Church notes

Pilgrim Church to host Sweetheart Dinner today

Celebrate an early Valentine's Day at a Sweetheart Dinner today, 4:30 to 7 p.m., at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Merrimac. The menu will include roast pork with applesauce, potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls, beverage and dessert. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and children. Children under 5 years will be admitted free. Located at 27 Church St., the church is fully accessible. For further information, call 978-346-8400.

Valentine's Cookie Bake for kids

Kids Valentine's Cookie Bake will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. Kids will decorate cookies and deliver them to someone they wish or one of the church shut-ins. This event is hosted by the Merrimacport United Methodist Church at the Merrimac Senior Center, 100 East Main St. (across from Common Grounds). More information at www.merrimacportumc.org or 978-346-8818.

Forum on economic justice tomorrow

Tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, the Current Events Forum will offer discussions on economic justice, money in the electoral process and petitioning for overturning the Citizens United court ruling. There will also be preparation for the Documentaries and Discussion on Wednesday, which involves a gathering of church and citizen activists on the foregoing subject.

Bees documentary at First Parish Church

New Eden Collaborative of First Parish Church of Newbury, High Road, will launch its 2012 environmental programming in collaboration with New Harmony Farm CSA and Transition Newburyport tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. with a special screening of the documentary, "Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Trying to Tell Us?" Join us after the movie for a discussion with Q&A on organic and bio-dynamic beekeeping. This is a fundraiser to support New Eden Collaborative of First Parish Church of Newbury's Organic Bee Program. Suggested donation is $10.

The movie takes viewers on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive. This film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva. Together they reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.

Events at Congregation Ahavas Achim

The following are planned at Congregation Ahavas Achim, corner of Washington and Olive streets, Newburyport:

Visit: www.ahavas-achim.org for more information or call 978-462-2461.

Today, 9 a.m., Services led by Rabbi Avi Poupko

Tomorrow at 4 p.m., a free, festive Israeli folk dancing experience. Come with your dancing shoes and the young ones for this fun and exciting Jewish experience.

Thursday, Feb. 23, 6:45 a.m., Rosh Chodesh Adar Morning Services and Breakfast

Saturday, March 3, 9 to 10 a.m., Services led by Rabbi Avi Poupko/Youth Shabbat

Bible study on Jesus' healing ministry

Jesus' Healing Ministry — a Bible study, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at St. Paul's Church, 166 High St., Newburyport. This Bible Study, open to anyone, examines the 26 passages in Scripture where Jesus performs healing. The passage to read Tuesday is Mark 2:1-12. The meetings are planned to be in two parts lasting a total of about 11/2 hours. One part is reading the passage from three versions of the Holy Bible; the second part is an experimental practice of the laying on of hands.

Attendees are welcome at either or both parts. For more information, contact Bob Keller, 978-465-5111, rk2@comcast.net.

VOTF meeting tomorrow

Dr. Dominic F. Doyle will speak tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church Hall in Peabody. Doyle is an assistant professor in systematic theology at Boston College.

The topic is "Imagining the Church Before and After Vatican II: The Relevance of Lumen Gentium for Today." Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church) offers powerful images for thinking about the Church. These images, many of them of ancient origin, can help Catholics to think anew what it means to belong to a Church.

This lecture is sponsored by the North Shore-Seacoast Affiliate of VOTF (Voice of the Faithful). Everyone is invited. Freewill offerings are accepted. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Eleanora Pacuilan, 978-462-4882, Mo Donovan, 978-465-0620, Bobbi Flynn, 978-465-2821, or Barbara Gould, 978-535-2321.

Mardi Gras party at Holy Family

Holy Family Parish is celebrating Mardi Gras on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Parish Hall. More than $2,000 in gift certificates and prizes will be awarded throughout the evening in multiple raffles and a silent auction.

Each table will have its own King Cake; and following Mardi Gras tradition, there is a "prize" for the person who is served the "baby." DJ Keith Sherman of Merrimac will keep the dance floor full with his selection of tunes that will include New Orleans style jazz, contemporary and standards. Superb New Orleans-style hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the evening and there will be a cash bar.

Doors open at 6:30. On sale now, tickets are $15 and include a mask, Mardi Gras beads, door prize and as many hors d'oeuvres as you can eat. They will be available at the door if they are not sold out. All proceeds are for repairs of the property. For tickets, call Joyce: 978-388-6571 or Alison 978-388-4059.

Ashes distribution at IC

On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, ashes will be distributed at the following liturgies at Newburyport's Immaculate Conception Parish: 7:15 a.m., 12:05 p.m. and 7 p.m.

'Ashes To Go' at St. James

St. James Episcopal Church, 120 Main St., Amesbury, will have "Ashes To Go" on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 7 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the parish. Drop by on your way to work. At 7 p.m. will be the Liturgy of the Day with Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes in the Church.

Beginning Feb. 26, St. James will hold a Lenten Soup Series. This is a five-week educational offering and includes homemade soup and bread. The series starts immediately after the 10 a.m. service in the Parish Hall.

On Wednesday, Feb. 29, St. James will hold a soup supper with Bible study and prayer from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. A children's program will be offered. RSVP to stjames.clergy@verizon.net or call the office at 978-388-0030 and leave name and telephone number.

For further information, check the website at www.stjamesamesbury.org or call the parish office at 978-388-0030.

Kid's Day of Art and Prayer Feb. 22

Kid's Day of Art and Prayer will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, Groveland, during school vacation. This is open to second- through sixth-graders on Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The first 15 children to sign up for a children's workshop led by Ingrid Sanborn and The Rev. Marya Decarlen will have fun. After sharing about Lenten prayers, there will be time to be creative with colored charcoal and to "pray in color." The drawings will be made into a quilt-like form for display in the church during Lent with an explanation about why the children chose to draw their specific prayer.

The cost is $7 per child (including pizza lunch). Enroll by calling St. James Episcopal Church, 978 373-1270. Limit: 15 children. The church is located at 119 Washington St., Groveland.

UUA fundraiser to speak Feb. 26

The Rev. Terry Sweetser will speak Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport. He is a fifth-generation Unitarian Universalist, a minister for more than 30 years and a widely known fundraiser. Sweetser is currently responsible for fundraising at the UUA, where he is vice president for stewardship and development.

Understanding Others Through Worship

A presentation on Christian Science will be given by Norm Bleichman on Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m., at the Newburyport Public Library. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Bleichman is a Christian Science practitioner and member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship. For more than 20 years he has been producing media for various departments at the Christian Science Mother Church, Boston. There will be a presentation and discussion about the foundations of the Christian Science belief system based on the Bible and its explanation in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and other writings by its founder Mary Baker Eddy.

For more information, call the Rev. Helen Murgida at 978-500-3196.

Church changes meeting location

Operation Snowbird! Merrimacport United Methodist Church will be worshiping at the Merrimac Senior Center, 100 East Main St. (Route 110), Merrimac, beginning tomorrow until the end of February due to limited parking in snowy conditions.

Children's basketball program at Market St. Baptist

The Market Street Baptist Church, 37 Market St., Amesbury, will host an eight-week Junior Church Basketball Program for both girls and boys ages 5 to 9 in the church gym. It will begin Friday, Feb. 3 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. with registration at 6. This program is a noncompetitive, instructional league designed to teach fundamental basketball skills and basic Bible knowledge in a fun and engaging manner. A suggested donation of $10 per child is requested to help defray expenses. Make check payable to: MSBC/basketball. To register, contact the church office at 978-388-0930 or email msbcsec@verizon.net. All are welcome.

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 to 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.

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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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