Thrift shop
Springfield – The thrift shop at St. Gregory Armenian Church, 135 Goodwin St., in the Indian Orchard section, is open Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, go online to saintgregoryarmenianchurch.org.
Church events
Sunderland – First Congregational Church of Sunderland, 91 S. Main St., Serendipity Shop is open on Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with items for sale at bargain prices.
Weekly Sunday church service is offered at 11 a.m. in-person or on Zoom. Email scc1717@wordpress.com or visit the church on Facebook for more information.
Corned beef dinner
Springfield – Foster Memorial Church, 1791 Wilbraham Road in the Sixteen Acres section will be holding a corned beef dinner on Saturday, March 16. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children under 10 years old. There is a vegetarian option available. There will also be a Gift Basket Raffle. Reservations are required, call Lori at 413-626-9040.
Undie Sunday
Agawam – Throughout March, Agawam Congregational Church is accepting donations of new underwear for men, women, and children. All donations will be distributed to those in need at the end of the month.
Donations can be brought to the church at 745 Main St. The church is handicapped-accessible with a large parking area.
For more information, contact the church at 413-786-7111 or email office@AgawamCong.com.
Lenten mission
Agawam – Feeding Hills Congregational Church is challenging it’s parishioners to donate 40 non-perishable food items in 40 days. Items can be dropped off at the church weekly or following Easter. All donations are to benefit the West Springfield Parish Cupboard which services families in need throughout West Springfield, Agawam, and Feeding Hills. The church is located at 21 North Westfield St., in the Feeding Hills sections.
Lenten lunches
South Hadley – All Saints Church, will hold a Lenten lunch on Friday, March 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a choice of two lunches: lobster roll and chips, a choice of clam chowder or vegetable soup and crackers and a dessert brownie; a choice of clam chowder or vegetable soup and crackers, and a dessert brownie. To make a reservation, email in advance: l.marsh1250@yahoo.com. All are welcome. The church is located at 7 Woodbridge St.
Tag sale
Agawam – Agawam Congregational Church will hold a giant, spring tag sale on Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days in the church hill. There will be something for everyone of all ages. The church is located at 745 Main St.
Pierogi sale
Holyoke – On Saturday, March 23, Our Lady of the Cross Parish will be selling frozen pierogi. The food sale will take place in the vestibule of the church from 2 to 4 p.m. cabbage, apple, blueberry and potato/cheese pierogi will be on sale for $10 a dozen. The church is located on Holy Cross Ave. Use the front doors. For more information, call the parish office at 413-532-5661.
Purim at LYA
Longmeadow – Purim fun begins at LYA on Saturday night, March 23 with a megillah reading at 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served after the megillah reading. There is no charge for this event. The Purim celebration is open to the entire community. LYA will host two concurrent megillah readings on Sunday, March 24, beginning at 9 a.m. One megillah reading will be geared for preschool aged children. At least one parent is required to accompany children. The second megillah reading will be a community megillah reading. A special Purim breakfast will be served following both megillah readings sponsored by Beis Medresh Lubavitch. Families are invited at 10 a.m. to join a special Purim Comic Con Program sponsored by Chabad Hebrew School. There is no cost to attend megillah readings. Purim breakfast or Purim Comic Con.
Purim fun continues at Purim at the LYA Kibbutz in solidarity with the people of Israel. A Kibbutz is a community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. The fun will happen on Sunday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. An Israeli style buffet dinner will be served. Enjoy a petting zoo provided by Firefly Fields. There will be music, dancing and costume contest. Be entertained by the Kibbutz Rabbis Purim performance. Reservations can be made at www.LYA.org, by calling LYA at 413-567-8665 or email at info@lya.org. Cost for adults is $15 and $8 a child with a family rate of $50. All events take place at LYA, 1148 Converse St.
Holy week
Agawam – Agawam Congregational Church Holy week begins on Palm Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary and online at AgawamCongregationalChurch.com or YouTube.com. A Procession of Palms will begin in the Narthex, when people gather palms, proceed, and encircle the Sanctuary around the perimeter one full time while waving palms and moving to their seats in the pews. A Fellowship Hour will follow in the church hall at the conclusion of the service. Coffee, tea, juice, and water are available with various packaged snacks and desserts. A Maundy Thursday and Office of Tenebrae service recognizing the suffering and death of Christ with the Last Supper will take place on March 28 at 7 p.m. After communion, twelve disciple candles and the Christ candle will be lit and eight readers, with the minister, will Celebrate Tenebrae. The Sanctuary will be darkened as everyone will depart in silence and darkness.
Spring food sale
South Deerfield – Holy Name of Jesus Church, 15 Thayer St. will be holding a spring food sale on Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be Polish food including homemade pierogi, golumpki, soups, fresh apple pies, baked goods, and assorted food specialties. There will be large raffle including gift baskets, spring items, gift cards, and cash.
Church events
Springfield – South Congregational Church, an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ in downtown Springfield, invites everyone to its regular worship services, Sundays at 10 a.m. in person at 45 Maple Street in Springfield or on Zoom. Find the Zoom link and more information about us on our website at www.sococh.org.
Holy week at SCC is as follows: Palm Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. worship; Maundy Thursday, March 28, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. A time together centered on Jesus’ love commandment, love one another as I have loved you. A simple meal will be provided; Good Friday, March 29, noon to 2 p.m. in the sanctuary. “Women of the Passion” meditation and stations of the cross led by women of South Church and nearby communities; Easter Sunday, March 31, 10 a.m. worship.
You will experience their warm welcome, fine music program, and engaging coffee hour immediately following worship. Childcare is also available. Join the Bible Study group on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on Zoom (use the Zoom worship link) — whether you are new to bible study or have a lifetime of experience, you are welcome. Other programs include regular knitting and quilting circles as well as an upcoming Lenten Book Group. In addition to church services and events, South is particularly engaged in the downtown community, and many public programs are offered in their spaces. If you’d like to know more, receive our weekly email newsletter, or have any questions, please email admin@sococh.org or call (413) 732-0117. Find them on Facebook or Instagram.
Sunday services
Agawam – Agawam Congregational Church, 745 Main St., invites the community to Sunday morning services at 10 a.m. On the first Sunday of every month communion is served with bread and grape juice or with individually packaged wafer and grape juice. Following all Sunday services, there is a Friendship gathering in the church hall. Coffee, tea, and water are served along with various goodies and packaged treats. Juice is, also, available, especially, for children in attendance. Children can, also, visit the “Mural Room” where many animals are painted floor to ceiling on an entire wall. The church is handicapped accessible with a large parking lot. If anyone may need a ride or assistance, contact the church at 413-786-7111 or email office@agawamcong.com.
Additional adoration times
Agawam – St. John the Evangelist Church, 833 Main St. will offer weekly adoration ceremonies on Wednesdays between noon and 5:30 p.m. The Holy Mass takes place at 6 p.m. Lawn signs are available for Agawam residents announcing the Year of the Eucharist. Contact the parish office to obtain one, 413-786-8105, ext. 101.
Free weekly Veterans lunch
Holyoke – Community Roots Neighborhood Services offers a free hot lunch for Veterans and their adult immediate family (Parents or spouse). The lunches are every Thursday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 485 Appleton St. Questions? Email Gina Nelson at crnsholyoke@gmail.com.
