SALISBURY — An awareness service (Eduworship) titled “Children of Promise: Closing the Opportunity Gap” will be held at Hood Theological Seminary on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in The Aymer Center on the seminary campus at 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive.

Organized by the Seminary’s Community Life Committee, the service will include two presentations: “Recognizing and Preventing Child Abuse,” by Melissa Shue, education specialist at Prevent Child Abuse Rowan, an agency dedicated to stopping child abuse in Rowan County through education, intervention, and support; and the Rev. Dr. Clifford Barnett, pastor of Warner Temple AME Zion Church, Wilmington, will make a presentation titled “The Importance of the First 2,000 Days of a Child’s Life.”

All are welcome to attend this free event.

During October, the seminary will donate all chapel offerings to the Terrie Hess House, a nationally accredited child advocacy center established in 2005 by Prevent Child Abuse Rowan. The facility provides a child-friendly environment where child victims of sexual and physical abuse ages birth to 17 and their non-offending caregivers receive needed services provided at no cost to the client or their families.

Also during October, the seminary will collect items for the Terrie Hess House and the Women’s Shelter/Family Crisis Council.

Hood Theological Seminary, located at 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive, is a graduate and professional school where intellectual discourse and ministerial preparation occur in tandem within the framework of a diverse community of faith.