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INTERIM PASTOR: Champion Christian Church, 151 W. Center St., a Disciples of Christ congregation, has appointed the Rev. Heather Godsey, formerly of Bloomington, Ill., to serve as interim pastor.
Godsey comes from Centennial Christian Church in Bloomington, where she had served as interim pastor since spring 2019. She also held interim pastorates at Table Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Knoxville and at First Christian Church in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Previously, she worked in Ohio as associate minister of United Protestant Campus Ministries at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
For 12 years she was program director for The Wesley Foundation at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she secured and administered a $100,000 grant for theological exploration of vocation program funding.
She completed her Master in Divinity degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville and was ordained in May 2003.
The Rev. Kenneth E. Hopkins Jr. retired after 26 years of service to the church and a total of 40 years in ministry.
The Rev. Cynthia Klingemier, a regional elder for the Christian Church of Ohio (Disciples of Christ), had been serving as a bridge pastor for the church after Hopkins' retirement.
EMPOWERMENT SERIES: Second Baptist Church "A House of Hope," 1510 Main Ave. SW, Warren, will host a Black History Month Empowerment series. Each session will feature a panel discussion. There will be time for questions and answers and next steps that residents can take. Individuals may attend in person or tune in on the church Facebook and YouTube pages.
"Next Gen Careers" is 2 to 4 p.m. today with insight into the emerging job market and how to get involved in skilled trades. Host is Pastor Todd Johnson with panelists Timothy Callion, Dominick Brown and Vernon Mills of Ultium Cells.
MARDI GRAS FUNDRAISER: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, McDonald, is sponsoring a Mardi Gras drawing for Amazon gift cards -- three valued at $100, two valued at $250, and one valued at $500. The drawing is March 1. Tickets are on sale for $20 after Mass, at the rectory, or from a member of parish council or finance council. For information, call the rectory at 330-530-1111 or visit the church's website at olphparish618@aol.com.
WHITE MASS: Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown will be the principle celebrant for the 25th annual White Mass 10:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown.
The White Mass celebrates all health care professionals, including mental health workers, and recognizes the ministry of all those in the healing professions.
For those who cannot participate in person, the White Mass will be livestreamed through the Diocese of Youngstown's website at www.doy.org/live.
zFIRST FRIDAY: The First Friday Club of Greater Youngstown will have guest speaker, the Rev. John M. Jerek, Diocesan Director of the Permanent Diaconte Formation, at noon March 3 at Avion on the Water Banquet Center in Canfield. Jerek will speak on "The Path of Salvation Runs through Lent." Lunch is at 11:30 a.m. and costs $18. The talk is free. Call for reservations by Feb. 25 at 330-720-4498.
BIBLE CLASSES: A free eight-week class "Who is This Jesus?'' will be offered at noon Thursdays beginning March 3 at the Cortland Library Branch. Sessions are one hour each. Call 330-637-1421 to register.
KOLBE GATHERING: The Diocese of Youngstown, through its Prison Ministry program, has started The Kolbe Gathering, which is a place for the formerly incarcerated and their families to join with parish-based volunteers in spiritual support and fellowship. The gatherings embrace spirituality in prayer, music, Scripture reading and fellowship. Kolbe Gathering can help those who are in need and looking for a parish or faith-based organization to join. Initial gatherings take place 6 to 8 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month at Holy Apostles Parish-SS. Peter and Paul Church, 421 Covington St. in Youngstown. The Kolbe Gathering takes its name from the St. Maximilian Kolbe, the patron saint for prisoners and drug addicts. He was martyred in the German death camp of Auschwitz during World War II. For information, contact William Barger, coordinator for prison ministry, at 330-235-3920.
BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM: First Baptist Church of Windham, 104422 state Route 308, will host a Black History program 11 a.m. Sunday with guest speaker, The Rev. Lionel Young.
ACCEPT GOD'S LOVE: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center offers a new virtual program "Lent: A Time to Accept God's Gift of Love." The six-week series will be once per week at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. Thursdays beginning March 3 via Zoom with Ardath Blake, HM.
Using "The Forty Parables of Jesus" by Gerhard Lohfink as a guide, this six-week series will offer reflections on the answer to Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?"
Registration is required. Cost is $5 each or $25 for the entire series. Participation in all sessions is not required.
Registration and further information are available online at vmesc.org or by calling 724-964-8886.
MEN'S MILE MARKER: St. Joseph Parish, 4545 New Road, Austintown, will present Men's Mile Marker 2022 from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Feb. 26. An optional Mass will follow at 4:30 p.m. at the parish. The day will feature food, fellowship and fun. Register at www.ihm-parish.com/mens-mile-marker.
FUTURE OF HOPE: Hubbard St. Patrick Church will present "Future Full of Hope" Parish Mission with Vince Ambrosetti, a former Catholic Artist of the Year from Feb. 27 to March 2.
He has performed for at least two saints. He sang his song, "Sanctuary" during Communion at Mother Teresa's funeral in Calcutta, India. He also has composed, recorded and, by invitation of the Vatican, performed for Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica.
A family concert will kick off the mission 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 27, Feb. 28 and March 1. March 2 is a mission night and Ash Wednesday. Holy Mass and distribution of ashes also will be part of the final mission evening.
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