SOUTH DEERFIELD — Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, will close out the Year of Mercy on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m., at the Holy Family Parish, 29 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield. The bishop will speak about mercy in action. This event will be held in the Pope John Paul II Center. parking is available behind the church. Refreshments will follow the bishop’s presentation. Please join us for this wonderful event.
CONWAY — There will be a tree lighting and singing on the Conway Town Common, Sunday, Nov. 27, at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the United Congregational Church of Conway. For more information, call 978-544-2801.
DEERFIELD — Mohamed Amin, creator of AverageMohamed.com, will speak at Deerfield Academy Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., at Garonzik Auditorium, Koch Center for STEM. AverageMohamed.com, which was set up to talk plainly to humanity about the issue of extremism, speaks to all people in such a way as to clarify topics related to Islam, and to promote an alternative response to the pressures that radical religion, via social media, promotes to young people.
TURNERS FALLS — A Christmas Concert, in preparation for the birth of the Lord, featuring the Schola Nova, the talented Pioneer Valley a cappella choir, will take place Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m., at Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh St. The Choir will present a Service of Lessons and Carols, which is the Christmas Eve Service held each year at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England. This is an excellent way to get into the spirit of the season and a remarkable musical opportunity. There will be a free-will offering.
GREENFIELD — There will be a Christmas Carol Sing and Concert to be held at the Greenfield High School on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to this free event. We will be singing many of your favorite Christmas carols as well as selections from the 4D1G Gospel Quartet, Valley Revival Choir, Dennis Ainsworth on piano and other gifted singers and musicians.
BERNARDSTON — “First Saturdays with Steve,” a writing group led by Rev. Steve Wilson, is set for Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m., at the 1739 Bernardston Unitarian Meetinghouse, 49 Church St. New participants are welcome. Writing assignment: Write a story that involves you and a car.
All are welcome to First Saturdays Potluck at 5:30 p.m., followed by Open Mike.
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.
Scott Alexander to speak at
Deerfield Academy, Dec. 5
DEERFIELD — Dr. Scott Alexander, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Director of the Catholic-Muslim Studies Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, will speak in the Stolzfus Toom, Greer Store in the Athletics Complex, on Monday, Dec. 5, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Dr. Alexander sits on the editorial board of The Journal of Islamic Law and Culture, and his scholarly work is currently focusing on the inherent contradiction between religious claims to universal truth and the religiously motivated desire to impose this truth on others as a means of political and cultural domination.
A Blue Christmas Service in West County: Dec. 6
SHELBURNE FALLS — Are you looking for some comfort, peace and strength as we move into the season of winter and Christmas time? For many people, this is a tender and raw time. In recognition of these complex emotions and the turbulent times we are living through, you are invited to gather with others for a Blue Christmas Communion Service that will center on comfort, hope and consolation.
Bring your full self and receive a gift of quiet reflection, prayer, candle lighting and peace in this time. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., at Trinity Church, 17 Severance St. Rev. Marguerite Sheehan and Rev. Dr. Jill Rierdan will preside. All are warmly welcome.
Muffins in a Manger: Dec. 10
NORTHFIELD — Trinitarian Congregational Church’s children and families will host “Muffins in a Manger” for Northfield’s Special Day, Saturday, Dec. 10, in front of the church from 9 to 10 a.m. Come enjoy a muffin, cocoa or coffee and continue on your Special Day route through the town.
Cookie Walk and Mini Fair Dec. 10
ORANGE — Central Congregational Church of Orange, 93 South Main St., will hold a Cookie Walk and Mini Fair Saturday, Dec. 10. For more information, call 978-544-6895.
Dana Vespers
Concert, Dec. 11
ORANGE Central Congregational Church of Orange, 93 South Main St., will sponsor the Dana Vespers Concert at 3:30 p.m., with spaghetti supper to follow. For more information, call 978-544-6895.
Saint James seeks mittens for gun
violence prevention display
GREENFIELD — Saint James is collecting mittens to install in a display on their 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.”