Health Fair

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir: The annual health fair is a community event that strives to improve health awareness of the community and connect individuals to health care professionals. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 30 physicians, pharmacists and other medical professionals will be available to provide guidance, counseling and health screenings. BAPS is at 2021 E. Township Line Road, Hatfield Township. For more information contact bapscharitieslansdale@ gmail.com or (215) 799-2277.

Service notes

Congregation Beth Or: On the first Fridays of the month at 6:30 p.m. there will be family services in the Gitlin Sanctuary and Kabbalat Shabbat in the Jayne Haines Memorial Chapel. All other Fridays are Shabbat worship services in the Gitlin Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. A dessert oneg follows all services. Erev Simchat Torah Worship and Consecration starts at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30. Simchat Torah Worship and Yikzor starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 1, followed by brunch. The synagogue is at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin.

Blessing of the Animals

St. John’s United Church of Christ: The annual Blessing of the Animals is held under the shade tree in the church’s meditation garden at noon Sept. 30. All “parents” are invited to bring their pets, or a photo of their pets, for a special blessing. All are welcome. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www. st-johns-ucc.org. Grace United Methodist Church: A Blessing of The Animals is held at 1 p.m. Oct. 6 in the church parking lot at 295 S. Main St., Telford.

Faith forum

Church of the Holy Spirit: The First Friday Adult Faith Forum will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at the church at 2871 Barndt Road, Upper Salford, featuring a video presentation by author and theologian Dr. Peter Enns on his book “For the Bible Tells Me So.” The event begins with a potluck supper, followed by the film and discussion. For more information visit www.churchoftheholyspirit. us. Trinity Lutheran Church: From 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Sundays adults and young adults are welcome to “Learning Connections.” “Life & Faith: Difficult Conversations” meets in the church library, and explores why it is important to have difficult conversations, and techniques for how we can have them. “Bible Basics: How Do Lutherans Interpret the Bible?” meets in Room 126. “Go Deeper: Animate” meets in Room 125⁄127. Trinity is at 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale.

Sign up

Congregation Beth Or: Sign up by Oct. 1 at www.bethor.org/ apex-dc-trip for a Washington DC bus trip on Oct. 14, hosted by the Adult Programming Experience Committee. Visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and tour their new exhibit at the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide on the war in Syria. Also on the itinerary is a stop at the Sixth and I Synagogue, with a guided tour, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Bagel breakfast and boxed dinner will be provided. Cost is $50 per person, and does not include lunch.

Open house

Dock Mennonite Academy: An open house for prospective high school students and their families is set for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 6. Learn about the school’s academics, athletics, art, music and other opportunities. The school is at Forty Foot and Detweiler roads, Towamencin.

Take a walk

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: The Friends of the Poor Walk/Run is a national event coordinated by the Development Team at the National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It steps off at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 29 at the church in Hatfield. For more information contact Therese at (215) 855-2852 or Helen at (215) 723-7422.

Study

Montco Bible Fellowship: “How to Understand the Bible” is the topic of Wednesday night Bible study, held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the church at 160 E. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-0899 or visit www.montcobf.org.

Music notes

Zwingli United Church of Christ: Enjoy an afternoon concert with jazz guitarist Pete Smyser and Friends at 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at 350 Wile Ave., Souderton. A free will offering will be taken, and a reception will follow the concert. Visit www.zwingli. org or call (215) 723-1186. Church of the Holy Spirit: A concert featuring Philadelphia area chamber music performers Edward Schultz on flute and Jeffrey Uhlig on piano music will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the church at 2871 Barndt Road and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford. Schultz is the principal flutist for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, the Academy of Vocal Arts Opera Orchestra and the Philly Pops. Uhlig is a faculty member at the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia and has been accompanist for The Philadelphia Orchestra, The New York Philharmonic and The Metropolitan Opera. A freewill offering will be received and a dessert reception follows. For more information call (215) 234-8020 or visit www.churchoftheholyspirit.us. St. John’s United Church of Christ: The ensemble United Voices at St. John’s will sing “Creator God We Sing” by Carlos Rosas and “Peace be with You” by Dosia Carlson at the 10:15 a.m. service on Sept. 30. In addition, the Chancel Choir will sing “The Lone, Wild Bird,” arranged by David N. Johnson, Kathleen Siddall soloist. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. Family Worship Center: Christian country music artists Jackson Heights (made up of former members of the Dixie Melody Boys and the DMB Band) perform in concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 6. Admission is free and a free will offering will be received. The church is at 1000 Troxel Road, Towamencin.

For kids

Trinity Lutheran Church: If you have a 3- to 5-year-old that loves to sing, move to the beat and play instruments, Musikers in the Making classes are held from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the church’s Children’s Music Room, 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. They can learn about different types of music and experiment with percussion instruments. The theme this year focuses on the story of Noah’s ark. Each child must be accompanied by one adult who loves to share their interest in music. Register at www.trinitylansdale. com/forms. For questions contact Trudy at (215) 855-9202 or 2.trudy.phillips@gmail.com. Zion Mennonite Church: My Toddler and Me is an opportunity for parents and other caregivers of 2- and 3-year-olds to get out and to meet others. Enjoy stories and crafts 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at 149 Cherry Lane, Souderton. For more information call the church at (215) 7233592 or visit www.zionmennonite.org. St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A Mom and Tot group meets at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays in the Parish Hall, Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. Grace Bible Fellowship Church: Wednesday Night Kids Clubs for boys in first- through fifth-grade and girls in kindergarten through fifth-grade meet 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday nights through May. Register at www. gracebiblesouderton.org/kids-1. The church is at 423 Main St., Souderton.

Festival atmosphere

North Penn Mosque: Community Day 2018 is held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 29 for neighbors to get to know one another and to celebrate diversity. There will be free food, games and health screenings and tours of the mosque at 600 Maple Ave., Lansdale. Church of the Holy Spirit: The Episcopal church at 2871 Barndt Road, Upper Salford, holds an Oktoberfest and Car-Truck Cruise-In 3 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29. Highlights include food, vehicles and crafts for children. Proceeds will be donated to the adult literacy programs at Keystone Opportunity Center. Cost is $10, $5 for children. Call (215) 2348020. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The annual Oktoberfest and North Wales Community Day is held 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 29 11:30 AM- 6 PM. German food, beer, music, gift baskets, raffles, children’s games and crafts under the tents and parking lots of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 211 S. Main Street. And vendors, food and games in the nearby borough streets and Weingartner Park. Gwynedd Square Presbyterian Church: From 4 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 it’s a Fall Fun Day, featuring a car show, pet adoptions and blessings, a DJ and a Molly’s Country Kennels agility show. You can register your car online at www.gwyneddsquare.org or call (215) 699-9159.

Support Christian truckers

Family Heritage Restaurant: Transport for Christ presents a truck show and dinner concert Sept. 29 at the restaurant on Route 113, Franconia. For tickets and more information call Sam at (215) 872-8426.

Shopping time

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The church’s thrift shop at 211 S. Main St., North Wales, is celebrating its 27th season benefiting local charities. Hours are Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (open until 3 p.m. on Sept. 29). Browse a new fall boutique line, books, music, attic treasures, housewares, jewelry, linens, vintage items and clothing for women and children. Call (215) 699-4604.

Help others

Christ Covenant Church: During October the church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will be supporting Manna on Main Street with donations of non-perishable goods. Items especially needed in restocking their pantry are: canned meat (tuna, salmon, clams, Spam, ham), canned fruit, desert mixes and baking needs (flour, baking soda, sugar, oil,) unsweetened cereal, toothpaste and shampoo. General non-food needs include: diapers, baby wipes and baby hygiene items (shampoo, lotion, powder), diapers size 5, 6 and pull ups, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, laundry detergent, razors, deodorant, shower gel and hand soap, feminine care items, conditioner and hair brushes, cleaning products (bathroom cleaner, window cleaner, dish soap), lotions, lip balm, Vaseline. General food needs: canned soups, dried fruit, tomato sauce, diced/whole tomatoes, pasta, rice, oatmeal, pancake mix, peanut butter and jelly, dried/canned beans, baked beans, canned carrots; glutenfree and low-sodium heart healthy products are useful. Contributions may be dropped off at the church office Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 to noon. Call (215) 256-8101 or visit christ-covenant.org.

Let’s eat

Lansdale Presbyterian Church: The church at 450 Oak Park Road, Hatfield Township, hosts a free meal at 1 p.m. Sept. 30. All are welcome and reservations are not necessary. For more information call (215) 368-1119. St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: The First Thursday Breakfast Club is held following the 8:30 a.m. Mass Oct. 4 in the SMG Parish narthex, Derstine and Cowpath Roads, Hatfield, and provides a way for people to gather together in friendship following their time spent together in worship and prayer. Coffee, tea, juice and breakfast refreshments are served. Nonparishioners are always welcome. The Breakfast Club is automatically cancelled when a funeral is scheduled for the same morning. Visit www.stmariagoretti.net or call (215) 721-0199, ext. 202. 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 christcovenant.org.

Gather together

Zion Mennonite Church: A Grief Share support group meets 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays at 149 Cherry Lane, Souderton. Call (215) 723-3592 for more information. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: People Undergoing Pain meets every Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. at the church, 211 S. Main St., North Wales. Souderton Mennonite Church: A support group for dementia caregivers is held at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday 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. 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/events-calendar/everyone or call (215) 362-7640. Franconia Mennonite Church: Celebrate Recovery meets 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the church on Route 113, Franconia. All are welcome.

Try tai chi

Church of the Holy Spirit: Tai chi sessions for beginners are held at 10 a.m. Saturdays at the church, Barndt Road and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford. Intermediate level sessions are held at 8 a.m. Saturdays.