for the mentally ill at 10 a.m. Sunday. The fellowship meets at 178 Sams Point Road, Lady's Island.

Details: 843-838-1399

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

Dr. Rev. Nannette Pierson will discuss "What Do We Tell A New UU Member?" at 10 a.m. Sunday. The church is at 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton.

Details: 843-837-3330

THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. HELENA, PRAISE ASSEMBLY

Veggie Fun World III is Monday-Aug. 26 and will provide a transition into the regular fall school schedule. The days for activities are 9 a.m.-noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Online registration and payment are available at www.sthelenas1712.org.

Details: Roz Dixon, 843-522-1712, ext. 22; nursery@islc.net

LADY'S ISLAND BAPTIST CHURCH

The 146th church anniversary is Wednesday-Aug. 21. Services are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Speakers are: Wednesday, Pastor Joey Jordan of the Bethlehem Baptist Church; Thursday, Pastor John Porter of Huspah Baptist Church; and Friday, Pastor Joseph Josey of Mount Sinai Baptist Church. Services begin at 2 p.m. Aug. 21; the Rev. Dr. Elijah Washington of First African Baptist Church of St. Helena Island will speak.

Details: 843-524-8528, 843-524-4465

FIRST EUHAW BAPTIST CHURCH, RIDGELAND

Dr. Allen Galloway will celebrate his 10th pastoral anniversary at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Guest pastors are: Wednesday, Dr. Horace Williams of Faith Memorial Baptist Church; Thursday, Dr. William Carpenter of Orange Grove Baptist Church; and Friday, Pastor Leonard Ritter of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Services will conclude at 4 p.m. Aug. 21 with speaker, Dr. Renty Elvis Kitty of St. Luke and Pilgrim Baptist Churches.

Details: 843-525-0800

GRACE CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Summer Revival is planned at 7:30 p.m Wednesday-Friday with different choirs participating. The Rev. Randolph Miller of Nichols Chapel AME Church of Charleston will speak.

Details: The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Miller, 843-524-6901

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

The monthly "Inspirational Moments" luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday<FEFF> beginning with lunch in the Wesley Education Building, Duke and West streets, Beaufort. Marianne Chenault and Jeane Effinger will present the message.

Details: 843-524-5918

LUNCH HOUR OF POwer

Pastor Kevin Wiley Sr., pastor of Second Pilgrim Baptist Church, will speak from noon-12:45 p.m. Wednesday in Helen Galloway's Memorial Chapel of Chisholm Galloway Home for Funerals, 808 Bladen St., Bet.

Details: 843-524-6634

BEAUFORT ORTHODOX MISSION

A mission of the Orthodox Church in America is forming in Beaufort. The Beaufort Orthodox Mission is holding an organizational meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday.

For location and details: Gary Burgess, 843-321-2365; David Homyk, 843-379-0352; www.oca.org

THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. HELENA

The Women of the Church will hold a Nearly New Clothing Sale from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, and from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 20 in the church Parish Hall, 507 Newcastle St., Beaufort. The sale features gently used clothing, accessories and jewelry.

Details: 843-522-1712, www.sthelenas1712.org

TEMPLE OSEH SHALOM

The temple in Bluffton will welcome its new rabbi, Rabbi Steven Kirschner Friday. Kirschner was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in suburban Philadelphia in June 2004. He was executive director of the Hillel Foundation at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., the rabbi of Congregation Bayt Shalom in Greenville, N.C., and prior to rabbinical school he practiced law for 18 years.

HOLY RESURRECTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

"The Greek Goddess of Comedy" Ellen Karis will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Hilton Head Comedy Club, 430 William Hilton Parkway, Pineland Station, Hilton Head Island. Proceeeds from the event, which is sponsored by the Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church, will benefit the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero in New York. Tickets are $20.

Details: 843-837-4659

TRINITY CHURCH

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church has announced the formation of Trinity Church as a Mission Church of the EPC. The members of Trinity have been in a period of private worship as they go through this formative process and complete their pastor search and identify a permanent location for worship.

Details: 843-681-9997, trinityhhi@yahoo.com