Clergy program on family violence is set for Tuesday

Clergy of more than 250 local churches and synagogues are invited to participate in "Family Violence: Building Alliances with Faith Communities" from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Sheraton Barcelo Hotel in Annapolis. The event will focus on and celebrate the work that the Anne Arundel County faith community does to address violence in the home.

The program includes a keynote address by Bishop Larry Lee Thomas of St. James Church of the Apostolic Faith and president of the United Black Clergy, the sharing of a survivor's story by a victim of domestic violence, and a celebratory address by Ellen O. Moyer, mayor of Annapolis.

The program is part of the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the YWCA Week Without Violence and the "Come Together, Annapolis!" event. It is co-sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, the United Black Clergy of Anne Arundel County and the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

Information: 410-590-2225.

Blessing of the Animals offered in Severna Park

The second annual service of the Blessing of the Animals will be held at 4:45 p.m. Oct. 13 at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 400 Benfield Road in Severna Park.

The liturgy service recognizes the importance of pets and their role as companions in people's lives. All animals are welcome but must be leashed or caged.

Children who have a stuffed animal are invited to bring it to have it blessed by pastors Bob Lowden and Kathy Disbro.

Registration will be held in the church parking lot. Refreshments will be served.

Information: 410-647-2897 or 410-544-5983.

Community festival planned in Pasadena

Chesapeake Christian Center will hold a Community Appreciation Festival from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 on Tick Neck Park in Pasadena.

Admission is free. Games for children include a moon bounce, a bungee run, a giant slide, sumo suits and more. Popcorn, soda, hot dogs and other food will be sold.

Information: 410-255-3168.

Flea market scheduled at Pasadena church

A "Huge Junktique" flea market, sponsored by Galilee Lutheran Church, 4652 Mountain Road in Pasadena, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19.

Crafts, baked goods, stuffed animals and plants will be for sale. A country store and an auction at 11 a.m. round out the day.

Children can enjoy face painting, balloons and games. Barbecue chicken, chili and other soups, hot dogs, salads and other food will be sold.

Information: 410-255-8236.

Light Center announces services for this month

The Light Center Spiritualist Church will hold several services this month. The church meets at the Hampton Inn, 6617 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie.

The Rev. Rose Clifford will present a "Spirituality and Mediumship Development" class at 7:30 p.m. today and a three-hour workshop on the development of mediumship and spirit communication at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the church. A donation of $10 is requested for the class, and registration and a $20 payment is required for the workshop. Clifford will speak during the devotional service at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Irene Nedderman will be the guest speaker and medium at the devotional service at 11 a.m. Oct. 20 at the church.

The Light Center Spiritualist Church will have a charter service at 11 a.m. Oct. 27. Attendees will include ministers from six states; representatives of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches, the Morris Pratt Institute and the College for Spiritual Science; and local and state government officials. The board of directors will be inducted.

The church will offer a free class to members and prospective members on the functioning and running of a church at 12:25 p.m. Oct. 20. In Spiritualist churches, the membership has final authority within the organization and needs to be informed of its rights, privileges and responsibilities. The class follows the devotional service.

Information: 410-590-9167 or www.lightcenter.org.

Calendar

Flea market: St. Philip's Episcopal Church will hold its Finest Fall Flea Market from noon to 5 p.m. today and from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the church. The market will include used household goods, lawn and garden items, appliances, jewelry, clothing and sporting goods. A silent auction will be held, and baked goods and other foods will be sold. The flea market will benefit St. Philip's Church Outreach Programs. No outside vendors are permitted. An African Fashion Show will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church. Fashions from Batik Fashions of Baltimore and selected Damali Afrikan Ware by Brenda Winstead will be featured, as well as a collection of African and African-inspired styles in contemporary fabrics. Garments and handcrafted jewelry will be sold. A donation of $5 will be accepted. Both events will be held at St. Philip's Church Family Life Center, 730 Bestgate Road, Annapolis. 410- 841-6717.

Philosopher speaks: Rabbi Marc Gafni, an Israeli philosopher and spiritual teacher, will speak at the Thank You Brunch of the United Jewish Appeal at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Kneseth Israel Congregation, 1125 Spa Road, Annapolis. Gafni's address is titled "Israel - Spirituality, Crisis and Opportunity." Bagels, lox and eggs will be served. The suggested donation for the event is $18. The brunch is free to contributors to the United Jewish Appeal's emergency campaign. Reservations are required. The Mizrahi Family Fund is sponsoring the event to honor contributors to United Jewish Appeal and United Jewish Communities. 410-990-9837.

Craft fair: Asbury United Methodist Church will sponsor its 13th annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Fellowship Hall, 78 Church Road in Arnold. Craftspeople will sell a variety of handmade items including needlework, holiday decorations, ceramics, soaps, candles, jewelry, painted woodcrafts and more. A silent auction of donated items, a nearly new sale, baked goods and lunch will be offered. Proceeds benefit the church, with 10 percent going to its youth mission trip. 410- 974-0879.

Oyster dinner: Christ Episcopal Church on Owensville Road in West River is holding its 84th annual Country Ham and Oyster Dinner from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 in the parish hall at Route 255 and Owensville-Sudley Road in West River. The dinner is $14 for adults and $6 for children younger than 12. A country store will sell baked goods and crafts. The church, built in 1867, is listed in the Register of Historic Sites and Buildings. 410-867-0346.

Brunch: The Annapolis chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women will hold its annual event and free brunch to welcome new and prospective members at 11 a.m. Sunday. Reservations and location: 410- 571-9369 or 410-224-2421.

Annual dinner: St. John's Lutheran Church will hold its annual sour beef dinner from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at 226 Washburn Ave. in Brooklyn. Sponsored by the Aid Association for Lutherans, Branch 7342, the dinner will feature sour beef, roast beef, potato dumplings, baked apples, dessert and a beverage. Keyboardist John Norfolk will provide entertainment. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger. 410- 355-7295.

Craft fair: The Women's Association of Harundale Presbyterian Church will hold its annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at the church, 1020 Eastway, Glen Burnie. Lunch items will be available. A Santa's workshop, where children may shop for parents, will be available. Tables for crafters are $20; $10 for additional tables. 410-761- 3753.

Cancer seminars: North Arundel Hospital has received a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to offer seminars on breast cancer to African-American and Korean women older than 40 in Anne Arundel County. The seminars will be held at New Life Fellowship Baptist Church in Hanover, St. James Church of the Apostolic Faith in Glen Burnie, Asbury Town Neck United Methodist Church in Severna Park and Korean Methodist Church of Love in Severn. Each seminar will be held on a Sunday after church services. 410-787-4367.