Briefly: Religion news

Oakland UMC set
to mark anniversary
Oakland United Methodist Church is celebrating its 131st birthday on July 29. The homecoming service will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck dinner inside the church at 30701 E. Truman Road, Buckner. Bring a covered dish to share.   
They hope enough people attend to hold hands and circle the church for a brief prayer, hymn and benediction. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Sue Morrison at 816-478-0345.

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Clothing exchange
at Summit Grove
Summit Grove Community of Christ will host a free clothing exchange from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 4 at the church, 411 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence.
Clean, gently used clothing, coats, purses, backpacks and more for infants through adults, will be available. Clothing donations appreciated, but not required. For more information, call 816-461-4186 or visit summitgrovecofc.org.

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Calvary Baptist
offers gospel sing
Calvary Baptist Church is holding a gospel sing with “Gentle Hearts” at 6 p.m. July 29 at the church, 900 N.W. 22nd St., Blue Springs.
Refreshments will follow and a love offering will be taken for the group. For more information, call the church at 816-228-5540.

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Pancake breakfast
at First Christian
The First Christian Church of Independence will hold a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. July 28 in the Fellowship Hall, 125 S. Pleasant St.
The cost is $3.50 and includes coffee, juice, sausage and all-you-can-eat pancakes.
For more information, call the church at 816-252-6100.

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Community of Christ
theme: ‘We are One’
Greg Savage will speak on the theme “We Are One” at the 10:20 a.m. worship service this Sunday at the Stone Church Community of Christ, 1012 W. Lexington Ave., Independence.
Savage, a former pastor of Stone Church, works in the estate planning ministerial area of the World Church. Ronald Yager Jr. will preside, with special music provided by Pamela Landrum and Kristopher Taylor. Others participating in the service are Karen Cross, Shayla Jensen, Randy Gunn, Bill Landrum and Suzanne Mwirigi.  
Services have captioning for the hearing impaired. For more information, contact the church at 816-254-2211 or visit www.stone-church.org.
• Retired apostle Phillip Caswell of Community of Christ speaks on the theme, “We Are One” for 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. worship services Sunday at the Groves Congregation, 1515 W. White Oak, Independence.
Caswell’s wife, Darlene, will minister in prayers and the Disciple’s Generous Response. Tom Peterson, Karen Astner and Alice Swanson assist, with Brenda Allen, cellist, providing music ministry.
Everyone is welcome.

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Tabitha’s Closet
has golf fundraiser
Tabitha’s Closet, operated by volunteers from Independence First Christian Church, will hold its first benefit golf tournament Aug. 4 at Drumm Farm Golf Club in Independence.
Tabitha’s Closet is a nonprofit organization that serves families in the Independence area by providing clothing for children infant through high school. During 2011-12 school year, more than 1,900 children received shoes, socks, underwear, pants, shirt and a jacket through Tabitha’s Closet. In recent years, this effort has received growing support from other churches, organizations, service clubs and individuals. All of the profits from the golf tournament will go to Tabitha’s for shoes and clothing.
It’s a four-person scramble. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7 a.m., and the shotgun start is at 8 a.m. The registration fee of $85 is required by Saturday, and includes green fees and cart, beverages and snacks on the course, continental breakfast, luncheon banquet, and flight prizes.
To register, go to www.tournevents.com/tabitha. For more information, call Pam Gibson at 816-522-4915 or the church at 816-252-6100.

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Chapel Hill taking
donations for needy
Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Blue Springs is still collecting for Hope House this month, and the Church and Society Ministry Unit is collecting school supplies for the Community Services League.
The Mission Trip Minute Senior High Mission Trip 2012 is scheduled following the 10:30 a.m. worship service July 29. They will be sharing stories and photos and serving desserts.
Heartland Presbytery Day Annual Worlds of Fun is Aug. 8. Admission is $31 and includes an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. The carpool will leave the church at 9:30 a.m. and return around 5 p.m. Contact Michelle for reservations.
The church is at 3108 W. U.S. 40. For more information, contact the church at 816-229-3367 or visit www.chpresby.org.

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St. Paul UMC sets
parenting workshops
St. Paul United Methodist Church in Independence will host workshops from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays to help parents who have children making the transition from elementary school to middle school.
Topics are:
• This Tuesday, Alcoholics Anonymous.
• July 31, Planned Parenthood – Parent & Child workshop.
• Aug. 7, PACER (bullying awareness).
The church is at 3601 S. Sterling Ave. For more information, contact the church at 816-254-8680 or visit www.st-paulumc.org.

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God and country
celebration offered
Blue Springs Assembly will hold a God and country celebration at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the church, 2501 N.E. Duncan Road.
This free event will feature guitarist Ron Mitchell. He is a veteran of radio, television, recording and personal appearances, and has performed and ministered in camps, fairs, churches and auditoriums across the Midwest. He has also been a band director for “The Gospel Echoes” and “The Bethelairs,” two locally acclaimed gospel groups.
A free meal will be served to those who place their name on a reservation list prior to July 20. For more information and to sign up for dinner, call the church at 816-847-0200.

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Fundraiser aids KC
Renaissance Festival
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival will present a feast as a fundraiser Saturday for Cornerstone Community of Christ, 1316 S. Osage St., Independence. Come feast and make merry with King Henry VIII and Queen Katherine Parr Saturday.
The event includes a five-course meal and two hours of enchanting entertainment. Admission is $25 per person in advance, $30 at the door. You’ll also receive a complimentary ticket to the 2012 Kansas City Renaissance Festival with every feast ticket purchased (tickets are good for Sept. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 15 and 16 only).
For more information, contact the Kansas City Renaissance Festival at 913-721-2110, sales@kcrenfest.com or tickets@kcrenfest.com.