NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

Local News

July 25, 2009

Church notes

Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser

A spaghetti supper fundraiser will be held Saturday, July 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Union Congregational Church. Cost is $6 individual, $20 family, $7 take-out dinner. On Sunday, July 26, at 10 a.m., there will be a worship service, a service of blessing for the Ministry of Nursing. At 11:15 a.m., there will be a coffee hour. 350 Main St., Amesbury.

Live Internet chat Tuesday

All are invited to participate in a live Internet chat on "Travel safely in God's care" on Tuesday, July 28, 2 to 3 p.m. Whether your journey is for business or pleasure, prayer can help you travel with more peace and security. Amid reports of plane crashes and train accidents, everyone has a role to play in supporting safe travel — through being alert to conditions around them and most of all through turning to God. As you pack luggage and make travel arrangements — or as you get ready to see someone off on a trip — you can take the time to place each journey in the "secret place of the most High" (Ps. 91:1). For spiritual insights into safety, camping, being away from home for the first time, or any other travel issue, bring your questions to this live chat. For more details, log on to www.spirituality.com. This is sponsored by the Christian Science Church in Boston. Anyone is welcome to participate or just listen at the Christian Science Reading Room, 50 Pleasant St., Newburyport, 978-465-0286. All chats are archived and will be available 24/7.

IC-Haiti yard sale needs volunteers, donations

The time is drawing near for IC-Haiti's second fundraiser — the giant Yankee Homecoming Yard Sale, Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed. To volunteer or for more information, send an e-mail to Nancy DeMaro at demaronancy@gmail.com or call her at 978-270-1579.

The group is looking for books, clothing, shoes, jewelry, holiday decor items, linens, sporting goods, bric-a-brac and small furniture pieces. Donation for the yard sale can be dropped off at the Immaculate Conception School gym on Saturday, July 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or contact DeMaro to arrange for pickup.

Free Family Movie Nights in Byfield

Community United Methodist Church invites everyone to Free Friday Family Movie Nights at 7 p.m., 11 Central St., Byfield. Family movies, popcorn and drinks are provided, and participants are encouraged to guess the featured flick, dress-up and act along. A full listing of Free Friday Family Movies through the end of August is available at www.cumcbyfield.org.

Fundraiser July 25 to benefit CAMPS

Collin McBride of Amesbury is putting together a fundraiser for scholarship money for high school students to attend CAMPS, short for Christ As My Personal Savior, which is a one-week Catholic summer camp. The fundraiser, called Sum Fun Razor, is a concert featuring McBride and a few other young adults involved in the CAMPS community. The event will take place on Saturday, July 25, at St. Joseph's hall in Amesbury. CAMPS only charges the campers the cost of using the facility at Geneva Point in Wolfborough, N.H. All other expenses are paid for through fundraising and out of the staff's pockets.

Songs of faith, hope, love

Ross Varney will present original music from the CD "Heart Sounds," as well as some well-known favorites, some audience sing-alongs, and some guest singers/instrumentalists on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m. at Belleville Church Meeting House, 300 High St., Newburyport. A freewill offering, to benefit Belleville Church renovations, will be taken. For more information, call 978-465-7734.

Historic Morning Prayer, open house and tours

Hold on to your bonnets and tri-corner hats. On Sunday, July 26, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 166 High St., Newburyport, will take a step back in time as part of Yankee Homecoming's Old-Fashioned Sunday. At 9 a.m., the day will begin with a morning prayer service taken from the 1789 Book of Common Prayer. From noon to 5 p.m., the church will offer an open house and historic tours of the buildings. Be prepared for liberal amounts of local lore, colonial gossip, eccentric patter and Revolutionary War history by tour guides Patsy Brown and Bronson de Stadler in period Colonial costumes. This year will focus on early African-American life in the parish. Tours are on the hour and the half-hour and last approximately 45 to 50 minutes. A self-guided tour of the graveyard with descriptive brochure will also be available.

Golf tourney to benefit Our Neighbors' Table

The first annual Our Neighbors' Table & Main Street Congregational Church Golf Tournament will be Sept. 12 at Bradford Country Club in Haverhill. Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Check-in starts at 11:30 a.m. Golfers' fee is $125 each and includes cart, greens fees and dinner. Teams of four or singles welcome. Register by Sept. 4. Call Kathy at 978-388-4738 or Barbara at 978-317-2823 for more information and to obtain a registration form or to make a donation.

Monthly bean supper in Newbury

The First Parish Church of Newbury on High Road holds a monthly bean supper on the third Saturday of every month. The menu is the same each month: a variety of beans, ham, hot dogs, cole slaw, rolls, desserts, rolls and beverage. It is served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The price is $8 for adults and $5 for children with a $20 maximum for a family.

Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport

The Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport offers a variety of meditation opportunities including daily sittings, practice groups, retreats and workshops. Located in a rural setting close to Interstate 95 and downtown Newburyport, the center provides an ideal environment for the practice of Insight Meditation (Vipassana). Originated in the Buddhist tradition more than 2,500 years ago, Vipassana is a simple practice that steadies the mind by grounding attention in the present moment. For the most current schedule information, visit www.imcnewburyport.org or call 978-499-0325.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

The Baha'is of Amesbury will host the study group Reflections on the Life of the Spirit every Friday evening at 7 at the Powow Community Building. For more information, call Cara Smoley at 978-388-4987.

Midweek service at First United Methodist

An alternate service time is now available at First United Methodist Church of Amesbury, 140 Main St. On Thursday evenings at 7, a more casual service is held in the Fellowship Hall. Led by the lay leader, there are hymns, readings, prayers and a time of reflection.

Tuesday morning meditation

All are welcome every Tuesday at 7 a.m. for a half-hour of meditation in the form of Episcopal Morning Prayer at All Saints Episcopal Church, 895 Main St., West Newbury.

Centering prayer at St. James

St. James Episcopal Church in Amesbury offers centering prayer as one of its Saturday alternative services. Centering, or contemplative prayer, is a meditation practice based on the work of the Rev. Thomas Keating, who believes that silence is "God's first language." St. James will continue to offer a twice-weekly opportunity for centering prayer in the meditation chapel. Those interested in participating or learning more should call St. James at 978-388-0030 or check the Web site, www.stjamesamesbury.net.

Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends of Greater Newburyport Chapter meet every fourth Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center, St. James Chapel Room, corner of Green and High streets, Newburyport. For more information, call 978-388-1514.

Tuesday meal at Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception Church offers a free hot dinner every Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Parish Center, 42 Green St., Newburyport. Call 978-462-2724 for more information.

The Friendship Table

For all who enjoy good food and fellowship, the Friendship Table serves meals on Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 40 Water St., Newburyport. Volunteers are also needed. For more information, call 978-465-0883.

Our Neighbors' Table

Free meals are served every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Our Neighbors' Table, Main Street Congregational Church, Amesbury. The food pantry is open from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information or to volunteer, call 978-388-4863. Donations of food and money are always welcome.

St. Basil's Kitchen

The Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Harris and Park streets, Newburyport, offers free luncheons on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church hall. All those hungry for food and companionship are welcome. For more information or to volunteer services, call 978-465-5757.

Among Friends

Among Friends is the mission of St. Paul's Church to provide nutritious, hot, home-cooked meals. Lunch is served every Tuesday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. in St. Paul's Hall, 166 High St., Newburyport. Evening Among Friends serves home-cooked meals every Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. Donations of food items, supplies and services are needed; call 465-5351.

Seabrook food pantry

The Seabrook Church of Christ Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. to all who live on the Seacoast. The church is on Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 603-474-2660.

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