GREENFIELD — On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Interfaith Council of Franklin County will present “Enough Food For All,” a potluck followed by a panel and discussion at First Congregational Church on Silver Street.
5:30 p.m.: Local Foods potluck (grown and harvested in Franklin County)
6:15 p.m. : Panel and discussion
Join the Interfaith Council of Franklin County to hear stories of food insecurity and food sustainability. We know there is enough food for all. Why are there hungry people? Join the Hunger Task Force, Just Roots, the Compost Collective, Stone Soup Café and Rachel’s Table for a discussion of these issues.
Contact the Interfaith Council at 413-625-6967 or email interfaithcfc@gmail.com with any questions. All are welcome.
ASHFIELD — The First Congregational Church (UCC) and St. John’s Episcopal Church of Ashfield are co-sponsoring a discussion about climate change and faith on Thursday, Oct. 3, at the First Congregational Church on Main Street. The evening event will start with a locavore potluck (using local ingredients) at 6 p.m., followed by a program from 7 to 8:30 pm.
The Rev. Dr. Bullitt Jonas serves as Missioner for Creation Care for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. Her website, RevivingCreation.org, includes blog posts, sermons and articles. Her new book, “Rooted & Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis,” co-edited with Leah Schade, will be published this fall.
The event is free and open to the public.
ASHFIELD — Mary D’Allesandro, the Episcopal Chaplain at Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center, will be the guest preacher on Sunday, Sept. 8, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Services start at 10 a.m., followed by a coffee hour.
We anticipate the service will include sharing about the impact our backpacks have for the women who receive them when they are transitioning from incarceration to community. Consider bringing personal care supplies, non-perishable snack foods, blank journals, small notebooks, pens or small flashlights to contribute to filling future backpacks for our Love in a Backpack ministry. If you can’t make the service, you may drop off such items at the church at any time. St. John’s is on the corner of South and Main Streets in the center of Ashfield.
ASHFIELD — The First Congregational Church (UCC) of Ashfield welcomes David McLean Jones on Sunday at the 10 a.m. service. In July, Jones answered a call to become Ashfield’s new settled pastor. Sunday’s service will be his first. Jones was raised in rural Ontario, Canada, and has a Master of Divinity from the University of Toronto. He has been serving the Riverside United Church of Christ in Jacksonville, Fla., where his focus was Community Ministries. He and his wife, Caity Mans, will live in Buckland. All are welcome. The church is at 429 Main Street.
NORTHFIELD — The Rev. Quentin Chin, interim pastor at Trinitarian Congregational Church, 147 Main St., will combine community discernment and worship in a pivotal event on Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Rev. Chin says, “We are on the cusp of a decision which will set a direction for the next several months. Please make every effort to come.”
GREENFIELD — Our traditional Ingathering and Water Communion Service will be cancelled as All Souls building is still closed due to asbestos. Department of Environmental Protection’s remediation plan is taking longer than anticipated. Please help with our crowdfunding campaign via Faithify at https://bit.ly/2kwQzMQ
Or send a check to All Souls UU Greenfield, 399 Main St., Greenfield MA 01301.
BERNARDSTON — Sunday, Sept. 8, will be a regular service with Barry Deitz on the theme of “Music in our Lives.” Coffee at 11 a.m., service at 11:30 a.m. New art works on our walls depict visual images of “Music in our Lives.”
For Sunday, Sept. 15, Bernardston UU will celebrate “Music on the River!” by chartering the Heritage riverboat run by Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the dock at the Riverview Picnic Area at the foot of Ferry Road in Northfield. (Right turn opposite the Visitors Center driveway). It’s a 1½-hour scenic and historic odyssey. We are asking for donations of $12 to $20 to cover the costs. Music will be provided by the Farley String Band. Details at www.bernardstonunitarian.org.
CONWAY — “The Seven Body Types According to Tibetan Medicine,” a public talk with Manpa Phuntsog Wangmo (Ping Cuowangmu), director of Tibetan School of Medicine, is set for Saturday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m. at Tsegyalgar East, 18 Schoolhouse Road.
GREENFIELD — On Sunday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m., there will be one combined service at The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew for Fall Festival Sunday. The worship will feature the return of our choir, a special welcome to newcomers, a prayer of thanks for the longtime ministry of the Episcopal Church Women as they conclude their ministry, and will celebrate the creation season. Immediately following will be a special coffee hour and a ministry fair in our parish hall. The church is at 8 Church St. To learn more, call 413-773-3925 or www.saintsjamesandandrew.org.
VERNON, Vt. — The Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist Church (1002 Fort Bridgman Road) is offering a video series workshop for couples wishing to enrich their marriage. The videos are a nationally acclaimed seminar series by Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs entitled “Love and Respect.” The series will be presented on Friday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., beginning on Sept. 27 and ending on Nov. 1 with a banquet. There will be two videos shown each session. The evening will begin with a time of getting acquainted, visiting, and snacks/beverages, followed by the videos.
There is a $20 registration fee per couple. Childcare will be provided. Registration is required. For more information and to RSVP, contact Jean Brodis by email at brodis@svcable.net or by calling 802-387-5776.
GREENFIELD — On Sunday, Oct. 6, during the 8 and 10 a.m. services at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, we will bless our pets, backyard farm animals, stuffed animals and photos of our petsduring our worship services. Every creature is beloved by God; bring yours to be blessed. 8 Church St. To learn more, call 413-773-3925 or www.saintsjamesandandrew.org.
CONWAY — The October monthly movie night educational series will present “Blessings: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet,” directed by Victress Hitchcock, narrated by Richard Gere. 7 p.m. at 18 Schoolhouse Road.
GREENFIELD — “Jews and Allies: An Interfaith Workshop,” sponsored by The Interfaith Council of Franklin County, will take place Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 6:15 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew at 8 Church St. A potluck dinner will precede the program at 5:30 p.m.
The classic example of divide and conquer, anti-Semitism has been used for centuries to separate groups of people from each other. This mechanism continues to derail our work for social justice today. In this interactive workshop, Jews and allies will learn to recognize and counteract anti-Semitism. We will explore the roots of anti-Semitism, why it is so confusing and hard to talk about, and what it means to be an ally, including how it makes your life better and how to take a stand against blame, isolation and terror. Trainers are Amy Leos-Urbel and Betsy L. Ames. All are welcome.