Religion news
MENS RALLY IN VALLEY: The 2026 Mens Rally in the Valley will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 23 at the Covelli Centre, Youngstown. The free event will include a concert with Christian artist Michael W. Smith. Guest speakers will include Bishop Timothy Clarke, Chris Holm, Billy Hartwig and Dave Kohout. Men’s Rally in the Valley exists
to reach out to unchurched men to bring them together in Christian unity for prayer, fellowship, worship and teaching.
COMMUNITY REVIVAL: Orwell North Presbyterian Church, Orwell United Methodist Church and Resurrection Life Church, all in Orwell, will host community revival services with Billy Huddlestone on Sunday. Huddleston will be at Orwell North at 10 a.m., Orwell United at 11 a.m. and Resurrection at 6:30 p.m. Additional services are 7 p.m. Monday at Orwell United, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Orwell North and 7 p.m. Wednesday at Resurrection Life.
MOTHER’S DAY: New Reed’s Chapel AME Church, 1939 Jacobs Road, Youngstown, will have guest speaker Pastor Carol Hewlett at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. There will be a luncheon with tickets costing $30 per adult by calling 330-770-0750.
SPRING HYMN: Trinity Lutheran Church, 2742 North Road NE, Warren, will host the annual spring hymn sing at 5:30 p.m. May 16. The event will include a potluck breakout and hymn sing.
49TH ANNIVERSARY: The Mighty Golden Wonders will host its 49th anniversary celebration at 5 p.m. May 17 at Phillips Chapel Church of God in Christ, 3903 Jacobs Road SE, Hubbard. There will be several featured musical guests, including the Disciples of Christ from Columbus, The Supreme Angels of Youngstown and the Voice of Faith of Alliance.
GUEST SPEAKER: William Federer, a Christian historian, speaker and author with American Minute.com, will be guest speaker at 11 a.m. May 23 at the Jericho Center, 2878 Warren Meadville Road, Bazetta. The event is free, but reservations are needed at 330-638-2959 or text 330-883-6620.
LABYRINTH WALK: Ursuline Sisters Mission, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, will host its 16th year of guided labyrinth walks. This year’s overarching theme honors the 350th Jubilee of the Sacred Heart, as Youngstown Diocese Bishop David J. Bonnar has called on Catholics to do. Each month’s theme will focus on unique expressions of the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, including compassion, mercy, forgiveness, presence, sacrifice and unconditional respect for every person. All persons of faith are invited to participate in these free, weather-permitting events. Walks are about a half hour. The next walk is 2 p.m May 17.
FIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown Speaker Series season’s next program and luncheon will be at noon June 4 with guest speaker David Gibson, Ph.D., who will present “American Pope, American Church: What Leo XIV Means for U.S. Catholicism ” at Avion on the Water Banquet Center, 2177 W. Western Reserve Road, Canfield. Gibson is an award-winning journalist and the director of Fordham University’s Center on Religion and Culture. 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 by May 28 at 330-720-4498. Reservations are limited! Visit www.firstfridayclubofgreateryoungstown.org
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. The final concert is 6:30 p.m. June 26, with Loreto Aramendi of Spain. The performance is free.
TAIZE PRAYER: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center in Villa Maria, Pa. will offer Taize Prayer at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Taize is a service of prayer, song and contemplation by candlelight. Taize is a form a Christian prayer originating from the ecumenical Christian community of Taize in France. Music ministers are Daniel Laginya and Barb Zorn. For information, call 724-964-8886 or visit the center’s website at vmesc.org.
GUIDED LABYRINTH WALK: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a free Guided Labyrinth Walk 2 to 4 p.m. May 24 at the center grounds.
The theme is “God’s Magnificent Creation: What are You Creating?” The labyrinth is a tool that allows people to explore their inner space and discover the sacred within and around us. Participants prayerfully walk the outdoor grass path after receiving thematic instructions from the presenter. Registration is preferred. In the event of questionable weather conditions, call 724-964-8886 or visit https://vmesc.org/.


