Faith features

News of a religious nature may be submitted for Faith Features to editor@NewsHerald.com; The NewsHerald, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; or faxed to 440-975-2293. Deadline is the Tuesday before the Saturday of publication. We cannot guarantee publication.

Holing Hiking: St. Gabriel parish in Concord Township is offering opportunities this fall that will help enlighten and strengthen faith. Join in God’s Creation at local parks to pray, reflect, and hike! Fr. David Stavarz will lead the reflections and hikes while participants focus on the Gospel of Luke on the following dates, times, and locations — Aug. 31 Luke 14:1, 7-14, The Wedding Feast, Location: Lake Erie Bluffs; Sept. 14 — Luke 15: 1-32, The Good Shepherd, Location: Girdled Road Reservation/Skok Meadow; Sept. 28 — Luke 16: 19-31, Lazarus and the Rich Man, Location: Penitentiary Glen Reservation; Oct. 12 — Luke 17: 11-19, Jesus, the Healer, Location: Chapin Forest Reservation; Oct. 26 — Luke 18: 9-14, Prayer of a Penitent Man Location: Lake Erie Bluffs Nov. 9 — Luke 20: 27-38, The Resurrection of the Dead, Location: Girdled Road Reservation/ Skok Meadow. Required registration (no cost) and more details for Holy Hiking can be found on www.StGabriel.org or call the parish office 440-352-8282. ‘Cruise-In’ Car and Motorcycle show:

Custom and vintage cars and motorcycles will be on display from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Vineyard Community Church, 1928 E. 300th St., Wickliffe. The event will feature classic tunes and free food plus fan favorite awards. To find out more, call the church office at 440-944-4402. Blessing of the Pets:

Calling all dogs, cats, hamsters, goldfish and parrots — and any other animal who is part of your family. A “Blessing of the Pets” will be held at Advent Lutheran, 7985 Munson Road, Mentor at 2 p.m. Oct. 5. Pastor Larry Mackey will be blessing the pets. Please meet in the front parking lot where a short service will be conducted to thank God for all the creatures we have been blessed to call part of our family. This

will be held rain or shine (a canopy providing a covered area will be in-place). All are welcome. Walking through grief:

Willoughby United Methodist Church will host a 10-week Walking Through Grief class beginning on Sept. 12 from 7 to p.m. The goal is to be the arms of Jesus to people who are grieving the death of a loved one and give them much needed tools, support, encouragement and hope in their grief journeys. Over 175 people have come through this program since it was started in 2014, and this will be the third class session to meet at WUMC. This class is open to anyone in the community. All materials are provided free of charge and there is no cost to attend. For more information or to register, contact group facilitator Cathy Schneithorst via cellphone at 440-477-2010 or email cathyapicello@sbcglobal.net. Willoughby United Methodist Church is located in downtown Willoughby, across from Point Park. More information is at the church website dtwchurch. org.

Teatime for Peace: In April 2017 Advent Lutheran Church in Mentor sponsored an event called “Teatime for Peace.” Participants were presented with an opportunity to engage in a healthy dialogue with local Muslim brothers and sisters and to learn more about the Muslim faith — thereby promoting love, unity and understanding of a faith that the vast majority of Americans know very little about. In this same spirit of love and unity, Advent Lutheran Church is planning for another event that will expand the dialogue beyond Muslims. It is called Teatime for Peace — The Next Step. The premise of the program is that, when it becomes culturally and politically acceptable to marginalize any one particular group because of their race, creed or religion, it is at that point that all Americans become potential victims of these same discriminatory machinations — be they technically legal or not. Teatime for Peace — The Next Step will be conducted at Advent Lutheran Church, 7985 Munson Road, Mentor from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Registration and gathering

time will begin at 6:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome. Free series at Willoughby

House of Prayer: Are you comfortable praying with others? Doing so is something many of us shy away from needlessly. Come and learn some simple techniques that will increase your comfort level. Discover how you can become more responsive to those opportunities for offering support to others through spontaneous prayer. The sessions entitled “How to Pray with Other People” will be held at the Willoughby House of Prayer, 4091 Erie St., at 6:30 p.m. on five consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning Aug. 14. Call Darlene at 440-537-0687 to register. Caring Christian Women:

The Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve is looking for “Caring Christian Women” to attend an Informational Coffee at 1 p.m. Sept. 6 in the St. Gabriel’s Church community room in Concord Township. If you are a woman of faith and want an opportunity to broaden your friendships while serving the needs of the children of Lake County you will want to attend (registration is required). To receive an invitation and answer any questions, call Jackie Kozich, Membership Chairperson at 440-9746026 or contact your parish rep.

Change in service: Bainbridge Community United Church of Christ, 17751 Chillicothe Road, is changing its worship service the last Sunday of each month. As followers of Jesus we believe thoughts and prayers alone are not enough to change the world into the one Jesus taught about. Additionally, this reflects a change in mission (service) philosophy. There are groups and organizations at all levels of society doing good work. The church doesn’t need to duplicate work that is already happening, but partner with these other organizations to aid in their good work. So to put its faith into action, UMC will be doing a service project during worship. To allow for time to do the project the sermon and member reflection will not occur and instead a short prayer reflection will happen. The service project will change each month and as the congregation lives into this transformation off-site projects are a possibility. This month worship attendees will assemble hygiene kits for Disaster Relief using materials members of the congregation have donated. Bainbridge Community is an Open and Affirming congregation that welcomes everyone regardless of class, race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender expression or sexual orientation. Anyone looking for a spiritual community seeking to transform the world around us is welcome to join in.

Yoga offered: Yoga is offered at Chardon United Methodist Church Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. A gentle, progressive style of yoga suitable for all ages and body types will be offered. On the floor, or on a chair, this class includes Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath practices), and relaxation. No experience is needed. The class is conducted by master teacher and instructor Susan Gundersen. This is a donation class (suggested donation $10) with proceeds going toward the church’s Guatemala mission. To learn more about our Guatemala mission, visit www.chardonchurch.org and click on Worldwide missions. Please bring a yoga mat, light blanket and wear comfortable clothing. Chardon United Methodist Church is at 515 North St. in Chardon. For more information, call the office at (440)285-4581. Support for addiction & incarceration: Are you struggling with addiction? Do you have a loved one or friend who struggles with addiction or is incarcerated? Come experience support and prayer in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Stop in any Thursday between the hours and 5 -8 p.m. The Well – Willoughby House of Prayer, 4091 Erie St., downtown Willoughby. The visits are anonymous, and registration is not required. You may contact Charlie at 440-990-8517 for further information. Support for life’s challenges: It is as simple as stopping in and posting your needs on one of the Willoughby House of Prayer prayer boards or on the outside board. Volunteers will then pray over the request each day. The mission is to

share the peace and serenity of God’s providential care. The Willoughby House of Prayer, 4091 Erie St., Willoughby, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays. Reiki therapy offered:

Mentor Presbyterian Church, 5885 Hopkins Road, Mentor, will offer free Reiki Therapy at 2 p.m. The third Sunday of each month in the newly renovated healing center. Help for physical, emotional and spiritual pain. The healing is also available by appointment by calling Barb at 440-478-2151.

Sunday services: Mentor Presbyterian Church, 5885 Hopkins Road, Mentor, hosts Sunday worship services at 12:30 p.m. Pot luck and worship services are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month and Bible study is 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday mornings.

Prayer line: Lakeshore Christian Church in Euclid sponsors a telephone prayer line every Tuesday from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Join in praying for your church, your community, your friends, family or for yourself. Call 1-605475-4000, access code 554793. Divorce recovery: DivorceCare divorce recovery seminar and support group meets each Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church located at 16391 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge. DivorceCare features nationally recognized experts on divorce and recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “Facing My Anger,” “Facing My Loneliness,” “New Relationships,” “KidCare” and “Forgiveness.” For more information, call Kathryn at 440-241-3281.

Velocity Church: Velocity Church meets in Mentor at the Memorial Middle School, 8979 Mentor Ave. Service begins at 10 a.m. The congregation is family friendly and offers something for everyone. Services are open to the public. For more information, visit www. velocitycleveland.org.

Bible classes: Want to take Bible school classes without moving away? You can attend Abundant Life Bible Training Center from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays beginning in September. The course will use the AFCMITC DVD Bible school course in order to grow faith and knowledge of God and the Bible. Classes will be at Abundant Life Community Church, 38301 Lake Shore Blvd., Willoughby. For more information, visit alcc.church/school or leave a message at 440-9465952. Women’s Fellowship:

Fellowship and sharing is the focus for women from 5 to 7:30 p.m. one Sunday a month at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 32114 Vine St., Willowick. Please call the Parish office for details at 440-943-2133.