VERNON, Vt. — The Advent Christian Church (Route 142) in Vernon, Vt., will host a breakfast buffee today, from 8 to 11 a.m. It is free and open to the public. Donations will be appreciated as this breakfast is to benefit our Advent Christian Missionaries.
GREENFIELD — “Let your spirits soar,” invites the First Congregational Church (43 Silver St.), at GospelFest today at 3 p.m. The concert will feature the Amherst Area Gospel Choir, Moonlight and Morning Star, and the 4D1G Gospel Choir, led by Dennis Ainsworth of Greenfield and including David Welenc, Don Messer, Dennis MacLaughlin, David Chaplin and Garrett Grant. Tickets are $15. A meet and greet with the performers, plus refreshments, will follow the concert. The venue is handicapped accessible and proceeds will benefit the homeless via the United Way of Franklin County.
CHARLEMONT — The Charlemont Federated Church will hold its annual meeting following the May 1st Sunday service. Pie and fellowship follows.
LAKE PLEASANT — The National Spiritual Alliance is launching “Broken Faith,” a nondenominational discussion group for men and women who are searching for their spiritual path and exploring their inner self. “Broken Faith” will start on Wednesday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m., at the National Spiritual Alliance, 2 Montague Avenue. Come join us, says Rev. Andrea Krawczyk. No cost.
DEERFIELD — A Service of Peace will take place at the First church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main St. The purpose of this service is to gain understanding and respect across religious traditional in a time when many are calling for division and isolation. We will also focus on the Syrian refugees’ struggle and the work of the Syrian American Medical Society. Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener of Temple Israel, Greenfield, and Dr. Saleem Bajwa from the Western Massachusetts Islamic Center of West Springfield, will share in the worship. The service will include music by the First Church of Deerfield choir and Deerfield Academy Choir. Come and join in the celebration.
ASHFIELD — St. Johns Episcopal Church offers “Meal and a Movie Night,” Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m., at The Corner, opposite the church, at 469 Main St., with a film featuring Dame Maggie Smith. Food provided.
ASHFIELD — The First Congregational Church of Ashfield is hosting its 12th annual Celebration of Marriage Equality in Massachusetts on Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. The event will include music, poetry and personal testimonials addressing the importance and legitimacy of gay marriage. Special guests are members of the LGBT Asylum Support Task Force. Open to everyone. Please bring finger-foods to share. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided. For more information, call 413-625-6967 or 628-4523.
GREENFIELD — Saint James Episcopal Church will celebrate Spring Festival Sunday on May 15 at 10 a.m., to celebrate Pentecost. The event will begin with a parade from the Town Common at 9:45 a.m. to the church. There will be a spsecial worship service followed by fun, food and fellowship on the lawn of the church. There will be a free, delicious meal with chicken, hot dogs, salads, dessert and more. Morris Dancers will perform after the meal. All are invited. www.saintjamesgreenfield.org
GREENFIELD — St. James Episcopal Church will hold a Pentecost Birthday Party on May 15 from noon to 1 p.m. on the lawn. It will be a round robin of games, crafts and more. This special event is aimed at kids and families in the greater Greenfield area. All are invited. www.saintjamesgreenfield.org.
CHARLEMONT — Charlemont Federated Church invites public input on the church’s long-range planning, according to Rev. Cara Hochhalter. “Under the facilitation of David Specht, the church will be embarking on a series of three conversations around who we have been, where we are not and how we want to move into the future. We know that many people in the surrounding communities have been involved in the church in a variety of ways. We welcome their input and invite them to attend any or all of the following opportunities for conversation.”
You may call the church office (413-339-4292) to sign up or ask questions.
#1: “Our Living History and Packing for the Journey,” Sunday, May 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with potluck lunch OR Monday, May 23, 6 to 8:30 p.m., with pizza.
#2: “Mapping the Present Moment and Trends that may shape our future,” Sunday, June 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., OR Monday, June 27, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
#3: “Excursions into our Future,” Sunday, July 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., OR Monday, July 25, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
GREENFIELD — All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Greenfield (399 Main St.) will hold the 14th annual Anti-Racism Film Festival on Sunday, May 22, starting at 1:15 p.m. Admission is free. The sponsors say, “We hope the festival will help to serve as a bridge promoting tolerance and collaboration as we build a community that is strong, healthy and respectful of differences.” Facilitated discussion to follow films. Free child care. Two films on racism — “Hate Crimes in the Heartland” and “White like Me” — will be shown at 1:15 p.m., and one film “Latinos Beyond Reel” will be shown at 3:45 p.m. At 6 p.m., a supper of local foods will be served; sliding scale donation of $4 to $10. At 7 p.m., Powwow Highway will be shown. For more information, call 413-772-0003.
GREENFIELD — “Coffee, Tea and Mortality,” an open and lively conversation about life and death matters, will be offered on Tuesday, May 24 from 4 to 6 p.m., at Saint James Episcopal Church, 8 Church St. Sponsored by St. James Church and Hospice of Franklin County, the event is designed to take death out of hiding and talk about it openly, while enjoying delicious refreshments. All spiritual, religious and end-of-life beliefs will be honored. $5 cover fee, and registration is required. Register today by emailing stjamesgfield@gmail.com or by calling 413-773-3925.
ASHFIELD — St. Johns Episcopal Church will hold its annual Ann Browning Poetry Reading, featuring Daniela Gioseffi, Wednesday, June 1, at 7 p.m. in the church.
ASHFIELD — St. Johns Episcopal Church offers “Meal and a Movie Night,” Friday, June 10, at 6 p.m., at The Corner, opposite the church, at 469 Main St., with a film featuring Dame Maggie Smith. Food provided.
ASHFIELD — Amherst College Psychology professor Catherine Sanderson will give a presentation, “What makes people happy?” on Sunday, June 26, at The Corner, the parish house at 469 Main St.
GREENFIELD — A weekly Bible Study will meet on Mondays during Easter season at 6:30 p.m., in the Choir Room at Saint James Church, 8 Church St. We will be taking a prayerful and conversational look at the Gospel lesson assigned to the coming Sunday. If you wish, you can preview the lessons at Lectionary Page. The remaining Mondays in Easter Season are May 2 and 9. For more information, visit www.saintjamesgreenfield.org.
GREENFIELD — “Monday Night Compline in Easter Season: A Nightcap for the Soul,” will take place on Mondays during Easter Season at 8 p.m., in Saint James Church, 8 Church St. Compline is descended from the night prayers said before bed at the end of the monastic round of daily prayer. It is a simple office including a confession of sins, one or more psalms, a short reading from scripture, versicles and responses, the Lord’s Prayer, silence, along with free intercessions and thanksgivings, and collects which ask for God’s protection during the night to come. The remaining Mondays are May 2 and 9. For more info: www.saintjamesgreenfield.org.