Submit information for Lenten services

February 19, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Lent, a season of spiritual renewal, begins Ash Wednesday, March 9. Forty days is a traditional number of discipline, devotion and preparation in the Bible. Lent also lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays.

A listing of Ash Wednesday services and other Lenten programs will be published March 5. Deadline to submit information is 5 p.m. March 2. Send information by e-mail to religion@vindy.com, mail to the religion desk at The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or by fax to 330-747-6712.

Choral event

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Mahoning Valley Association of Churches is planning a new choral event, “How Can I Keep from Singing?” at 7:30 p.m. March 4 at Third Baptist Church. A Christian worship service will feature music by local church choirs to celebrate the role of music in the life of the church. Choirs from different worship traditions of Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox have been invited.

Ancient rituals

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Do you have an interest in ancient rituals of the Eastern Orthodox Church? Have you ever wondered about the reasons behind them? The Rev. ndrew Gromm leads a discussion at 6 p.m. Thursdays at St. Michael Orthodox Church, 127 Steel St. A weekly series on Orthodox liturgy is scheduled at 4 p.m. Fridays and will focus on its beginning in the first century to its fourth century establishment.

Israelites’ saga

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Jewish/Christian Studies/South will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Congregation Ohev Tzedek, 5245 Glenwood Ave. The topic will be “Kingdom of David, The Saga of the Israelites.” Presenters will be the Rev. George Balasko and Rabbi Joel Berman. The program will be hosted by Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde. For information, call Father Balasko at 330-385-5582 or Rabbi Jacobs-Velde at 330-758-2321.

Children’s choir

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The Sunbeam Jubilee Children’s Choir of Phillips Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, 1407 Victor Ave., will mark its 30th anniversary with a program at 4 p.m. Feb. 27. Other children’s and junior choirs and mime groups are invited to participate. Call the church at 330-743-8792.

Interfaith tea

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The annual interfaith tea is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 1 at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave. The tea was rescheduled because of inclement weather in February. The tea, which began in 1946, promotes better understanding among various faiths. Teas continue to take place annually, and are hosted on a rotating basis by women of various denominations in the Valley.

Guest speaker

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Chuck Dorsey, who is affiliated with the Youngstown Chapter of Exodus International Ministry, which addresses the issue of homosexuality, will speak Monday during a meeting of Youngstown Chapter of Igniting New Life Ministries International, an interdenominational ministry. The session will be begin with fellowship at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 in the Georgeanna Parker Activity Center at Boardman Park.

Prayer time

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The City Prayer Team of Youngstown is promoting a prayer idea from the World War II era. An adviser to Prime Minister Winston Churchill organized a group of people who prayed at a certain hour daily for the safety of England. The team suggests prayer at 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily for Mahoning Valley residents.

Associate producer

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Bishop George V. Murry has appointed the Rev. J. James Korda as associate producer of the Catholic Television Network of Youngstown (CTNY), effective Jan. 15. Father Korda will be responsible for local radio and television programming.

He was ordained June 23, 1979, after seminary studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati. He previously served as associate pastor at St. Joseph Church in Canton and St. Christine Church; he was pastor at Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph in Austintown and St. Rose in Girard. He was director of programming and pastoral services for CTNY while serving at Immaculate Conception parish. Father Korda also served as chairman and member of the diocesan Priests Council and a member of the diocesan Priests Retirement Board.

Faith lessons

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The Rev. Julia H. Williamson will lead a discussion of the faith lessons found in “Same Kind of Different As Me” by Ron Hall and Denver Moore at 3 p.m. April 3 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 159 Todd Ave. The 2006 New York Times bestseller is the true story of a friendship between two men, an art dealer and a homeless man. Copies of the book are available from the church and local bookstores. To register, call the church at 724-342-2310.

Multicultural service

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A multicultural worship service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m March 20 at Gibson Heights Second Presbyterian Church, corner of Gibson and Dewey streets. After worship, there will be a potluck fellowship meal.

Those attending are asked to bring a casserole, salad and/or dessert. Table service and drinks will be provided. Offerings will go to the ministry of the donor’s choice.

Pastor Bob Offerdahl is coordinating the service; churches interested in participating should contact him. Each pastor will be asked to share a devotional thought, his/her ministry and one musical selection.

Program for parents

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North-Mar Church, 3855 E. Market St., will sponsor the program, “Growing Kids God’s Way,” in a nine-week program at North Road Elementary School, 863 North Road S.E. Topics will include raising a moral child, discipline and correction, respect for authority and nature, obedience and more. Sessions are scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Room 12; child care will be available at the church. Register online at www.northmarchurch.com or by call the church at 330-856-3496.