FREE CONCERT: Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St., Warren, will host a free Barbershop Christmas concert with the Akron Derbytown Chorus at 3 p.m. Sunday. The concert also will include Gospel Disciples of Song. Intermission food and beverage sales will help support Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley.

FIRST FRIDAY SPEAKER: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown will host its December Speaker Series with a luncheon Thursday with R.J. Mangan, director of Peace and Justice, Catholic Charities, for the Diocese of Youngstown.

Mangan will present “Building a Beloved Community: Catholic Perspectives on Social Structures and Their Impact” at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield. Mangan helps promote the themes of Catholic social teaching, particularly the dignity of the human person, through education, advocacy and prayer.

There will be an opportunity for participants’ questions following the talk. Luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation beginning at noon. The cost is $25. Call 330-720-4498 for reservations, which are limited.

COOKIES AND COCOA: There will be a Christmas Concert, Cookies and Cocoa event at Grace Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, at 7 p.m. Wednesday featuring the Cortland Community Band. The public is invited to this free event to enjoy the holiday selections. Cookies and cocoa / coffee / tea will be served.

HOLIDAY HELP: Protestant Family Services is accepting applications for those in need of help for their children for the holidays. The agency needs gift cards, gifts and wrapping materials for gifts. All unwrapped gifts are due Dec. 9. Volunteers are needed Dec. 9 and 10 at New Bethel Baptist Church to help distribute gifts. For information, call Cathy at 330-746-4600.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Life Church, 610 S. Leavitt Road, Leavittsburg, will host “A Chosen Vessel Christmas” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14. The event is free.

ILLUMINAIRE CONCERT: The Illuminare Choral Ensemble, directed by Jon Simsic, will present an “I Was Glad” concert of sacred choral music 7:30 p.m. today at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, 1105 Elm St. The ensemble is composed of singers, organists and music directors drawn from the greater Youngstown area. The a cappella program will feature chants, as well as compositions by Farrant, De Lassus, Tallis, Bruckner, Vaughan Williams, Bairstow, Villa-Lobos and others. A free-will offering will be received to benefit the ensemble.

CHRISTMAS OF REMEMBRANCE: The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is inviting families to attend the Christmas of Remembrance event at all four diocesan cemeteries on Friday. Families can hang an ornament on the cemetery’s Christmas tree in memory of their loved ones. Families can bring their own ornament or decorate one provided by the diocese. Doors open at 5 p.m. for registration, refreshments and ornament decorating. The prayer service starts at 6 p.m. Local cemeteries participating are Calvary Cemetery, Belle Vista Avenue, Youngstown, 330-792-4721; Resurrection Cemetery, Norquest Boulevard, Austintown, 330-799-1900; and All Souls Cemetery in Bazetta, 330-637-2761. Call the cemeteries for more information.

BREAKFAST WITH THE BISHOP: The annual Breakfast with the Bishop to benefit Catholic Charities’ Basic Needs Assistance Program will be 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Michael Family Life Center, 300 N. Broad St., Canfield. Breakfast is $30 per person and will be provided by A La Cart Catering in Canfield. No tickets will be sold at the door; advanced ticket sales only.

GIVE CATHOLIC: Registration is now open to participate in the 2024 #iGiveCatholic on Giving Tuesday. This is the 10th year for #iGiveCatholic, a crowdfunding event that provides an opportunity for the Catholic community to come together, give back and give Catholic. More than 25 organizations are now registered with #iGiveCatholic. To view the full list of registrants, visit https://youngstown.igivecatholic.org/

COFFEE AND CONTEMPLATION: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center. 2067 Evergreen Road, offers Coffee and Contemplation. This series focuses on a variety of spiritual and holistic topics. The program provides participants with input from a presenter and includes time for reflection and discussion.

Cindy Wilpula will present this month’s session in person and via Zoom: “The Infancy Narratives: Joseph’s Story and Mary’s Story” at 10 a.m. Dec. 10. This program will be in the Mother Madelaine Room.

Cost is $10 (lunch is optional at an additional $6). Registration and further information are available online at vmesc.org or by calling 724-964-8886.