BERNARDSTON — The Arts & Activism program of the Bernardston Unitarian Church will hold a reception for its new photographic art exhibit at the historic 1739 Bernardston Unitarian Meetinghouse, 49 Church St., on Sunday, Sept. 30, from noon to 2 p.m. Music for the reception will be provided by Ryan Lee and Friends, who are music students at Northfield Mount Hermon School. Gallery hours through nov. 25 are Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GREENFIELD — This Sunday, Sept. 30, All Souls will be celebrating Homecoming Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Dan Tinen will speak about the UU First Principle: The Inherent Worth and Dignity of All. Julia Bady is guest pianist. All are welcome for this service, followed by a special fellowship coffee hour.
SHELBURNE — The Rev. Linda Rhinehart Neas will lead worship at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne this Sunday, Sept. 30. Rev. Neas teaches English to immigrants and refugees, as well as poetry and writing. The service will be at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a coffee hour.
GREENFIELD — First United Methodist Church of Greenfield is kicking off the start of a Monthly Music Series on Friday, Oct. 5, with Holy Blues Concert featuring Robin O’Hearin. The evening begins with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m.; the concert starts at 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $10. O’Hearin was a 2013 Boston Blues Finalist. Her concerts are often interactive and include original and traditional American music based on the pounding back beat of the Mississippi Delta. First United Methodist is at 25 Church St. For more information, call 413-772-6935.
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.
TURNERS FALLS — Our Lady of Czestochowa Church invites all to join them for the National Day of Prayer for Our Nation — a “Mini Pilgrimage” — as participants beg Mary for her protection and guidance for our country and the church in these difficult times. This event will take place at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 84 K St., Turners Falls as they participate in the “Rosary Coast to Coast Rally” on Sunday, Oct. 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. This event is in union with parishes across the country. The local program will include a reflection on “Mary: Our Shelter in the Storm,” and a Eucharistic Procession of public witness and penance down Avenue A to the banks of the Connecticut River for the recitation of the Rosary and Benediction at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Joy Pelc at rjpelc@comcast.net. For more information on the nationwide Rosary coast to Coast, visit rosarycoasttocoast.com.
GREENFIELD — The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew will celebrate its annual Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 7, with a service at 9 a.m., at which they will welcome new members and hold a blessing of animals. There will also be a ministry fair during the coffee hour where members and visitors can learn more about the church’s many ministries. The church is at 8 Church St. (corner of Federal and Church streets). To learn more, visit www.saintsjamesandandrew.org or call 413-773-3925.
DEERFIELD — The Brick Church Music Series will present “Ensemble Schumann,” a dazzling trio of soloists with Tom Gallant, oboe, Steve Larson, viola, and Sally Pinkas, piano, in concert on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m., at The First Church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main St. A fundraiser for the church, the suggested donation is $10 to $20 at the door with a reception following in the Caswell Library at Deerfield Academy. For more information, call Artistic Director Jean Pitman Turner at 413-774-2657.
GREENFIELD — Temple Israel is offering a crash course in learning to read Hebrew, open to all and free of charge. The first class is Thursday, Oct. 11 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Temple Israel, 27 Pierce St. It will meet on five Thursday evenings through Nov. 8.
Attendees receive their own textbook, provided by NJOP (www.njop.org). They will learn the Hebrew alphabet and be able to read simple Hebrew sentences. Emphasis will be on learning to read.
For more information and to register, email office@templeisraelgreenfield.org or call 413-773-5884.
TURNERS FALLS — As federal agencies continue to tighten restrictions on immigrant status and increase raids and deportations, the Interfaith Council of Franklin County will hold a public meeting at the Brick House, 24 Third St., in Turners Falls on Wednesday, Oct. 10, to explore how local groups are responding to needs in the local immigrant community. Continuing the theme of “Who is my Neighbor?” speakers from the Center for New Americans, Montague Catholic Social Ministries and Mt. Toby Friends Immigrant Solidarity will report on current efforts to provide support and how local residents may help. The event will begin with a potluck at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:45 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.