Send newsletters

Send newsletters

All churches, synagogues, mosques and ministries are invited to send their newsletters to The Vindicator. Send to Religion Desk, The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown, Ohio 44501-0780. Electronic versions may be sent to religion@vindy.com. The newsletters provide a valuable source of information on services and activities at area places of worship. For more information, call the Religion desk at 330-747-1471, ext. 1245.

Community worship

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A community worship service is planned at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 707 Arlington Ave., by the Martin Luther King Planning Committee. The theme is “Empowered for Social Justice Through Non-Violence.” Keynote speaker will be Bishop Durant K. Harvin III of Baltimore.

A community workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.

Events are free and open to all. The Rev. Dr. Lewis W. Macklin is convener.

The Emancipation Community Choir, directed by Elder Luke Shumpert, will rehearse at 5 p.m. today at Elizabeth Baptist Church, 1210 Himrod Ave., for the Martin Luther King community worship service.

Church merger

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The Diocese of Youngstown Parish Reconfiguration Plan, which began in 2008 and was promulgated by Bishop George V. Murry in May 2010, includes parishes which remain as single parishes, collaborative units and merged units. Immaculate Conception and Sacred Heart of Jesus churches have merged with the name Immaculate Conception-Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.

Four sets of parishes have already merged in the reconfiguration plan that is expected to be completed in two years.

Both worship sites remain open. Sacred Heart Church, 400 Lincoln Park Drive, is the official mailing address.

Sense of safety

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Recent blizzards have created havoc for travelers and disrupted many lives throughout the country. What is the impact of such disruptions on our sense of safety and security? How can we turn unwanted changes in plans into positive experiences? How is our response to such changes in our plans and schedules related to our faith? These questions will be the basis for a dinner and discussion on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Girard, 890 Church Hill Road. The supper begins at 5 p.m. and discussion at 6. For information, call the pastor at 330-505-1192.

Dinner and classes

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Central Christian Church, 2051 E. Market St., is sponsoring midweek dinners and classes on Thursdays through April 14. A free-will offering is taken for the 5:45 p.m. dinner. For reservations, call the church office at 330-372-1676. From 6:30-7:30, free classes include Bible study, a book discussion on “American Originals: Biographical Sketches of the Famous and Infamous.”

Prayer breakfast

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St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, located in Gibson Heights Presbyterian Church, 755 E. Dewey Ave., will host its annual prayer breakfast at 9 a.m. Jan. 22. Guest speaker will be Dr. Eugene Schoolfield of St. Andrewes AME Church. Donation is $10. For tickets, call 330-782-2214 or 330-240-7421.

Bible study

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A men’s Bible study is planned from 7 to 8 a.m. Saturdays at Yankee Kitchen, 6635 Market St.

Appointment

Bishop George V. Murry has appointed the Rev. William J. Loveless as pastor of St. Brendan Church, 2800 Oakwood, effective Feb. 1.

Father Loveless was ordained June 7, 1975, after seminary studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati.

He previously served as associate pastor at St. Charles Church in Boardman, St. Patrick Church in Hubbard, St. Rose Church in Girard and St. Pius X Church in Warren. He was pastor at Holy Rosary in Lowellville, and in his current assignment at St. Pius X.

Father Loveless also served as chaplain at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and spiritual director for Youngstown Area Cursillo. He was a member of the Diocesan Priest Retirement Board, and is administrative secretary for the Diocesan Priests Council.

First Friday Club

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Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown will be guest speaker for the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown on Feb. 3 at Antone’s Banquet Centre, 8578 Market St. His topic will be “The Diocese of Youngstown 2011.” The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $15. Reservations must be made by calling your parish representative, or 330-533-1023 or visiting www.firstfridayclubofgreater-youngstown.org.

Aramaic chanting

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Cay Tomerlin will present classes on Aramaic chanting beginning Jan. 23 at Unity Centre for Spiritual Living, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road. Sessions, which will continue monthly, will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Recordings by Dr. Neil Douglas Klotz, a noted Aramaic scholar, will be used and an additional exploration of the words’ meanings will be included. The word study is intended to bring forth a broader understanding of biblical culture. Donations will be accepted. For information, call the center at 330-539-0122.

Retreat option

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Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a new retreat option for 21st-century laity. The 22-hour retreat will focus on spiritual input, reflection and prayer.

The retreats will be offered multiple times throughout this year. A women’s retreat will be Jan. 28-29 and men’s, Feb. 18-19. Retreats will be implemented and led by Jim Merhaut and the adult programming staff including Matt Abramowski, Sisters Ardath Blake, Barbara O’Donnell, Marguerite Holz and Barbara Lenarcic.

Cost is between $99 and $109.60 depending upon room accommodations. Cost includes overnight accommodations, meals and programming costs. A shared-room rate of $ 89 is also available. Registration is required; call 724-964-8886 or visit www.villaprograms.org

Boy Scout award

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Boy Scouts District Executives Michael Langer of Titusville, Pa., and Bradley Parola of Grove City, Pa., will present the God and Service Award to the Rev. David J. Williamson, pastor of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 159 Todd Ave., during the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday.

God and Service is the adult version of the God and Country awards that Pastor Williamson has helped many Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts earn over the past 20 years. The adult award is not earned; it is presented by Scouts for faithful service to youth.

This summer, he will serve as chaplain of Custaloga Town Scout Camp in northeast Mercer County for the fourth year. He also is a leader for Venturing Crew 726 (a coed high-adventure Scouting group for teens) that the church sponsors.