Religion Offerings: 8-24

8/24/2013

Lutherans are multicultural

Today from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 2440 South Ave., the Northwest Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America presents This Far by Faith, a multicultural event featuring Devonna and Shane Lawrence and the This Far by Faith Gospel Choir. Devonna Lawrence sang in the world tour of the musical 3 Mo' Divas, was in the ensemble Tales and Scales, and sang with the Evansville, Ind., Philharmonic Orchestra. Her brother Shane Lawrence has performed R&B with the group Vision and also has worked as a solo artist. The Lawrences are recording their first album, Letters from God, guided by their brother Philip, a songwriter, producer, and Grammy nominee.

This Far by Faith celebrates people who have found a family in the church, particularly the Lutheran Church, by overcoming cultural marginality.

Besides the worship and music that start the program, a catered dinner will be served to ticketholders (the deadline for dinner tickets has passed), and then there will be conversation in the community. Admission is free, and a freewill offering will be collected.

Reaching Women Conference back in Findlay

The 35th Reaching Women Conference, titled “Who Am I … Anyway?” comes to Winebrenner Seminary in Findlay on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anita Renfroe, a comedian, author, and viral YouTube star singing everything a mother says to her children in a day to the tune of “The William Tell Overture,” as well as a contributor to Good Morning America, is the main speaker.

Reaching Women is a nonprofit, interdenominational organization for women's Christian fellowship.

Early bird tickets, priced at $35 regular, $30 for students, are available through Monday. After that, ticket prices rise by $5 each. On-campus lunches are also available for $7.30, or $8 at the door.

“Girlfriend Getaway” packages, which besides the conference tickets include hotel rooms, mini-manicures and mini-massages, and some meals, are also on sale through Monday, at the rates of $265 for a package for two, $440 for four people. See www.reachingwomen.org for details.

Tickets can be purchased at www.tickets.com or 800-965-9324, and by mail to Reaching Women, P.O. Pox 52, Findlay, OH 45839. For more information, email reachingwomenohio@gmail.com or call 567-525-4993.

Point Place churches joins with county to recruit foster families

Several congregations of different denominations in Point Place have joined with Lucas County Children Services to give information about how people can become licensed foster parents. On Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., Point Place United Church of Christ holds an open house on behalf of the combined churches to start the process, and interested families can enroll in free foster care training and adoption training classes to be held at the Children Services office at 705 Adams St. Class sessions will run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sept. 10 through Oct. 17, or Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 12 through Nov. 16.

All are welcome to attend the open house at Point Place UCC, 4920 297th St. Light refreshments will be served.