GREENFIELD — Phoebe Walker will speak about “Health Inequalities in our Region” Sunday, Sept. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. Walker is a director of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and runs the Community Health Improvement Plan, with All Souls involvement. All are welcome to this Social Justice service at the corner of Hope and Main streets. We will have a talk-back opportunity during coffee hour.
BERNARDSTON — Bernardston Unitarian Church invites all to join them at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 23, for a “feel good” service. Coffee at 11 a.m. Topic: “There’s No Place Like Home: Adult Family Care with LifePath.” Service led by Carol Flandreau, RN, and Tina Peters, Care Manager at LifePath. Music by Lynne Walker.
Flandreau and Peters have been working as a team for the past 10 years in the Adult Family Care program at LifePath, formerly known as Franklin County Home Care. They will present information about the program and share stories of loving care provided to elders and people with disabilities in the homes of families in our community.
NORTHFIELD — First Parish Unitarian invites all to join them for an hour of Heart Centered Kirtan Sunday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. Kirtan is a meditative and energizing practice of devotional call-and-response singing. The repetition of the phrases combined with the back-and-forth nature of this group song relaxes body and mind, creates connection and fosters an awareness of something greater than one’s self.
One of New England’s newest devotional music groups, Heart Centered Kirtan is an eclectic collection of Pioneer Valley folks dedicated to offering an accessible pathway into the mysteries of the heart. In this modern adaptation, they weave Sanskrit and Buddhist mantras into their original blend of rock, folk, blues and reggae. Playing for this service is Libby Volckening with James Robinson and Anna Sobel.
GREENFIELD — Temple Israel welcomes the harvest festival of Sukkot this Sunday, Sept. 23, with Sukkah decorating at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner in the Sukkah at 6 p.m. Main courses provided; you are welcome to bring sides and desserts. This event is family-friendly and open to the whole community. Temple Israel is at 27 Pierce St.
SHELBURNE — Sunday worship this week at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne will be led by Kurk Pearson, a lay preacher from Erving. The service will be at 10 a.m., with music provided by the choir. The service will be followed by a coffee hour at Fellowship Hall.
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 more information, call Marguerite at 413-863-2585, ext. 17.
ORANGE — “Celebration!” Christian Festival takes place today, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Orange at 60 Chestnut Hill Road. Gathering together to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. FREE: Entrance, parking, food. For more information, visit www.christianfest.org.
TURNERS FALLS — The annual Blessing of Animals will be Saturday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh Street in Turners Falls. Everyone is invited to bring their pet or a photo to the Peace Garden to be blessed in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. Refreshments for pets and owners will be served. For information, call Marguerite at 413-863-2585.