“March for Our Lives”

Congregation Beth Or: On March 24 members of Beth Or will be meeting up with other buses organized by Cease Fire PA to join in solidarity with the Parkland students in a March for Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC. The bus departs at 7:30 a.m. from Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin, and will return at approximately 7:30 p.m. Register with bus captain Leslie Weiss at leslie weiss 209@ gm ail. com. Make your $54 check payable to Congregation Beth Or.

“Morning Joe”

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: Celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph’s Day after the 8:30 a.m. Mass March 19 with a free hot cup of coffee and a traditional “Saint Joseph Table” of bread and pastries in the church’s narthex, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. A special gift will be given to anyone with the name Joseph (while supplies last). Coffee can also be taken to go.

New appreciation

Blooming Glen Mennonite Church: Every five years since 1998, the church has presented performances of “The Song of Mark” by Marty Haugen — a performance work based on the Gospel of Mark with solo, adult and children’s voices and instrumental ensemble. The fifth presentation of this work includes two performances directed by Michael Bishop at 6:30 p.m. March 24-25 both at 713 Blooming Glen Road, Hilltown Township. A free-will offering will be received. For more information, call (215) 257-3431 or visit www.bgmc.net.

Upcoming conference

Indian Valley Country Club: “Faith in the Marketplace” is presented by Biblical Theological Seminary 7:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. March 23 at the IVCC, 650 Bergey Road, Franconia Township. Cost is $35. Go to www.biblical.edu/events.

Come to bid

Grace Christian School: The school at Penn Valley Church, 320 N. Third St., Telford, holds its annual Spring Auction 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24. Highlights include live and silent auctions, kids’ entertainment and games, and food.

Prayer walk

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. March 21 prayerfully journey through self-guided meditations developed by Catholic Relief Services. This indoor prayer walk, similar to the Stations of the Cross, will be available throughout the day. There is no cost to participate and no registration is necessary. The church is at Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Visit www.stmariagoretti.net.

Easter enjoyment

Trinity Lutheran Church: Children 3-11 are welcome to participate in an Easter egg hunt at 11:45 a.m. March 25. The church is at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. Mater Dei Catholic School: From 8 a.m. to noon March 25 will be a “Pictures with the Easter Bunny” event, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Pius IX Council during their monthly Breakfast with the Knights. There will be a pancake and sausage breakfast. Cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more. Breakfast is held in the school’s cafeteria, 493 E. Main St., Lansdale. Visit www.koc4396.org for more information. Blooming Glen Mennonite Church: A free Easter Egg Hunt for ages 12 and under is held rain or shine at 9 a.m. March 24 at the church at 713 Blooming Glen Road, Hilltown Township. For information, call (215) 2573431 or visit www.bgmc. net. Bring an Easter basket. Christ Reformed Church at Indian Creek: A Children’s Easter Fest is offered at 2 p.m. March 24, with an Easter egg hunt for ages 2-10, games, prizes, a puppet show and food. Check it out at 171 Church Road, Franconia Township.

Stained glass art on view

Congregation Beth Or: “From Darkness into Light,” a selection of glass windows by artist and congregant Jill Tarabar, is on exhibit through April 11 at Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. For more information, call Karen at (267) 975-7555.

Let’s talk

North Penn Mosque: Join Moulana Abu Rashed for a weekly halaqa at 5 p.m. every Saturday after magrib salah. Various family-friendly topics will be covered each week. The halaqa will be informal, with a potluck. Bringing a dish to share is encouraged, but not required to attend. The mosque is at 600 Maple Ave., Lansdale.

Retreat invitation

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church: “My Heart is Glad Because You Live, Oh Christ” is the theme of a Lent Retreat sponsored by the Philadelphia Community of Communion and Liberation, and held 1 to 4 p.m. today at the St. Stanislaus Parish Center, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale. The lesson and discussion will be led by Father Philip Forlano, parochial administrator of St. Stanislaus Parish. All are welcome to join in song, silent reflection and witness. For more information, contact: Fran at (215) 605-4145 or fmordell@ gmail.com.

Faith and culture

North Penn Mosque: A workshop on “African-American Muslim Legacy” starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight at 600 Maple Ave., Lansdale. Refreshments will be provided. Visit www.facebook.com/ pg/NorthPennMosque.

Lenten meditations

Christ Reformed Church at Indian Creek: At 6 p.m. March 21 partake in a light supper, followed by a Lenten Service, at 171 Church Road, Franconia Township. St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: During a weekly “Saints for Life” series you can learn about the life of a saint that spearheaded the Church’s rebirth after the Protestant Reformation. Meet in the lower level of the St. Maria Goretti Parish Center, Cowpath and Derstine roads, Hatfield. Each session includes breakfast refreshments, a 30-40 minute DVD presentation and a brief time of discussion. At 9:30 a.m. March 13, the focus will be on “Saint Francis de Sales: Pastor of Souls.” Register at angela. mcclellan@stmariagoretti. net or (215) 721-0199, ext. 202. Church of the Holy Spirit: From 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 22, partake in a potluck soup and salad supper, followed by a discussion of “Practices of Love: Spiritual Disciplines for the Life of the World.” The church is at Sumneytown Pike and Barndt Road, Upper Salford. Call (215) 234-8020 or visit www.churchoftheholyspirit. us.

Let’s eat

Lansdale Presbyterian Church: The church at 450 Oak Park Road, Hatfield Township, hosts a free meal at 1 p.m. March 25. All are welcome and reservations are not necessary. For more information call (215) 3681119. Christ Covenant Church: The church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, offers a free Community Hot Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. the last Saturday of every month. For more information call (215) 256-8101 or visit www.christ-covenant.org. St. Mary Catholic Church: Lenten Dinners, with options to sit down or take out, are served 4 to 7 p.m. March 23 in the Saint Mary Parish Hall, 40 Spring Mount Road, Lower Frederick. Menu items include fried fish, meatless spaghetti with buttered bread, and grilled cheese, in addition to a weekly special of crab cakes. Adult meals include a choice of two sides — French fries, cole slaw, tossed salad or meatless spaghetti, a beverage and homemade dessert. Children’s meals for kids under 12 are also available, including meatless spaghetti with buttered bread, small fried fish platter or grilled cheese. All children’s meals include a choice of one side, a beverage and a homemade dessert. Children 3 and under are free. Go to www.churchofsaintmary.org or call (610) 287-8156. Trinity Lutheran Church: Join in a community meal every Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. The meal is a freewill donation of $3 per person. The church is at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale.

Special services

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church: Tom Tomlinson of Lansdale United Methodist Church will deliver the message “Giving Up Popularity” during a Lans dale Community Lenten Service at 7 p.m. March 21 at the church at Fourth and Broad streets. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall. Trinity Lutheran Church: Lent Wednesday worship at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, includes a Service of the Word at noon and Holden Evening Prayer at 7:30 p.m. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: Thirty-minute evening prayer services, with candlelight, procession by the confirmation students, music, reflection and individual prayer time, are held during Lent at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The theme is “Giving Up Complacency.” A soup supper will be provided at 5:30 that evening in the fellowship hall. Call (215) 699-4604. Congregation Beth Or: A Celebrations Shabbat will be held at noon the second Saturday of each month during the school year. This program provides a simplified service with rabbinic intern Janine Jankovitz Pastor. Beth Or is at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin.

Preschool registration open

Zion Mennonite Church: Enrollment is open for the 2018-2019 school year at Zion Mennonite Nursery School on Cherry Lane in Souderton. They offer classes for 3-, 4- and 5-yearolds. For more information, call (215) 723-3592, go to www.zionmennonite.org or stop by a new student open house from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 21. Trinity Lutheran Church: Children that will be 4 years old by Sept. 1 can be signed up for preschool for the 2018-2019 school year. The 3-year-old and 4-year-old morning class will meet 9:15 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The 4- and 5-year-old prekindergarten morning class will be held 9:15 to 11:45 a.m. weekdays. Contact Lisa at lcorr@trinitylansdale.com.

Music notes

Hopewell Christian Fellowship: Enjoy an evening with singer/songwriter Kathy Troccoli at 6:30 p.m. March 25. Tickets are free. Call the church office at (215) 721-0834 to pick up your ticket. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. The church is at 601 Hunsicker Road, Franconia Township. Immanuel Leidy’s Church: The Penn View Brass Band, a British-style brass band based in Montgomery County, presents its Spring Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary at 273 W. Cherry Lane, Franconia Township. Keystone Opportunity Center is the beneficiary of the concert, during which a free-will offering will be received for that service agency. The band consists of 28 brass and percussion musicians. The concert will feature patriotic, popular, sacred, jazz, film and Broadway songs. Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel: On Sunday the synagogue will present cellist Peter Wiley and pianist Anna Polonsky in a duo recital. Tickets are $45 and include a buffet style lunch, beginning at noon. Keneseth Israel is at 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park. Call (215) 887-8700. St. John’s United Church of Christ: The next St. John’s Artist Series event is an “Explore the Psalms” choir and organ concert with the St. John’s Chancel Choir and Friends, David Furniss and Kevin Freaney at 4 p.m. March 25. Admission is free and a free-will offering will

be taken. The St. John’s United Ringers will play the spiritual “Deep River,” arranged by Kevin McChesney, and “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise,” arranged by Douglas E. Weaver, during the 10:15 a.m. service Sunday. In addition the Chancel Choir will sing “Like as the Hart” by Herbert Howells. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www.st-johns-ucc.org. Gwynedd Square Presbyterian Church: The second annual Lenten Concert Series features a “Bach’s Birthday Celebration” with Muse Camerata at 6:45 p.m. March 21 at the church, 837 Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd. A free will offering will be accepted at the door. For more information, v is itwww.g wyn ed d square. org or www.facebook.com/ GSPChurch. Perkasie Mennonite Church: The Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse presents music by Coracree on March 17. Bob Mecklenburger opens the evening. Doors will open at 7 p.m. at 320 W. Chestnut St., Perkasie. The performances begin at 7:30. Cost is $12, $10 for adults over 65, $6 for students 13 and up, free to children 12 and under. Desserts and drinks will be available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Pennridge FISH (Fellowship In Serving Humanity), a local, non-profit food pantry and clothing outlet. The building is wheelchair accessible. Visit www.perkmenno. net.

Shop here

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The St. Peter’s Thrift Shop, 211 S. Main St., North Wales, is open Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Signs of spring are here, with a buy-one-get-one sale, as well as children’s and some women’s clothing for less than $1. Browse a selection of books, frames, artwork, jewelry, toys, attic treasures,

linens, vintage items, CDs and DVDs. Call (215) 699-4604.

For men

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: Men of all ages are welcome to That Man Is You 7 to 8:30 a.m. Saturdays in the lower level of the Parish Center, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. TMIY is a program for men organized around a central theme, and presented through the lens of seven steps. Each morning session has three components: a social gathering over breakfast refreshments, a 30-minute DVD presentation and opportunity for discussion. The program addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture. For more information, or to register, contact Bill at tmiysmg@gmail.com or (215) 721-0199, ext. 254.

Need work?

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: St. Joseph’s People, a group which assists the unemployed and underemployed, meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month in the Parish Center Library, Derstine and Cowpath road, Hatfield. Contact Nancy at nancyboak@aol.com.

Parents and kids

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A Play and Pray Moms and Tots group meets 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursdays in the Parish Center basement at Cowpath and Derstine roads, Hatfield. Mothers, grandmothers and their little ones, infant through age 5, are welcome to join. Contact Janna at jlkerr8@gmail.com.

Gather together

Souderton Mennonite Church: A support group for dementia caregivers is held at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Connections Cafe, across from the Fellowship Hall at 105 W. Chestnut St., Souderton. Church of the Holy Spirit: An Al-Anon Family Group, Pathway to Peace, meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays at the church, Sumneytown Pike and Barndt Road, Upper Salford. If you have, or have

had, a family member, friend or coworker whose drinking or drug use is affecting or troubling you, contact Judy at jemorice@gmail.com. Bethel Hill United Methodist Church: A Prayers Regarding Addiction Recovery prayer group meets at noon the last Sunday of each month in the church sanctuary, 2000 Bethel Road, Worcester. All are welcome. Plains Mennonite Church: Parents and caregivers of a child with autism or Asperger’s syndrome are invited to join a monthly support group that meets at 7 p.m. the second Friday of the month at the church, 50 W. Orvilla Road, Hatfield. Give and receive emotional and practical support, as exchange information and stories to be more effectively equipped with skills and insights to parent children on the autism spectrum. To RSVP or for more information, go to http://plainsmennonitechurch.org/eventscalendar/everyone or call (215) 362-7640. Congregation Beth Or: If you or someone you know is struggling with a challenging life moment or transition, support is available. Cantor David Green facilitates counseling and support groups for a variety of issues, including bereavement (a support group meets the last Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m.), divorce, adult care giving, mental health and addition. Contact dgreen@bethor. org or (215) 646-5806, ext. 218. Fairview Village Church: Celebrate the Journey, a Bible-based support/recovery program, meets at 6:45 p.m. Fridays at The Village Norristown, 329 E. Main St., Norristown, and 6:45 p.m. Mondays at Fairview Village Church, 3044 W. Germantown Pike, Worcester. Large group gathering of prayer and praise, as well as a lesson, begins at 6:45 and small group time takes place from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Most groups are genderbased — men with men, and women with women. Some groups address a specific need; others are designed to allow each person to bring their unique challenges to

a safe place. Each group is strictly confidential and is led by trained leaders with similar life experiences. For information on the Friday Celebrate the Journey, contact Megan at megan. brooks@fvcn.org or (610) 539-3333, ext. 7729. For information on the Monday Celebrate the Journey, contact Pastor Kelly Yetter at Kelly.yetter@fvcn.org or (610) 539-3333, ext. 7717. Christ Lutheran Church: A local chapter of PFLAG, the national organization that supports Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbian/Gay and Transgender individuals, meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month in Weaver Hall. For questions or additional information, contact Sue at sdaubert@ yahoo.com. Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church: Singles Connection, a non-denominational Bux-Mont area group for single, widowed, divorced and separated adults age 45+ meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the church, 165 W. Main St. (Route 113), Silverdale. For information, call (215) 5939995 or email carolonline1@ verizon.net. Celebrate Recovery: This group meets 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at Franconia Mennonite Church, Route 113, Franconia. All are welcome.

Holy Hour

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: The monthly Holy Hour to pray for the needs of the church (especially vocations to the priesthood) will be held on the Thursday evening, before the first Friday of every month, at 7 p.m. The church is at Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield.

Study

Church of the Holy Spirit: A study of the New Testament is held at 10 a.m. March 22. The church is at Sumneytown Pike and Barndt Road, Upper Salford. Email Rev. Marge Dean at revexmarge@gmail.com. Congregation Beth Or: Torah study is held at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, after the 9 a.m. Shabbat Worship, at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin.

Trinity Lutheran Church: A Bible study exploring the Acts of the Apostles is held 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays in Room 125⁄127. Bring your favorite Bible translation. The church is at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. Central Schwenkfelder Church: Spend Thursday nights reading and studying the Old Testament with a Bethel Bible Program (now in its 44th year). The program meets 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through May in the church’s Bethel Room, 2111 S. Valley Forge Road, Worcester. Dates will be decided by the class members and meetings will not be held on the fourth Thursday of the month. Each lesson has a picture with concepts noted, with several pages of reading, as well as assignments of scripture. For those who have previously taken the course, it has changed — with new pictures and detailed study guides. Register with the church office, or call Allen at (610) 584-5379 or e-mail tennislob31@comcast.net.

Play time

Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church: Winter Wednesday Bingo will be held March 21. Doors open at 5 p.m., with food available for purchase, and the games begin at 6:30. Admission is $10 for boards, $15 for paper. The church is at 1564 Allentown Road, Towamencin. Weekly Wednesday Bingo resumes on April 4. Call (215) 3629599. St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church: The church at 1545 Easton Road, Warrington, hosts bingo Tuesday nights. Games start at 6:45 p.m. and cost is $13, extra for bonus sheets and rip-offs. Visit www.stanneukrainiancc.com or email stannesecretary@ comcast.net.

Help others

Congregation Beth Or: An American Red Cross blood drive is held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 25 at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. Call (800) RED-CROSS. Trinity Lutheran Church: Volunteer your time to help homeless men in the Montgomery County area

during cold winter nights at a Code Blue shelter at the church. Available shifts are intake runs from 8 p.m. to midnight, overnights from midnight to 6 a.m. and breakfast shifts from 6 to 8 a.m. Sign at www.trinitylansdale.com. Also, the shelter is in need of men’s boots, jeans, socks, gloves, underwear (medium and large), T-shirts and hand warmers. Contact Joe at (215) 375-2928 for more information or to volunteer. Christ Covenant Church: During March, Christ Covenant Church, 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will be supporting the Lamb Foundation’s Cornucopia Cupboard with donations of non-perishable food. Items especially needed in restocking their food pantry are: canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, gravy, 100 percent juice, pasta and pasta sauce, rice, beans, instant pudding, dry cereal, oatmeal, canned soups, canned tuna and salmon, dried fruit, disposable razors, deodorant, bar soap, shampoo, bleach, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, paper towels, toilet paper and all other supplies. Contributions may be dropped off at the church office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 9 to noon. Call (215) 256-8101 or visit www. christ-covenant.org.

Try tai chi

Church of the Holy Spirit: A tai chi class for beginners is held at 10 a.m. Saturdays at the church at Sumneytown Pike and Barndt Road, Upper Salford. An intermediate level class starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturdays.

Got wine?

Congregation Beth Or: The Brotherhood group offers a Passover wine sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday and March 25 in the Spain Lobby, 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin.