Religion Offerings: 9-07

9/7/2013

CedarCreek raises awareness of human trafficking

CedarCreek Church raised $370,000 to support the fight against human trafficking in Moldova, an eastern European country. New Hope Moldova and Stella's Voice provide housing for children who “age out” of orphanages there when they're 14.

In August the church showed a documentary film and presented the survival stories of human trafficking victims.

In a news release, CedarCreek explained that Moldovan women are victims of human trafficking in the U.S., and that the church's raising awareness here also helps such local organizations as the Lucas county Coalition of Human Trafficking, Second Chance, and the Daughter Project.

Greek Fest this weekend, International next

On the grounds of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the 43rd annual Greek-American Festival is under way. It started Friday and runs from 11 a.m. to midnight today for $5 admission, then noon to 7 p.m. Sunday for $2 admission. A food tent, cooking demonstrations, children's activities, Hellenic dancers, bands playing Greek and American music, and lectures are part of the festival. Cathedral tours are available. The community center has a boutique and religious and cultural booths. The “Taverna,” opening at 3 p.m. today and Sunday, serves wine and beer, and will raffle two flat-screen televisions. Entrances to the festival are on Walnut Street at both Superior and Summit streets.

On Sept. 14 and 15 at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, 25877 Scheider Rd., Perrysburg, the 13th annual International Festival returns. Admission is free, and parking is $3 per car. The festival has a coffee house, international foods, cooking demonstrations, a bazaar, and many other activities. There will be camel and pony rides, a petting zoo, and many attractions for children. Also at the festival are tours of the Islamic Center, which was burned in an arson nearly a year ago and was repaired over the course of the year.

Same space, new look at Little Flower

Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Parish, 5522 Dorr St., welcomes Bishop Leonard Blair of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo Sunday to celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. and to consecrate the new church interior. Over the past year, Little Flower built a new tower entrance on Dorr Street and then renovated the sanctuary, including making a dedicated shrine to St. Therese of Lisieux, known as the “Little Flower of Jesus.” The ceremony will be followed by a family picnic.

Church chef

Ready for dinner? At 3 p.m. Sunday at Toledo First Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4909 W. Sylvania Ave., chef Mark Anthony will present a demonstration of vegetarian cooking. “He's the chef Emeril of Adventists,” the church's pastor, Mike Fortune, said. The chef has a TV show on 3ABN, a Christian network, and he tours the country giving shows, mostly at Adventist churches. He will also give the message during Saturday worship at 11 a.m. Admission is free.

Benny Hinn special service at Cornerstone

At 7:30 p.m. today at Cornerstone Church, 1520 Reynolds Rd., Maumee, international televangelist Benny Hinn will be at a free “miracle healing service,” according to Pastor Hinn's web site. Doors will open at 5:30. Cornerstone's regular services are Sundays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

Remembering 9/11

A multifaith prayer vigil sponsored by United Muslims Association of Toledo will be held Tuesday, 5 p.m., at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, 25877 Scheider Rd., Perryburg. The vigil is in remembrance of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2011, terrorist attacks, for the safety and security of the U.S., for peace and harmony in the community, and to honor local veterans. RSVPs are requested; call the Islamic Center at 419-874-3509.