Church news
Christ Church Wayside to hold blessing of the animals Oct. 5
will hold a blessing of the animals from 4 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 10350 Rock Point Road in Newburg. All pets are welcome to receive a blessing on this annual festival celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. To ensure all pets’ safety, keep pets contained or constrained. Refreshments will be served. Donations to the Humane Society will be welcomed. For more information, call the Rev. Kate Heichler at 203-415-1962.
Pleasant Grove to install new pastor
will install its ninth pastor at a 2 p.m. service on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 5560 Pleasant Grove Road in Marbury. The public is welcome to come meet the Rev. William Coates, who will take the helm of the 112-year-old church.
First Missionary Baptist Church to hold 60th birthday celebration for pastor
will celebrate the 60th birthday of its pastor, the Rev. Roderick W. McClanahan, beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 46370 Pegg Lane in Lexington Park. The guest preacher will be the Rev. Charles W. McNeill, Jr., pastor of Unity Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. For more information, call 301-863-8388.
Christ Church La Plata to hold blessing of the animals Oct. 6
will hold a blessing of the animals from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 112 Charles St. in La Plata. All pets are welcome to receive a blessing on this annual festival celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. To ensure all pets’ safety, keep pets contained or constrained. Refreshments will be served. Donations to the Humane Society will be welcomed. For more information, call the Rev. Kate Heichler at 203-415-1962 or visit www. christchurchlaplata.org.
Sha’are Shalom releases holiday schedule
of Waldorf has announced its annual high holiday service schedule: Erev Yom Kippur service is at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and Yom Kippur service is at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Congregation Sha’are Shalom, Southern Maryland’s Reform Jewish synagogue, is at 18 Henry Ford Circle in Waldorf.
Marbury Baptist Church to host Russian choral ensemble Oct. 11
will host LYRA choral ensemble at 7 p.m. on Oct 11, at 4670 Bicknell Road in Marbury. LYRA, a cappella choral ensemble of musicians from St. Petersburg, Russia, will perform songs customary to Russian Orthodox churches, as well as traditional Russian folk music. The musicians are graduates of the St. Petersburg Music Conservatory and each perform as soloists at musical theaters in Russia. All are invited to attend. A love offering will be collected during the concert. For more information, go to www.marbur ybaptistchurch.com.
Women’s empowerment retreat Oct. 12
and the Rev. Bonnie Carr will host the second annual women’s empowerment retreat day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 12310 Washington Square in Waldorf. The event will feature prophetess Tiffany Morriar, special guest artist Venegas Woodard and more. Registration is $50. Registration open until Oct. 4. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information or to register, visit www.bonniecarrministries.com.
South Potomac to host coffee house
will host its “Living” Room Coffee House from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, at 4915 Crain Highway in White Plains. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be gospel bluegrass music performed by “Sonrise.” The event is free and family-friendly, but love offerings will be accepted.
Church to hold craft and vendor fair
will host its first fall craft and vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 4535 Piney Church Road in Waldorf. There will be over 30 vendors. Raffle tickets will be sold for items donated by vendors. There will also be food for sale. Raffle tickets and food are cash only. For more information, call the church at 301-645-5000.
St. Paul’s Parish to hold ham and oyster dinner
will host an all-you-can-eat ham and oyster dinner catered by Thompson’s Seafood Catering from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 13500 Baden Westwood Road in Baden. The menu includes fried oysters, glazed and stuffed ham, side dishes, rolls and beverages. The cost is $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 7 to 12 and free for children ages 6 and under. There will also be a bake table and raffle. For reservations or more information, call Wanda at 301888-9217 or Mary Jane at 301-579-2230.
Providence-Fort Washington UMC to hold Trunk or Treat Oct. 26
will hold its “Trunk or Treat” event from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 10610 Old Fort Road in Fort Washington. Wear a fun, family friendly costume and enjoy fun and games. Bring your own treat bucket or bag. Open to children up to 12 years old. For more information, call 240-755-9008.
Hughesville church to hold fall festival
will hold its annual fall festival from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 26 at 8505 Old Leonardtown Road in Hughesville. Bring the family, wear Halloween costumes and meet in the church parking lot for games, treats, contests, snacks and prizes. For more information, call 301-274-3672 or 240-254-3236.
La Plata UMC to hold blessing of the animals
will hold a community-wide Blessing of the Animals from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct 27, at 3 Port Tobacco Road in La Plata. All animals are welcome. Children may bring a stuffed animal for blessing, and pictures of animals that cannot be physically present are welcome as well. The event is free. For more information, call 301934-2288 or visit laplataumc.org.