OFFERINGS
Economy, jobs top issues, Methodist survey reveals
9/3/2011NASHVILLE — Economic weakness and unemployment are the most important issues in the world today, according to a survey commissioned by the United Methodist Church.
Thirty-two percent of adults polled cited economic weakness and unemployment as their chief concerns, with terrorism coming in second with 16 percent.
A distant third was poverty and hunger throughout the world, cited by 6 percent of respondents.
When it comes to getting involved in helping others, 86 percent said they donate money, 71 percent donate items, 46 percent volunteered time, 38 percent purchased from a nonprofit, and 33 percent prayed for a group or issue.
The online survey of 870 adults also found that 94 percent of those who responded consider themselves either proud or very proud to be an American.
The full 2011 Global Involvement Survey is available online at umcom.org.
Faith, work, justice topic of Labor Day sermons
More than a dozen local clergy will speak from the pulpit this Labor Day weekend on the sacred link between faith, work, and justice.
The religious leaders will focus on contributions of working people and the struggles they endure, according to Karen Krause of the Toledo Area Jobs with Justice and Interfaith Worker Justice Coalition.
The program, begun 15 years, ago, this year will focus on unemployment and state attacks on workers’ rights. Labor in the Pulpits/on the Bimah/in the Minbar is a joint effort of the Interfaith Worker Justice Coalition, AFL-CIO, and Change to Win. Information: jwjtoledo.org.
Ch. 13’s Smith to speak at First Thursday event
Jeff Smith, news anchor for WTVG-TV, Channel 13, will be the speaker at the First Thursday Dialogue, set for noon Thursday at the Toledo Club, 13th Street and Madison Avenue.
Mr. Smith grew up in Temperance and Sylvania and graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School. An alumnus of Indiana University, he started at Toledo’s ABC affiliate in 1998 after spending two years in Traverse City, Mich.
Tickets to First Thursday are $16 per session and include lunch. This year’s theme is Faith in the Workplace. Information: 419-244-6711, ext. 515.
Mass set for duos noting wedding anniversaries
Catholic couples have until Sept. 14 to register for the Toledo diocese’s 25th-50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Mass at 3 p.m. Oct. 23 in Rosary Cathedral.
Bishop Leonard Blair and the diocese’s Marriage and Family Life Ministries are inviting couples who are celebrating the 25th, 50th, 60th, or 60th-plus anniversary in 2011 to register through their parish office.
Erase the Hate meeting scheduled for Sept. 15
A community meeting to discuss the past, present, and future of Erase the Hate will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 15 at Toledo Botanical Garden.
Panelists will include Rabbi Michael Ungar, former rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel; Juanita Greene, past director of the City of Toledo’s Bureau of Community Relations, and Judy Trautman, chairman of the Erase the Hate committee and co-founder of the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio.
A light lunch will be served. Registration is free but required by Thursday by contacting Kenny Hager at 419-724-0354 or registration@jewishtoledo.org.
Family Movie Night to present sports drama
Game Time: Tackling the Past, a sports drama starring Catherine Hicks and Beau Bridges, will air at 8 Saturday night on NBC as the eighth installment of Family Movie Night sponsored by Walmart and Procter & Gamble.
The made-for-TV movie focuses on the issues of humility and forgiveness as well as the importance of a strong work ethic, with the goal of showing that being a good person is more than just looking like one.
The Family Movie Night series was launched in April, 2010, with the intention of producing quality entertainment options for families to enjoy together.