Published: October 30, 2009 10:20 pm      

Faith in Brief: 10/31/2009

Church is offering 'sound meditation'

Traverse City -- Much has been written about sound and its ability to promote calm, help relaxation and even accelerate healing and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse now is offering an hour of "sound meditation" two times a month through December.

Nurse Practitioner and hypnotherapist Anne Hughes and the Rev. Kevin Tarsa, minister of music, will combine music and guided imagery for an hour of "simple relaxation" that starts at 7:30 p.m. on the first and second Tuesday of the month at the UUC, 6726 Center Road. There is no charge and the public is invited. Participants may bring a pillow and blanket or use the chairs provided.

The next scheduled meditations are Tuesday and Nov. 10. For details, contact Hughes, 645-0911 or anne@thenursesofficetc.com, or Tarsa, 947-3117.

Church Women United will meet

Grawn -- The November meeting of Church Women United will be at Grawn United Methodist Church, West Silver Lake Road.

The ecumenical outreach mission organization for women of all Christian denominations will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday. Attendees should bring a dish to pass and table service for the fellowship luncheon.

Women also are asked to bring Christmas shoeboxes for children, filled with toys. The lid should be wrapped separately and held on the box with yarn or a rubber band. Hats and mittens for children age 5 and a stuffed animal also should be included.

Pasty sale benefits youth mission trip

Traverse City -- Traverse Bay United Methodist Church will sponsor its third annual pasty sale to benefit the church youth group and its summer 2010 mission trip.

The sale will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at the church, 1200 Ramsdell Road. The 12-ounce beef pasties are $4 each.

Advance orders are encouraged, however walk-ins are welcome. To place an order, call Mike Aubin, 590-0796, or e-mail tcpastysale@gmail.com.

Dickens' Arts

and Crafts Bazaar

Traverse City -- First Congregational Church will hold its annual Dicken's Christmas Arts & Crafts Bazaar Nov. 7.

Handicrafts from area artists and craftsmen will be featured throughout the church, 6105 Center Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There also will be homemade baked goods, Cherry Blossom preserves, gourmet delicacies and confections, handcrafted gifts and seasonal decorations contributed by the congregation.

A salad buffet luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and homemade baked goods will be available all day at the coffee shop. The lunch is $7 for adults and $4 for children.

Faith Church hosts art retrospective

Traverse City -- The Faith Church Worship Arts Department will host a Retrospective Art Exhibit of work by Louise Bass.

Bass is a Traverse City resident with an extensive background in painting and drawing. She has illustrated literacy books for 20 years for Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua, New Guinea.

The exhibit will be open from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the Faith Church Family Life Center, 1139 E. Front St.

Public invited to church craft show

Buckley -- The public is invited to do some early Christmas shopping at the Tabernacle Artisans & Craft Show.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Buckley Tabernacle, 213 Wexford Ave. There also will be a bake sale. Proceeds benefit the Tabernacle Benevolence Fund.

Sale features Ugandan jewelry

Traverse City -- A holiday sale of handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry made by Ugandan women will be sponsored by the Unitarian Peacemaker Needleworkers group.

The unique necklaces, earrings and bracelets will be on display and sold from 1 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6726 Center Road. The items are priced from $5 to $30, with most selections in the $10 to $20 range. All proceeds support a living wage for the beadmakers through the nonprofit Bead of Life organization.

For details about the sale, call Kathy Prentice, 941-8758, or Joann Rosi, 932-1132. For more about the program, visit www.beadforlife.org.

50th annual Holiday House in Gaylord

Gaylord -- Admission is free for shoppers at Gaylord First United Methodist Church's 50th consecutive Holiday House.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 at the church, 215 S. Center. More than 10 booths will feature homemade gifts from the pantry, needlework, books, crafts and treasures for all. Santa will make an appearance and visit with children during lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meal is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 and older and free for children ages 5 and younger.

Proceeds benefit mission projects and local charities. For more information, call Joann Schreiber, (989) 732-2874 or visit www.fumcgaylord.org and click on the Holiday House picture.

Fall Hymn Sing at Central United

Traverse City -- Central United Methodist Church's Fall Hymn Sing will be at an earlier time on Nov. 8.

The afternoon of music will start at 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary, 222 Cass St. The Rev. Marv Rosa will lead the music with Peggy Johnson and Byron Hanson on organ and piano. Special music by the church choir, the men's singing group and the Cherry Blossom Ramblers will round out the performance of favorite hymns selected by the audience.

A free-will offering will be taken to benefit hunger and disaster relief efforts and refreshments will be served.

Bethany offers free adoption meetings

Traverse City -- Bethany Christian Services of Traverse City will present free adoption information meetings on Nov. 10.

An intercountry information meeting will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., with a state adoption/foster care information meeting from 1 to 4 p.m. Both meetings will be held at Bethany's Traverse City office, 1055 Carriage Hill Dr., and will feature adoption specialists and guest families who will share their adoption stories.

For details or reservations, call 995-0870 or visit www.bethany.org/traverse.

Christmas shoebox packing parties

Traverse City -- Operation Christmas Child Northern Michigan is preparing for upcoming shoebox packing parties that will be held on Nov. 7. The goal is to pack 10,000 boxes.

Operation Christmas Child sends gift-filled shoeboxes to children in desperate situations around the world. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoeboxes have been packed, shipped and delivered.

Packing parties will start at 9 a.m. at Traverse City Christian School, 753 Emerson Road, 922-9881; Grace Community Church, 1817 S. Main, Central Lake, 544-3921; Otsego Christian Church, 1377 E. M-32, Gaylord, (989) 619-2112; and Lighthouse Missionary Church, 7824 Rogers Road, East Jordan, 536-0457.

Filled shoeboxes also may be brought to the parties. Shoeboxes should be standard size and may be filled with any combination of items, including personal hygiene items, toys, school supplies, sunglasses, shoes, jewelry or gum. In addition, a $7 donation to Samaritan's Purse for shipping for the box also is encouraged.

Volunteers and donations also are needed. For details, contact Dianna DeYoung, 922-9881.