Religion news
PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY: Trinity Baptist Church, 235 Highland Ave. SW, Warren, will celebrate Pastor Darryl L. Rodgers’ 14th pastoral anniversary at 10 a.m. Sunday. Guest speaker is Bishop Leo Ferguson.
CHEFS FOR CHARITY: Chefs for Charity, a fundraiser for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown, will be 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles. Tickets are $75, which includes specialty tastings from more than 20 of the area’s finest restaurants and chefs. In addition to food, there will be fellowship, raffles and entertainment. To purchase tickets visit: https://www.ccdoy.org/2025/06/01/chefs-for-charity/
RALLY DAY: Trinity Lutheran Church, 2742 North Road NE, Warren, will host a Rally Day celebration Sept. 7 with a devotion, meal and fellowship as part of their Sunday worship service.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY: The Heart to Heart Women’s Ministry at Hubbard Church of the Nazarene invites women of all ages to the “Clean Hands, Pure Heart” program 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13. Rebecca Gentzler will be the guest speaker with the Rev. Rob McFarland leading the worship music. The cost is $15 (due Sept. 7) and includes any materials, light refreshments, lunch, door prizes and gifts. Checks should be made payable to Hubbard Church of the Nazarene and mailed to 1815 Cherry Lane Drive SE, Hubbard, OH 44425. Put “Heart to Heart Fall Event” on the memo line. Call the church at 330-534-3111 for more information.
DELIVERANCE: GodSaidit Productions, Inc., under the direction of renowned playwright and founder Sherry A. Franklin-Berry, will present the stage production, “Deliverance Is Available to Me.” The live performance will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at Rebirth Global Ministries International, 474 Early Road, Youngstown. Tickets are available at the door for $10. The play is written, directed and produced by Franklin-Berry. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Sherry at 330-397-3080.
GUEST SPEAKER: Operation Christmas Child will host Basit Hammad at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at New Life Church, 2250 E. Western Reserve Road, Poland. Hammad also will speak at 5 p.m. Sept. 12 at Burkholder Farm, 15978 Newcomb Road in Middlefield. The public is invited to hear how receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift at age 13 was like a treasure to Basit. Hear how an unconditional gift inspired him to grow in his faith and pursue God’s calling to bring the Gospel where it has never gone. RSVP is needed by Sept. 6 and those leaving an RSVP should give the number of people attending and at what church they are members. Email rbraydichdds@gmail.com or text 330-651-3554.
OUTREACH: Bishop David J. Bonnar is calling for a new class of permanent deacons for the Diocese of Youngstown after consultation with the Presbyteral Council. The Office of the Permanent Diaconate is now accepting inquiries from men, whether married or single, between the ages of 30 and 60, who perceive the Holy Spirit’s call to serve the Church. The intellectual formation will take place in partnership with the Diocese of Cleveland and St. Mary Seminary. The first class for this program will begin in August 2026. Permanent deacons are ordained to a ministry of service, word and liturgy. They serve, as assigned by the Bishop, to preach the Gospel, baptize, witness marriages, preside at funerals and perform outreach to the poor. The formation program includes human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions and takes five years of part-time study to complete. Contact Deacon William Bancroft, the Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate via email at wbancroft@youngstowndiocese.org, or 330-744-8451, Ext. 369. You can also find information at doy.org/deacons.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: The Diocese of Youngstown is sponsoring a wedding anniversary celebration 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist Church, 627 McKinley Ave NW, Canton.
The celebration honors couples observing their 25th, 40th, 50th and over wedding anniversaries in 2025. The celebration includes Mass with Bishop David J. Bonnar, renewal of marriage vows, a personalized certificate for each couple and a reception for the couple and their families. Couples planning to attend this celebration need to register at their parish office as soon as possible, but no later than Sept. 29. Limited spaces are available. For information, contact the Very Rev. John Sheridan, Director, Office of Marriage and Family Life, (330) 744-8451, ext. 252; marriageoffice@youngstowndiocese.org
JEWISH-CHRISTIAN STUDIES: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer an ongoing series Jewish Christian Studies 101 with the Rev. George Balasko 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 17 in person and via Zoom. The Zoom link will be available on the center’s website. This program will be in the Mother Madelaine Room. The Bible education series is an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the Scriptures using video resources from various scripture scholars. Free will offerings will be accepted. Registration is not required.
GUIDED LABYRINTH: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a Guided Labyrinth Walk 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 14. The theme is “Finding the Way Out of Shadows and Into Gratitude.” Participants prayerfully walk the outdoor grass path after receiving thematic instructions from the presenter. The free event is held on the grounds of Villa Maria Community Center. Registration is preferred. In the event of questionable weather conditions, call 724-964-8886 or check the website for program status at https://vmesc.org/.