RELIGION Beth Israel Synagogue is

Franciscan Life Center receives grant

MERIDEN — Franciscan Life Center staff members, Sister John Frances LaFever, FSE, Business Manager; Sister Mary Elizabeth Endee, FSE, Director; receive instruction from Eric Brodeur, Phonetel, Inc., on the recently installed telephone system.

The replacement of the old telephone is possible because of a 2019 grant request and the generosity of the John G. Martin Foundation.

This contribution is helping the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and the staffs of the Franciscan Life Center, Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care and Franciscan Ever There Care, be more effective and efficient with client services, operations, and one another.

According to its website, “The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, a community of religious women, was founded in 1973 and is approved as a pontifical order by the Roman Catholic Church. Guided by the leadership of its foundresses, Mother Rosemae Pender and Mother Shaun Vergauwen, the community has flourished since its beginnings and now, under the leadership of Mother Miriam Seiferman, Mother General, Mother Barbara Johnson, Vicar General, and the new General Council, the Franciscan Community continues to grow with new vocations and new centers in the United States, Italy, the Holy Land and British Columbia.

The motherhouse is in Meriden, not far from the campus of the Franciscan Life Center. Visit the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist website to learn more about the FSE centers and way of life.

The Franciscan Life Center is located at 271 Finch Avenue, Meriden. To reach the center call 203-2378084 or visit https://flcenter.org/

Church planning holiday fair

SEYMOUR — Seymour United Methodist Church, 90 Pearl St., will hold a holiday craft fair 10 a.m-2 p.m., Dec. 8, with handcrafted items, jewelry, fashion, books, baked goods and more.

Soups, sandwiches, hotdogs, deserts will be available to eat in or take out.

For information, email Dottie at besdero@yahoo.com

Christ Episcopal resumes services

ANSONIA — Christ Episcopal Church, 56 South Cliff St., has resumed its services. From June 28 to Sept. 6, morning prayer and a 9 a.m. service will be held.

online

WALLINGFORD — Beth Israel Synagogue, 22 N. Orchard St., Wallingford, is closed.

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.

Visit www.bethisraelwallingford.org for more information.

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 203272-0037; Rabbi Micah is always available to talk at rabbiMicah@tbdcheshire.org.

Congregation B’Nai Jacob schedules services, events

WOODBRIDGE — Congregation B’nai Jacob, 75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge, is continuing to hold services using Zoom. If you don’t know how to Zoom, visit https://www.bnaijacob.org/ or call 203-389-2111.

July 12, 19, 26, 10:15 a.m., Zoom book discussion by Rachel Korazim on “A Trumpet in the Wadi.”

July 16, 6:15 p.m. Welcome, Barbara Haimowitz. Outdoor pizza party. Email the office to register. First 150 people allowed.

July 17, 24: Outdoor evening services can be signed up for now

10 days left to sign up for sweet Honey for Rosh Hashanah.

Weekday minyan services: 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Shabbat Shmooze: Fridays, 6:p.m. followed by service at 6:30 Shabbat morning service: 9:45 a.m. Saturday Bread and Torah 9 a.m. Havdalah service: 8:30 p.m. Bread and Torah, Sundays at 10 a.m.

Pirkei Avot class, Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Church holding can, bottle drive

ANSONIA — Christ Episcopal Church at 56 South Cliff Street, Ansonia (directly across from Ansonia Public Library), is collecting clean bottles and cans.

Grocery stores have closed their bottle redemption centers during the pandemic. Clean bottles and cans can be dropped off in the collection bin next to the office entrance at any time.

First Church continues online worship

OLD SAYBROOK — First Church of Christ Saybrook is continuing online worship. The 9 a.m. Sunday Jazz service and the 10:30 service may be found live at www.facebook.com/firstchurchOS. On Tuesdays, join an online Tuesday morning coffee, conversation, and Corinthians.

To contact First Church of Christ Saybrook info@firstchurchsaybrook.org or www.firstchurchsaybrook.org

Church offers help, online services

OLD LYME — Members of Shoreline Church are offering to pick up and deliver groceries, prescriptions and other essential items to area residents who are at risk of contracting the coronavirus, or who are afraid to go out in public to get the things they need.

Those who live in the following 15 communities who need help just need to e-mail or call the special number provided: Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Clinton, Chester, Deep River, Lyme, East Lyme, South Lyme, Essex, Westbrook, Niantic, Waterford, New London, Salem and Montville.

There is no charge for the services, other than reimbursement for goods picked up and delivered. Being unsure of the duration of this threat, services will remain available until life returns to normal. If anyone is interested in volunteering, call the church at 860304-9853.

If you are a shut-in, at higher risk for the coronavirus, or otherwise feel uncomfortable completing daily routines during the crisis, e-mail the Church at: SLCwillhelp@gmail.com or call 860-304-9853 and leave a message.

The church will live-stream its Sunday morning services throughout the crisis at www.facebook.com/ ShorelineChurchCt/ and at www.shore.sermon.tv

For more information on the church, visit SLC77.com

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

EAST HADDAM — St. Stephen’s will still hold online worship services on Sundays at 10 a.m. St. Stephen’s holds prayer services via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. and noon. See www.StSteves.org for more details on how to participate.

No change: “The Path” online Bible study via Zoom, 8 p.m., Wednesdays

For more information about these and all St. Stephen’s events, visit www.StSteves.org.