GREENFIELD — The Leyden United Methodist Church will hold its Sunday service at its Leyden Methodist Church Food Booth at the Franklin County fairgrounds at 9 a.m.
GREENFIELD — The first service of Cathedral in the Light, a ministry of worship and food on the street in Greenfield, will be held Sunday at 2 p.m., in Court Square Park (Town Common). Leadership cohorts including Rev. Christopher Carlisle, Ali Brauner and Lance Humphrey, as well as a host of church partners, will be bringing liturgy, hot, health meals and a sense of joy to this emerging community. Preceding the meal, the brief liturgy embraces the whole community: Christians, seekers, agnostics, atheists and friends who would simply like a meal.
VERNON, Vt. — The Vernon Advent Christian Church will host Rev. Rick Morton on Sunday evening, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. Rev. Morton will share from his recent trip to Williamstown, Ky., to see the life-sized replica of Noah’s Ark. All are welcome to enjoy this “Ark Encounter.” This is a free event. The church is located at 4554 Ft. Bridgman Road (Route 142) in Vernon, just at the Vt./Mass. line, and is handicap accessible.
SUNDERLAND — Celebrate the start of a new Sunday School year at Sunderland Congregational Church with special guest Tom Ricardi and his Birds of Prey Sunday.
ORANGE — On Sunday, Sept. 11, former pastor, the Rev. Andrea Hoslett, will preside at the 10:30 a.m. service at Bethany Lutheran Church, 62 Cheney St. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the church will host a potluck at 6 p.m., followed by a healing service at 6:30 p.m. Rev. Richard Olson will lead the service and Lais Leal will provide music. The church will be closed on Sept. 18. On Sunday, Sept. 25, Rev. Olson will preside. For more information, call 978-544-3541 or email blcpo428@yahoo.com.
Pastor Jim Rennie of First Baptist Church in Colrain wishes readers to know that there is a Men’s Retreat coming up at Camp Northfield on Sept. 16. “It’s overnight and includes a guest speaker, three means and accommodation, all for only $55. Men can register online at CampNorthfield.com.”
ORANGE — On Saturday, Sept. 17, St. Mary’s Parish will be hosting a visit of the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue in honor of the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. The world-famous statue has been traveling worldwide since 1947 and is on an historic two-year journey across America to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima, visiting more than 100 dioceses in 50 states. Mass will be held at 9 a.m., followed by Eucharistic Adoration. Later, there will be a procession with the statue to the grotto, the praying of the Rosary and a talk at 1 p.m. on the Message of Fatima.
NORTH ORANGE — Rev. Don Erickson will begin a new sermon series, “A Nonviolent Reading of the Bible,” on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 9 a.m., at the Community Church of North Orange and Tully. The series will seek to answer the question, “How can I find meaning and hope in a book that has so much violence?” Sermons in the series will be presented on the first and third Sundays through May. They will occur in the first part of Sunday services starting 9 a.m. Please contact Rev. Erickson with any questions or thoughts at doneri@gmail.com or 413-687-1564.
BUCKLAND — The Mary Lyon Church on Upper Street in Buckland is having a Variety/Talent show on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. There will be singing, storytelling, jokes and more. This is free to the public. Following the show, pie and coffee will be served. There will also be a raffle.
ASHFIELD — Homecoming Sunday with brunch following worship at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Sept. 18. Our speaker, Northampton resident Jonathan Harr, is the author of “A Civil Action” and is at work on a book on the refugee crisis in east Africa. He will be speaking to the parish and wider community as we at St. John’s continue to focus much of our mission on the global refugee situation.
CHARLEMONT — Charlemont Federated Church invites public input on the church’s long-range planning. Rev. Cara Hochhalter invites all who are interested to join them 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.
ASHFIELD — Carpool from St. John’s Corner to the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, Friday, Sept. 23.
GILL — The First Congregational Church Gill invites any school-age youth in the community to attend a Youth Rally on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. The youth choir and musicians of our friends from Agape Baptist Church in Greenfield (Moldovian) will be leading the event with their special brand of uplifting praise music. There will also be a Bible message by Pastor Gary Bourbeau and a get-together for refreshments. The event is expected to run about 90 minutes. Adult staff will be on hand. Parents are invited to stay, if they wish. We also would like to explore the possibility of a regular or semi-regular youth group which would meet on a Friday or Saturday evening where young people can enjoy a bible-based message, music, singing and refreshments with their friends. Families interested in these activities can contact Gary Bourbeau at 413-768-9543, by email at gryngill@yahoo.com or Merri Bourbeau at 413-863-8613.
SHELBURNE FALLS — Trinity Church is hosting the workshop, “Focusing as a Spiritual Practice” on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. This workshop is an experiential introduction to focusing, a mindfulness tool that can help us find inner clarity. The facilitator, Daphne Bye, is a Certified Focusing Trainer, musician and teacher. There is no charge for this workshop but a free-will offering will be taken. Please RSVP at daphneannbye@gmail.com or 413-834-0597 or www.daphnebye.com.
GREENFIELD — On Sunday, Sept. 25, at 3:30 p.m., we will remember the forgotten victims of America’s gun violence epidemic as part of The Concert Across America, a series of live music events of all sizes from coast to coast. Places of worship across the country will be singing for peace to raise the volume on the national effort to save lives from gun violence. The event begins at 3:30 p.m. in Saint james Church, 8 Church St., featuring congregational hymns, readings and more. The event will then transition into our Parish Hall for the opportunity to walk our labyrinth. To learn more, call 413-773-3925 or visit concert.faithsunited.org.
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Rev. Jonathan Reardon, pastor of Holy Family Parish, invites everyone to an evening of meditation, adoration and Mass, followed by a talk on the message of Fatima, dudring this, the 100th anniversary of the appearance of Our Blessed mother at Fatima, Portugal. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, beginning at 7 p.m., the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will visit the South Deerfield parish after traveling through the Diocese of Spring bringing graces of Fatima and Our Lady’s message of hope, peace and salvation to those unable to travel to Portugal. The evening begins with Mass and concludes with fellowship and refreshments. For more information, call Fr. Reardon at 413-665-3254 or Jane Sadowsky at 413-665-3070.
ASHFIELD — The Adult Education program at St. John’s Episcopal Church welcomes all to a Fall Dinner and Discussion series from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on four Thursday evenings beginning Sept. 29. The topic will be “The Stories of Early Genesis and the Saga of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs.” Discussions will be led by the Rev. Michael Corrigan, Episcopal priest, retired Chaplain of Northfield Mount Hermon School and member of St. John’s. Simple suppers will be served at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Corner House, followed by discussion. Please call 413-628-4402 or email: stjohnsashfield@gmail.com to reserve a dinner.
GREENFIELD — The adult study group at Robbins Memorial Church will begin their fall series on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m. with a pizza and movie night featuring the movie “Heaven is for Real.” On subsequent Friday nights Starting Oct. 7, the group will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. for the five-week DVD-based Bible Study based on the book and movie. The church is located at 55 Munson St. For more information, call 413-774-2559.
GREENFIELD — Temple Israel on Pierce Street invites the public to join them as they celebrate the high holy days, as follows. Donations and new memberships welcome for all programs. More information may be found on their website, templeisraelgreenfield.org.
Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Children’s Program: Families are invited to help prepare pizza and salad for the 6 p.m. Community Meal. No charge.
Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah morning service: Welcome the new year with blessings, liturgy, Torah and Community Lunch. No tickets. Older children’s service (ages 9 to 12). Free child care provided.
Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah morning service: Welcome the new year with morning blessings followed by inclusive, educational approach to the liturgy, Torah service and community lunch. No tickets.
Oct. 11 at 5:45 p.m. Stand for Kol Nidre in sacred community. Dress in white with tallit. No leather is to be worn for the evening Yom Kippur service. No tickets.
Oct. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Full day of prayer (9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Morning service, Yom Kippur, Torah, Yizkor, children’s holiday crafts for ages 10 to 12. 3 to 4 p.m.: Gentle Yoga. 4 to 5 p.m.: Retelling the Yonah Story (for children of all ages). 5 p.m.: Yom Kippur Ma-arive and Torah service. 6 p.m.: Neilah Service followed by break-the-fast. Free childcare.
GREENFIELD — Robbins Memorial Church will hold an outdoor worship/communion service on Kimball Hill on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 10 a.m. (weather permitting). For more information, call 413-774-2559.