Church notes

Yard sale at Rowley church today

A yard sale will be held today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the rear parking lot at First Congregational Church of Rowley, UCC, 175 Main St. (Route 1A).

Giant yard sale today

Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Family Parish is holding a giant yard sale today, 7 a.m. till it's gone, at 80 Elm St. (Route 110), Salisbury. One hundred percent of all proceeds raised will be used to assist those in need.

Organ concert at Old South

German organist Gunter Kennel will be performing on Old South Church's historic 1866 E&GG Hook organ tomorrow at 7 p.m. in an event co-sponsored by the Merrimack Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The church is located at 29 Federal St., Newburyport. All are welcome.

Wainwright in Pozi Concert Monday

Sloan Wainwright, folk artist and member of the folk music family including Loudon Wainwright, will perform Monday at a Columbus Day Pozi Concert at Unity on the River in Amesbury, 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available in advance at Unity on the River office, at the door or by calling 978-834-3143.

Live Internet chat Tuesday

A live Internet chat entitled "A way out of anxiety" takes place Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m. on www.spirituality.com. This chat is sponsored by the Christian Science Church in Boston. Anyone is welcome to participate or just listen in at the Christian Science Reading Room, 22 Inn St., Newburyport 978-255-1031. All chats are archived and will be available 24/7.

Divorce support group starts Wednesday

A Divorce Care Support Group will be offered at Hope Community Church, 11 Hale St., Newburyport, on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., beginning with an introductory meeting on Oct. 13. Contact and registration: Al Fowler at 978-463-4673.

Family Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 16

The Family Pumpkin Festival, sponsored by Community United Methodist Church, 11 Central St., Byfield, is set for Saturday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival features free children's games, crafts and bounce house, and food booths with homemade soups, baked goods, grilled items and more. The Family Pumpkin Festival is a special event of the ongoing Pumpkin Patch continuing through October, with beautiful pumpkins and gourds of all sizes, shapes and colors for sale. Proceeds benefit local and national mission projects.

Events at Trinity United Church

The following events will take place at in the Parish House at Trinity United Church, 103 Lafayette Road, Seabrook.

Saturday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m.: Benefit to sponsor Chucky's Fight/Chili Supper followed by an outreach concert with Pastor Bill and friends at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 23, 5 to 7 p.m.: Annual Harvest Supper. Buffet-style turkey dinner with all the fixings. Adults, $8; children, $4.

Saturday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Rental space available for the annual Yule Fair. Local crafters, raffles, bake sale, lunch counter.

For details, call the church office at 603-474-7900 or office@trinityuchurch.com.

Union Church celebrates 175 years

Union Congregational Church, 350 Main St., Amesbury, will celebrate its 175 anniversary next weekend with several events. On Saturday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be an Ice Cream "FUN" raiser in the church parking lot. The public is invited to attend. On Sunday, Oct. 17, the 10 a.m. worship service will celebrate the anniversary, followed by a gathering for lunch at 11:30.

'The Unrealized Goals of Vatican II'

The Rev. William Clark, S.J., associate professor of Religious Studies at Holy Cross College, will speak on "The Lay Person in the Church: What Happened?" The lecture will be held at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Newburyport on Sunday, Oct. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. Everyone is invited. Refreshments will be served. Financial contributions are welcomed. For further information, contact Eleanora Paciulan, 978-462-4882, or Mo Donovan, 978-465-0620.

Georgetown church to host golf tourney

The First Congregational Church of Georgetown will be hosting its fourth annual Golf Extravaganza on Oct. 24 at the Black Swan Country Club (formerly the Georgetown Club). All are welcome to this event, which will benefit the church and its missions. The cost is $125 per player and includes 18 holes of golf, cart and after-golf barbecue. Prizes will be awarded for lowest team score, closest to the pin and longest drive. Tee-off time will be at noon. Entry forms are available in the Church Fellowship Hall at 7 Andover St. in Georgetown or by contacting Tim Clift at 978-352-3155.

Nurtured Heart parenting workshop

St. James Episcopal Church, Groveland, will conduct a workshop entitled "The Nurtured Heart Approach: A Guide for Parents." The program is part of St. James' Spiritual Parenting Series. Patricia Stewart, a family counselor and Nurtured Heart Approach expert, will lead the workshop Sunday, Oct. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 119 Washington St., Groveland.

The Nurtured Heart Approach offers powerful strategies for building a strong relationship with children that emphasizes catching and creating success and setting clear limits with understandable consequences. For more information or to register, contact Christi Humphrey, minister of spiritual care, St. James Episcopal Church, Groveland, by phone 978-373-1270 or e-mail cchumphrey@comcast.net. The fee for the workshop is $10. Child care will be available with a reservation at a cost of $5 per child.

Sunday Soups resume Oct. 31

Sunday Soups will resume on Oct. 31 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. A joint venture of Pilgrim Church and Our Neighbors' Table, Sunday Soups provides a free Sunday Night Supper to all who wish to attend. The menu includes soup and chowder, bread/rolls, dessert and a beverage. The public is invited to Pilgrim Church, 27 Church St., Merrimac.

'Questions Seeking Answers' in Rowley

"Questions Seeking Answers: Where Faith and Life Intersect" will be offered Wednesday evenings, 7 to 9 p.m., at American Barbecue, 5 Railroad Ave., Rowley, sponsored by Immanuel Baptist Church in Ipswich. Skip Pimentel will be group leader. All are welcome to grapple with questions of life that seek answers, as we seek to find where life and faith intersect.

Fellowship Thrift Shop in Rowley

The Fellowship Thrift Shop at First Congregational Church of Rowley, U.C.C., 175 Main St. (Route 1A) is open Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to noon; Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We accept gently used clothing and household items, but drop off is only when the shop is open. Please no electronics, toys or books.

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.

Monthly Healing Service at Holy Family

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.

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 Interstate 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.

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.

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.

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 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. The meetings are for parents who have lost children and grandparents who have lost grandchildren. 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. to 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.