Local notes

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, 2925 N. Old Missouri Road, presents the spring concert tour of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. The college choir, chamber choir and hand bell ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. March 18. This year’s performance features the cantata Rejoice

in the Lamb by Benjamin

Britten.

Information: 521-2113, gslcfayetteville.org.

Temple Shalom of Northwest Arkansas in

Fayetteville, 699 N. Sang Ave., presents a naming ceremony for a number of young people at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Traditionally, Jews outside of Israel have Jewish (usually Hebrew) names as well as secular names. Traditionally, children get their names a few days after birth, but it doesn’t often doesn’t happen in modern society, according to Jacob Adler, rabbi of the temple.

For a Jewish naming, a brief ceremony is performed, which often includes friends and family members of the new baby, according to the website of the Union for Reform Judaism. The chosen Hebrew name could be a name that sounds like or begins with the same sound of the baby’s secular name. Often a Hebrew name is selected because the meaning of the word has significance to the family. During the ceremony, the parents explain their choice of name and its significance. Blessing are said during the ceremony acknowledging the child has been entered into a brit —a covenant — with God, and for the child’s well-being. The traditional wish is offered — that this child may grow into a life of study of Torah, of loving relationships, and the performance of good deeds.

Information: 973-2702, templeshalomnwa.org. First Presbyterian

Church in Springdale, 100 S. Gutensohn Road, begins its Lenten activities with a soup supper at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a Service of Ashes at 6:30 p.m.

The church offers inter-generational Lenten fellowships March 8 to April 5. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m., with classes on spiritual disciplines

at 6:15 p.m. Nursery care is available.

Beyond the Broken Heart is a support group for anyone who is grieving. The class meets from 10 to 11 a.m. every Thursday.

Information: 751-2040, fpcspringdale.org. First United Methodist

Church in Springdale, 206 W. Johnson Ave., offers an Ash Wednesday worship service with imposition of ashes at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The church presents Amber C. Haines, a Fayetteville writer and poet, as its “local artist for Lent.” She will present spoken word reflections during Lenten worship services at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. March 5 to April 9. The church’s local arts initiative exists “to enliven the Christian imagination by creating opportunities for engagement with the arts and supporting local artists in Northwest Arkansas.” Haines’ work can be seen at amberchaines.com.

Information: 751-4610, firstchurchspringdale.org.

“America Sings: A Choral Reading Festival” is offered March 11, by the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the American Guild of Organists, at First United Methodist Church in Springdale, 206 W. Johnson Ave. Lawrence Zehring, director of music ministries at First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, will introduce shape note, gospel and revival traditions in the works of William Billings (1746 to 1800), regarded as the first American choral composer.

The event is free, with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. Participants present a public concert at 1:30 p.m.

Information: 283-5500, jeanniekecklee@gmail.com. The Tibetan Cultural

Institute of Arkansas presents a mental health seminar on death and dying from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the Arkansas Union theater on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville. Seminar leaders include Sidney Burris, director of the honors study program; Dent Gitchel, assistant professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Geshe Dakpa Topgyal, who holds a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy and religion; and Geshe Thupten Dorjee, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas.

Registration is $25 for UA students and $50 for others.

Information: artibet.org/livingdying, drsaramiller@gmail.com.

BENTON COUNTY

Brightwater Memorial United Methodist Church and Pea Ridge United Methodist Church offer a combined Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Pea Ridge church, 1205 N. Davis St.

The Brightwater congregation, 14108 E. Highway 62 in Rogers, offers Lenten studies at 10 a.m. each Tuesday, March 7 to April 11. The Pea Ridge congregation offers the Lenten studies at 6 p.m. each Tuesday.

Information: 451-8161, 451-1616 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rogers, 824 W. Oak St., celebrates Shrove Tuesday with a free pancake supper at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Eating pancakes is a traditional feast before the fasting days of Lent.

The church offers two Ash Wednesday services with imposition of ashes at noon and 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Information: 636-4042. First United Methodist Church in Rogers, 307 W. Elm St., offers “Ashes to Go,” an alternative for those unable to attend an Ash Wednesday worship service. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Rev. Michael Mattox will be located at the corner of Eighth and Walnut streets, and the Rev. Sandi Wanasek will be near the Frisco caboose at the corner of Walnut and First streets. Drivers may pull over, and the pastors will impose ashes for the cars’ occupants.

The church offers a traditional Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the church sanctuary.

Information: 631-7997, fumcrogers.org.

REGION

St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, 1301 S. Albert Pike Ave., sponsors a rummage sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the monastery. Items include bedding, jewelry, decorations, trinkets and treasures, as the sisters prepare for their move into a smaller monastery.

Information: 783-4147, stscho.org.