Christian comedy

Christian comedy

youngstown

“Laughing in the Spirit II,” a Christian comedy program, will be featured at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at New Vision New Day Ministry, 1970 Everett Ave. Featured guests are Jay Stevens of Cleveland and Audrey Showerse and Latasha Dendy, both of Youngstown. Cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Seating is limited. Call 330-518-8593.

Jammin’ for Jesus

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Fairview Arts and Outreach Center, Youngstown-Poland Road, will host the “Jammin’ for Jesus” outdoor music fest from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The free fest will feature Christian artists presenting a variety of music including Christian rap.

There will be food, face painting, pet display, crafts, games and prizes.

Church anniversary

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St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, 97 W. Washington St., will celebrate its 94th anniversary during a program at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Guest speaker will be the Rev. Bruce L. Butcher of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Akron.

Gospel concert

boardman

Disciples Christian Church, 565 Boardman-Canfield Road, will host a free outdoor lawn bluegrass and Gospel concert from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday featuring Dan Garrett and Limited Edition. Those attending should take lawn chairs and blankets. The concert will be indoors in case of inclement weather. Refreshments will be available for a donation to benefit the work of Mahoning County Habitat for Humanity. For information, call the church office at 330-758-8189.

Choir anniversary

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The adult choir of Mount Gilead Baptist Church, 2821 Hillman St., will mark its 43rd anniversary during a program at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church. Speaker will be the Rev. Young Tensely. Providing music will be Men on a Mission of Alliance.

Quartet in concert

cortland

Four Fold Quartet of Tennessee will be in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Bible Church, 2878 Warren Meadville Road.

A nursery will be provided. A free-will offering will be accepted. Visit www.mycalvarybible-church.org.

Workshop planned

villa maria, pa.

Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center will offer a two-day workshop led by Edwina Gateley on Sept. 7 and 8 titled “In God’s Womb: A Spiritual Journey.” Poetry, music, visuals, reflection and contemplative prayer will be included in the activity. Born in Lancaster, England, Gateley has a teacher’s degree from her home country, a master’s in theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and certification as HIV counselor in the state of Illinois. In 1983, she founded Genesis House, a house of hospitality and nurturing for women involved in prostitution. Cost is $120, which includes overnight accommodations and meals. A commuter rate of $95 is available. Registration is requested in advance. Call or 724-964-8886 or visit www.villaprograms.org.

First Friday Club

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The Rev. Jared Wicks will be the featured speaker when the First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 6 at Antone’s Banquet Centre, 8578 Market St. Father Wicks, scholar in residence at the Josephenum Seminary, will speak on “Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council.” The cost is $15.

Reservations must be made by calling 330-533-1023 or visiting www.firstfridayclubofgreater-youngstown.org.

Priest assignments

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Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown has appointed the Rev. John Madden as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Ravenna.

The bishop also appointed the Rev. Edward Stafford as assistant pastor at Christ the Servant Parish in Canton.

Father Madden was ordained June 21, 1986, after completing seminary studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati. He served as associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Warren and St. Nicholas Parish (now Christ Our Savior Parish) in Struthers; and as pastor at St. Joseph and St. Mary Parishes in Newton Falls prior to being named pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in McDonald, his most recent assignment. Father Madden also served as chaplain of the Serra Club of Youngstown, Boy Scouts of Trumbull County and Knights of Columbus.

Father Stafford was ordained in 1999 as a Franciscan priest. He studied at Youngstown State University, St. Francis College, Kent State University and the Washington Theological Union. He has served in a variety of assignments in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, including parish ministry, high school chaplaincy, campus ministry and hospital chaplaincy. A native of Youngstown, Father Stafford is seeking incardination into the Diocese of Youngstown.

Anniversary celebration

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The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will sponsor a wedding anniversary celebration honoring diocesan couples who are observing their 25th, 40th, 50th, or more anniversaries in 2012.

Mass will be celebrated by Bishop George V. Murry at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Canton.

Couples will renew their marriage vows and receive a personalized certificate signed by Bishop Murry.

After Mass, a reception hosted by St. John Parish will be held in the school hall for the couples and their families.

Couples planning to attend this celebration should register at their parish by Sept. 7.

Shiloh Baptist event

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Shiloh Baptist Church, 238 Bright Ave., is celebrating its 95th anniversary.

A special service is planned at 4 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. James Bowie, pastor of Greater Friendship Baptist Church, as guest speaker.

A banquet was Friday at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox parish hall.

The church was organized Aug. 16, 1917, when Campbell was the East Side of Youngstown.

Officiating was the late Rev. J. E. Perry, then of Morning Star Baptist Church.

In the early years, the church met in members’ homes. The church moved to Struthers then to 47 Madison St. two years after Campbell was incorporated. The congregation worshipped there until a fire destroyed the edifice in 1956. The pulpit Bible was recovered by a member who saved it from the fire. The church had other locations then dedicated its current building Aug. 22, 1971.

Harvest labyrinth

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The Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, will offer a guided labyrinth walk celebrating the “Journey of Harvest” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The Ursuline labyrinth is open year-round from dawn to dusk for people of faith. There is no cost to use the Labyrinth, which is handicapped-accessible.

To learn more, visit www.the-ursulinecenter.org.