Offerings: Inspirational talk slated by man without limbs

2/27/2010

Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs, will be the guest speaker at a benefit 7 p.m. Thursday for Heartbeat of Monroe.

The 27-year-old Mr. Vujicic, a native of Melbourne, Australia, talks how his life was changed when he realized that God did not seek out his physical abilities but his availability. His motto is "From Without Limbs to Without Limits."

Tickets are $10 from 734-243-6200 or online at Showtix4u.com.

"Sharing the Love," a benefit for Nu-Vizion United Church of Christ's Mission to the Community, 4-7 p.m. today at Ground Level Coffeehouse, 2636 Central Ave.

Performers include singer-songwriter Brad Yoder and neo-soul singer Yasu, and hip-hop artist 'Nique Loverhode. The Rev. Will Stuart, Nu-Vizion pastor, will serve as master of ceremonies and present slam poetry.

Admission is $15. Information: 419-241-9358.

The Jewish holiday of Purim, celebrating the Jews' victory over an evil ruler in 5th century B.C. Persia, will be celebrated with musical parodies known as Purimspiels as well as readings of the Megillah and Purim Parties.

Among the events are "The Megical Megillah Tour: A Very Beatles Purim," at 7 p.m. tonight at Congregation B'nai Israel, 6525 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania, and Megillah Reading and Purim Party at 4:30 p.m. at the Temple-Congregation Shomer Emunim, 6453 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania.

Chabad House-Lubavitch will present "Purim in the '60s: Peace, Love & Purim," at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Congregation Etzy Chayim, 3853 Woodley Rd.

The Toledo Catholic Diocese will hold a prayer service for healing of experiences and memories at 4 p.m. tomorrow at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 750 Bright Rd., Findlay, with Bishop Blair presiding.

The prayer and healing service, in honor of the diocese's 100th anniversary, asks all to examine their conscience and ask God for forgiveness for past and present sins of the universal and local church.

The diocese also will hold an Open Door Liturgy, honoring Catholics with disabilities, at 5 p.m. today at All Saints Parish, 41 North Perry St., New Riegel, Ohio, with Bishop Leonard Blair presiding. Individuals to be honored are Shannon Kander, Loretta Laubert, Donna Longenecker, Denise Smolenski, and Nicholas Weigand.

Sylvania First United Methodist Church, 7000 Erie St., will hold a Worship Program and Tea at 2 p.m. Friday in observance of the World Day of Prayer. The theme is "Let Everything That Has Breath, Praise the Lord."

The event is sponsored by Church Women United in the Toledo Area. Registration is $2 per person, due by Tuesday. Call Carol Jackman, 419-727-3809.

Maumee United Methodist Church will begin its Saturday night contemporary "LifeSongs" services at 5 p.m. today at the church, 405 Sackett St., Maumee.

Music will be performed by the Fountain of Truth Band featuring Kerry Patric Clark. The church also holds services at 8:30, 9:45, and 11 a.m. on Sundays.

The Rev. Scot Ocke, pastor, said the purpose of the LifeSongs service is to provide an alternative worship service for those who cannot attend on Sunday mornings. Information: 419-893-8761.

Lourdes College's Lifelong Learning Program will offer a four-week course, "Religion in America: Faith Journeys Within and Around the Religious Mainstream, from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays starting March 15 at the college, 5832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania.

The teacher will be Tom Klein, emeritus professor of English at Bowling Green State University. The course will examine the nature of a faith journey and how mainstream and non-mainstream faiths answer some of the great questions and meaning and morality.

The cost is $32 for members, $47 for nonmembers, with registration due by Monday. Information: 419-824-3707.

Mr. Mark Latkovic will speak on "Medical Ethics: End of Life Issues" at the First Thursday Dialogue, noon Thursday at the Toledo Club, Madison Avenue and 14th Street.

Mr. Latkovic is a professor of moral and systematic theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. The lecture is part of a series sponsored by the Toledo Catholic Diocese.

The cost is $15 per session. Reservations: 419-244-6711, ext. 515.