Conference set

Conference set
STEUBENVILLE -- Franciscan University of Steubenville will host the eighth Sacred Music Conference on April 22-24.
The conference, "Sacred Music in the 21st Century," celebrates the legacy of sacred music in the church and features educational lectures and musical performances.
Benedict Nguyen, chancellor of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wis., will be among the guest lecturers. He holds degrees in music, theology and canon law. His talk is titled, "Sacred Music in the Third Millennium: Theology and Praxis of Sacred Music in John Paul II's Chirograph on Sacred Music."
Prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours will be sung by the Schola Cantorum Franciscana April 23. The Schola also will sing the Missa Regina Coeli by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrian at the Mass on April 24.
The conference will be held at multiple venues on the Franciscan University campus and is free and open to the public. For information, including lecturers, performers, location and schedules, contact Dr. Susan Treacy at (740) 283-6245 ext. 2336.
Bell choir to perform
COLUMBIANA -- The bell choir from Salem First Friends Church will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday at Zion Hill Church of the Brethren, 14550 New Buffalo Road. For information call (330) 482-4446.
Council hosts musical
CAMPBELL -- The National Council of Negro Women, Youngstown Section, will hold its annual spring musical at 4 p.m. Sunday at Greater Liberty Baptist Church, 66 10th St. The event will feature devotional music and song. For information call the church at (330) 755-9644.
Ministries plans series
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Forgiven Ministries, Mill and Lutton Streets, will host "The School of Prophets" series from 4 to 7 p.m. today and every Saturday through May 14.
The series, which will be facilitated by prophetess Donna M. Napolitan, will provide biblical information on the five-fold ministry, the apostle and prophet and their functions in the body of Christ and prophetic realms of the spirit. For information contact the Rev. Kandi Smith at (412) 608-9796 or 877-FORGIVEN.
Guest quartet to perform
BOARDMAN -- The New Voice Quartet of Renfro Valley, Ky., will perform during services at 10:40 a.m. Sunday at Simon Road Church of God, 4750 Simon Road. For information call the church at (330) 783-1949.
Church hosts Boychoir
SHARON -- St. John's Episcopal Church, 226 W. State St., will present the American Boychoir in concert at 7 p.m. April 16.
Originally founded as the Columbus Boychoir in 1937, the group moved to Princeton, N.J., in 1950. The American Boychoir, which has been ranked as a world-class choir on the level of the Vienna Boychoir, has performed around the country and the world.
The group has also sung with the leading orchestras around the country, including the New York and Boston Symphonies and the Cleveland Orchestra.
The rector of St. John's, the Rev. Douglas Dayton, sang with the American Boychoir in 1955 and 1956. A reception will be held in the parish house after the concert. Tickets are $10 and may be obtained by calling (724) 347-4501.
McGough to speak
BOARDMAN -- The Rev. Cindy McGough, founder of Victorious Sisters, a nondenominational weekly women's group, will be the featured speaker at the Youngstown Flame Fellowship at 7 p.m. April 18 at the community center in Boardman Township Park.
Interim pastor named
POLAND -- Poland Presbyterian Church will welcome the Rev. Rusty Cowden as its interim pastor at worship services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. April 17. He will also be the featured speaker at the church's Breakfast Club from 10 to 10:45 a.m. that day
The Rev. Mr. Cowden is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Before entering the ministry as a second career, he worked in the banking industry. He has had a long association with the Boy Scouts, having served in various roles including on the council level and in ministry at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Locking to preach
EAST PALESTINE -- Centenary United Methodist Church, 40 S. Market St., will feature guest speaker and evangelist, the Rev. Graham Locking from Liverpool, England, at services April 17-19.
The Rev. Mr. Locking will preach at worship services at 10:30 a.m. April 17 on "Freedom in Christ." His topic for the 7 p.m. service that evening will be "Standing Firm Against Being Slaves." On April 18 and 19 he will speak on "Freedom From Grace" and "The Face of Freedom," respectively. For information call the church at (330) 426-2629.
Quartet hosts concert
NILES -- Niles Praise Cathedral Church of God, 608 Iowa St., will present a concert featuring the Journeyman Quartet from Shepherdsville, Ky., at 6 p.m. today. The public is invited. For information contact the Rev. Jim Salyers at (330) 847-6915.
Choir concert planned
BOARDMAN -- Boardman Baptist Church, 1207 Shields Road, will present a concert of the Shepherds Handbell Choir of Union Grove, Wis., at 7 p.m. Thursday. Shepherds Home is a Christian care facility for the mentally disabled. A freewill offering will be taken for the facility. For information contact the church at (330) 792-6781.
Convention date set
WARREN -- The 67th annual Home and Foreign Missionary Convention of the Northwestern District, United Holy Church of America Inc., will be held Tuesday through April 17 at district headquarters, 2016 Wick St. The theme is "Breaking down cultural barriers through the preaching of the Gospel." Services will be held at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day. Those interested should call (330) 825-5130.