Briefly - Religion notes

Buckner UMC having ‘Homespun Harvest’

Buckner United Methodist Church will hold its “Homespun Harvest” beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Fellowship Hall at the church, 109 S Hudson, Buckner. Homemade chili and soup dinners will be served from 5 to 7 p.m., with a live auction beginning at 7 p.m.

Auction items include a weekend getaway to Branson, Kansas City Chiefs memorabilia, tickets to Kansas City Repertory, American Heartland and Coterie theaters, many gift certificates to restaurants and water parks, themed baskets and homemade goods. There will also be a drawing for a quilt, that was handmade by a church member.

This event is sponsored by United Methodist Women, to support mission work such as Della Lamb, Prison Patch and Baby Grace, an outreach to teen mothers in the Fort Osage School District.

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See KC Metro Men’s Chorus in concert

Kansas City Metro Men’s Chorus will be in concert Saturday at Ridgewood/Pleasant Heights Community of Christ, 4341 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City.

The concert begins at 7 p.m., with a silent auction to benefit the Community Mediation Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. Original artwork and services by local residents will be auctioned off.

The 80-plus voice all-men’s choir will be singing songs of praise. Throughout the past four years, the men have donated their time and monies in supporting charities, raising more than $100,000.

A free will offering will go to the Community Mediation Center, a not-for-profit agency based in Independence that trains in conflict resolution, anger management, group facilitation, plus mediation between neighbors, co-workers, families, churches and  more.

For more information about the center, call 816-833-4300, Ext. 215, or visit www.mediatemissouri.org.

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Flu shots available at North Spring UMC

A flu shot clinic will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at North Spring United Methodist Church, 601 N.E. Jefferson, Blue Springs.

Flu shots, along with pneumonia shots, are available. The shots are available for those over 9 years of age with parent permission. Health Solutions, the shot provider, is the same vendor that offers the same service at local grocery stores.

The flu shot is $28 and the pneumonia shot is $45. Some insurance will be covered. Call Betty Witt, the parish nurse, at 816-229-7988 to sign up.

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Kellogg to speak at Stone Church

Steve Kellogg will speak to the theme of “Lead a Life Worthy of God” at the 10:20 a.m. worship service this Sunday at the Stone Church Community of Christ. He is the bishop for the Central Mission Center located in Independence.

Eric Scott will be presiding, while John Davies and Gary Testerman will provide the ministry of music. Others participating will be LaDora Cripps, Denise Jensen and Terry Snapp.

The church is at 1012 W. Lexington Ave. in Independence. For information, call the church at 816-254-2211.

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Mount Washington celebrates 100 years

Mount Washington United Methodist Church, 584 S. Arlington Ave., Independence, will be celebrating its 100th anniversary Sunday. Its mission is a “A Community of Hospitality, Hope and Healing.”

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Angel Food Ministries at St. Matthew UMC

St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 2415 R.D. Mize Road, Independence, is having problems with its Angel Food Ministries program, due to the sign board not being replaced that was destroyed last May by a tornado.

Insurance is very slow in sending money, but we have faith that it will be up by 2009, so all of our regular families that used the board will know when to place orders.

Order days and times for November are as follows: Nov. 4, 6 to 7 p.m.; Nov. 5, 10 to 11 a.m.; and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 11. You’ll need to pay when you place an order, and may use cash or food stamps. Pick up your food between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Nov. 22.

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John Shelby Spong to speak at Unity

Former Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Unity Village. His topic is “The Future of Western Christianity and the American Dream.”

Spong, a leading spokesperson for an open and engaged Christianity, has initiated landmark, controversial discussions within the church. He is an outspoken advocate for change and has authored more than 20 books.

The following night at 7 p.m., Dr. Bart Ehrman will speak on “From God the Problem to God the Solution: Different Biblical Responses to Human Suffering.” Ehrman is the author of more than 20 books, including the best-selling “Misquoting Jesus.” He is a professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina and is an authority on the early church and the life of Jesus.

These lectures are open to the public, and will be held in the Activities Center at Unity Village, Missouri 350 and Colbern Road, near Lee’s Summit. Tickets are $30, plus a processing fee, for each evening and are available through TIX at 800-595-4849. Both lectures are available for a combination ticket rate of $50.



Adoption/foster care seminar in Lakewood

A Child’s Hope foster care and adoption seminar will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Woods Chapel United Methodist Church, 4725 N.E. Lakewood Way, Lee’s Summit. The event is jointly sponsored by the Adoption Resource Foundation.

This seminar is designed to raise awareness of the tremendous need for foster care and adoption in our area, and to provide information for churches to establish foster care and adoption ministries. If just one family in the congregation of every church became foster parents or adopted, hundreds of children would have a home.

The seminar features speakers from A Child’s Hope, the Woods Chapel UMC Adoption Resource Foundation, the Division of Children’s Services from Kansas and Missouri, and the Kansas City Alliance for Foster Care and Adoption. In addition, the Division of Children’s Services will have packets of information regarding children waiting for adoption.

There is no charge for the seminar, but registration is requested. Childcare available upon request when you register. For more information and to register, visit the Woods Chapel UMC website at www.woodschapelchurch.org.



Health and spirituality workshop at Temple

Everyone is invited to attend the Health & Spirituality Workshop: Healing Self & Community Nov. 7 and 8 at the Community of Christ Temple, 201 S. River Blvd., Independence. This workshop is designed for mental health professionals, nurses, pastoral ministers, caregivers, seminarians, hospice, families, volunteers, health professionals and students.

The Rev. Dr. Helen Appelberg, executive director of the William Temple Episcopal Center, will give the keynote address, “Called to Serve-Becoming Community” at 7 p.m. Nov. 7. There is no charge for the keynote session, and everyone is welcome. 

Fun and educational sessions include:

n Grins and Misty Eyes, Chuckles and Tears, Groans and Laughter: The healing power of drama and the dramatic power of healing

n Exploring complementary energy therapies

n Scripture coming alive through guided imagery

n Ministry of presence to a broken world

n Mediterranean diet

n Sharing the community of hope with you

n Stabilizing and treating the American family

n Coherence: Emerging research on the interconnections of head, heart, lungs and spirit

n Healing in the face of grief

n Calling all angels: Reaching out to people with depression

n Thank my lucky scars

This continuing nurse education activity has been approved by the Missouri Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation for 11 contact hours. Other disciplines will receive a certificate of attendance up to 11 clock hours.

Registration opens at 12:30 p.m., Nov. 7 with experiential sessions starting at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 8, activities will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For details visit www.CofChrist.org/news/2008/sept/Health_Spirituality_wkshp.asp or call 816-833-1000, Ext. 1262.



Craft fair at St. Joseph the Worker

St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church will be having its 10th annual craft fair from noon to 8 p.m. Nov. 7, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 at the church, 2200 N. Blue Mills Road, Independence.

There will be more than 35 booths, and all items must be homemade. If you, or someone you know, would like to rent a booth space, call Karen McCarter at 816-796-6877 for a registration form.

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St. Ann’s hosting ham and bean dinner

St. Ann’s Catholic Church will be hosting a ham and bean dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at 10109 E. Lexington Ave., Independence.

The dinner menu includes ham and beans, corn bread, dessert, coffee or tea, and will cost $4 per person. Stay for Bingo beginning at 6 p.m., and theme basket raffles will follow.

For more information, call 816-252-1160.

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Turkey/ham dinners at St. Matthews UMC

The women at St. Matthew United Methodist Church will host their annual turkey and ham dinners from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at the church, 2415 R.D. Mize Road, Independence.

The cost is $7 for adults, $3 for children under 10.

For more information, call 816-373-3366.

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Turkey dinner at First Christian/Blue Springs

The First Christian Church of Blue Springs will hold its annual turkey dinner from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the church, 701 N.W. 15th St.

The dinner includes all the Thanksgiving trimmings, with proceeds from the event helping support children and youth programs.

Tickets are available at the door, and will cost $7 for adults, $4 for children 10 years and under, under 5 years are free. For more information, call 816-229-8400.

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St. Robert Bellarmine hosting turkey dinner

St. Robert Bellarmine Church will be having its 22nd annual turkey dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in the parish center, 4313 S. Missouri 7, Blue Springs.

The menu will include turkey and all the trimmings, homemade desserts and drinks. The Women’s and Men’s ministries sponsor the dinner to raise funds for various church projects.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for children, ages 5 and under are free.

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Series concluded at South Crysler

South Crysler Community of Christ concluded a six-part series using the theme, “A Witnessing Community, We Can Do It.” Elder Ed Martins brought the series to a close on Wednesday evening, following a fellowship dinner.

Followers of the series were ministered to by Pastor Mark Byrne, Apostle Stassi Cramm, Seventies John Wight, Tony Nunn and Brad Speaks, and Elder Martins. The series was a gift offered to inform the community of the congregation’s presence, and to promote a community spirit of joy, hope, love and peace for all people.

You are invited to worship at South Crysler each Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m., with preaching at 10:30 a.m., 3100 S. Crysler Ave., Independence.

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Northland Cathedral hosts Holiday Bazaar

The Women’s Ministries of Northland Cathedral will be hosting a “Holiday Bazaar” Nov. 8.

If you are crafty or artistic, they would like to extend an invitation to be an exhibitor in their sixth annual bazaar.

For more information, visit www.northlandcathedral.org, go to events, look under “women” and you’ll see the bazaar listed. By clicking on this title, you may access the 2008 contract, rules and regulations. You may also call the church at 816-455-2555.

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‘Polka Mass’ at St. Cyril’s in Sugar Creek

A “Polka Mass” will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 9 at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church in Sugar Creek.

Songs, hymns and all other music will be traditional Slavic melodies, played by the Sugar Creek Tamburitzans and sang in English by the Kansas City Ethnic Choir and the church choir.

Refreshments and a big raffle will follow in the church hall. Prizes will be a mandolin crafted by Barry Berislavich and a large signed print by a noted Strawberry Hill artist.

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Fall Craft Festival at Peace Lutheran

Peace Lutheran Church will have its annual LWML Fall Craft Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at the church, 8240 Blue Ridge, Raytown.

There will be more than 30 to 35 crafters, featuring everything from wooden bird houses and fine kitchen towels to one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

Additionally, Pampered Chef and Mary Kay will be two of the recognized venders in attendance.

Starting at 11:30 a.m., homemade soup and chili, hot dogs and pie will be served. All proceeds will benefit REAP (Raytown Emergency Assistance Program) and the Good Shepherd Mission Food Pantry.

For information, call 816-353-3813.

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Chili Lunch/Book Fair at Eastside Baptist

A chili lunch and book fair will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at East Side Baptist Church, Independence.

The Youth Department is having a Scholastic Book Fair to raise money for a mission trip to New Orleans in the summer of 2009.

There will be books for children of all ages, reference books and Christian books. Also, the high school youth will be serving chili and all the fixin’s for a suggested donation of $5.

For more information, call the church at 816-796-0955.

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KC Men’s Chorus to perform at St. Mary’s

The Kansas City Men’s Chorus will be in concert at 4 p.m. Nov. 9 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 600 N. Liberty St., Independence.

Led by Noel Fulkerson, these 80 plus masculine voices will be singing songs of praise. The mission of the chorus is to praise God through their music and through service to those in need. Over the past four years, the men of the chorus have donated their time and monies in support this mission.

A free will offering will to St. Mary’s School.

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Interdenominational training this week

Cornerstone Community of Christ will be hosting interdenominational training, “Towards a Welcoming and Inclusive Church,” Nov. 7 through 9 at the church, 1316 S. Osage St., Independence.

The training will explore topics that will help ministers and lay persons become more effective leaders in working with congregations seeking to become more welcoming and inclusive, particularly to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender persons.

This training was designed specifically for congregations affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches USA, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Community of Christ, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada, but members of any denomination are welcome.

For more information, visit the Institute for Welcoming Resources website at  www.welcomingresources.org/welcomingchurchtraining.htm.

Follow the link to online registration or call Chuck Hewitt 816-616-5883 or Anita Bradshaw, National Field Organizer, at nfo@welcomingresources.org, 612-791-8217.