GREENFIELD — Rev. Heather Blais of Saint James Epipscopal Church writes: “Missing Mittens: Where has the missing mitten gone? It was taken away when the child died of gun violence. In 2016, nearly 600 children died from gun violence. Saint James is trying to collect 600 ‘missing mittens’ to install in a display on our front lawn that the community will be invited to help assemble on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. and which will remain up for National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Week. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m., we will gather on the fourth anniversary of Sandy Hook for a Community Gun Violence Prevention Vigil. Please consider donating any mittens to Saint James, on the corner of Church and Federal streets, by Nov. 30. For more information, call 413-773-3925 or www.saintjamesgreenfield.org.”
GREENFIELD — Temple Israel on Pierce Street will offer a Joyful Renewal Shabbat Service today at 10 a.m., with guest leader Sara Schley.
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 today, Nov. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, go to www.upperroomgreenfield.com.
NORTHFIELD — The Trinitarian Congregational church presents the second annual Clergy Cabaret tonight, 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.
Music and Verse in a Sacred Space: Sunday at 4 p.m.
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 — 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.
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.
GREENFIELD — Temple Israel on Pierce Street will hold a lay-led, traditional Friday Night Service and Kiddush on Friday, Nov. 18, at 2:30 p.m.
BERNARDSTON — All are welcome to attend an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m., for a new art show, “Beverly Phelps Paintings and Photographs,” on the first floor and front foyer of the 1739 Unitarian Meetinghouse, 49 Church St. Show hours are Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sataurday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other times by arrangement: 413-330-0807. Commission from art and print sales will benefit the 1739 Meetinghouse Restoration Fund.
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.
SOUTH DEERFIELD — The towns of Conway, Deerfield, Sunderland and Whately will be gathering for an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at the South Deerfield Congregational Church on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. The host pastor is Rev. Roger Daly. The church is located at 71 North Main St.
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. Reminisce with friends and church family. Enjoy a video slide show from past church activities, with light refreshments from the Black Sheep Deli. The Doors of the building are closing, but the love of God that has been shared remains.