Church supports continuing relief efforts

BRANFORD — The First Baptist Church on the Green raised more than $7,000 from its Christmas Fair in December 2018, for the continued hurricane relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico.

All profits are being sent through a One Great Hour of Sharing endeavor. “Apart from the vision, generosity, hard work, and phenomenal participation of those inside and outside of our church membership, none of this would be possible,” members said in a statement.

Learn more about the church at www.firstbaptistbranford.com or call 203-488-9777.

Church to hold MLK remembrance service

STRATFORD — A service in remembrance of the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held Sunday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Stratford, 1301 Stratford Avenue, hosted by the Stratford Interfaith Clergy Association.

This year’s service will feature special music from the choirs of Harding High School in Bridgeport and Bunnell High School in Stratford, readings from various holy texts, as well as several readings from Dr. King’s own writings.

“In light of the continued racial tensions in our nation we need to look to the words and actions of Dr. King to remember our call to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, economic and ecological devastation, and seek a moral revival of our nation,” said the Rev. Jeff Lukens, Vice President of the Stratford Interfaith Clergy Association.

This event is open to the public. A free-will offering will be collected to benefit the Stratford Interfaith Clergy Association’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund. Each year the Association awards two scholarships to graduating seniors to students at Bunnell and Stratford High Schools.

Archdiocese to hold Masses of Reparation

In seeking to apply spiritual remedies to the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church and the tragedy it has caused so many victims, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair will be offering three Masses of Reparation at the following parishes on the following dates:

Sunday, Jan. 27: St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish at St. Bartholomew Church, 736 Middle Tpk. East, Manchester, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 16: St. George Parish , 33 Whitfield St., Guilford, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, March 26: Our Lady of Hope Parish at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 78 Litchfield Road, Harwinton, 7 p.m.

Temple Beth David schedules events

CHESHIRE: Temple Beth David, 3 Main St., Cheshire, announces the following events and programs.

Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Micah every Thursday at noon in the TBD social hall. Bring your own lunch;

Youth Shabbat Service: First Friday for youth, 6:30 p.m.

Shabbat service: First Friday, 7 p.m. In this musical Shabbat experience, sing though much of the service. Services are participatory, spiritual, and fun.

Torah study: Join Rabbi Micah and a group of adults for Torah Study on Saturdays beginning at 8:45 a.m. and enjoy coffee, bagels, and a discussion about the weekly parsha.

Teen Torah study: Jan. 12, 10 a.m. Dive into Torah and study the week's parsha with Rabbi Micah while enjoying snacks.

Preschool Story Hour: Jan. 13, 10-11 a.m., Temple Beth David is hosting a preschool story hour to celebrate Tu B’Shevat (”New Year of the Trees”) for children ages birth through five accompanied by a parent or other caregiver. The event is free, and all are welcome to attend. Email education@tbdcheshire.org to RSVP.

Temple Beth David, 3 Main Street, Cheshire, 203-272-0037; www.tbdcheshire.org

Church to host indoor flea markets

SEYMOUR — The Great Hill United Methodist Church, Seymour, will host three indoor flea markets on Jan. 26, Feb. 23 and March 23 in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Sellers are invited to participate in this event. Each 10 ft space is $25. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call Pat at 203-888-0489.

Kol Shira: A Celebration of Jewish Music

NEW HAVEN — Religious school students and teachers, rabbis, cantors, cantorial soloists and instrumentalists from seven area synagogues will come together on Sunday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m., for a morning of singing in celebration of the power of Jewish music.

The concert, which will take place at The Towers, 18 Tower Lane, New Haven, is free and open to the public. RSVP to The Towers if you plan to attend at 203-772-1816,

The participating congregations include Congregations B’nai Jacob (Woodbridge), Mishkan Israel (Hamden) and Or Shalom (Orange); Temple Beth David (Cheshire); Temple Beth Tikvah (Madison), Temple Beth Sholom (Hamden); and Temple Emanuel of Greater New Haven (Orange).

This annual concert is dedicated to the memory of the musical legacy of Debbie Friedman, z’’l, a Jewish musician who died in 2011. In addition to several iconic songs by Friedman, traditional tunes and songs by two generations of musicians who were influenced and inspired by her ability to bring a woman’s voice and perspective into late 20thcentury Jewish music, and to write accessible songs combining liturgy and social commentary, will be performed.

For more information about this event, visit www.tegnh.org, or call the temple office at 203-397-3000.

‘Blossom in Faith’ is school theme

HAMDEN — “Blossom in Faith” is the theme of the Mt. Carmel Church, 3284 Whitney Ave., church school, where free activities are open to all children.

For details, call the church office at 203-248-7408.

Discussion series for people 60-plus

OLD SAYBROOK — The New Adventures Team of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road, is sponsoring a “new adventures” series geared to people 60-plus.

Attendees don’t need to be church members. RSVP to Charlotte Schlesselman at 520-560-0183 or chars1961@gmail.com. For more information, call St. Paul Church at 860-388-2398.

Congregation B’nai Jacob programs

WOODBRIDGE — Congregation B’nai Jacob, 75 Rimmon Road, will hold the following:

⏩ Learning and Prayer, Bread & Torah, Shabbat morning before services, 9-9:45 a.m. Rabbi Shapiro explores the Book of Jonah and the Five Megillot, with bagels and coffee.

⏩ Learning and Prayer, Bread & Torah, Shabbat Morning Before Services, 9-9:45 a.m., Rabbi Shapiro explores the Book of Jonah and the Five Megillot over bagels and coffee.

Call B’nai Jacob at 203-389-2111.

Ansonia church seeks stories of memories

ANSONIA — Christ Episcopal Church, looking toward celebrating its 170th anniversary in 2019, is collecting stories to mark the milestone.

The church will print residents’ memories of family, friends, celebrations and events that connect them to the church.

Submit information to Nancy Valentine at nvbv@hotmail.com using “church” as the subject line or mail to 18 Farrell Drive, Ansonia 06401. To tell a story in person, contact Valentine at 203-734-6945 for a home visit.

Good Shepherd Churchlabyrinth walk

ORANGE — The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 680 Racebrook Road, offers a monthly guided labyrinth walk at 9 a.m., by Pryde Drive, led by the Rev. Diana Rogers. The labyrinth is available any time to anyone for walking prayer and meditation. It is listed at http://labyrinthlocator.com/.

Information: 203-795-6577, thegoodspheherd@optonline.net, www.thegoodshepherdorangect.org, and www.facebook.com/cgsorangect.