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.
Church tag sale
Holyoke – Our Lady of the Cross Parish Hall, 1140 Dwight St. will hold a tag sale on Saturday May 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday May 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tons of treasures for all ages. Held rain or shine. For more information, call 413-532-5661.
Church events
Monson – First Church of Monson will hold a concert and dinner on Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. Wings of Song under the direction of Nym Cooke will present their spring concert Rough Seas: Safe Harbor. The concert is free and open to the public. A pre-concert dinner will be served by the music committee at 5:30 p.m. The menu is baked haddock, baked potato, coleslaw, Italian bread and apricot squares. Tickets are $20 and available by calling Gail at 413-267-4818.
Michael Gilman is coming to the Unitarian Church of Monson again on Sunday, May 19. The performance is titled, “The Great American Songbook.” He will feature ragtime music by Scott Joplin, works by Gershwin and Cole Porter. The performance will take place at 10 a.m. and it is free with a reception to follow. The church is located at 177 Main St.
Pentecost Celebration
Holyoke – Disciples of Mary and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal invites the public to join in for a Pentecost Celebration on Sunday, May 19 at Jericho Grounds, 537 Northampton St. (If it rains, then it will be held in the Celebration Center). Chairs will be available, but bring your own for comfort. The celebration begins at 2 p.m. with praise and worship, at 3 p.m., Mass followed by prayer overs. Social follows immediately after prayer overs. Call if you are coming, 413-452-0511 or email disciplesofmary@diospringfield.com with a number of adults and children. All are welcome and is handicap accessible.
Peace concert
Turners Falls – Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 7th Street will hold a “Cry Out for Peace Concert,” on Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. Featuring music with the Our Lady of Peace Singers and eventide Signers with motivational readings from Champions of Peace and Justice. Admission is free. For information, call 413-863-5397.
Tag and craft fair
Granby – Church of Christ, 235 State St. will hold an all-town tag and craft fair on Saturday, May 25 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To reserve a space, call 413-364-3785.
Memorial Sunday worship
Agawam – The Agawam Congregational Church, 745 Main St., will be hosting the Agawam Veterans Council for the Memorial Sunday worship on Sunday, May 26, at 10 a.m. The American Legion Post 185 will be posting the colors during the service and all veterans are welcome. Following the service, coffee and refreshments will be served in Bryan Hall.
Lag B’omer at LYA
Longmeadow – Lubavitcher Yeshiva academy (LYA) will be hosting Lag B’omer on Sunday, May 26 at 1148 Converse St. LYA is organizing an afternoon of outdoor fun and activity for the entire community. Festivities will be held from noon to 3 p.m. There will be inflatables, barbecue and special entertainment. LYA will hold a special Lag B’Omer Rally for Israel at 1 p.m. Following the rally participants will be entertained by Pogo Fred. A barbecue with family prices will feature hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and dessert. Vegetarian and vegan options available. Cost is $5 a person for unlimited rides. There is no charge for the entertainer which is provided through a grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Lag B’omer commemorates the anniversary of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai’s death. The Rashbi, as he was known, asked that the anniversary of his death be commemorated by fun outdoor celebrations. For more information call the LYA at 413-567-8665, email at info@lya.org or check out LYA.org for more details. Reservations requested, but not required. The celebration will be held rain or shine.
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.
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.
Wine tasting
Amherst – Newman Catholic Center, 111 Thatcher Road will be holding their first annual wine tasting “Summer Sips,” on Friday, June 7, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center’s new facility. Tickets are now on sale. Proceeds to benefit the ministry of the Center, located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The cost of the tickets are $35 per person and $50 per couple and can be purchased at any Liquors 44 location, and by calling or emailing Newman 413-549-0300, newmansecretary@diospringfield.org. “Summer Sips” will feature a variety of white, red and rose summer wines from distributors from around the country and more. An assortment of non-alcoholic wines will also be available for tasting.
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.
Vendor applications for Christmas bazaar
Ludlow – St. Elizabeth Parish, Hubbard Street, is now accepting vendor applications for St. Nick’s Christmas Bazaar to be held on Saturday, Nov. 16. Call Pat at 413-531-6997 and leave a message.
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.
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.
