NEW PASTOR: Girard First United Methodist Church has named the Rev. Jennifer Wellington as its new pastor. She was first ordained as a United Methodist clergywoman in 1996 and served churches on the westside of Cleveland until 2007. Wellington also has worked as a licensed social worker and public school educator. She is also the pastor of Niles First United Methodist Church.

PRAYER GATHERING: Flourish, a Mother’s Heart Praying for Our Prodigals, second annual prayer gathering will be Oct. 10 to 13 at Chestnut Ridge Church of God, 7215 Chestnut Ridge Road, Hubbard. The weekend retreat will include hope, prayer and sisterhood. For information and registration, contact Rebecca at rebgentz@aolc.om

GOOD, BAD AND UGLY: “Dave Dravecky: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Jefferson St., New Castle, Pa. Dravecky, a Boardman High School graduate, former Major League Baseball pitcher, bestselling author and motivational speaker, will share his journey of heartbreak, healing, faith and triumph. At the height of his career, he was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor in his pitching arm and had half of his deltoid muscle removed. Despite being told he’d likely never pitch again, he made a miraculous return to Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants — only to have his arm tragically break on the mound days later. Ultimately, he underwent amputation. Dravecky now travels across the nation sharing his message of adversity, hope, and true worth, grounded not in accomplishment, but in who we are.

Admission is free, with donations accepted to benefit the Dravecky Foundation. For information, email Chad Ubry at cubry@yahoo.com or call the church office at 724-652-7706.

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown will welcome the Rev. David J. Bonnar, bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, at noon Oct. 2 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield.

“That All May Be One” is the episcopal motto of Bonnar, who was appointed the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown by Pope Francis in 2020 and was installed in January 2021. There will be an opportunity for participants’ questions following the talk. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. with the presentation beginning at noon. The cost is $25. Reservations are limited and must be made by Sept. 25 at 330-720-4498.

DRUMMING CIRCLE: Unity Spiritual Centre, 1226 Naylor-Lloyd Road, Girard, will host a fall equinox drumming circle 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Sept. 19 at the Centre. The event, Drums and Yums, will be led by Dan Susany, a local drummer, who has led regional drumming events since 1997. Participants may bring their own drum or drums will be available. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. For questions, contact the centre at 330-539-0122.

HYMN SING: Trinity Lutheran Church in Howland will host a hymn sing and Oktoberfest themed picnic 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 20. Participants should bring their favorite food to share.

INSTALLATION SERVICE: McKinley Community Church, 1524 Elm Road NE, Warren, will host an installation service at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 21 during the morning worship service for Pastor David Lyons. Former pastor Dan Smith resigned.

Lyons has been there since last September as the church piano player, but also has 36 years experience as a pastor. Charles Jarvis will have a Gideon message Sunday and Brenda Jarvis will perform the “special music” song.

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/

NEW DEACONS SOUGHT: 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. The formation program includes human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions and takes five years of part-time study to complete. Contact Deacon William Bancroft, 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 at 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, at 330-744-8451, Ext. 252;

marriageoffice@youngstown

diocese.org

GUIDED LABYRINTH: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a Guided Labyrinth Walk 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. 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/.