WHATELY — Due to the snow last Sunday, the talk and book signing by Rev. Cynthia Crosson-Harrington was postponed and will now be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church UCC, 177 Chestnut Plain Road. Rev. Crosson-Harrington will be sharing some insights on her new book, “You Cannot Cage the Wolf; A Mother Struggles with the Suicide of her Soldier Son” (published by Haley’s). The book describes her healing journey from the death of her son to developing the first program to place trained service dogs with veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. All are welcome to enjoy fellowship and refreshments.
Today: Free carol sing and concert
TURNERS FALLS — Enjoy a Christmas carol sing and concert on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. at JaDuke Performing Arts Center, 110 Industrial Blvd. Featured is 4D1G Gospel Quartet, the Valley Revival Choir, Dennis Ainsworth on piano and other special guests. Free admission.
GREENFIELD — Annie Hassett will speak on the topic of moving from confusion to clarity about one’s identity. Her sermon, “With Heaven in her Eyes,” is part of the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church service on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m. Hassett is a long-time peace activist and leads singing at many activities in Greenfield. Daphne Bye will provide music. Coffee hour to follow. The church is on the corner of Main and Hope streets.
NORTHFIELD — Under the title “Waiting,” Rev. Evin Carvill Ziemer will examine the topic of Advent on Sunday, Dec. 8, at First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian. All are welcome to the 10 a.m. service in the historic sanctuary on the corner of Parker Avenue and Main Street.
GREENFIELD — On Sunday, Dec. 8, 12:30 to 2 p.m., Amy Leos-Urbel will lead a book discussion on the booklet she co-authored, “Anti-Semitism: Why Is It Everyone’s Concern?” This program will take place at Temple Israel, 27 Pierce St. Copies of the booklet are available through the Temple: 413-773-5884 for more information. Suggested donation: $6 to $36 to help cover program costs. This program is co-sponsored by Greenfield Hadassah & Temple Israel, with major funding from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
SHUTESBURY — Shutesbury Community Church will hold a community tree lighting and visit by Santa Claus at 5 p.m. on Dec. 8 on the common. The event will include carol singing inside the church, the arrival of Santa, lighting of the tree on the Common, and children’s visits with Santa back inside the church. Cocoa, coffee and refreshments will be available. All are welcome.
For more information, contact Pastor Mark Ellis at 413- 349-8444 or email him at shutesburychurch@gmail.com. The tree has been donated by Ethan Stone of West Brook Tree Farm of Athol.
GREENFIELD — Join in telling the story of Jesus’s birth at the Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square. All are welcome to have a role or to be in the audience. One rehearsal at 3 p.m., followed by the pageant (with costumes) at 4 p.m. Then stay for a macaroni and cheese dinner right after the pageant. Musicians encouraged and music is provided.
GREENFIELD — A special service for those seeking wholeness and peace during a season of festivity, is set for Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., at Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square. This Blue Christmas service gives the opportunity to feel the hope, love and peace of the Advent season in a subdued and reflective setting. Candle lighting, silence and music are part of this service.
GREENFIELD — “Celebration of the Light: A Community Memorial Service,” will take place at Second Congregational Church (on the common), on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. This is a celebration of the lives of those who have died. The whole community is invited to attend and participate. A community meal is being served that night at 5:30 p.m. All are invited for supper, too. Sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Franklin County.
ASHFIELD — The Rev. Thad Bennett, a retired priest from Vermont now living in Conway, will present a program on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m., at St. John’s Episcopal Church. “The Bible is Not a Weapon” will look at the ways the Bible was used to support the slave trade and to fight abolitionists in the 1700s and 1800s. Bennett will also explore how the Bible is being used today to oppress the LGBTQ community and others.
A potluck at 5:30 p.m. will be followed by Rev. Bennett’s presentation at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For more information: stjohnsashfield.org/ or call 413-628-4402.
SHELBURNE FALLS — A holiday concert of vocal and choral music will be presented by the Recital Chorus, directed by Margery Heins, on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Church, Severance Street. Program includes traditional carols and seasonal music, rounds, spirituals, and songs for Chanukah as well as works from the Renaissance to the present. Donations (cash or check) will benefit the Hilltown Churches Food Pantry.
COLRAIN — “Christmas in Colrain” is a free concert at the First Baptist Church on Foundry Village Road. Concert starts at 2 p.m. and includes free refreshments.
DEERFIELD — A Community Service of Lessons and Carols, 4 p.m., at The First Church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main St. Readings, choral and instrumental music and carols sung by all. Choirs from The Bement School, Deerfield Academy, Eaglebrook School and the first Church of Deerfield will participate.
NORTHAMPTON — The subject of the new film, “Witness at Tornillo,” Josh Rubin will visit the valley Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m., at the Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St., for a film showing and talkback. Activist Rubin sparked a national movement around immigration justice for teen migrants imprisoned by the US. Co-sponsored by the Refugee Support Project of Temple Israel, Greenfield. Voluntary donation.
LAKE PLEASANT — Rev. Joe Giannini, president of The National Spiritual Alliance (TNSA), will conduct a solstice spirit circle from 7 to 9 p.m. at the TNSA Thompson Memorial Temple, a Spiritualist church, 2 Montague Ave. $20. Make your reservation on Eventbrite.