Your Religion News: Aug. 17, 2019

GREENFIELD — Temple Israel presents “Two-Sided Story,” Sunday, Aug. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 27 Pierce St. Emmy award-winning director Tor Ben Mayor follows a group of 27 bereaved Palestinians and Israelis who meet under the framework of a unique project called “History Through the Human Eye,” led by Parents Circle-Families Forum — bereaved Palestinians and Israelis for Peace and Reconciliation. Suggested donation, $5 to $18. Part of Temple Israel’s “Love Your Neighbor” summer film series. For more information: 413-773-5884.

Tuesday: Loss of a partner seminar

GREENFIELD — If you have lost a husband, wife or partner and are still grieving, you are welcome to join us for a “Loss of a Spouse Seminar,” Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Living Waters Church, 450 Davis St. $5. Please call Barbara at 413-768-7814 to register.

Aug. 24: Shugden Dorje Awareness Day

SOUTH DEERFIELD — On Saturday, Aug. 24, the second annual International Shugden Dorje Awareness Day will be hosted by the Holy Name of Jesus Church, National Catholic Church, at 15 Thayer St.

Representatives from various Tibetan communities in the United States and Canada will gather, along with clergy and laity of other faiths, to help promote respect and religious tolerance for all faiths, based on the universal principles of love, compassion, mercy and peace.

At 3 p.m., traditional Tibetan food prepared by members of the various Tibetan communities will be shared. At 5 p.m., there will be a special concert, held in our church. Mr. Penpa Tsering, a world-renowned musician, from the Boston area, will offer traditional Tibetan songs on various musical instruments. Other peace songs will be performed by brothers, Sonam and Lobsang Gyaltsen, as well as music from other faiths.

We are also pleased to have in attendance the Venerable Rana Rata Orchie, a most honored Tibetan monk from Mongolia.

Also, a new meditation garden, with a stone angel will be blessed. Sonam Lama of South Deerfield, along with fellow Tibetan brothers, will construct new stonework for this special place that will serve as a place of prayer, reflection and meditation.

SOUTH DEERFIELD — On Sunday, Aug. 25, the Holy Name of Jesus PNC Church will celebrate its 90th anniversary of its founding in 1929. A special Anniversary Mass of the Eucharist will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. by the Most Rev. Anthony A. Mikovsky, primate of the PNC Church, along with the Rt. Rev. Paul Sobiechowski, bishop of Eastern Diocese of the PNC Church and other area clergy from the PNC Church.

Following the service, there will a gathering at the Polish American Citizen’s Church on South Main Street for a pulled pork barbecue beginning at noon, also serving kielbasa and hot dogs. Music from the Rhythm Band of Connecticut will begin at 1 p.m. and the barbecue will be served starting at 2 p.m., catered by the Damn Yankees BBQ of South Deerfield, along with contributions from Bub’s BBQ of Sunderland.

Advance tickets for the BBQ have been set at $20 until Aug. 18. After Aug. 18, the price will be $25. For tickets and more information, please call Fr. Robert Koerber at Holy Name of Jesus, 413-665-2129 (Parish) or Sue Dibrindisi at 413-586-4315.

NORTHFIELD — The annual Riverside Service of Trinitarian Congregational Church will be Sunday, Aug. 25 at Tom and Pat Shearer’s, 101 Cross Road, overlooking the Connecticut River. The Rev. Quentin Chin, interim pastor, will lead the service. As this is an outdoor service, please bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Also bring a dish to share for the potluck fellowship time following the service. This year’s worship will be scripture, poetry and music. If you would like to bring a poem or short reading about summer or nature, please do so. For more information, call 413-498-5839.

GREENFIELD — The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew welcomes all Franklin County students, teachers and backpack wearers of all ages to join us at our Sunday, Aug. 25 services at 8 and 10 a.m. to have their backpacks blessed with prayers for a good, fun and joy-filled school year. Located at 8 Church St. For more information, call 413-773-3925.

Former local pastor publishes book

The Rev. Don Erickson, former pastor of the Community Church of North Orange and Tully (CCNOT), is celebrating the publishing of a new book. Erickson’s book, “A Life Lived and Laid Down for Friends: A Progressive Christology,” developed out of sermons written and delivered while he was the minister in North Orange between 2013 and 2018.

Erickson’s book is focused on the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. The rationale Erickson gives for another book written about Jesus, the most written-about figure in world history, relates to his time at CCNOT. The 1781 congregation in North Orange is a federated church that joins together two church bodies, a United Church of Christ congregation and a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Erickson states, “I saw one task of the pastor in this setting (was) presenting a Jesus that spoke to both religious traditions … a Jesus that was both unique and earthbound, both revelatory and human. The book attempts to thread this needle as well.”

Erickson states that the overarching theme of the book is that Christ’s “great love for his disciples was so profound that it led Jesus to sacrifice himself rather than see his disciples suffer.” Erickson argues that this sacrificial death for his “disciples-friends” influenced not only the birth of the church but the transcendence of the rabbi Jesus to divine status.

Erickson’s book is published by Wipf and Stock Publishing. The book is available through most major booksellers, including Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and through Wipf and Stock directly.

GREENFIELD — On Sunday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m., there will be one combined service at The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew for Fall Festival Sunday. The worship will feature the return of our choir, a special welcome to newcomers, a prayer of thanks for the longtime ministry of the Episcopal Church Women as they conclude their ministry, and will celebrate the creation season. Immediately following will be a special coffee hour and a ministry fair in our parish hall. The church is at 8 Church St. To learn more, call 413-773-3925 or www.saintsjamesandandrew.org.

GREENFIELD — On Sunday, Oct. 6, during the 8 and 10 a.m. services at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, we will bless our pets, backyard farm animals, stuffed animals and photos of our petsduring our worship services. Every creature is beloved by God; bring yours to be blessed. 8 Church St. To learn more, call 413-773-3925 or www.saintsjamesandandrew.org.