Church notes

Spaghetti Supper today at Union Congregational

Union Congregational Church, 350 Main St., Point Shore, Amesbury, will host a Spaghetti Supper today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m, featuring spaghetti with homemade sauce, meatballs, bread, salad and dessert. All you can eat for $7, family, $24. Take-out available for $8. Ample parking. Handicapped accessible. For more information, 978-388-0631, www.amesburyunion.org.

Congregation Ahavas Achim events

Congregation Ahavas Achim, Washington and Olive streets, Newburyport, has planned the following events:

Today, 9 a.m., Junior Congregation

Friday, 6 p.m., Board of Directors Friday Night Dinner

Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m., Services Led by Rabbi Avi Poupko

Wednesday, May 9, 8 p.m., Lag Ba'Omer Bonfire

Saturday, May 19, 9/10 a.m. services led by Rabbi Avi Poupko/Youth Shabbat

Special music at First Religious Society

Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., at the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, Diane Taraz will be the guest musical artist. Taraz draws inspiration from Celtic, British, French-Canadian and American folklore.

Follow Your Callings workshop tomorrow

Unity on the River spiritual center will host a workshop, Follow Your Callings, with Gregg Levoy, author, lecturer and professor, on Sunday, tomorrow, 1 to 5 p.m. Cost is $30. In this hands-on workshop, the psychological, spiritual and practical processes people encounter in listening and responding to "callings" will be explored. Unity on the River is at 58 Macy St. (Route 110), Amesbury Plaza, Amesbury.

VOTF lecture on role of laity

"Second Vatican Council's Theology of the Laity" will be held tomorrow at Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Newburyport from 7 to 9 p.m. The Adult Faith Formation lecture is sponsored by North Shore-Seacoast VOTF Affiliate. Dr. Richard R. Gaillardetz, professor of Catholic systematic theology at Boston College, will be the speaker. His lecture will focus on the treatment of the role of the laity in the church and in the world. Freewill offerings are accepted. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Eleanora Paciulan at 978-462-4882.

Spaghetti Supper fundraiser tomorrow

Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb St., Newburyport, is holding a Spaghetti Supper fundraiser tomorrow, 5 to 7 p.m. The supper is sponsored by the Confirmation Class of 2012, which will dedicate the funds raised to the rebuilding of Kelleher playground at Park Circle. For more information, call the church office 978-465-0533.

Sign-up ends Tuesday for Occupy Christianity retreat

Noted theologian and author the Rev. Matthew Fox will host Occupy Christianity, a weekend retreat for spiritual activists, May 25 to 27 at Adelynrood Conference Center in Byfield. The cost is $395 and includes two nights' lodging and six meals. Registration closes Tuesday.

Jamie Manson, columnist for The National Catholic Reporter; Adam Bucko, activist, karma yogi, spiritual director to many of New York's homeless youth, founder of the Reciprocity Foundation; ordained Catholic woman priest the Rev. Jean Marchant (featured in the documentary "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican"); her husband, the Rev. Ronald Hindelang; and Pat McSweeney from Call to Action and longtime member of the Peace & Justice Movement will also attend. Scattered throughout the weekend will be Sacred Circle Dancing led by Ellen Kennedy and Celestial Harp Journeys led by Deirdre Drennen.

For complete details and to register, visit www.matthewfox.org. For more information on Adelynrood Conference Center, visit www.adelynrood.org.

Theory of Spinning Strings Wednesday

Local physicist Scott Smith makes advancements on his Theory of Spinning Strings, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport. For more information, email: bellevilleconcerts@gmail.com or visit: www.bellevillechurch.org/music.php.

Spaghetti Dinner at Old South Church

Old South Church, 27 Federal St., Newburyport, will hold the following happenings (use the School Street entrance for all affairs):

A Spaghetti Dinner will be held Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Call Gloria at 978-465-2849 if planning to attend.

Intro to Meditation classes offered

The Insight Meditation Center of Newburyport will offer a five-week class titled The Mindful Moment: an Introduction to Insight Meditation. The class is designed for anyone interested in learning Insight Meditation (Vipassana), which is a simple practice that steadies the mind by grounding attention in the present moment. It originated in the Buddhist tradition more than 2,500 years ago. Class begins Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will last five weeks. For registration information and fees, visit www.imcnewburyport.org.

Breakfast at First Religious Society

On Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to noon, the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St., will hold its annual May Breakfast. Admission is $6 and includes local organic eggs, ham, homemade pancakes with maple syrup, veggie sausage, fresh fruit salad, baked goods from their "famous" bakers, baked beans, cereal, yogurt, coffee, tea and juice.

Christopher Williams in concert May 5

A night of music, stories and fellowship is in store when noted musician, songwriter and storyteller Christopher Williams performs in concert Saturday, May 5, 7 p.m., at Pilgrim Congregational Church. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For further information or to order tickets, call 978-346-8400, ext. 10. Fully accessible, Pilgrim Congregational Church is at 27 Church St. in Merrimac.

May Day celebration at Belleville

Belleville Congregational Church will celebrate May Day on Sunday, May 6, at 11 a.m. There will be dancing around the Maypole, making May baskets and enjoying strawberry shortcake. All are welcome.

Flea Market June 2 in Amesbury

An Old-Fashioned Flea Market will be held Saturday, June 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, at Union Congregational Church, 350 Main St., Point Shore, Amesbury. Spaces available: $10 with own table; $15 with church table. Lunch will be available on site. For information, to reserve space or to donate quality items, call Dottie Johnson: 978-388-2452.

Call for crafters and vendors

First Congregational Church of Georgetown will be hosting a Summer Fun Day, Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include: children activities, lunch, craft fair/flea market and music. Vendors are needed. They are accepting applications from crafters and vendors who sell their own crafts and those who sell flea market items. This event will take place on the front lawn of the church, rain or shine. Vendors may use 8-by-8-foot canopies. Cost for the space is $25. Payment is required at time of registration. Send vendor information to PO Box 200, Georgetown, MA 01833 or churchoffice@georgetowncongregational.org. For more information, contact the church office at 978-352-8443.

Helping those in need

Hugh Doyle Resource Center Collaborative Meeting is a monthly gathering of leaders and representatives of social service agencies and religious organizations in the area. It meets the first Wednesday of each month to share ideas on how to help those in need in Greater Newburyport. Interested? Contact Janet Hawkes at 978-465-1688 or go to www.hughdoyle.org.

Thrift shop in Rowley

Fellowship Thrift Shop located in lower hall of First Congregational Church of Rowley, 175 Main St., Rowley, has new hours.

The shop is open Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, weather permitting.

Check out daily half-price sales and the special tag sale the first Saturday of each month. When the shop is open, it accepts donations of gently used clothing and household items, but no electronics, books or toys.

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.

Belleville Church thrift shop

The Belleville Church thrift shop at 300 High St., Newburyport, is open. Hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Volunteer opportunity

Looking for a way for your business, church group, club, organization or yourself to give back to the community? The Salvation Army, 40 Water St., offers the following:

Community meal served every Thursday. Each week a different group (six to 12 people) prepares and serves the meal to about 80 people. Time: Three to four hours, including preparation, serving and cleanup. Call Maj. Kathryn Purvis at 978-465-0883, ext. 10, for more information.

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 website, www.stjamesamesbury.org.

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. The meetings are for parents who have lost children and grandparents who have lost grandchildren. 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 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, 145 Main St., Amesbury. All are welcome. Our Neighbors' Table also offers the following food pantries: Saturday Food Pantry: 9:30 a.m.-noon every Saturday, open to residents of Amesbury and South Hampton; last Saturday of the month: open to residents of Amesbury, South Hampton, Merrimac, Salisbury, Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Groveland, Byfield, Boxford, Rowley and Georgetown. Merrimac Mobile Pantry: first and third Saturday of each month, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Merrimac Senior Center, 100 East Main St., Merrimac. Open to Merrimac residents only.

St. Basil's Kitchen

The Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Harris and Park streets, Newburyport, offers free luncheons Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 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 Community Table

Every Monday Seabrook Community Table serves free meals at the Church of Christ at 867 Lafayette Road (beside the dance studio) from 5 -6 p.m. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, meals are served at the Trinity Parish House (beside the Seabrook Post Office) from 5-6 p.m. Meals are offered to residents of surrounding communities as well as Seabrook residents. For more information or to volunteer, contact Joyce Addison, 603-474-9608.

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.

Community Food Pantry in Byfield

The Community Food Pantry located at Community United Methodist Church, 11 Central St., Byfield, is open to residents of Byfield and Newbury every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. In addition, a free community meal will be offered every second and fourth Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

For more details, contact the Community Food Pantry at CFPByfield@gmail.com or by phone at 978-255-0135.

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If you have an item for Church Notes, contact Merrily Buchs at mbuchs@newburyportnews.com, 978-462-6666, ext. 3248.

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