Religion offerings: 12-21

12/21/2013

Compassion for Lucas

The Lucas County Board of Commissioners has joined the move for greater Toledo to be a Compassionate Community according to Compassionate Action Network International. The MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio is coordinating the effort for the area to receive official designation, and actions like this by government bodies is part of the process. The resolution states that Lucas County "will strive to adopt compassion as a key component to develop policies, procedures, tactics, and practical guidance on the integration of compassion in programs to address the holistic wellness and achieve core objectives in our community, especially as it relates to the most at risk."

 

The Blues are spreading

Two more congregations are recognizing the blue quality of the holiday season and offering church time for those who could benefit from quiet in the midst of the rush. Today at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Grace Lutheran Church, 4411 Monroe St., Grace holds its Blue Christmas service. Then on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at St. Lucas Lutheran Church, 745 Walbridge Ave., a Jazz Mass and Blue Christmas Remembrance includes candle lighting in memory and hope. Emmett Williams and Shandonna Flunder will provide music alongside Chicago jazz saxophonist John Bowes, a “son” of the church.

 

Music before Mass

The Trinity Canterbury Choir presents its annual “Canterbury Christmas Eve,” part of the Liturgy Through Music Series of the Trinity Performing Arts Series, Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. prior to the 11 p.m. Christ Mass at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1 Trinity Plaza. “Brother Heinrich's Christmas,” a musical fable, is on the program.

 

Windsong Christmas

Four original members of the contemporary Christian women's quartet Windsong will sing at a Christmas Eve concert at the Delta Church of Christ, 500 Providence st., in Delta, at 11 p.m. Tuesday. Judi Gerdes, Dee Gray, Barb Hite, and Linda Schultz will celebrate the holiday with music going from hustle and bustle to stillness.

 

Pray for the New Year

Lial Renewal Center will offer “Biblical Prayer with Breakfast” from January through May on the first Tuesday of each month. The Sisters of Notre Dame retreat center will have a different speaker each month, starting Jan. 7 with spiritual director Sandy Harding, talking about a particular prayer, inviting reflection, and facilitating discussion. The light breakfasts are at 8:45 a.m. at 5908 Davis Rd., Whitehouse, and suggested offering is $7. To register, contact Sister Mary Dean Pfahler at 419-877-0432 or mdpfahler@toledosnd.org, or register online at lialrenewalcenter.org.