RELIGION Church planning holiday fair

CCA plans groundbreaking ceremony

NEW HAVEN — Christian Community Action, Inc. will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 11 to mark the start of renovations at its transitional housing location in the Newhallville section of New Haven, at 660 Winchester Avenue, according to a statement.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz will join CCA staff, Board Members, volunteers, and the benefactor who made the renovations possible.

Shuttered due to the cuts in federal funding in 2018, CCA’s transitional housing program begins its renewal with renovations to all its apartments. This work could not be more timely for the citizens and city of New Haven, as the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic puts an even greater number of families at risk of homelessness.

Since 1967, CCA has served its neighbors through its food pantry, emergency shelter, diaper bank, social services through its ARISE Center, and grassroots advocacy to “provide Help, Housing, and Hope for those who are poor in New Haven.”

For more information, contact Dianne Longofono at the numbers or email listed above.

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.

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/videoconferencing.

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 203-2720037; Rabbi Micah is always available to talk at rabbiMicah@tbdcheshire.org.

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

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.

Tuesdays through Sept. 8, 5:30-7 p.m., Abel’s will have a food truck at CBJ. Meals can be pre-ordered and picked up in the parking lot.

The Big Read for this year’s second day of Rosh Hashanah is Ta-Nehisi Coates “Between the World and Me”.

Sign up now 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.

Clothing donation shed closed for now

NORTHFORD — St. Andrew's Episcopal Church has temporarily closed its clothing donation shed, according to a statement.

St. Andrew's partners with St. Pauly Textile to redistribute the clothing donations to people in need around the world.

“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in difficulty redistributing the clothing due to international border closings and other issues. St. Andrew's and St. Pauly Textile hope the shed will be reopened soon,” members said in a statement. For information, Ccontact Nan Monde at 203-710-7005.

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 Corona virus, 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 860-304-9853.

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 https://www.facebook.com/ShorelineChurchCt/ & 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.