GREENFIELD — Temple Israel will be observing the Jewish High Holiday season with inclusive and accessible services, community meals and family-friendly activities. Tickets are not required and all are welcome to attend. All events are at 27 Pierce St. unless otherwise noted. For a full schedule and more information, visit templeisraelgreenfield.org or call 413-773-5884.
SHELBURNE — The Rev. Lorain Giles will lead worship at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne on Sunday, Sept. 16. The Rev. Giles was pastor from 1977 to 1985. After leaving Shelburne, she served United Church of Christ churches in Hadley, in Yarmouth, Maine and in Lyme, N.H. She retired in 2013. Her busgand, Bill, taught biology and coached at Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield for 27 years. The couple live in South Harley. The worship service is at 10 a.m., followed by a coffee hour.
GREENFIELD — The Rev. Dr. Adele Smith-Penniman will lead the service at All Souls Church on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome for her sermon, “Harvesting Roots and Spirit.” Rev. Dr. Smith-Penniman, a retired UU minister, returns to All Souls after a summer taking joy in the outdoors, in art workshops and in time with family and friends. The church is at the corner of Hope and Main streets.
TURNERS FALLS — Inquiry meetings for anyone interested in learning about the Catholic religion or who is looking to have a deeper relationship with God will begin Sunday, Sept. 23 at 9 a.m. in the rectory of Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh St., Turners Falls. Those who have never been baptized or who have not received the sacraments of First Communion and/or Confirmation will be able to complete their full initiation into the Church. We also will be examining in more depth the areas of scripture, sacramental life, social justice and the early history of the Church. There is no pressure to join or strings attached. For information, call Marguerite at 413-863-2585, ext. 17.
DEERFIELD — “The Brick Church” music series will present its first concert of the season with three well known organists: Thomas Pousont, Christa Rakich and Larry Schipull. They will be “Pulling Out the Stops” on Sunday, Sept. 23, at 3 p.m., at The First Church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main St., Deerfield. They will be playing the church’s Richards, Fowkes & Co. tracker organ.
There is a suggested donation of $10 to $20 at the door with a reception following the concert in the Caswell Library at Deerfield Academy. For mmore information, call Jean Pitman Turner, artistic director, at 413-774-2657.
BERNARDSTON — Bernardston Unitarians and friends will meet Sunday morning, Sept. 16. at 11 a.m. for coffee and goodies. A hymn at 11:30 a.m. will start the service led by Dan Tinen, whose topic will be “Lay down your burden.” The church is at 49 Church St. Details will be posted on www.bernardstonunitarian.org.
Call for photos: To all accomplished photographers as well as smart phone photographers, the church is looking for your best shots, framed and ready to be hung for a photo show called “Capturing Light & Life.” The church is collecting the photographs at the meetinghouse on Wednesday, Sept. 19 or Sunday, Sept. 23 before the service. Contact Annette for other drop-off arrangements or with questions at 413-330-0807, call or text. The show opens on Sept. 30, with a reception from noon to 2 p.m.
NORTHFIELD — Guest speaker and UU layman Dan Tinen will speak on the topic, “Lay down your burden,” at First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.
SANTA PAULA, Calif. — Thomas Aquinas College has climbed 15 spots in the annual U.S. News and World Report college rankings, from No. 58 to No. 43 among the country’s national liberal arts colleges. It is one of only two Catholic institutions in the U.S. to make the top 50. The guide also lists the college at No. 11 for “lowest student debt load at graduation” and No. 35 out of 109 for “Best Value” among all national liberal arts colleges. In a press release, the college says it has received high marks in the newest editions of all the top annual college guides, both Catholic and secular.
The college plans to open a campus in Northfield in 2019.