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FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY: Immaculate Heart of Mary, 4490 Norquest Blvd., Austintown, will host Friendship Sunday at IHM Center following each Mass on Sunday. Refreshments will be served. Those attending are asked to bring donations of household items such as paper towels, toilet paper and tissues for the food pantry.

MASS FOR LIFE: Each year in January marks the Supreme Court decision Roe vs. Wade that legalized abortion on demand throughout the United States. The Diocese of Youngstown hosts two Masses for Life. Bishop George Murry will preside at the Masses for Life at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, 627 McKinley Ave. NW, Canton, and 4 p.m. Jan. 26 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown.

Each Mass for Life will include a Blessing of Children in the Womb and will be followed by a reception. All are welcome, and no reservations are needed.

HEBREW COURSE: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane, will present an eight-week Hebrew Primer class beginning Tuesday. The Hebrew reading course will enable participants to phonetically read any Hebrew word. Classes will be 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Tuesday and Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, and 25, and March 3 and 10. The cost is $40 for JCC and Temple members and $55 for non members. The course is sponsored by the Commission for Jewish Education.

MARCH FOR THE UNBORN: The March for Life will be Friday in Washington, D.C. Buses are being organized in various locations throughout the Diocese of Youngstown to take people to the annual march. To find a bus, contact the Office of Pro Life, Marriage and Family at 330-744-8451, Ext. 272.

On Wednesday, the nation marks the 47th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the United States. Each year, the U.S. Catholic Bishops call for nine days of prayer for life during the days leading up to the anniversary of the decision. Thousands of Catholics across the country will join together in prayer Thursday through Jan. 29. For more information, visit www.9daysforlife .org

GOLDEN CAGE: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will present "Captured in a Golden Cage" 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane. Israeli women who are married to U.S. citizens often find themselves alone when going through a divorce. Efrat Almog, an expert in the field of mediation and negotiation, will describe the cultural differences that exist between these women and their spouses. The event is free.

SELF-CARE RETREAT: Villa Maria Education and Sprituality Center will host a Self Care Retreat for Caregivers Jan. 24 to 26 at the center. The weekend event will be led by Dena Deluco and Maureen Lauer Gatta. For information, call 724-964-8886.

SERVICE PROJECT: Catholics in the Community," a joint service project sponsored by the Diocesan Catholic Schools of Mahoning and Trumbull County, will take place 9 to 1 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Ursuline High School gymnasium. Participants include three diocesan high schools: Cardinal Mooney, John F. Kennedy and Ursuline, and seven diocesan elementary schools: Holy Family (Poland), John F. Kennedy Lower Campus (Warren), St. Christine (Youngstown), St. Joseph the Provider (Youngstown), St. Nicholas (Struthers), and St. Rose (Girard). Collections will take place at each school based on the Catholic Charities "wish list." Each school collected youth clothing (ages infant - 18 years), personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies, school supplies and baby products during Advent to stock the sale. The "kids for kids" store will open in the Ursuline cafeteria. Catholic Charities clients may shop using vouchers. The sale is open to the public 11 a.m. to 1p.m. One hygiene bag will be given to each family in attendance.

BLIND SIDE: Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way, Liberty, will present Minyan and a Meal and Movie at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25 with the movie "The Blind Side" starring Sandra Bullock. Reservations are needed by Wednesday.

ANTI-SEMITISM: Rabbi Frank Muller of Congregation Rodef Sholom will present a four-session mini-course, "Anti-Semitism: Past, Present and Future," 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 and Feb. 13, 20 and 27 at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane. Muller will discuss the world's most insidious prejudice in centuries past, the forms it has taken in the world today, and what must be done to prevent it in the future. A light dinner will be provided. Cost is $25 for JCC and Temple members and $35 for non members. Register online at jcc youngstown.org or contact the JCC membership office at 330-746-3250, Ext. 195. This program is sponsored by the Commission for Jewish Education.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION: The Diocese of Youngstown will sponsor a one-day marriage preparation retreat day Feb. 1 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. Registration is requested at 330-744-8451, Ext. 272.

DAY OF LIFE: World Day of Consecrated Life will be 10:30 a.m. Feb. 2 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. Bishop George Murry will celebrate the gift of religious life. All religious who are working and living in the Diocese are invited. Parishes are encouraged to send representatives of youths and adults.

FIRST FRIDAY CLUB: First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown welcomes Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown 11:30 a.m. Feb. 6 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield. There will be an opportunity for participants' questions to follow. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. with the presentation beginning at noon. The cost is $18. Reservations are limited by calling 330-720-4498.

URSULINE BOOK CLUB: The Ursuline Center Book has announced its books for 2020. On Feb. 18, the topic will be "A Single Thread" by Tracy Chevalier. The book club gathers at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield. There is no cost to participate. Free-will offerings are accepted. Pre-registration is appreciated by calling the center at 330-799-4941.

PERFORMANCE SET: Simple Gifts Interfaith Choir will perform with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra on March 7. The 80-voice choir will perform in collaboration with Singers Together and The Youngstown Connection for the YSO's program entitled "Spiritual Journey: The Road to Peace and Freedom." Simple Gifts Interfaith Choir is comprised of singers from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Portage counties, as well as Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania.

WORKSHOP SET: The public and congregations of A.C.T.I.O.N. are invited to attend the forum entitled "What is White Privilege? Taking off the Mask" 3 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave. Youngstown. Guest speaker is Martin Friedman, Pittsburgh Racial Equity Instution; other planners include the Rev. Gayle Catinella, Jennifer Madden, Cleveland, Beau Fowler, Sheila Triplett, Lois Campbell of Pittsburgh, Mike McNair and Dwight Dumas.

KEEP WARM: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown is calling upon Catholics and others of good will to support a special collection to provide winter utility assistance to individuals and families in need in an effort to raise awareness about the breadth of need for utility assistance among low-income families with children, at-risk adults, and vulnerable seniors.

"Warm Hearts for Warm Homes" assists households who do not qualify for government assistance.

Donations to support "Warm Hearts for Warm Homes" can be sent to Catholic Charities, Warm Hearts for Warm Homes, 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown, 44503. Donations can also be made on Catholic Charities' website at www.ccdoy.org.

MEDITATION RETREAT: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown will host a Day of Silence on Feb. 8. The silent meditation retreat "The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times" will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and co-led by Linda Scharf, an experienced Tibetan Buddhist practitioner, and the Rev. Joseph Boyd, minister of the church.

The retreat will consist of walking meditation, seated meditation, silent lunch and listening to talks reflecting on Pema Chodron's words.

This event is free, but an RSVP is required at office@uuyo.org.

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

Lifestyles

Religion news

APPOINTMENT OF PASTOR: Simon Road Church of God, 4750 Simon Road, Boardman, has appointed the Rev. Charles W. Cunningham Jr. as pastor. Cunningham led his first worship service at the church Nov. 10 and will become full-time pastor this week.

He is a graduate of Poland High School. He lives in Burghill, with his wife of 23 years, the former Lisa Underwood. Feeling the call to youth ministry, he studied under the leadership of Associate Pastor James Bell and in 2010 assumed the roll of student ministries director.

Cunningham completed the required studies to earn his credentials with the Church of God and was commissioned in 2013. He was licensed and ordained in October 2014. He has filled pulpits for congregations and in 2018 was the breakout session leader at the Ohio State Youth Convention.

An installation service will be in February.

RECOGNITION: At the annual Emmancipation Proclamation Service on Wednesday at Union Baptist Church in Youngstown, three local residents were presented the annual Rev. Elizabeth Powell Heritage Award.

Recipients recognized for civic and community engagement are Eugenia Atkinson, retired director of the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority; Elder Rosetta Carter, executive director of ACTION; and Delores Crawford, community affairs director for WKBN and television personality.

The event was coordinated by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Youngstown and Vicinity.

URSULINE BOOK CLUB: The Ursuline Center Book has announced its books for 2020. On Tuesday, discussion will focus on "The Yellow House" by Sarah Broom and on Feb. 18, the topic will be "A Single Thread" by Tracy Chevalier. The book club gathers at 6:30 p.m. at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield. There is no cost to participate. Free-will offerings are accepted. Preregistration is appreciated by calling the center at 330-799-4941.

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Campbell will have on Sunday the Eve of Theophany (Epiphany) with 8:30 a.m. Orthros and 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy (Chrysostom) and the Great Blessing of the Waters. Monday is The Holy Theophany of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ 8:15 a.m. Orthros (Matins), 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and 11:20 a.m. The Great Blessing of the Waters.

FIRST FRIDAY: First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown kicks off 2020 with the Rev. Monsignor Robert J. Siffrin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield. Siffrin is vicar general moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Youngstown as well as parish administrator of St. Edward Parish in Youngstown. He will speak on "Signs of the New Evangelization." There will be an opportunity for participants' questions to follow. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. with the presentation beginning at noon. The cost is $18. Call 330-720-4498 to make reservations, which are limited. Visit www.firstfridayclubofgreateryoungs town.org.

INTERFAITH CHOIR: Simple Gifts Interfaith Choir is planning a performance with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra for March 2020. The 80-voice choir will perform in collaboration with Singers Together and The Youngstown Connection for the YSO's program titled, "Spiritual Journey: The Road to Peace and Freedom," featuring world-renowned tenor Lawrence Brownlee.

Simple Gifts Interfaith Choir is comprised of singers from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Portage counties, as well as Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania. All singers are welcome to participate.

For information and a rehearsal schedule, call Hubbard First Presbyterian Church at 330-534-9721.

UNITY EVENTS: Unity Spiritual Centre, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty, will have special services. Kim Ford will have the annual Burning Bowl Service 11 a.m. Sunday.

MASS FOR LIFE: Each year in January marks the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion on demand throughout the United States. The Diocese of Youngstown hosts two Masses for Life as a prayerful reminder that congregants "must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence." Bishop George Murry will preside at the Masses for Life at 10:30 a.m. Jan 19, at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, 627 McKinley Ave. NW, Canton, and at 4 p..m. Jan. 26 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown.

Each Mass for Life will include a Blessing of Children in the Womb and will be followed by a reception. All are welcome, and no reservations are needed.

MARCH FOR THE UNBORN: The March for Life will be Jan. 24 in Washington, D.C. Buses are being organized in locations throughout the Diocese of Youngstown to take people to the annual march. To find a bus, contact the Office of Pro Life, Marriage and Family at 330-744-8451, Ext. 272.

CENTER PROGRAM: During the month of January, Ongoing Metaphysics will be sponsoring talks about Reincarnation at The Unity Centre for Spiritual Living, 1226 Naylor Lloyd Road, Liberty. These conversations will occur 6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays. The meetings on Tuesday and Jan. 28 will be facilitated by Christopher M. Bache, professor emeritus in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University. Bache is also adjunct faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies and a Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. On Jan. 14, Cay Tomerlin, the Spiritual Leader for Unity Centre, will present Unity's perspective on reincarnation and on Jan. 21, the argument against reincarnation, along with systems like Hinduism and Buddhism that have aspects included in their belief systems, will be explored. Attendance is free and open to the public but love offerings or donations will be accepted. For information, call 330-539-0122.

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