Religious Offerings: 12/30

St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Erie Street in Toledo hosts a First Thursday Lecture Series.

First Thursday

The First Thursday lecture series continues at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Thursday. Eugenio Mollo Jr., of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, will present “The Trending Immigration Topic” at noon.

First Thursday, a monthly luncheon series is a partnership between the Social Justice Subcommittee of the Toledo chapter of U.S. Catholic Priests and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. It invites community members to enjoy a lunch followed by a presentation and question-and-answer session led by local speakers; topics cover a wide variety of national issues.

To attend the upcoming presentation, guests should RSVP to FirstThursdayToledo@gmail.com. Admission is $15, cash or check, collected at the door. The church is at 428 N. Erie St. Series discounts and financial assistance are available for those in need.

Future presentations include “Local Efforts to Keep the Parish Accord,” presented by Chris Vickers on Feb. 1; “Being Muslim in America Today,” presented by Dr. Samina Z. Hasan on March 1; and “Issues Facing Returning Citizens: Re-Entry Challenges to Ex-Offenders,” presented by Thomas E. Luettke on Apr. 5.

'Catholics Coming Home’

Christ the King Parish in Toledo begins a six-week series geared at non-practicing Catholics on Thursday. “Catholics Coming Home,” a parish-based program that is used throughout the United States and in other countries, presents an opportunity for informal sharing and an update on the faith for those who might have questions about returning to Catholicism.

Sessions are 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays at the parish center, 4100 Harvest Lane. For more information on the program, call the parish office at 419-475-4348.

Genacross Lutheran Services

Genacross Lutheran Services Toledo Campus, formerly the Lutheran Home at Toledo, was recognized as a bronze Employer of Choice by LeadingAge Ohio for 2017-2018. In its inaugural year for the program, LeadingAge awarded 30 bronze level recognitions

across the state and three gold. No silver level recognitions were awarded.

“We continue to strive to enhance our employees’ work experience as well as their mission

to serve our residents,” Thomas Grubs, executive director of the Toledo Campus, said in a statement. “We are very proud to be recognized for our employee culture and commitment to excellence.”

LeadingAge Ohio is a non-profit trade association that represents approximately 400 long-term care organizations and hospices. Genacross Luthern Services Toledo Campus is a member.

Kids Day for MLK Day at Christ Presbyterian Church

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 15. Christ Presbyterian Church invites children ages 4 through 5th to spend the school holiday at the church "having fun and growing in their faith." Kids day offers games and crafts that teach children about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as a yoga session and presentation fromm the Way Public Library, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Kids Day is free and open to the public. Parents should register their children by Jan. 12 by calling 419-475-8629 ext. 204 or emailing jencpctoledo@gmail.com. Youngest children must be potty-trained. Christ Presbyterian Church is at 4225 W. Sylvania Ave.