Offerings: 7-26

7/26/2014

Eid mubarak

Eid-al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, will be observed at a prayer service sponsored by the United Muslims Association of Toledo Monday as an appreciation of community unity. The prayer service at the Stranahan Auditorium, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., starts at 10 a.m., and attendees are asked to arrive early for Takbeerat, which is giving praise to Allah.

The association held its fourth annual Iftar community dinner, a breaking of the daily Ramadan fast, Tuesday at the Reynolds Garden Cafe, with the meal beginning at sunset. Mayor D. Michael Collins attended and offered words of peace in reaction to the current Middle East conflict. He spoke about “human principles which today are lost in the mindless violence that we see and reject daily” and said, “History teaches us that these are the truisms of our human existence: peacemaking calls for courage, much more so than war. It takes courage to say yes to encounter, and no to conflict; yes to dialogue, no to violence; yes to negotiations, and no to hostilities; yes to respect agreements, and no to acts of provocation; yes to sincerity, and no to duplicity. All of these require courage. It takes strength and tenacity,” and he spoke a prayer of peace.

Steel guitars and barbeque

For a church meal that isn't the standard green bean casserole luncheon, Gethsemane Christian Discipleship Church, 4263 Hill Ave., is the place to visit from 1 to 5 p.m. today. For the food, substitute barbequed chicken, ribs, hot dogs, or Polish sausage—plus two sides. For the holy music, it's the sacred strings of the steel guitar in a fellowship jam, featuring the Amazing Grace Praise Band, Nikki D. and the Browns, and Fran Grace, all from Toledo; Ronnie P. Hall of Detroit, and other players. You'll hear more of a spiritual blues flavor than the twang many expect from the steel guitar.

Sacred Strings Records is staging a fund-raiser prior to its sixth annual sacred strings showcase, which will be at Faith Community United Holy Church, 1201 S. Byrne Rd., Aug. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Aug. 9 from 3 to 7 p.m. The free showcase features steel players from across the nation.

For more details about sacred steel, go to sacredstrings.com.

Christian festival

Sunday at the Msgr. Schmit CYO Athletic Complex, 555 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd., gates open at 1 p.m. for the Christian music festival Exclaim! On the main stage, Greg & Lizzy open the show at 2 p.m., for King & Country plays at 3:30, headliner Tenth Avenue North is at 5, and a closing Mass will be celebrated at 7. A second stage presents interactive workshops, magic by Kent the Illusionist, and the Christian rapper Setfree. Games, other amusements, concessions, and information stands will be on the grounds, and attendees also have the opportunity for prayer and confession.

Admission is free, and lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic lunches are allowed.