Send information on pet blessings

Send information on pet blessings

The traditional blessing of animals celebrates the life of St. Francis of Assisi, whose Feast Day is Oct. 4. St. Francis is known for his love of all creatures. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment.

A listing of pet blessings will be published Oct. 3 on the Religion page. Send information to the Religion desk, The Vindicator, 107 Vindicator Square, Box 780, Youngstown, OH 44501-0780; by fax to 330-747-6712; or by email to religion@vindy.com.

Guest speaker

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rev. Gerald L. Thomas will be guest pastor and speak at the 11 a.m. service Sept. 27 at Price Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, 920 Dryden Ave.

A native of Youngstown, the Rev. Mr. Thomas is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, N.J., where he was called in March 1997 as the eighth pastor. In 2005, the congregation built a $13.2 million church edifice. He was ordained by the Rev. Dr. Morris W. Lee Sr., pastor of Third Baptist Church.

Mr. Thomas earned a doctorate and master of divinity degree at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He was on the faculty of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa., for 11 years, and was adjunct professor of preaching for Lutheran Theological Seminary, Lancaster Theological Seminary and New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, N.J.

He is involved in SIBLE – Shiloh Institute for Biblical Learning and Education, which serves as the Christian education ministry of the church.

Dr. Thomas is founder, chairman of the board and President of Shiloh’s faith-based, nonprofit, community development corporation known as SHEELD – Shiloh Economic and Entrepreneurial Life-Long Development Corp. He is president and CEO of Thomas Partners, LLC, an international consulting firm for church management and business development.

He wrote “African American Preaching: The Contribution of Dr. Gardner C. Taylor.”

Conference speaker

Dr. Tony Evans of Dallas, Texas, an evangelical pastor, teacher, author and speaker, will be keynote speaker at Kingdom Arise events.

He will speak during a kingdom rally at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Highway Tabernacle, 3000 S. Raccoon Road.

Evans will address a men-only gathering planned from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Grace Evangelical Temple, 2214 Mahoning Ave.

Registration is $15. Visit www.kingdom-arise.com to register; payment may be made at the door.

Chorus to sing

VIENNA

Liberty Bible Church, 2111 Sodom Hutchings Road, will host the Mountain Anthems Chorus of Mountain View Mennonite Church, Salisbury, Pa., from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday.

The Mennonite a capella Gospel choir began in the 1950s. In 1969, the men’s chorus made its first and only recording. In 1970, the mixed chorus made its first recording. As of 2000, the group has 18 recordings.

Recordings are available at concerts. Free-will offerings will be accepted.

Concert at church

warren

Tony Alonso, composer and presenter, will be in concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3020 Reeves Road NE. A workshop is planned from 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 10.

Concert tickets are $15, worship cost is $15 or $25 for both. Tickets are available at the parish office or after Masses in the gathering space.

Call 330-372-2215.