84TH BIRTHDAY: Dr. Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and convener of the National African American Reparations Commission, will return to Youngstown to celebrate his 84th birthday among family, friends, allies and the community, which he credits with propelling him to leadership at the national and international level. The Rev. Kenneth Simon, senior pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, has agreed to host Daniels at a benefit birthday celebration at 1 p.m. Saturday at the K.L. Simon Community Center, 1507 Hillman St. Freedom, Inc. was founded by Daniels in the late 1960’s and emerged as a major local and national Black Power and Pan Africanist organization headquartered on Hillman Street. The benefit birthday celebration will be livestreamed nationally and internationally.

YOUTH REVIVALS: Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., Youngstown, will host a Youth Revival at 3 p.m. Sunday. The event will feature youth performances.

BLESSING OF THE WATER: Warren area Orthodox churches will take part in the annual Blessing of the Waters at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Mahoning River next to the Warren Community Amphitheatre at Perkins Park.

CHURCH DEDICATION: Warren First Assembly of God Church, Parkman Road, will host a dedication of the new renovated worship center at 10 a.m. May 3. The church had a major renovation done with the congregation able to return to worship in the sanctuary in late March.

FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown will welcome Mathew Schmalz, Ph.D., who will present “Global Catholicism and the Pope” at 6 p.m. May 7 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield. Schmalz is a professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross and is the founding editor of The Journal of Global Catholicism. There will be an opportunity for participants’ questions following the talk. Dinner is at 6 p.m. with the presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $25. Call by Thursday at 330-720-4498. Reservations are limited. Visit www.firstfridayclubofgreateryoungstown.org

ART FESTIVAL: Canfield Presbyterian Church will host its sixth bi-annual art festival with an opening reception 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. The festival will accept paintings, drawings, photographs, woodcarvings and sculptures that depict the positive role of faith in our lives and in the world. Family-friendly, positive works of art from all denominations and faiths that depict the theme “Collaborating within God’s Masterpiece” (the world He has created) will be accepted. There will be both jury and People’s Choice judging. Cash prizes will be awarded.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: Dr. Rudy Braydich, regional Operation Christmas Child coordinator for the Great Lakes Region, will speak at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Operation Christmas Child celebration at Wildare Church, 7211 N. Park Ave., Champion. The public is invited to learn how to participate in Operation Christmas Child.

VOCATION EVENTS: The Diocese of Youngstown is hosting a series of Praise & Worship Nights for Vocations at various sites within the diocese through June. These nights are meant for people to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.

• 7 p.m. May 28 at Our Lady of Peace Parish-Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 1200 E. 21st St., Ashtabula (bilingual celebration).

• 7 p.m. June 25 at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish-Blessed Sacrament Church, 3020 Reeves Road NE, Warren.

ORGAN CONCERT SERIES: St. Columba Cathedral in downtown Youngstown will present an organ concert series at the church. Below is the schedule and the featured organists:

• 6:30 p.m. Friday, Maurice Clerc of France.

• 6:30 p.m. June 26, Loreto Aramendi of Spain.

The performances are free and the public is welcome. For more information, contact Ralph Holtzhauser at rholtzhauser@youngstowndiocese.org.