Organ concert to benefit Pettengill House
The second annual Summer Organ Concert will be held at Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb St., Newburyport on Saturday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m. Featuring local organists Frances Burmeister, Michael Hamill, Robert Littlefield and Barbara Owen, the concert will include classical favorites, opera transcriptions and more. A free-will offering will be collected to support the work of Pettengill House. The church is accessible to all.
BEADS co-founder to speak
Debbie Rooney, co-founder of BEADS for Education, will give the sermon at the Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport, on Sunday, July 27 at 9:30 a.m. Her topic will be "This is God's Plan — Changing Lives One Girl at a Time." She will be accompanied by Agnes and Patrick Papaititi, the chosen leader of 8,000 Maasai warriors and a women's rights activist. BEADS sponsors more than 300 Kenyan girls who are guaranteed school fees through college. There are more than 20 sponsors in the Newburyport area.
Mission trip fundraiser at Flatbread
Market Street Baptist Church, Amesbury, will hold a mission trip fundraiser Tuesday, July 8 5-9:30 p.m., at Flatbread Co., 5 Market Square. Eight volunteers from the church will be returning to Durban, South Africa, and Mozambique this summer. During this evening a percentage of all orders go to this fund whether you eat in or take out.
Talk on 'Mystics' Tuesday
There will be a talk on."Interfaith Spiritual Practices: The Mystics Among Us".on Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 p.m., at the Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St., Newburyport, with Rev. Joel Grossman, interfaith minister, coordinator of the Massachusetts Satellite of the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME, http://www.chimeofmaine.org), and Rev. Jocab Watson, the Abbott of ChIME..Come enjoy a brief taste of several spiritual practices from various wisdom traditions, including Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and First World Peoples. Participatory experiences designed to awaken mystical qualities of awe, passion and community.
First Congregational Society services
Tomorrow, 10:45 a.m. at The First Congregational Society (Unitarian), Hampton Falls, N.H.,..the Rev. Janet H. Bowering, pastor emerita, Unitarian-Universalist Church of Haverhill, will speak..The church is on Route 88, just past Applecrest Farms. Parking is in the rear of the building.
Patriot's Sunday July 6 at Groveland church
On July 6, Colonel Bailey's 2nd Massachusetts Regiment (a few of its 80 members) will participate in the 9 a.m. service at Groveland Congregational Church, 4 King St., to help commemorate the patriotic birth of the nation. Members of the regiment will help with the service, lead patriotic hymns and prayer. Capt. Ron Barry will also read from the Declaration of Independence on the front steps of the church, and the church's historic Paul Revere Bell will be rung.
Col. Bailey's Regiment represents the Revolutionary War time period when our country was born. Each of these re-enactors make their own clothes and can explain how life was in the late 18th century.
Summer Celebration Dinner, Worship Wednesday
The public is welcome to join Community United Methodist Church, 6 Central St., Byfield, on Wednesday evenings for Summer Celebration Dinner and Worship for all ages. The program will continue throughout the summer. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and is provided by the congregation. The Celebration Service begins at approximately 6:45 p.m. and is an informal, energetic worship experience filled with upbeat music in a contemporary style, and a learning time appropriate for people of all ages.
VBS at Byfield Parish in July
Byfield Parish Church invites children to their Vacation Bible School, July 14-18, 9 a.m. to noon. This is for children in pre-K (aged 4 and up) to children who finished the fifth grade this year. Contact Brendan Gould at 978-352-2022 to register or for more information.
Vacation Bible Camp in August
East Parish United Methodist Church, in cooperation with other local churches, will present Vacation Bible Camp 2008. Surfin' Through the Scriptures will be held Aug. 18-22 with worship Aug. 24. The camp will be held at The Center, Wethersfield Street, Rowley. Tuition is $80, which includes transportation, daily snack, and T-shirt. Camp is open to children entering grades one through six. Counselor-in-training and junior staff positions are available for students in grades seven through 12. Camp bus leaves from the East Parish Church in Salisbury Square at 7:40 a.m. and returns to the church at 2:45 p.m. For an application, call LeAnne Plummer at 978-465-8940. VBS in July at Old South Church
Old South Church invites all children to ride the wave of God's love at summer Vacation Bible School, "Beach Party: Surfin' Through the Scriptures." The fun begins on Monday, July 21, and ends on Friday, July 25, 9 a.m. to noon. This program is a celebration of God's love and a chance for children to learn new Beach Be-Attitudes. Each lesson will be supported with Bible stories, science activities, songs, crafts, games and snacks. Old South Church is at 29 Federal St., Newburyport. For more information, call the church office at 978-465-9666.
VBS in August at Pilgrim Congregational
Pilgrim Congregational Church in Merrimac invites children to "Power Lab," where they'll discover Jesus' miraculous power! This VBS program begins on Monday, Aug. 11, and continues through Friday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $25 for the week. For more information and to register, call Renee Lundy at 978-346-8398.
Environmental Camp
First Parish Church, 20 High Road, Newbury, is sponsoring a three-day environmental camp, Stewards of Earth and Spirit Seas Camp, Tuesday, Aug. 19, to Thursday, Aug. 21, 9 a.m. to noon. The camp will be led by environmentalist Don Sineti and will explore dolphins and whales through journals and marine life collections. For children in the fifth through eighth grade. Cost is $200. Registration ends May 30. To register, call the First Parish Church at 978-465-5597 or visit www.firstparishofnewbury.org.
'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 p.m. 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.
Knitting group at Hope Church
Knit One, Pray Too meets the first Monday of each month at Hope Community Church, 11 Hale St., Newburyport, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and is about knitting, mentoring, praying and sharing. Come for the knitting and the fellowship. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. If interested, call Pat McGowan at 978-388-4451.
Historic talks celebrate Belleville's bicentennial
During Belleville Congregational Church's bicentennial year, historic talks about the ministers and their times of service are given every second and fourth Sunday during the church service. Those Sundays are also Bonnet Sundays. Women of the church have made facsimiles of bonnets worn in the early 1800s and will be wearing them throughout the year.
Coffee hours have been hosted at the first parsonage, the home of Belleville's first minister (1808-1836) the Rev. Miltimore, and at the current parsonage built in 1849, home of the Rev. Fiske, a long-time minister from 1847 to 1903 and home of the current minister, Ross Varney.
The public is welcome to share in Belleville's bicentennial year. Services at the Newburyport church, 300 High St., are at 10 a.m.
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 Major Kathryn Purvis at 978-465-0883, ext. 10, for more information.
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.
Update on empty medicine bottles
Atria Merrimack Place thanks participants in the Empty Medicine Bottle campaign by dropping off empty medicine bottles for Partners in Development to distribute. Atria Merrimack Place is no longer accepting bottles; however, you may drop off bottles at the Newburyport Council on Aging, located at 40 Water St.
Centering prayer at St. James
St. James Episcopal Church in Amesbury offers centering prayer as one of its Saturday alternative services. Centering prayer, 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.
Prayer service at 5 a.m.
An early morning prayer worship service is held daily at 5 a.m. at Market Street Baptist Church, 37 Market St., Amesbury. This service is nondenominational and open to all.
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.
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. 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 in the Seacoast area. The church is on Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 603-474-2660.
