New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Church launches ambitious food drive
BRANFORD — United Methodist Church, the “Church on the Rock” in Branford is collecting canned fruits and vegetables to benefit local food pantries in Branford, North Branford, and Guilford, to match the model set by Jesus in Matthew 14.
Pastor Kent Jackson was inspired to create the Food Pantry Challenge mission as he prepared a sermon based on the familiar Bible story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. He was particularly motivated by verse 16: Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” In the church newsletter, Pastor Jackson wrote, “The Lord spoke clearly through my time of meditation that we, as a community, are being challenged to collect 5,000 cans of fruits and vegetables by the end of the year 2020. We, like the disciples, need to answer the Lord's call to feed hungry people.”
Members of the shoreline community are welcome to participate in the food drive. Donations can be dropped off in the green collection bin outside the front door of the church at 811 East Main Street, 1 mile east of Chowder Pot on Route 1 in Branford. Any nonperishable items can be donated; however, only cans of fruits and vegetables will count towards the tally. Items are removed daily and stored inside the building for weekly distribution to the food pantries. Donations can also be sent to UMC Branford and will be used to purchase additional cans of fruits and vegetables.
Everyone is encouraged to spread the word and invite friends and neighbors to join the challenge to feed the hungry in our communities. Updates on the progress of the food drive will be posted on the church’s Facebook page or by following #feedthe5000.
For more information, contact Pastor Kent at 203-488-0549 or umcbranford1966@gmail.com
Church marks Festival of St. Francis of Assisi
OLD LYME — A brief service and blessing of all creatures great and small will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 4, at Saint Ann’s Parish in the outdoor pet garden on the property at 82 Shore Road.
To commemorate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, The Rev. Dr. Anita L. Schell will be blessing all of the pets present: dogs, cats, birds, fish and others. You may bring a photo of your pets if it is difficult for your pets to attend the blessing. There will also be an observation of extinct species as well as recognition of endangered species around the world.
Note that all pets should be leashed, tethered or caged for everyone’s safety and convenience. All pet owners and guests should wear a mask and respect social distancing. A pet treat, as allowed, will follow the service for each of the blessed animals.
All are invited to remember the life of St. Francis, who was born in the 12th century and is the patron saint of ecology and animals.
Temple Beth Sholom service schedule
HAMDEN — In observance of the 5781 High Holidays, Temple Beth Sholom, 1809 Whitney Avenue, Hamden is conducting virtual services.
Kol Nidre: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27 Yom Kippur: 9 a.m., Sept. 28 Yom Kippur: Mincha/Yizkor/ Ne’ilah, 5 p.m., Sept. 28
All services will be streamed online. For information visit www.tbshamden.com or call the Temple Beth Sholom office at 203-288-7748.
Congregation B’Nai Jacob schedules services, events
WOODBRIDGE — Congregation B’nai Jacob, 75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge, is continuing to hold services using Zoom. However, Friday evening and Saturday morning services will be held in the tent in the courtyard and on Zoom. If you don’t know how to Zoom, visit https:// www.bnaijacob.org/ or call 203389-2111.
Sunday: Erev Yom Kippur 6:15 Kol Nidre and Ma’ariv service
Monday: Yom Kippur 9:30 a.m. Service. 4 p.m., Yizkor. 6 p.m., Mincha. 7 p.m., Neilah
Weekday minyan services at 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday and Friday morning services will be in the tent.
Friday 6:30 pm Shabbat evening service
Saturday, 9 a.m. Bread and Torah; Shabbat morning service 10 a.m.
Shabbat morning service 10 a.m.
Christ Episcopal, Ansonia, resumes services
ANSONIA — Christ Episcopal Church, 56 South Cliff St., is resuming fall and winter hours for Sunday services at 10 a.m. Church school resumes Oct. 4. For more information, visit www.christchurchansonia.org/ or call 203-734-2715.
Beth Israel Synagogue is online
WALLINGFORD — Beth Israel Synagogue, 22 N. Orchard St., Wallingford, is continuing online services. Torah teachings will be conducted online at www.bethisraelwallingford.org
The rabbi will remain in contact on when and what time any events will take place online. The Board of Directors continues to meet monthly via tele/video-conferencing.
More information at www.bethisraelwallingford.org.
Temple Beth David offers online programs
CHESHIRE — Temple Beth David, 3 Main St., Cheshire, is closed, but virtual events are being held on the online platform Zoom and on Facebook Live.
To reach the temple, email office@tbdcheshire.org or call 203-272-0037; Rabbi Micah is always available to talk at rabbiMicah@tbdcheshire.org.