HEATH — Dennis Ainsworth will be giving a piano concert today, Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Heath Union Evangelical Church. He will be playing a mix of piano standards from ragtime to classical. The church is located at 5 East Main St., in Heath. The concert starts at 4 p.m., and admission is free.
ORANGE — First Universalist Church, 31 North Main St., welcomes guest speaker Rev. Dr. Elizabeth M. Strong as guest speaker on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. Rev. Dr. Strong, Minister Emerita of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Ashby, is a third-generation Universalist. She was ordained to the Ministry of Religious Education in 1983 and served congregations in Rochester and Syracuse, N.Y. She was the program consultant for the Mass. Baydistrict, then served as the consulting Minister in Ashby. In her retirement she preaches in congregations in the area, mentors religious education candidates, and serves on the Intern Committee for the CLF intern. The title of her sermon is, “Why I Love Jesus.” As always, all faiths are welcome to worship, pray, sing or simply listen. The service is followed by coffee and a light snack.
GREENFIELD — A “Service of Light: Choral Evensong,” that will feature music, prayer and meditation to lighten the burden and enlighten the heart, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m., at Saint James Episcopal Church on the corner of Federal and Church streets. The event is free, though donation to support the music program are welcome. All are invited to attend and take part in the service. For more information: www.saintjamesgreenfield.org.
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Holy Name of Jesus Parish on Thayer Street in South Deerfield will host the annual nondenominational Veterans Day Service prepared and led by Thomas Goodwin, chaplain of Chapter 33 of the Disabled American Veterans, on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. Goodwin is a lay preacher for several area churches who was declared legally blind about four years ago. His sermon is titled, “Are you blind?” based on Luke 6, which is a blind man’s parable. This family-oriented service is open to those of all faiths. All are welcome to attend.
GREENFIELD — Saint James Church, 8 Church St., will be open for an Election Day Vigil from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The space will be open for anyone who wants a moment of prayer, reflection or meditation. The church will also include prayers for the election in our worship services the weekend of Nov. 5/6. For more information, call 413-773-3925 or visit www.saintjamesgreenfield.org.
GREENFIELD — Come visit the two rooms recently rented by Upper Room Greenfield for prayer and meditation at Saint James Church, corner of Federal and Church streets, on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, go to:
upperroomgreenfield.com.
NORTHFIELD — The Trinitarian Congregational church presents the second annual Clergy Cabaret on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., featuring the croonings and comedy of David Neil, Will Sencabaugh, Julie and Jeff Olmsted and Patter Field and Ted Thornton. Appetizers and beverage will be served. $12 per person in advance; $15 at the door. You may bring your own wine, if you wish. For reservations or more information, call the church office at 413-498-5839. Tickets will also be available from participating clergy.
GREENFIELD — Temple Israel is offering a “One Day Hebrew Reading Review,” open to all and free of charge on Sunday, Nov. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Temple Israel at 27 Pierce St. A refresher course which reinforces knowledge of Hebrew letters, vowels, words and phrases, it is a good way to brush up on Hebrew letter recognition.
For those able to read Hebrew (slowly), the “Level Two Hebrew Reading Crash Course” begins Thursday, Nov. 17, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., and will meet five Thursday evenings through Dec. 22. Participants learn approximately 100 vocabulary words and how to identify prefixes, suffixes and roots of words. Singing is included as a learning technique. All attendees to this free class receive their own textbook, provided by NJOP. The course is based on the Hebrew found in Jewish prayer books, with the phonetics used in Israel today.
If interested in one or both classes, email Temple Israel at office@templeisraelgreenfield.org or call 917-615-2955.
Music and Verse in a Sacred Space: Nov. 13
DEERFIELD — Music and Verse in a Sacred Space returns to the First Church of Deerfield on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. The choruses from Deerfield Academy will join forces with the Deerfield Cappella and Orchestra, under the direction of Thomas Pousont. Local Deerfield authors Melissa Dickey and Andy Stallings will read their own poetry. The choirs will present music of Bach, Brahms, Faure and Haydn centered around a theme of autumn and thanksgiving. This event is free and open to the public; all are invited to attend. For more information, please email director Thomas Pousont at deerfieldchoralscholars@gmail.com.
GREENFIELD — The Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference Franklin association, UCC, will be held Sunday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m., at Second Congregational Church on Court Square. The meeting will be followed by Cathedral of the Light worship service and meal at 2 p.m.
NORTHFIELD — Clergy and laity from local and surrounding towns will join in an ecumenical Thanksgiving service on Sunday evening, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., hosted by Trinitarian Congregational Church, 147 Main St. This is an intergenerational and interdenominational community service. The combined church choirs will be directed by Heather Tower. Refreshments will follow.
ASHFIELD — The Ecumenical West County Thanksgiving service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Main Street on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Those interested in joining the choir are invited to come at 6:30 p.m. to rehearse. Robert Jonas will deliver the homily.
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Come celebrate nearly 200 years of faithful worship and ministry of South Deerfield Congregational Church, in Rohrs Hall, Sunday, Dec. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. Share stories of the ways this congregation has touched and nurtured you spiritually.