TURNERS FALLS — “Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy,” a live theatrical one-woman drama performed by Hollywood-based actress Maria Vargo and directed by Leonardo Defilippis of Saint Luke Productions, will be presented at Shea Theater in Turners Falls on Thursday, Aptil 6 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students under 18. It is sponsored by Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. In “Faustina,” audiences experience firsthand the spirit and life of Polish mystic Saint Faustina (born Helena Kowaalska, 1905-1938), whose personal encounters with Jesus have inspired a worldwide devotion to Christ’s Divine Mercy. A parallel modern story within the drama offers audiences a compelling personal connection to the current moral issues of our time. Suitable for ages 13 and up. To reserve tickets, contact Joy Pelc at 413-772-2654 or email rjpelc@comcast.net.
NORTHFIELD — There will be an Anointing of the sick on Saturday, April 1, at the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, Main Street. Father Thomas Lisowski says, “This is a great opportunity for anyone suffering from physical, emotional or spiritual ailments to come and experience the faith, hope and love of our forgiving and redemptive God.” For more information or to participate, call 413-498-2728.
CHARLEMONT — Join Alice Parker’s Spring Sing on Sunday, April 2, at 3 p.m., at the Charlemont Federated Church on Route 2. Free.
ASHFIELD — St. John’s Episcopal Church, at Main and South streets, will hold an after-church discussion series led by Sara Jonsberg, focusing on the second half of the award-winning novel, “The Underground Railroad,” by Colson Whitehead, on April 2. Church service starts at 10.
Focusing workshop is April 8
GREENFIELD — This workshop, titled “Trusted Connection,” is an introduction to focusing, the art of listening more mindfully to our bodies, feelings and spirit. Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. to noon at All Souls Unitarian Church. Sliding scale fee. For more information and to register, contact Daphne Bye, 413-834-0597 or email daphneannbye@gmail.com. You can also join us after the workshop at Stone Soup Café, a pay-what-you-can lunch with community that is served every Saturday at All Souls.
BUCKLAND — All are invited to come together in community on Tuesday evening, April 4, at 7 p.m., at Mary Lyon Church, 17 Upper St., in Buckland Center for a program and reception on the theme of “Stories and Songs of Hope and Inspiration.” Rev. Marguerite Sheehan and Rev. Richard Fourier will set the stage for storytelling about where we find hope and inspiration in our lives, and then open the floor for you to join in. A simple reception will follow. For more information, call Trinity Church at 413-625-2341 and Mary Lyon Church, 625-9440.
CONWAY — “Views from the Desert,” the 20th annual ecumenical Lenten discussion series, concludes Wednesday, April 5, at the Conway Congregational Church, 44 Whately Road, at 7 p.m. Rev. Barbara Seamon will present the final discussion. Refreshments will be served after the gathering. All are welcome.
GREENFIELD — Temple Israel of Greenfield continues its 11th series of Yiddish classes, “What Yiddish Tells Us about Being Jewish,” on Sunday morning, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Classes are scheduled for Sunday and April 23, and May 7 and 14. You can drop in at any time. The class is taught by Yosl Kurland. Suggested tuition: $15 per session for Temple Israel members; $20 per session for nonmembers. Or pay what you can. Temple Israel is at 27 Pierce St.
NORTHFIELD — The weekly Bible survey course at Community Bible Church will begin the book of Numbers this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Taking two classes per book, the survey course examines the major themes of each book of the Bible. Emphasis will be given to discovering the unifying message of the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. Pastor Bob Emberley will lead the hour-long classes and all materials needed will be provided. All are welcome to attend and do not have to be present at every class, but can pick up the course at any point or attend as their schedule allows. Community Bible Church is at 781 Millers Falls Road at the corner of South Mountain Road and Route 63. For more information e-mail Bob Emberley rwemberley@gmail.com or call 413-498-4404.
GREENFIELD — “Walking in the Wilderness: A Series of Lenten Labyrinth Walks,” will take place Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., through April 5, at St. James Episcopal Church Parish Hall (accessible from the 55 Federal St. parking lot). There will be music and Christian liturgical readings. All people welcome, religious or not, for rest and relaxation, for reflection and repentance. For more information, email Elise Schlaikjer at roselise@verizon.net.
GREENFIELD — All are welcome to attend the Lenten adult study at The Robbins Memorial Congregational Church, 55 Munson St., on John Ortberg’s “Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You.” The DVD and discussion study meets Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. In “Soul Keeping,” Ortberg helps Christians rediscover their soul as the best connection to God there is and find out why it’s hurting and why neglecting it has set so many believers so far back spiritually.
Park and enter through the rear of the church.
ORANGE — The Green Sisters headline the Coffeehouse Concert, Saturday, April 8 at 7 p.m., at First Universalist Church, 31 North Main St. Selections range from 1950s barbershop to folk, Celtic, old-timey and today’s originals. Donation $10 or $8 plus 2 nonperishable food items. Desserts and beverages available.
GREENFIELD — St. James Episcopal Church, on the corner of Church and Federal streets, will be bringing a fresh perspective and new meaning to the traditional Stations of the Cross this Good Friday. The community is invited to travel with them as they journey all over downtown Greenfield on foot. The walk will include 14 locations. Stations in the Street will take place on Good Friday, April 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will begin and end in front of St. James. For more information, contact the Rev. Heather Blais at 413-773-3925.
Area churches to perform drama:
April 23-25 at Greenfield Middle School
GREENFIELD — Area churches will perform the worldwide drama, “Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames,” at the Greenfield Middle School auditorium, April 23-25 (Sunday through Tuesday) at 7 p.m. each night.