GUEST MISSIONARIES: First Baptist Church, 2640 S. Canal St., Newton Falls, will host special guest missionaries at 10 a.m. Sunday. They have been serving as church planters in eastern Europe since 2017.

CHRISM MASS: The Diocese of Youngstown will hold the annual Chrism Mass 10:30 a.m. March 30 at St. Columba Cathedral. Due to the pandemic restrictions and limited seating, the Chrism Mass is closed to the public and attendance is by invitation only. Watch the Mass livestreamed at www.doy.org/Media/CathedralLiveStream. The Mass will be rebroadcast 8 p.m. March 30 and 10 a.m. March 31 on the Ecumenical Television Channel through the services of CTNY.

SERVICE FOR FIRST BORN: Temple El Emeth in Liberty will hold a virtual Service for the First Born at 8 a.m. Thursday. Information will be provided to view.

BISHOP’S APPEAL: Catholics in the six-county diocese are being asked to participate in the 2021 Annual Bishop’s Appeal with the goal of $4 million. More than 50,000 individuals throughout the diocese will benefit from services and ministries ranging from assistance with food, utilities and housing, to faith formation, education, evangelization and social services. The Diocese of Youngstown encompasses Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull counties.

The majority of the funds generated through the appeal directly benefit the services provided by Catholic Charities.

The appeal concludes on Pentecost Sunday on May 23.

For information, visit doy.org.

PASTORAL LETTERS: Bishop David Bonnar of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown has issued a pastoral letter titled, “Testify to the Light.” Through this letter, Bonnar highlights the value of parish life and offers five priorities for the journey into the future, including prayer, healing, communication, service and joyful witness. The pastoral letter may be found on the Diocesan website at www.doy.org.

LENTEN STUDIES: Grace United Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, is hosting a Lenten study series for six weeks. Sessions are held 6 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday. Marjorie Thompson’s book “Forgiveness” will be read and discussed.

LENTEN ADORATIONS: St. Patrick Church, 357 N. Main St., Hubbard, will hold Lenten devotion adoration 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily at the parish center. Stations of the Cross will be 7 p.m. every Friday at the parish center.

IN-PERSON SERVICES: Agape Assembly Church, 426 Nevada Ave., Warren, has resumed in-person worship 11 a.m. Sundays and Bible study on the Holy Spirit 7 p.m. Wednesdays. The service and Bible study are both livestreamed on the church Facebook page.

BIBLE STUDY: Newton Falls Methodist churches will host Bible studies for the public.

The group gathers 10 a.m. Tuesdays at Pricetown United Methodist Church, 4640 Pritchard Ohltown Road, or 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays Newton Falls United Methodist Church, 336 Ridge Road. Bring a Bible if you have one. Masks and social-distancing guidelines will be followed.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION: Unity Church Centre in Liberty will host “Small Group Beginning, Discover the Medicine Within” 6 p.m. Mondays and some Sundays after service. Group will be using “Dancing with the Wheel, A Sun Bear Book” facilitated by Kimberly Ford. Join online via: https://www.freecon ferencecall.com; video chat: Info69845. Phone: 978-990-5000 and use access code: 245683#.

Schedule is March 22: 12 Moons; and March 29: Spirit Pathways.

JUST MERCY: Voices of Michah Book Club will present Just Micah with a discussion to be led by the Rev. John Welch virtually 7 p.m. March 28 and April 11. Welch, who holds a master’s of divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and doctorate from Duquesne University in health care ethics, has 27 years in ministry. Register at https://www.surveymon key.com/r/3FXJJB2 or call 330-393-1524.

LENTEN MEDITATION: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual series via Zoom with Natalie Terry, titled “Lenten Meditation Circle.” The virtual opportunity takes place Tuesdays through April 6 via Zoom. All sessions will be 8 to 8:30 p.m.

A free-will offering will be accepted, and registration is not required. Participation in all sessions is not required.

Program information can be found at www.vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.

RETIRING OFFICIAL: After 22 years of service to Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Youngstown, George Garchar will be stepping down from his role as executive director of Catholic Charities serving Portage and Stark counties in September.

Garchar was hired as the executive director of Catholic Charities housing opportunities in 1999, responsible for the facilitation and development of housing services throughout the six-county diocese. When activities were reduced due to program changes and divestiture of rental properties in 2006, Garchar took on an additional part-time role as associate director of social action. He held both positions until 2013 when he accepted the executive director position.

During his tenure, Garchar was instrumental in providing service and advocacy on behalf of low-income individuals and families in need. Under his leadership, Catholic Charities began offering down-payment assistance to qualifying first-time homebuyers.

In his role with the Diocesan Office of Social Action, Garchar provided leadership in community development, organizing and housing, and engaged parishes and others in discussions on Catholic social teaching regarding public policy, government responsibility and faithful citizenship. He also worked to promote the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants campaign.

To submit an item for the religion section, email to reli gion@tribtoday.com. Items are needed by Wednesday for the Saturday paper.