Faith what's happening

Yakima Herald-Republic

Chili, peppers and pie on West Valley menu

Might want to skip lunch today to save some room.

West Valley Missionary Church is hosting a chili cook-off, chili pepper eating contest and pie-eating contest this afternoon.

The events run from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 11107 Wide Hollow Road. There's no entry fee.

For more information, visit the church's Web site at www.westvalleymc.org.

 

Take steps to raise funds for hunger relief

Get out those comfy walking shoes: Yakima's annual CROP Walk takes place today.

CROP, which stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, helps to raise awareness and funds for international aid and development, as well as local hunger relief.

Sponsored by the Yakima Association of Churches and Faith Communities, the walk begins at 10 a.m. at the Yakima Interfaith Coalition/La Casa Hogar, 106 S. Sixth St.

Twenty-five percent of proceeds from the 5-kilometer walk will be donated to Yakima Interfaith Coalition.

For more information, call the Yakima Interfaith Coalition at 457-5058.

 

'Rosary for Life' Sunday in Moxee

A recitation of the "Rosary for Life" will take place Sunday afternoon at Holy Rosary Parish in Moxee.

The Most Rev. Carlos Sevilla, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yakima, will lead the prayers at 3 p.m. at the church, 201 N. Iler St. The theme is "Hope and Trust in Life."

For more information, call Irene Gutierrez at the diocese's Respect Life Office at 965-7110.

 

Hymn Festival Sunday at Westminster

Westminster Presbyterian Church is hosting a Hymn Festival, featuring a combined choir from three local churches.

The event takes place at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 6015 Summitview Ave.

The fest features choirs from Westminster, Wesley United Methodist and Central Lutheran churches, plus a pipe organ and a brass quartet.

For more information, call the church at 966-1900.

 

Feast Day Saturday at Christ Lutheran

Saturday is the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi.

In honor of it, Yakima's Christ Lutheran Church is hosting a Blessing of the Animals ceremony Sunday morning.

The son of a wealthy merchant, Saint Francis renounced his wealth and devoted himself to serving the poor. Under his leadership, the Order of Friars Minor, or the Franciscans, was formed. He also appreciated all creatures, calling them his brothers and sisters.

In recent years, the Blessing of the Animals ceremony has become a tradition at Christ Lutheran. This is its fourth year of holding the event, part of the morning worship service.

Everyone's invited to bring animals to receive a blessing. Weather permitting, the service will take place outside. Those attending are asked to dress warmly and bring their lawn chairs and pets -- in a cage or on a leash -- for the worship and blessing.

People usually bring cats and dogs. But there have been a few exceptions.

"We've had a parrot," says the Rev. Carol Nelson, pastor at Christ Lutheran. "Somebody brought a ferret one year. I never know until they get here. It's exciting. We get a lot of folks that come back, even though they're not members. People like it."

The service and blessing take place at 9:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 5606 W. Lincoln Ave. For more information, call the church at 966-1720.

 

Gospel Messengers will sing Sunday

The Gospel Messengers will be performing Sunday morning at Wiley Heights Covenant Church.

The singers will perform at the 11 a.m. worship service at the church, 12504 Gilbert Road. For more information, call the church at 966-2383.

 

'The Shack' is subject of two discussions

Two local churches are hosting discuss groups to review the Christian novel "The Shack."

The book by Oregon author William P. Young found itself on several best-seller round-ups -- even topping the New York Times' paperback trade fiction list -- since it was independently published last year.

Set in Oregon, the 200-plus page paperback focuses on Mack, who's overtaken by "The Great Sadness" after the abduction of his youngest daughter, Missy. He receives a letter inviting him back to the scene of the crime, a shack in the wilderness of Eastern Oregon. The letter is signed, "Papa," Mack's wife's name for God.

At the shack, Mack's greeted by The Father, who appears as a gregarious black woman; The Son, a Jewish, Middle-Eastern-looking workman; and The Holy Spirit, a luminous woman with Asian features. And he gets to truly know God.

Parker Heights Presbyterian Church is holding its study session at 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at the church, 5451 Konnowac Pass Road. For more information, call the church at 877-2582 or visit the church Web site at www.ParkerHeightsPres.org.

Yakima's Englewood Christian Church is holding its study session at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the church, 511 N. 44th Ave. For more information, call the Rev. David Helseth at 966-6550.

 

Actor Frank Runyeon at Blessed Sacrament

Actor Frank Runyeon will be the guest speaker at Blessed Sacrament Parish's sixth annual auction and dinner.

Runyeon, who starred for seven years as Steve Andropoulos on "As the World Turns," is slated to give two presentations -- "Sermon on the Mount" and "Hollywood vs. Faith."

A graduate of Princeton University, Runyeon continued his studies at Fuller Seminary, Yale Divinity School and General Theological Seminary. He's currently writing his autobiography, "Escape from Hollywood: An Actor's Journey."

The local dinner and auction event begins at 5 p.m. Oct. 18 with a social hour and silent auction. Appetizers will be served at 5:30 p.m. A live auction starts at 6:45 p.m. Runyeon takes the stage at 8 p.m.

Tickets cost $25 per person or $180 per table for a table of eight. Attendees must be 21 or older. Space is limited.

Tickets are on sale now at the church office or by calling 882-1657.The church is at 1201 Missouri St. in Grandview.

For more on Runyeon, visit his Web site at www.frankrunyeon.com.

 

Faith and fitness mingle at Yakima Athletic Club

There's a free "Faith and Fitness" class tonight.

The workout with a Christian message runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Yakima Athletic Club, 2501 Racquet Lane. Tonight's topic is "the exercise of trust."

The class features a message from the Bible and the chance to sweat to positive, uplifting music. Certified fitness instructors lead workouts, including a mix of yoga, pilates, tai chi, cardio, and strength training.

All fitness levels are welcome. Child care is available for kids 1 to 11 years old. Participants are asked to wear athletic shoes and bring a water bottle.

This month, they're also asked to bring a new pair of socks that "Faith and Fitness" organizers will donate to a local charity.

For more information, call Kristen Ackerman at 952-6551.

 

Missions Conference Oct. 18 at Wiley Union

Wiley Union Church invites everyone to its second annual Missions Conference.

This year's theme is "Till the Whole World Knows."

The event features an open-house format with information from groups such as Life Choices of Yakima, Jonah Ministries of Trout Lake, Africa Medical Missions, Teen Missions International, Union Gospel Mission, and Wiley Union Church Ministries. Breakout sessions will also be available.

The conference runs from 1:45 to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 in the church, at the corner of South Wiley and Ahtanum roads in West Valley. A potluck will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Everyone's asked to bring a dish to share.

For more informational, call the church at 965-2376.

 

Rummage sale today at Wesley United

The women's group of Wesley United Methodist Church is holding its annual fall rummage sale today.

The sale takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, at the corner of South 48th and West Chestnut avenues. It features a variety of items donated by the women of the church and collected by church members and their friends. Items include clothing, glassware, toys, tools, furniture and other goods.

Proceeds will benefit church programs and help purchase needed equipment.

 

Metropolitan Community Church celebrates 40 years

Sunday marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Metropolitan Community Church, a denomination that primarily ministers to gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender persons.

The church was founded in the fall of 1968 in Southern California. That first worship service in a Los Angeles suburb launched an international movement.

Today, the Metropolitan Community Churches have more than 43,000 adherents in almost 300 congregations in 22 countries.

Yakima's Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church is celebrating with a special service. Jen Ham of Ellensburg is the guest speaker.

Ham recently traveled with Soulforce's Equality Ride across the country to meet with people regarding gay and lesbian issues.

Sunday's service starts at 6:30 p.m. at Rainbow Cathedral MCC, located in the Unitarian Universalist Church at 225 N. Second St. For more information, call 457-6454 or visit www.rainbowcathedral.wordpress.com or www.MCCchurch.org.

 

Taizé service Sunday at St. Michael's

St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Yakima is hosting a Taizé service Sunday night.

The service starts at 7 p.m. at the church, 5 S. Naches Ave. A rehearsal takes place at 6 p.m.

Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and accompany the meditative singing of the service.

The ecumenical monastic Taizé Community was founded in Taizé, France, in 1940. Since then, the group of more than 100 brothers from more than 25 countries and different denominations has become a symbol of reconciliation.

For more information, call the church at 453-4881, or e-mail stmichaels@nncnet.com.

 

Preschool directors meeting Wednesday

Grace Lutheran Church is hosting a Yakima County preschool directors meeting Wednesday afternoon. The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. at the church, 1207 S. Seventh Ave.

The group meets monthly throughout the school year -- except December -- at churches and schools throughout the Yakima area. Each month, there's a different topic. October's topic is fundraising and budgets.

The rest of the 2008-2009 meeting schedule is:

* Nov. 12, Riverside Christian School, allergies in the classroom and other medical issues.

* Jan. 14, Agapeland in Selah, curriculum.

* Feb. 11, First Presbyterian Church of Yakima, kindergarten readiness.

* March 18, Riverside Christian, publicity and open houses.

* April 15, Grace Lutheran, staffing and training.

* May 13, location to be determined, planning for next year.

For more information, call Rhonda Cardona, director of First Presbyterian Christian Preschool, at 248-7940, ext. 119.

 

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