News & notes

Save the date

Congregation Beth Or: RSVP is due March 29 for a May 4 gala dinner, with dinner, entertainment and dancing, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Rabbi Gregory and Laurie Marx’s tenure at the synagogue. Cost is $118 per person. Go to www.bethor.org.

Guest preacher

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The church at 211 S. Main St., North Wales, welcomes Pastor Brad Burke, the assistant to Bishop Davenport of the ELCA Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, at the 10 a.m. service March 24. After the service, Burke will lead a workshop in the church parlor about lay leadership and ministry in the 21st century. All are welcome.

Special program

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A three-part DVD series exploring the mystery of God’s love expressed in the Eucharist includes breakfast refreshments and a brief time of discussion 9:30 to 11 a.m. March 26, April 2 and 9 in the Parish Center, 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield. Join in as many sessions as you would like. There is no cost for attendance; however registration is requested by contacting angela.mcclellan@stmariagoretti.net or (215) 7210199, ext. 202.

‘Stitch-In’

Grace Lutheran Church: Stitchers of Grace invite you to a Spring Stitch-In 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 30 at the church at 40 N. Main St., Hatfield. Bring a project or come learn a new craft, like embroidery, cross stitch, punch needle, crochet, knitting or rug hooking. There will be door prizes, raffles and a guest speaker from Peyton Heart Project. Cost is $20, or $15 in advance by contacting Peggy at peggy@tailsoftheafterlife.com or (267) 222-8449, or Wendy at wwalter@verizon.net or (215) 721-1418.

Open house

Dock Mennonite Academy: An admissions open house for potential ninth- through 12th-grade students is held 12:30 to 3 p.m. March 23 at 1000 Forty Foot Road, Towamencin. See www. dock.org.

Early Easter

Heidelberg United Church of Christ: An Easter egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. March 30 at 1101 Cowpath Road, Hatfield. Register at www. heidelbergucc.org.

Book club

Trinity Lutheran Church: An Evening Book Club discusses “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng at 6:30 p.m. March 26 at a private residence. For more information contact Nancy at nlcohen33@gmail.com.

Movie night

Congregation Beth

Or: Residents in the Wissahickon Faith Community Association are invited to a free screening of the movie “Quest” from 6:45 to 9 p.m. April 2 at the synagogue at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. There will be a discussion and refreshments.

Raising awareness

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: Saturday evening into Sunday, March 23-24, St. Peter’s youth group will join with other area youth at St. James Lutheran Church in Limerick for their 10th annual Box City Event. The overnight experience involves sleeping in cardboard boxes in solidarity and support of the homeless community. They will learn about homelessness and raise money to help those who struggle with this impact on their lives. All proceeds will be donated to the Main Street Homeless Shelter in Pottstown.

Music notes

St. John’s United Church of Christ: The Chancel Choir at St. John’s will sing “Lord, Bow Thine Ear” from “Elijah” by Felix Mendelssohn, Alillison Deratzian and Kathleen Siddall, soloists, at the 10:15 am service on March 24. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. All are welcome. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www. st-johns-ucc.org.

Place a bid

Grace Christian School: The school at Penn Valley Church, 320 N. Third St., Telford, holds its 34th annual Spring Auction at the school from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23. Highlights include live and silent auctions, kids’ entertainment and games, and food. Visit www.gcsonline.org.

Prepare for Passover

Congregation Beth

Or: RSVP at www.bethor.org by April 2 for the “Beit Sefer Cafe,” from 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 9. This event is free for Beth Or members and $50 for non-members. for questions email Barbara at bmurtha@bethor.org. Also, Kosher wine will be for sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 24 and 31 in the Spain Lobby at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin

Observe Lent

Christ Lutheran Church: The church at 2211 Mainland Road, Towamencin, is offering a free soup supper and worship at 6 p.m. March 27. A mid-day communion service is also offered each Wednesday of Lent at 11:30 a.m.

Church of the Holy Spirit: The Episcopal church at 2871 Barndt Road and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Salford, will hold a Lenten program series, “The Way of Lent is the Way of Love,” on Thursdays through April 11. The evenings will begin with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m., followed by a presentation and discussion and finishing with compline at 8 p.m. All are invited. For more information call (215) 234-8020 or visit www.churchoftheholyspirit.us.

Gwynedd Square Presbyterian Church: Wednesdays through April 10 there will be a soup and bread meal at 6 p.m. Following the meal will be a time of music and/or brief devotion in honor of the season of Lent. A free will offering will be taken. The church is located at 837 Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd. Call (215) 699-9159 or visit www. gwyneddsquare.org. Everyone is welcome.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The church at 211 S. Main St., North Wales, holds Wednesday evening Lenten services at 7 p.m., with candlelight, music and prayers. Call (215) 6994604 or visit www.stpetersnorthwales.org.

Happy Holi

Bharatiya Temple: From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 a cultural program celebrating Holi Mahotsav will be held at 1612 County Line Road, Montgomery Township. Come dressed in colorful clothes. Donation of $5 includes lunch. Visit www.btemple.org or call Manisha at (215) 620-0010.

Drive safely

Congregation Beth Or: A two-day AARP Basic Driving Course for adults 50+, offered April 2-3, can lead to a discount on your auto insurance. The course fee is $15for AARP members, $20 for non-AARP members. RSVP to jpeskin@ bethor.org or (215) 6465806.

Let’s eat

Lansdale Presbyterian Church: The church at 450 Oak Park Road, Hatfield Township, hosts a free meal at 1 p.m. March 31. All are welcome and reservations are not necessary. For more information call (215) 3681119.

St. Mary Catholic Church: Dinners are available 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday through April 12, for either sit down in Hedge Hall or take out. Menu items include a fried fish platter, meatless spaghetti with buttered bread, and grilled cheese, in addition to weekly specials of crabcakes on March 29 and April 12, and baked salmon on April 5. Adult meals include a choice of two sides — French fries, coleslaw, 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, mozzarella sticks 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. The church is at 40 Spring Mount Road, Lower Frederick. Visit www. churchofsaintmary.org or call (610) 287-8156. Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church: Orders are being accepted for Easter pierogies, kielbasa, nut rolls and paska. Call (215) 362-9599 and leave your name and phone number clearly. You will receive a call back to confirm your order. All orders are due by March 30 for pick up from 1 to 3 p.m. April 13 at 1564 Allentown Road, Towamencin.

Christ Reformed Church at Indian Creek: A spaghetti dinner is served 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 23 at 171 Church Road, Franconia Township. Get more information at (215) 723-7338.

For men

St. Maria Goretti Catholic

Church: “That Man Is You” is a morning program for men organized around a central theme each year. Content is delivered in sessions, divided between fall and spring semesters, from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays or 7 to 8:30 a.m. Saturdays. 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 modern culture. There is no cost to attend. Meet in the Parish Center at Derstine and Cowpath roads, Hatfield. For more information, or to register, contact Ron at (215) 393-3763 or e-mail ron.boak@gmail.com.

Play and pray

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: AMoms&Tots group for infants to Kindergarten-age children meets 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursdays in the lower level of the Parish Center, Derstine and Cowpath

roads, Hatfield. Moms stay with their children the entire time and the morning includes a craft, circle time with Bible songs and stories and time for moms to chat and kids to play. Contact Kendra at itpmentor209@ yahoo.com.

Study

Congregation Beth

Or: Torah study takes place at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, between Shabbat services, at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin.

St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church: A study on the Gospel of St. Luke is held 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays through May 5 in the parish center at 1601 Derstine Road, Hatfield. Each session includes a video presentation shot in Rome and Assisi, a life application video and discussion. Cost for the workbook is $40. Register using the form on the Adult Faith events page at www. stmariagoretti.net. For more information contact Angela at Angela.McClellan@ stmariagoretti.net or (215) 721-0199, ext. 202.

Play time

Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church: Bingo will be held

every Wednesday. Doors open at 5 p.m., with food available for purchase, and the games begin at 6:30. Admission is $10 for boards and $15 for paper. The church is at 1564 Allentown Road, Towamencin. For more information leave a message at (215) 3629599.

Shopping time

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: The church’s thrift shop at 211 S. Main St., North Wales offers daily specials, and is open Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Browse a spring and summer clothing collection for women and children, boutique line, attic treasures, jewelry, handbags and accessories, books, linens, maternity and vintage items. Find surprise sales every week. Call (215) 699-4604.

Help others

St. John’s United Church of Christ: St. John’s celebrates “One Great Hour of Sharing,” a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ, at the 8 and 10:15 a.m. services on March 24. The UCC works with international partners to provide such resources

as clean water, food, education, health services and emergency relief. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response. The church is at 500 W. Main St., Lansdale. Call (215) 855-5489 or visit www. st-johns-ucc.org.

Christ Covenant Church: During March the church at 2200 Mainland Road, Towamencin, will be supporting Lamb Foundation’s Cornucopia Cupboard with donations of non-perishable food. Items especially needed in restocking their food pantry are: canned stews, Spaghettio’s, canned ravioli, boxed/bagged rice mixes, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, 100% juice, pasta and pasta sauce, 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 and toilet paper (all other supplies 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 www.christ-covenant. org.

Congregation Beth

Or: An American Red Cross blood drive is held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 24 at 239 Welsh Road, Upper Dublin. See the available slots at www.redcrossblood.org. For questions call Stu at (215) 6619990.

Gather together

Souderton Mennonite Church: A dementia caregiver support group meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at 105 W. Chestnut St., Souderton. Contact Debbie at (215) 350-6452 or Erin at (215) 872-5144.

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. Franconia Mennonite Church: Celebrate Recovery meets 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the church on Route 113, Franconia. All are welcome.

Tai chi, yoga

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. Yoga sessions start at 7 p.m. Mondays.

Time to learn

North Penn Mosque: A Friday Tajweed class for adults starts at 7:30 p.m. after Isha Salaah. It is an opportunity to discover how to incorporate Quran recitation into a busy lifestyle. The mosque is at 600 Maple Ave., Lansdale.