News

Church notes


Published: November 21, 2009

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Everyone is invited to a Community Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow at 1 p.m. hosted by Community United Methodist Church, 11 Central St. in Byfield. The menu includes turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and homemade pies and anyone who would enjoy a tasty, hot meal and warm fellowship is welcome to come and celebrate. The church has hosted an annual Thanksgiving meal for senior citizens in the community for many years. This year, the congregation is extending the invitation to everyone in the community. To reserve for the dinner, contact the church office, 978-465-5946, community@cumcbyfield.org.

Interfaith Service tomorrow

The Chaplaincy Institute of Maine-Massachusetts Campus (ChIME-MA) invites the public to an interfaith service tomorrow, 5-6 p.m. at the Friends Meeting House, 120 Friend St., Amesbury. The service, which will be led by Anne Principe and Katherine Blake, is titled "Imagination: For Real." It will be a contemplative service of music, words, silence.

Thanksgiving Ingathering at Pilgrim Church

The Traditional Thanksgiving Ingathering will be held tomorrow during 10 a.m. worship at Pilgrim Church, 27 Church St., Merrimac. Parishioners are asked to bring non-perishable food items which will be used to make up Thanksgiving baskets for needy families in the church and in the community.

Thanksgiving Ingathering at Belleville Church

Children and members of Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St., Newburyport, will have an ingathering of food for local food pantries during the 10 a.m. service tomorrow.

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.

Guest speaker at First Parish tomorrow

The First Parish Church of Newbury will have a guest speaker at its 10 a.m. service tomorrow. The Rev. Paul Nickerson, associate conference minister for Evangelism, Mission and Justice, serves as a United Church of Christ consultant to support churches indeveloping plans and programs to support their growth. He will speak on "The Turnaround Church."

Thanksgiving Day Service at Christian Science Church

The Christian Science Church in Newburyport invites everyone in the community to its Thanksgiving Day Worship service on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. at 286 High St. It will be an hour of praise, songs and a sermon of gratitude. Call 978-465-0286 for more information.

Spaghetti Dinner Nov. 28

A fundraising Spaghetti Dinner will be held Saturday, Nov. 28 from 4:30-6:30 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!' on Dec. 1

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, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., Newburyport Public Library. During her talk Mashos references the original sourcebook 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 7-9; Men's Pickup Basketball on Tuesday nights from 7-9; Christian Karate on Thursday nights from 6 to 8. Hope Community Church is located at 11 Hale St., Newburyport.

Monthly Healing Service at Holy Family Parish

Holy Family Parish of Amesbury announces that Father Albert MacPherson. O.S.A., will be holding a¬ Healing Service at St. Joseph Church on the third Tuesday of the month. The¬ Healing Service¬ will be preceded by Holy Mass at 7 p.m.

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 4:30-6:30 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.