Appointment announced

Appointment announced
YOUNGSTOWN -- Neighborhood Ministries in Campbell has announced the appointment of Mark Samuel as its executive director. His installation will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in New Hope Baptist Church. Samuel has worked for the agency for over 14 years, most recently as administrative assistant.
Neighborhood Ministries is a subsidiary of the Trumbull Baptist Association in partnership with the Neighborhood Action Program of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., and has been ministering to the spiritual, mental and physical needs of the community since 1912. Established to serve the immigrants coming to work in the steel mills, Neighborhood Ministries now works with residents living in and around public housing developments in Campbell and Youngstown. Samuel replaces the Rev. David Stone, who served as executive director for more than 30 years until his retirement in 2000.
CD release party
WARREN -- Dustin Wray, a Christian singer-songwriter from Warren, will release his first album, "The Difference," at a party from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at A New Beginning Christian Bookstore. There will be refreshments and a program at 5 p.m. Call (330) 399-1670 or visit www.DustinWray.com.
Guest pastor
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dr. Pat McKinstry, pastor of Upton United Methodist Church in Toledo, will conduct worship at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 11:15 a.m. Nov. 18, and a workshop at noon Nov. 17 at Ebenezer Church of God In Christ.
Program, open house
WARREN -- First Presbyterian Church of Warren will have its "alternative gift-giving program" from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The event is a fund-raiser for Habitat for Humanity, the Animal Welfare League, Someplace Safe Inc., American Red Cross, NetWorkers and the Long Beach Children's Program. The event, "Give the World A Christmas Present," allows Christmas shoppers to help others.
Beatitude House will have an open house of its Potter's Wheel program in the church from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Tours have been arranged. Beatitude and Potter's Wheel are a joint ministry to help disadvantaged women.
'Being Church' begins
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Rev. Melvin Rusnak, pastor of both Sts. Cyril & amp; Methodius and St. Stephen of Hungary parishes has announced that they will be among the first parishes in the Diocese of Youngstown to conduct a program called "Being Church." This program was designed to respond to Pope John Paul II's call for a new evangelization at the dawn of the third millennium. The key in the program is the formation of a commission for spiritual life. This body makes preparations and implements the entire program for fulfilling the church's mission of proclaiming the Good News. Sts. Cyril and Methodius and St. Stephen of Hungary will begin their participation Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
Spirituality day set
WARREN -- The Benedictine sisters of the Byzantine Church at Queen of Heaven Monastery will have an afternoon of spirituality from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 8. The presenter will be Rev. Jack Custer, a priest of the Eparchy of Passaic, and dean of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh. His topic will be "Theology in Hymns: Traditional Ruthenian Christmas Carols." The sacrament of Reconciliation will be available. The afternoon ends at 4:10 p.m.with Vespers. To register, call (330) 856-1813 before Dec. 5.
Rapture program
YOUNGSTOWN -- New Hope Baptist Church's deaconess board is sponsoring "Behold the Bridegroom Cometh," a program based on the Rapture and the second coming of Christ, at 4 p.m. Nov. 18.
Fall classes offered
WARREN -- The Second Baptist Church's school of religion is enrolling students in fall classes. Classes, times and days are: Joy and Renewal, 11 a.m. Tuesday; the Tabernacle of Moses, noon, Wednesday; Championing the Faith, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday; Bold Obedience and From Tragedy to Triumph, 6 p.m. Thursday. Registration is $10. Call (330) 393-0802.
Sacred Heart meeting
YOUNGSTOWN -- Sacred Heart Padre Pio Prayer Group will meet at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 25 at the Shrine of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted. Events include a presentation, "Sealed Lips," a true story of a priest who was convicted of murder because of the confidentiality of confession.
Thanksgiving service
YOUNGSTOWN -- Martin Luther Lutheran Church will celebrate Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. Nov. 22. The service will include traditional hymns and a guest bagpiper.
Holiday songs
CAMPBELL -- A "Holiday Song Fest" will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Shiloh Baptist Church. Various choirs, groups and soloists from Youngstown, Campbell and Struthers will perform.
Thanksgiving service
BOARDMAN -- Boardman Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will have a Thanksgiving service at 7 p.m. Nov. 21. An offering for a food bank will be taken, and refreshments will be served. Call (330) 758-8189.
Lancaster tours set
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jesus The Key Ministry is sponsoring a bus tour Dec. 11 and 12 to Lancaster, Pa., to raise funds to send inner-city youths to retreats at Camp Fitch. The shows include "The Miracle of Christmas," "Holiday Jubilee" and "Christmas Water Show." Costs include the shows and some meals, and are $162 for four people in a room and $187 for two. Make reservations by Wednesday. Call (330) 427-6578 or (330) 758-7431.