Blessing of the Animals: Saturday at Saint James
GREENFIELD — Join us on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 4 p.m., on the lawn (or in the cloisters, if it is raining) at Saint James Episcopal Church, corner of Federal and Church streets, to have your beloved pet, a picture of your pet, stuffed animal, or farm animal blessed. All of God’s creatures are invited and welcomed. For more information, visit www.saintjamesgreenfield.org
MONTAGUE CENTER — The First Congregational Church of Montague will be offering its annual service of blessing and healing for animals on Oct. 9 at 11:30 a.m. on the lawn in front of the church, located at 4 North St. (In the event of rain, it will be held inside, downstairs in Fellowship Hall.) Seniors, families, singles and children are encouraged to bring their dogs, cats, birds, lizards, rabbits, fish, horses and other well-behaved pets. If your pet is unable to come to the event, you are welcome to bring a picture of the pet or pets you wish to have blessed. The blessing is held in honor of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. All are welcome to attend the regular worship service immediately preceding the blessing at 10 a.m. For more information: 413-367-9467.
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.
Tusday, 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.
Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 9:30 a.m. 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. 5 p.m.: Yom Kippur Ma-arive and Torah service. 6 p.m.: Neilah Service followed by break-the-fast. Free child care.
TURNERS FALLS — On Sunday, Oct. 9, at 9 a.m., St. Andrews Episcopal Church (2 Prospect St.) will have as guest celebrant and preacher the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Diocesan Missioner for Creation Care. Bullitt-Jonas is an author, preacher, teacher and activist. She believes that the ecological crisis — from climate change to the extinction of species — calls us to claim our kinship with all creation, to look deeply into our sources of hope, and to work together to build a just and sustainable future. She is the recipient of the “Steward of God’s Creation Award,” presented by the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care on Sept. 12. The award is given annually to a faith leader whose ministry is moving the needle toward climate justice and inspiring reverence for the earth.
The church is located at the intersection of 7th and L streets.
NORTHFIELD — Enjoy the fine music of singer/songwriter Santina King and Dave Coffey on drums at Coffee House Music, Friday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Patrick’s Church, Main Street. King, a graduate of Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School and the University of Southern Maine in Portland, is moving in unique directions with her voice and guitar phrasing. This young singer-songwriter composes mostly on guitar — building her intricate and rich musical compositions from scratch.
MONTAGUE CENTER — The First Congregational Church of Montague, 4 North St., is offering a free workshop, “Pilgrims on a Path: A Labyrinth Program,” led by Veriditas-trained Labyrinth Facilitator Deborah Yaffee on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. You will learn about a variety of labyrinths and their history. Our time together will offer opportunity for personal reflection while walking both the indoor and newly installed outdoor labyrinths. To register, call Rev. Barbara Turner Delisle at 413-367-9467 or email Deborah Yahhee at labyrinthgal@gmail.com.
DEERFIELD — The Brick Church Music Series at The First Church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main St., will present Michael Hey in an organ concert on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. A Julliard School graduate, Hey’s organ recitals are described as “flashy” and “exciting.” Presently assistant organist of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC, Hey performs for thousands of people each year. He will be playing works by J.S. Bach, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Debussy and others, on the tracker organ built by Richards-Fowkes of Chattanooga, Tenn. Suggested donation: $10, with a reception following the concert. For more information, call Jean Pitman Turner, Artistic Director, at 413-774-2657.