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.
Celtic Services
Longmeadow – St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 335 Longmeadow, next Celtic Service will take place on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. The theme is “The Coming of the Dark,” with Susan Howland, Celtic harpist.
St. Nicholas Craft Fair
Ludlow – Christ the King Parish will be holding their annual St. Nicholas Craft Fair that will be held in the parish hall on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The parish is located at 41 Warsaw Ave.
Upcoming church events
Springfield – Foster Memorial Church, 1791 Wilbraham Road in the Sixteen Acres sections present the following events both on Saturday, Nov. 9. A “Drive Through” event for the collection of donations will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in the church’s back parking lot. They will collecting nonperishable food for the Open Panty. They are also collecting new and gently used jackets and coats for children, youth and adults, to be distributed through Rebecca Johnson School, Gray House and the Open Pantry. All donations are very much appreciated.
A Quarter Auction and Raffle will start at 4:30 p.m., doors open at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for two paddles. Bring a non-perishable food item for a free raffle ticket. Food and snacks will be available for purchase. For more information call Lori at 413-626-9040
Fall into the holidays
Holyoke – Our Lady of Guadalupe Community Center will host St. Jerome Parish Fall into the holidays on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring a variety of vendors, handmade crafts, holiday decorations, raffle, 50/50 and door prizes. Breakfast, lunch and desserts for sale. Donate a canned or nonperishable item for a free raffle ticket. All donations will be used for their Thanksgiving Food Distribution. The community center is located at 340 Chestnut St., in the Gym building (2nd floor), enter from Chestnut St.
Breakfast with the Knights of Columbus
Ludlow – St. Elizabeth Parish, Hubbard Street will host a breakfast with the Knights of Columbus on Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Pastor Center. The menu consists of pancakes (buttermilk, chocolate chip, gluten free), link sausages, home fries, scrambled eggs (with your choice of veggies and cheese), coffee, tea and juice, maple syrup, butter. Tickets are $8 adults, $25 family (4 or more), $5 children ages 4-12, veterans and children ages 3 and younger are free. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Christmas Fair
Springfield – South Church will be holding their upcoming Christmas Fair, on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 45 Maple Street in Springfield. Featuring live music, kid’s craft making, food for sale, vendors selling crafts, candles, jewelry and more.
Crafters wanted
Springfield – Holy Cross Church is seeking crafters for its holiday Craft Fair to be held on Saturday, Nov. 30. The fair will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school gymnasium. For $50 the parish will provide an 8-foot table. For more details, contact Elaine Bloniasz at erbl529@aol.com. Checks should be made out to Holy Cross Church, 221 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01118.
Jewish Learning Institute course
Longmeadow – This fall, Rabbi Yakov Wolff of Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy (LYA) and the Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) is offering a course titled “Nurturing Relationships.” This six-week course will offer participants practical wisdom for improving any interpersonal relationship. The first of six weekly sessions begin on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. at LYA, 1148 Converse Street in Longmeadow. There are Zoom options as well.
Developed by the globally recognized Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, Nurturing Relationships draws on thirty centuries of Jewish teaching to deliver effective, relevant tools for better connections today—from empathy, active listening, and healthy disagreement to managing reactions around flawed behavior, being a good influence, and achieving forgiveness.
Cost to attend is $100 a person. Interested students may call Rabbi Wolff at 413-348-4978 or visit www.myJLI.com to register or to access other course-related information.
“Nurturing Relationships” will also be offered beginning on Thursday, Nov. 14 at law offices of James Smith, 1331 Main Street, Springfield, for six consecutive weeks.
Polish plate dinner
Springfield – A Polish plate dinner (4 pierogi, golabek, kielbasa, kapusta and rye bread) will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 2 to 6:00 pm at Immaculate Conception Church Hall 25 Parker St. in the Indian Orchard section. Eat in or take out. Tickets at $20 per plate, are available by calling: Maria Kowalski 413-222-6229; Irena Wurszt 413-427-5846; or Maryla Bukowski 413-427-9464. Also available is frozen Polish food (golabki, kapusta, pierogi) cabbage, potato & cheese, sweet cheese, blueberry pierogi.
Annual holiday fair
Ludlow –First Church in Ludlow, 859 Center St., will hold their annual holiday fair fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Featuring cemetery logs, raffles in Fellowship-Hall including a cornhole lawn game and a separate raffle for a large-screen TV plus baskets galore, Santa’s workshop with handmade items from the ‘Elves’, pins-needles-paint, items made by friends and members of First Church and a bakeshop. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there on Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (take your own photos).
Fall into winter fair
Enfield, Conn. – The Women’s Guild of St. Jeanne Jugan Parish invites the public to their annual fall into winter fair on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Holy Family Church, 23 Simon Road. Featuring forty-five crafters and artisans in the Father Kerwan Hall and adjoining classrooms with a wide array of handcrafted products. A Tea Cup Raffle and refreshments are also available and admission is free.
St. Nick’s Christmas Bazaar
Ludlow -St. Elizabeth Parish will hold their annual St. Nick’s Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the pastoral center. Approximately 40 vendors will sell stained glass, hockey items, sea glass trees, photographs and more. Free attendance raffle for all, a lottery ticket raffle and 10 baskets raffle will be available. A light luncheon at St. Nick’s Café will be available for a nominal fee. Parking and admission are free.
Christmas crafters wanted
Holyoke – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is getting ready for its upcoming Dec. Gingerbread Fair. Join in to craft Christmas items like bows, wreaths, ornaments and cards. Sewers, knitters, all-over artistic folks and people who love Christmas meet weekly on Craft Nights every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. There are projects for all ages and talents. The church is located at 34 Jarvis Ave.
Crafters wanted
Southwick – The Southwick Congregational Church will be having their annual Holly Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is a call for crafters who are interested in being a part of this community event. To rent table space and receive a registration form, please call the church office at 413-569-6362.
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. The church will move its Sunday services from the sanctuary to the air-conditioned Parish Hall for the summer months, through Sept. You will experience their warm welcome, fine music program, and engaging coffee hour immediately following worship. Childcare is also available.
The Bible Study group on Zoom will now take place on Mondays at 7 p.m. (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.
Church events
Wilbraham – Wilbraham United Church at 500 Main St., welcomes 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. Following all Sunday services, there is a Friendship gathering in the Fellowship Hall. Coffee, and other refreshments are served and all are welcomed. Wilbraham United is a merged congregation of the Congregational and Methodist Societies. They celebrate as both a congregation that recognizes the traditions and values of both the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist denominations. Wilbraham United Church is a place where someone from any walk of life can feel comfortable. They are committed to service and sharing their space for the good of the community and to the glory of God. The church is especially welcoming to children, who are gladly received in the worship service. There are church school classes for children who wish to attend for ages 3 through 13 during the worship service time. The church is handicapped accessible with a large parking lot in the rear. For any questions contact the church administrator at 413-596-2511 ext. 100 or email admin@wilbrahamunitedchurch.org.
Weekly programs
Holyoke – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Ave., offers the weekly programs. Sunday’s: 9:30 a.m., worship and Sunday school, worship Facebook live; Monday’s: 10:30 a.m., Bible Study at church; Tuesday’s: 6 to 8 p.m., crafts group at church; Wednesday’s: 10:30 a.m., prayers with Pastor, Facebook live; Thursday’s: 7 p.m., worship at church. All are welcome.
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. Following all Sunday services, there is a friendship gathering in the church hall. The church is handicap accessible with a large parking lot. The church live stream’s on YouTube each week. Visit https://agawamcongregationalchurch.com. For more information call 413-786-7111 or email at 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.
