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.
Polish food sale
Holyoke – Our Lady of the Cross Parish will be selling frozen pierogi, golumbki and kapusta on two Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. The food sale will take place in the vestibule of the church. Cabbage, apple and potato/cheese pierogi will be on sale for $10 a dozen. Quarts of kapusta will be available for $5 and golumbki will be sold for $3.50 each. Call the parish office at 413-532-5661 for more information. The church is located on Holy Cross Ave.
Drive in collection event
Springfield -Foster Memorial Church, UCC, will hold their monthly outreach “Drive-In Collection of Donations” on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the church’s back parking lot. They will be collecting non-perishable food for the Open Pantry in Springfield. They will also be collecting new and gently used coats, jackets and new winterwear for children, youth and adults. They will also be collecting new toys and games for children and youth to be donated to the Gray House. The church is located at 1791 Wilbraham Road in the Sixteen Acres section. All donations are greatly appreciated.
Frozen Polish food sale
Springfield – There will be a frozen Polish food sale (pierogi, golabki, kapusta) at Immaculate Conception Church Hall, 25 Parker St. in the Indian Orchard section on Saturday, Dec. 9 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also call Jane Wurszt at 413-543-2835 to arrange a different time. All are welcome to come and purchase.
Upcoming events
Holyoke – On Saturday, Dec. 9, United Congregational Church of Holyoke virtual ministry Faithwaze will be hosting a Winter Warm Up from 9 a.m. until noon, they’ll be distributing outerwear to those in need, along with snacks, warm drinks and good cheer. At noon they’ll move inside for some food and a Christmas Song Sing Along, led by their very own Faithwaze Band. The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend.
Celebrate Chanukah with LYA
Longmeadow – Join LYA at the Thunderbirds Hockey Game as they play the Bridgeport Islanders on Saturday, Dec. 9. Game time begins at 7:05 p.m. There will be a public menorah lighting at the game. Tickets are $18 a person and can be ordered through LYA. Email morahk@lya.org to order your tickets. On Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Longmeadow Shops on Bliss Road for a Menorah Lighting. The fun begins at 4:30 p.m. with Chanukah Activities including a Chanukah Story Walk. The carving of the Ice menorah will begin at 5 p.m. Public Menorah lighting will begin at 5:30 p.m. There will be music, dreidels, hot cocoa, hot latkes, donuts, Led Menorah & Dreidel wristbands and Chanukah scarves. No reservations needed. Open to entire community.
Menorah lighting and gelt drop with the Longmeadow Fire Department will take place on Monday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. on the Longmeadow Town Green. A grand menorah will be lit on the Longmeadow Town Green in front of the Community House. Enjoy Chanukah treats and spread the light of Chanukah. No charge to attend. No reservations necessary. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, join the Menorah Parade and get a Chanukah car flag. The Menorah parade will begin at LYA, 1148 Converse St. at 5 p.m.
Join LYA and celebrate Chanukah with a catered dinner and entertainment by illusionist and hypnotist Joshy K on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m. at LYA. Dinner is being catered by Yosi Catering. For more information or to reserve your spot, call Rabbi Yakov Wolff at 413-567-8665 ext. 19 or email Rabbiymwolff@gmail.com Cost is $35 and is for adults only. On the last night of Chanukah on Thursday, Dec. 14, join LYA for an evening of family fun from 5 to 6:30 p.m. There will be learning followed by a grand Dreidel Bowl with prizes. A pizza dinner with salad will be served. $5 per person with a family price of $25. For more information or to RSVP email morahk@lya.org or call 413-567-8665.
Ruth and Fred Weiss Lecture
Springfield – The Springfield JCC cultural arts programing continues when Rabbi David Wolpe delivers the inaugural Ruth and Fred Weiss Lecture on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Beth El, 979 Dickinson St. The topic of the lecture is “How October 7th Changed Everything and What We Need To Do About It.” The program is free, but registration is required, visit www.springfieldjcc.org/events.
Choral music concert
Chicopee – Novi Cantori of Greater Springfield presents “There’s Still My Joy,” choral music to inspire hop in the dark of winter on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. at Saint Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan St. Then Novi Cantori will perform on Granville Federated Church, 16 Granby Road in Granville on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. Both concerts admissions are by freewill offerings.
Holiday music program
Monson – On Sunday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. the Monson Unitarian Church on Main St. will present an all-music holiday program. It will include arrangements of traditional Christmas Carols by Ricky Lombardo, selections from the Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky and more. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will follow. The program features guest musician, Nancy Miller, flute and Malita Brown, piano.
Win a trip to see a Patriots game
Granby – Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, is doing a “Win a Trip to a Patriots Game” with Father Michael raffle for the Dec. 18 Monday night game against the Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs. The winner will receive two 50 yard line seats. Free access to the brand new GP Atrium with free food and non-alcoholic beverages and a free ride to and from the game (free ride leaves at 6 p.m. from the church parking lot). Raffle tickets are $20 and are available at the parish office 413-467-9821 or Wally P 413-348-7219 or after all weekend masses. Drawing is Monday, Dec. 11. The church is located at 256 State St.
Spaghetti supper
Ludlow – The next St. Elizabeth Parish monthly spaghetti supper will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 12 rom 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Pastoral Center. Adults are $7 each, children under 10 are $4 each, with an immediate family cap of $20. A gift card for 12 spaghetti suppers may be purchased for $77.
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.
Upcoming church trips
Springfield – St. Catherine of Siena presents a bus trip to see the Cher Show at the Bushnell on March 10, with brunch at Mill on the River. Call Betty for details, 413-896-8801.
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.
