RELIGION DIGEST || Cleveland official keynote speaker

Keynote speaker

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Blaine Griffin, executive director of community relations for the city of Cleveland, will be guest speaker at the annual graduation program at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., at 10:45 a.m. June 10.

The church will salute members graduating from city high schools, colleges and Evangelical Training Association. Griffin is a 1989 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School.

In his job, Griffin is in part responsible for developing and implementing strategies to promote amicable relationships between the city of Cleveland and any racial, cultural and law-enforcement groups in the community. He also is responsible for monitoring policies and activities involving civil rights of Clevelanders.

He graduated from Malone College in Canton and Federal Bureau of Investigation Citizens Academy. Griffin, vice-chair of Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, is one of 13 people elected as a delegate for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio to represent President Barack Obama at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

He makes regular appearances as a political and public-policy analyst on the syndicated “Between the Lines” television show on Channel 3 WKYC and hosts a weekly public- affairs show, “Everyday People,” on Cleveland public access television station Channel 20.

St. Anthony feast

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St. Anthony Church, 1125 Turin Ave., plans activities for the patron’s feast day. Memorial Masses will be at 8:30 a.m. June 11 for Deacon Nicholas Boccieri and 9 a.m. June 12 for Monsignor John DeMarinis.

The feast of St. Anthony of Padua will be celebrated with Mass at 6 p.m. June 13, which also will mark the merger of St. Anthony and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The Lowellville Band will play, and there will be a procession and other activities.

On June 16, there will be an alumni Mass at 4 p.m., cocktail hour at 5 and dinner at 6. Call the rectory at 330-744-5091 for tickets. Cost is $35 per ticket or $240 per table of eight. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Unity Day service

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Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 505 Parkcliffe Ave, will host a Community Unity Day service at 11 a.m. Sunday with guest speaker the Rev. Omarosa Manigault, a Youngstown native.

The Rev. Ms. Manigault worked in the office of former Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton administration. She gained national attention in 2004 as a participant on NBC’s reality-TV series “The Apprentice.” She is West Coast editor of Reality Weekly magazine.

She is a former member of New Grace Missionary Baptist Church. She was licensed and ordained in February 2012 at the Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

Studies/North

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Jewish/Christian Studies/North will meet Wednesday at Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way. The theme is feasts in Jewish, Christian, Islam, Hindu and Bahai traditions.

Dr. Kong Oh of the Bahai temple in Youngstown will speak.

The group gathers at 12:30 p.m. with the program at 1. For information, call the Rev. George Balasko at 330-406-1034 or Rabbi Joseph Schonberger at 330-759-1429.

Musical service

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The Pastor’s Aide Ministry and pastor’s 22nd anniversary commmittee will present a musical pre-anniversary service at 6 p.m. today. Helen Donnelly Jackson and Dorothy Fields are co-chairwomen.

Hosting guest

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First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., will host the Rev. Raafat Zaki, transitional executive of the Synod of the Covenant for Ohio and Michigan in the Presbyterian Church USA, as speaker at the adult forum at 9:45 a.m. Sunday on the topic “Back to the Future: Church, Society and Transformation.”

He also will preach at the 11 a.m. service.

Youth rally set

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First Spanish Baptist Church, 2777 Oak St. Ext., will be the site of a youth rally from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday featuring hip-hop Christian rap music.

There will be a worship message from Marcial Torres.

The theme is “pajama party” with games and prizes.

Celebration set at Greater Ebenezer

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Pastor James Holmes of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church will speak at the 62nd anniversary program at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1232 Hill St.

Guest speaker

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The Rev. Kermit Green, pastor of Apostolic Faith Assembly in Canton, will speak at 6 p.m. June 10 at Bread of Life Church of God in Christ, 702 Cameron Ave.