Your Religion News: May 15, 2021

Sunday at First Parish: Chalice Circle, ‘Return to Community’NORTHFIELD — Members and friends of First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian, will hold a special Chalice Circle, “Return to Community,” at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 16. David Smith has organized and will be leading the program on Sunday. This “Service Work Day” will be a hybrid event. Those participating in person will follow Massachusetts guidelines for social distance, mask wearing, one-way traffic, and occupancy restrictions when indoors. Others may drive by to greet fellow parishioners from their cars. The goals are to revive and beautify the building and grounds of our church and build community with our inter-generational congregation.

The link for a survey form to see tasks and activities and sign up for the Chalice Circle is: https://bit.ly/2SIus6M.

For more information, send an email message to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com.

Sunday: Ted Thornton to speak on the Middle East

BERNARDSTON — Sunday, May 16, Bernardston Unitarian Church welcomes the Rev. Ted Thornton to speak at our online gathering at 11:30 a.m. The topic: “The Middle East Today: a New Kind of Cold War?” Thornton said, “We will discuss the major trends in play in the region today in light of its troubled past and assess the chances for peace or conflict.”

Thornton is a frequent lecturer and panelist on Middle East affairs and Islam. He has presented workshops on teaching about the Islamic world at professional conferences in Cairo, Montreal, San Francisco, and Boston. He has led student travel-study programs to Egypt, Turkey, Portugal, Jordan, Qatar, Brazil, and South Africa, and also spent a sabbatical doing research in Japan and China. In his younger days, he participated in archaeological excavations at Tel Miqne, Israel, site of the biblical city of Ekron, under the auspices of the Albright Institute in Jerusalem and Hebrew University.

For a Zoom link for the Sunday, May 16, talk, text your name and email to 413-330-0807 or stream the service via this live public link, https://www.youtube.com/user/FranklinCountyUUs.

All Souls Church: ‘Reviewing and Re-Envisioning’

GREENFIELD — “Reviewing and Re-Envisioning led by Kate Mason and Kirsten Levitt,” is the YouTube program at All Souls Church, Sunday, at 10:30 a.m. The presenters said, “We’ve had losses during the past year but we have learned some things, too. Our service will provide an opportunity to unpack 2020 and possibly envision a different path forward. What is our next elegant step? An elegant step is one that acknowledges what is known and unknown and what the capacity of the group actually is. We will have small breakout discussions and do some brainstorming together.

Join us on Youtube for a live online link at:

https://www.youtube.com/user/FranklinCountyUUs

First Congregational Church of Montague holds supper, class

MONTAGUE CENTER — The deacons and Pastor James Koyama are holding a new membership class. Please speak to Pastor James if you are interested in attending.

There will be a ham picnic drive-thru supper tonight, May 15. Meals can be picked up in front of the church from 5 to 6 p.m. There is a limited number so please call 413-356-2652 to reserve your meals. The menu includes ham with honey, mustard sauce, pasta salad, carrot raisin salad, bread with butter, worms and dirt for dessert. Cost is $12.

There is a Community Labyrinth behind the church, designed by Prue Berry. We invite everyone to walk the path.

Shelburne Church to hold in-person service

SHELBURNE — The First Congregational church of Shelburne will celebrate its first in-person worship service this Sunday, May 16, with safety protocols in place. Following the state’s safety protocols masks are required, seating is limited to ensure mandatory distance of 6 feet, and reservations are needed due to limited seating. To make reservations, either call or email our church clerk, Diantha Wholey, at 413-625-6592 or (foxtown@gmail.com).

Trinitarian Congregational Church of Northfield holds services

NORTHFIELD — Worship services on Sunday at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Please contact the church office for a link: 413-498-5839 or busoff147@gmail.com by Thursday at noon.

Starting Sunday, May 23, worship services will be held outdoors, in the lower parking lot, weather permitting. (Otherwise, on Zoom.)

May 16: Seed/seedling swap and blessing of seeds

GREENFIELD — A Seed/Seedling Swap and Blessing of Seeds is set for Sunday, May 16, at 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, at 8 Church St. Bring your extra seeds and seedlings to the swap and blessing and take home some new ones. If you are a beginner or don’t have any to share, you are invited, too. Entrance is free. Organize and label your extra seeds/seedlings and bring them along. Browse and take what you need. COVID-19 protocols will be in place.

This event is sponsored by Good News Gardens Massachusetts, and supported by Saints James and Andrew’s Good News Garden Team. For more information: goodnewsgardensma@gmail.com.

May 22: Church tag sale

WHATELY — The Whately Congregational Church will be holding a giant tag sale and silent auction at the church on Saturday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be furniture, glassware, kitchen items, vintage and much, much more including a large selection of flowering plants. The church is at 177 Chestnut Plain Road, just south of the Whately Inn. Come for fantastic bargains and some special items.