Join in a Taize service today at 7 p.m.
SHELBURNE — Trinity Church invites you to join in a summer Taize service: a service of song, silence and contemplation in the ecumenical tradition from France and now a worldwide movement for peace. Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. If you would like to learn the songs in advance of the service, you are invited to come at 6 p.m. No singing experience necessary. All are welcome. The church is at 17 Severance St.
NORTHFIELD — Philadelphia organist Gary Garletts will be playing at Trinitarian Congregational Church, 147 Main St., on Sunday, Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Kurt Nelson of Dallas, Texas will be preaching. Garlett is minister of music at Ardmore Presbyterian Church. He is the conductor of a large choral group in West Chester, Penn., and a frequent soloist and piano accompanist in the Philadelphia area. He received degrees from Oberlin and Duquesne universities.
Ridge Sunday is an annual service put on by residents of the summer community known as “the Ridge,” that dates to the early 20th century when evangelist Dwight L. Moody’s summer conferences swelled the local population. A special coffee hour will follow.
BERNARDSTON — Join us “In the Garden” for coffee and conversation in the lovely garden of Bernardston Unitarian Church (49 Church St.) with member and Master Gardener Celt Grant. Park at the church at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, and it’s a short walk together. Handicapped individuals may request help by calling 413-330-0807.
Summer gatherings at All Souls UU
GREENFIELD — All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church (corner of Main and Hope streets) invites you to gather for connection, worship and exploration. Join them in the Parish Hall (come to the red door on Hope Street) at All Souls UU at 10:30 a.m. on the following Sundays:
Aug. 5: “Moving on.” Hear three folks tell a 5-minute story then have one-to-one opportunities to share your experience. We’ll have some time for impromptu sharing. We’ll follow with snacks and fellowship.
Aug. 19: Singing the Living Tradition, led by Dan Tinen.
HALIFAX, Vt. — The Halifax Union Society continues its evening services this Sunday, Aug. 4, starting at 6 p.m., at the church near the crossroads in Halifax Center. The Rev. Dr. Marcia Dorey is pastor and Merrillyn Courser plays the Carpenter reed organ.
NORTHFIELD — The Rev. Ted Thornton, Northfield resident and long-time teacher of History, Religious Studies and Arabic at Northfield Mount Hermon School, will lead a spirit-filled worship service on Sunday, Aug. 12. The topic of Rev. Thornton’s sermon will be “Bread of Life: Part of a Balanced Diet.” Joining him will be Northfield Council on Aging Director Heather Tower in singing a psalm antiphonally with the congregation. Church begins at 9:30 a.m. during the summer. All are welcome to attend and enjoy a fine coffee hour afterwards. The church is at 147 Main St.
CHARLEMONT — The Federated Church on Route 2 in Charlemont invites community members to say goodbye to the Rev. Cara Hochhalter, who is retiring after 10 years as minister. All are welcome at her farewell service on Sunday, Aug. 12, at 9:30 a.m., and at the reception afterward in the church social rooms. The day promises to be full of music, food and good wishes.
CROP Walk Recruitment Rally
set for Tuesday, Aug. 14
LEYDEN — Ever felt you have a gift to help the world, but can’t quite figure out what it is? CROP Hunger Walk may be it. A first step in the voyage of eradicating worldwide hunger and poverty is having someone in your group attend the Recruitment Rally of Annual Franklin County CROP Hunger Walk: Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m., at Leyden United Methodist Church. A light supper will be provided.