Today: Blessing of pets
TURNERS FALLS — A blessing of pets will take place today at 10 a.m. in the Peace Garden at Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 7th St. This annual blessing is in honor of St. Francis, patron of animals and creation. Refreshments follow.
ATHOL — The 4D1G Ministries will be having its end-of-year concert at the Athol Orange Baptist Church, 260 Walnut St., Athol, today at 3 p.m. The 4D1G Quartet will be singing several Southern Gospel songs about the love God has for us and the Valley Revival Choir will bring sweet harmony to songs revealing the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. Vocals by Rachel Ainsworth and a solo by 4D1G band member Marc Guillmette.
GREENFIELD — On Sunday, Oct. 6, Jan Maher will speak on “For the Beauty of the Earth,” a reflection on UU values related to climate change issues. Daphne Bye will provide music for this service. We are being welcomed to meet at the Pushkin Art Gallery at 4 Federal St. as our building is undergoing construction. Please enter via the Federal Street door with ramp for accessibility. Service is at 10:30 a.m.
BERNARDSTON — Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Bernardston Unitarian Meeinghouse, 11:30 a.m., Dan Tinen will speak on “A Song in the Morning and A Song at Night.” Tinen, a longtime musician and sound engineer as well as a seasoned interpreter of Unitarian Universalist history and theology, was inspired by the artworks associated with our fall theme, “Music in our Lives.” Lynne Walker will provide accompaniment for the service.
NORTHFIELD — Dan Tinen will lead the service Sunday, Oct. 6, at First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian. Religious education for children and youth will be available. All are welcome at the historic First Parish sanctuary on the corner of Parker Avenue and Main Street in Northfield.
Sunday: Blessing of the Animals
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 pets during our worship services. Bring yours to be blessed. 8 Church St. To learn more, call 413-773-3925 or www.saintsjamesandandrew.org.
DEERFIELD — “The Brick Church” Music Series held at The First Church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main St., will present the Adaskin String Trio in concert on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m. This is the first of four fundraising concerts to be held at the church. There is a suggested donation of $10-20 at the door, with a reception following the concert in the Caswell Library at Deerfield Academy.
This celebrated trio, originally from Canada, now based in New England, plays exuberant and stirring performances to audiences internationally. The repertoire will be music by Beethoven, Michael White and Engelbert Roentgen.
For further information, call 413-774-2657.
GREENFIELD — Temple Israel will mark the Day of Atonement Tuesday, Oct. 8, with a Kol Nidre service at 6 p.m. A day of prayer and reflection is planned for Yom Kippur on Wednesday, Oct. 9, beginning at 9:15 a.m. Child care offered from 10 a.m. to noon; children’s service at 11 a.m. All are welcome to join all or part of these community gatherings. No tickets needed, but donations gratefully accepted. Events are at Temple Israel, 27 Pierce St., unless otherwise noted. For more details, visit www.templeisraelgreenfield.org.
SHELBURNE FALLS — On Friday, Oct. 11, at 4:30 p.m., on The Green at Shelburne Falls Farmers Market, Trinity Church will have a Blessing of the Animals. Bring “well behaved and properly restrained” animals from farm and field, hearth and home. All welcome, whatever the faith of animals or humans. The green is located at the corner of Main and Water streets. For more information, call 413-625-2341.
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.
TURNERS FALLS — Please join Franklin County Catholics in the 2019 Eucharistic Rosary Procession on Sunday, Oct. 13, the 102nd anniversary of the Fatima Miracle of the Sun, at 2 p.m., Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 84 K St. This event starts with confessions at 2 p.m., Eucharistic Benediction at 2:30 p.m., followed by a talk to be given by Fr. Donald Noiseux, 3 p.m., Divine Mercy Chaplet, 3:15 p.m. Eucharistic Rosary Procession to the banks of the Connecticut River, 4 p.m., public praying of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.
This is part of Rosary Coast to Coast rallies in public places, anchored by the fourth annual National Rosary Rally in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
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 and what it means to be an ally. Trainers are Amy Leos-Urbel and Betsy L. Ames. All are welcome.
ASHFIELD — The First Congregational Church (UCC) of Ashfield is hosting a film made by the United Church of Christ’s Palestine Israel Network titled, “How Are the Children? A film about Palestinian Children in Israeli Military Detention – Part I.” (41 minutes, 2018). The film will be shown on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7:00 p.m. The wider community is welcome, and refreshments will be served.
The United Church of Christ during its 2017 General Synod approved a resolution to support the Palestinian people. This documentary film is part of a curriculum developed by the national organization to detail how Palestinian children are systematically arrested and abused while in Israeli military custody.
The event is free. A Q&A will follow the film. Part 2 may be shown at a later date.