SHELBURNE — This Sunday, July 31, three area churches will hold a joint service. Robbins Memorial Church, the Second Congregational Church of Greenfield and Shelburne Center First Congregational Church will join together in a joint Sunday morning service. The service will be held at 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne, located on the Mohawk Trail. The sermon will be presented by the Rev. Dr. S. William Sencabaugh. Special music will be provided by members of the Falltown String Band.
BERNARDSTON — This service is an imaginary effort to connect us to what it might be like to be in Emerson’s living room with the likes of Margaret Fuller, Henry Hedge and Thoreau. At the 1739 Bernardston Unitarian Meetinghouse. Coffefe at 11 a.m., Service at 11:30 a.m. Unitarian Universalism is a noncreedal tradition.
HALIFAX, Vt. — The Halifax Union Society marks its 125th anniversary at a special service this Sunday evening, July 31, at 6 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Marcia Dorey, organist Merrillyn Courser, and Society members will look back at the early history of Halifax churches, the story of the Halifax Union Society, and the example of the Great Cloud of Witnesses in the Biblical story of Hebrews.
The Halifax Union Society was formed in 1891, taking over the former Baptist church in Halifax Center. It is a liberal associated church, undenominational and independent. It is located at 44 Stowe Mountain Road, near the crossroads in Halifax Center. For more information, email HalifaxUnionSociety@gmail.com.
‘Christianity Explored’ continues Sunday
NORTHFIELD — Continuing this Sunday, July 31, at 5:30 p.m., Community Bible Church will offer the fourth lesson of an 8-week “Christianity Explored” course. Participants are welcome to enter the group mid-course and may attend as many or as few of the classes as they are able. This informal course will explore the life of Jesus — who he is, why he came, and what it means to follow him — as written in the gospel of Mark. This week we will conclude our discussion of “sin” and then address the question, “Why did Jesus die?” The group will meet at the church building at the corner of Rte. 63 and South Mountain Road (781 Millers Falls Road). For more information, contact Bob Emberley at rwemberley@gmail.com or call 413-498-4404.
ASHFIELD — Come to St. John’s Church Community Picnic, Thursday, Aug. 4, at “The Corner” parish house, opposite the church at 469 Main St. Free and open to the public. Donations of side dishes and beverages much appreciated.
NORTHFIELD — Members of the Rustic Ridge Community will be responsible for the worship service at Trinitarian Congregation Church, 147 Main St., on Sunday, Aug. 7. Dr. Dennis Campbell will preach. Gary Garletts will be guest organist, and members of the church and “the Ridge” community will form a choir. Following the service, Ridge members will host the coffee hour. The choir will rehearse at the church at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5 and at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7. All singers are welcome! For more information, call Janet Abel at 413-498-5417.
SHELBURNE — On Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne, there will be a vespers service of classical pipe organ music, hymns, songs and Bible readings, all centered around phrases of the Lord’s Prayer. Barbara Goodchild of Shelburne is the organist. A free-will offering will be collected. All are welcome. The church is located at 22 Common Road, Shelburne.
ASHFIELD — St. John’s church will hold a special launch for Ashfield author Preston Brown’s new book, “Struggling for the Soul of Our Country,” Friday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m., at “The Corner” parish house, opposite the church at 469 Main St. Browning is the Director of Wellspring House, a retreat for writers and artists in Ashfield.
LEYDEN — “Following Jesus: A Study of First John,” with Perry Fuller, meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m., through Aug. 3, at Leyden United Methodist Church, 15 West Leyden Road. “The Bible book of First John shows us how to follow the Way, learn the Truth and experience the life of Christianity,” say the organizers. “We look forward to studying side by side with you!” For more information, call 413-773-3548.
NORTHFIELD — Trinitarian Congregational Church will continue its third-Saturday “New Day” casual worship service on Aug. 20, from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Rev. Julie Olmsted, pastor of Trinitarian Congregational Church, and her husband, Jeff Olmsted, will lead the service. Jeff Olmsted is choir director of Haydenville Congregational Church. He has been conducting chants from the Christian as well as other faiths for many years. The church is located at 147 Main St. For more information, call 413-498-2431 or email tccucc@verizon.net.
NORTHFIELD — Trinitarian Congregational Church will hold its annual Riverside Service on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. at Pat and Tom Shearer’s barn on Pine Meadow Road. This is also the Sunday School Kickoff. There will be baptism in the river; call Pastor Julie Olmsted if you are interested. 413-498-2431. For directions, call the church office at 498-5839.
GREENFIELD — St. James Church on Federal Street will be hosting monthly indoor labyrinth walks in their Parish Hall. The monthly walks are available to the general public from 4 to 5 p.m. every fourth Sunday. The next walk is Aug. 28.
Walking a labyrinth is an ancient practice found in countries around the world. No one is sure of its exact origins or uses, but the labyrinth is still found around the world and is used in a variety of ways to deepen lives and as a place of celebration and ritual. Elise Schlaikjer, chair of the organizing committee, says, “It is a place to meditate and pray, a way to find peace and serenity and a way to address questions that are on your heart.”
For more information, call St. James at 413-773-3925 or Elise Schlaikjer at 773-1683.
CHARLEMONT — Charlemont Federated Church invites public input on the church’s long-range planning, according to Rev. Cara Hochhalter. “We know that many people in the surrounding communities have been involved in the church in a variety of ways. We welcome input from the community as we do some ‘time travel’ into the future and think about our church. Please join us for worship on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m., followed by conversation and potluck from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.” You may call the church office (413-339-4294) to sign up or ask questions.