Live Internet chat Tuesday
All are invited to participate in a live Internet chat entitled "Colds and flu don't have to affect you" Tuesday, 2 to 3 p.m. 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.
Carol Sing-Along at Old South
Old South Church will host its annual Carol Sing-Along on Friday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. Join us for an evening singing all of your favorite carols. Refreshments following the singing. The church is located at 29 Federal St., Newburyport, and is handicapped-accessible.
Advent Candlelight Taize Meditation
The community is welcomed to pray in the candlelit sanctuary of the Groveland Congregational Church on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. During the season of Advent, the candles illuminating the sanctuary bring hope for light and peace. The service is modeled after those held at the Taize community in France, with prayer, song, scripture, petitions and silence.
Taize prayer is a simple form of ecumenical Christian prayer centered on scripture, silence and song. It involves singing and listening to the word of God in an atmosphere of silence and peace. Groveland Congregational Church is located at 4 King St.
Boston Community Choir Dec. 12
The Boston Community Choir will be in concert Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 94 Andover St., Georgetown. Doors will open at 6 p.m. This is a family-oriented event with beautiful music and audience participation.
Tickets are $10, children 12 and under are free. To purchase tickets, contact Pat Salach, 978-225-8186. Tickets will also be available at the door. For more information, directions or to buy tickets online, go to www.northshorecm.org. Proceeds will benefit North Shore Christian Ministries Inc. and St. Mary's Parish, Georgetown/Rowley.
Hope Family Christmas Dec. 12
Hope Community Church is hosting a Hope Family Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. This is an event for all ages and includes a Holiday Sing-A-Long with Bill McGowan and Bob Manseau, Children's Story time, the Hope Bell Choir, free hayrides with Iron Moon Farm and festive food. Admission charge is one canned good to help the Pettengill House. The church is located at 11 Hale St., Newburyport. For more information, contact the church at 978-463-HOPE or visit www.hope-community-church.com.
Food drive at First Religious Society
As employment and the economy continue to falter, the number of Newburyport families and seniors who are struggling with hunger continues to climb. Items most needed by local food pantries include peanut butter, jelly, rice, spaghetti sauce, boxed potatoes, coffee, crackers, cereal, canned soups and canned meats (Spam, chicken, deviled ham, tuna). Contributions can be placed on the table in the vestibule of the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, on Sundays and delivered to the church office on weekdays. Donations are also accepted.
Spaghetti Dinner today
A fundraising Spaghetti Dinner will be held today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Union Congregational Church, 350 Main St., Amesbury. A donation of $6 individual; $20 family; $7 take-out dinner is asked.
'Christmas Joy!' Tuesday
Kari Mashos, a full-time prayer-based healer using the Christian Science system of healing, will present a talk titled "Christmas Joy! Christ brings the closer view of God," on Tuesday, 7 p.m., Newburyport Public Library. During her talk Mashos references the original source book on Christian healing, the Bible, along with Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, a book of universal ideas on practical spirituality. Mashos will explore how to see the Christ more visibly in our hearts and minds and feel its healing effect.
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.
Sports at Hope Community Church
Join us during the week for a great time of recreation in the Hope gym with one of the following sports: co-ed volleyball on Monday nights from 7 to 9; men's pickup basketball on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9; Christian karate on Thursday nights from 6 to 8. Hope Community Church is located at 11 Hale St., Newburyport.
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 I-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.
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 Web site, www.stjamesamesbury.net.
Compassionate Friends meet
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.
Volunteer directory
The First Religious Society has published a booklet called People Helping People — a directory of volunteer opportunities in the Newburyport area. For a copy, e-mail the church office at frsuuadmin@netway.com or call 978-465-0602.
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, 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 to10:30 a.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church, 27 Church 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 on 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 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.
