Religion - Marblehead Current

Prayers for peace: Community comes together amid attacks in Israel, war in Gaza

15Oct

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Prayers for peace: Community comes together amid attacks in Israel, war in Gaza

A world away from Israel and the Gaza Strip, hundreds of people gathered in Marblehead and Swampscott recently to sing, pray and hope for peace amid bloody terror attacks and a war. On Sunday, Oct. 15, people filled Star of the Sea Church for an interfaith vigil conducted by the Marblehead Ministerial Association, including rabbis, priests, reverends and other faith leaders. Rev. Jim Bixby walks down the aisle at Sunday’s interfaith peace vigil at Star of the Sea Church on Oct. 15. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER Rabbi Michael Schwartz of Temple Sinai shared stories of close friends in Israel impacted by Hamas’ surprise attack on Oct. 7, including two women who had led organizations to build bridges with Palestians. One woman was kidnapped, the other was killed. Schwartz ...

Two local vigils planned amid bloody conflict in Israel, Gaza

10Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Politics, Religion, Top Stories

Two local vigils planned amid bloody conflict in Israel, Gaza

**This story has been updated with information about a second vigil being planned. Two local vigils are planned as violence continues in Israel and Gaza after a bloody incursion by Hamas. A community vigil is planned for Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., at Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott. The JCC in Marblehead is cohosting the gathering. Another event is planned for Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in Marblehead, cosponsored by the Marblehead Racial Justice Team the Task Force Against Disccrimination and others. The location is still being determined. Hamas invaded Israel, killing hundreds of people and taking hostages, over the weekend. In response, the Israeli military has imposed a complete lockdown and siege of Gaza, cutting off electricity, food, medical supplies and fuel to the ...

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Sept. 27-Oct. 4

27Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion, Top Stories

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Sept. 27-Oct. 4

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current associate editor/senior reporter Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Slavery to freedom walking tourSaturday, Sept 30, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 7 1p.m. Join Jarrett Zeman, assistant director at the Marblehead Museum, for his new walking tour on the history of slavery and abolitionism in Marblehead. Ever since Marbleheaders built the Desire, the first ship to transport enslaved people to Massachusetts Bay Colony, Marblehead has experienced close links to slavery. You'll see sites of local slavery from the 1700s and sites from the 1800s where black and white abolitionists fought for freedom from the pulpit, the ballot box, and the ...

Old North Festival Chorus rehearsal set for Sept. 27

25Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Life Style, Local News, Religion

Old North Festival Chorus rehearsal set for Sept. 27

Maria van Kalken, director of the Old North Festival Chorus and Orchestra and minister of music at Old North Church, has announced registration and rehearsal details for the 43rd Annual Festival Chorus holiday concerts. All are welcome to join. Rehearsals will begin Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Old North Church. Registration starts at 7 p.m., followed by rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. Subsequent rehearsals will be from 7:30-9 p.m. on Wednesdays, extending to 9:30 p.m. as the concert dates near. Two performances are scheduled: Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. In her 35th season as director, van Kalken has planned a program featuring works including "Magnificat in D" and "Christus, Part 1" by Felix Mendelssohn, "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" by Ralph Vaugha...

Pumpkins for a purpose: Pumpkin ‘patch’ sales benefit Navajo community

23Sep

By Leigh Blander1 Comment

Community resources, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion

Pumpkins for a purpose: Pumpkin ‘patch’ sales benefit Navajo community

Clifton Lutheran Church has launched its annual pumpkin sale today with 1,400 pumpkins displayed on its front lawn at 150 Humphrey St. Another 600 pumpkins will be delivered and sold later in October. Volunteers unloaded 1400 pumpkins at Clifton Lutheran Church on Saturday. COUTESY PHOTO "A big shout-out to the Marblehead High School Interact Club, Scout Troup 79, parishioners and neighbors who helped us unload all the pumpkins," Rev. Jim Bixby told the Current. This is the seventh year that Clifton Lutheran has hosted its pumpkin sale with proceeds going to a Navajo reserevation in New Mexico. By the end of this year's sale, the church will have sent more than $100,000 to the community. "We've been seeng a lot more people interested in Indigenous People's Day (Oct. 9), espec...

Marblehead faith community unites for youth program

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion

Marblehead faith community unites for youth program

Four local churches have collaborated to launch the Marblehead Youth Cooperative Ministry (MYCM) to create an active Christian youth program for middle and high school students. The leadership board is made up of lay leaders from Clifton Lutheran Church, Old North Church (United Church of Christ), St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. They are currently seeking a full-time youth minister. The initiative kicks off with a Hope for Haiti event on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 1-2:30 p.m. at Clifton Lutheran Church, 150 Humphrey St. Attendees will learn about Haiti's history, engage in a video conference with a resident of Haiti and cook Haitian food. Future events include a Halloween/All Saints party, Christmas tree lighting and gift-giving outreach opportunit...

Seven Minutes of World Peace set for Sept. 21

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Community resources, Culture, Local News, Religion, Uncategorized

Seven Minutes of World Peace set for Sept. 21

The Marblehead Ministerial Association invites you to participate in Seven Minutes of World Peace on the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, from 9 to 9:07 a.m. EST. This local interfaith event will be held virtually. A Peace Bell will ring at the United Nations during these seven minutes as a call for unity. Sri Chinmoy, an Indian spiritual leader, founded Seven Minutes of World Peace in 1984. He envisioned people around the world invoking peace through silent prayer and meditation each year during these seven minutes on the International Day of Peace. A member of the Marblehead Ministerial Association will lead the seven-minute period of meditation and prayer. Please join the event at 8:45 a.m. EST; time for conversation will follow the Seven Minutes. Zoom Meeting Info...

Clifton Lutheran pumpkin patch returns Sept. 23

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Religion, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Clifton Lutheran pumpkin patch returns Sept. 23

Clifton Lutheran Church will host its much-anticipated annual pumpkin patch event on Saturday, Sept. 23, beginning at noon at their location at 150 Humphrey St. The church has a long-standing partnership with New Mexican pumpkin farmers, providing employment for over 700 Native Americans each harvest season. A wide variety of pumpkin sizes will be available, catering to all preferences. Families are invited to bring their children and cameras to capture the essence of fall. For those interested in making bulk purchases, private showings can be scheduled through the church office, which can be reached at 781-631-3749 or via their website at www.cliftonlutheran.org.

St. Andrew’s Church to hold rummage sale on Sept. 30

12Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Religion

St. Andrew’s Church to hold rummage sale on Sept. 30

St. Andrew's Church will hold its traditional rummage sale Saturday, Sept. 30, from 8-11:45 a.m with a stuff-a-bag option 12-1 p.m. One of the largest such events on the North Shore, the sale offers gently used, quality items, including adults’ and children’s clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Also on sale will be electronics, small appliances and tools; linens, lamps and kitchen things; toys, games and puzzles; holiday items; gardening and sports items; artwork and vintage items; some small furniture. Special items are for sale in the boutique. The sale does not include books or large furniture. The community is invited to attend. Proceeds benefit St. Andrew's and its missions and ministries. The Church of St. Andrew is at 135 Lafayette St.

St. Andrew’s Church is throwing a year-long 100th birthday party, and the public is invited

23Aug

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Religion, Top Stories

St. Andrew’s Church is throwing a year-long 100th birthday party, and the public is invited

Just about one century ago, leaders at St. Michael’s Church in Marblehead’s historic district opened a “mission church” for farming families on the still-rural outskirts of town. That church, then known as the Community Church of Clifton and now called St. Andrew’s Episcopal, is kicking off a year-long celebration of its 100th birthday on Sept. 10. Chris Stockwell, Rev. Clyde Elledge and Ginny Coffin stand in St. Andrew’s worship space, which resembles a boat or arc. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER “We Episcopals like to have fun,” laughed Ginny Coffin, co-chair of the celebration. “We pray, but we also like to have fun.” The September 10 party includes a special service with Bishop Alan Gates, a BBQ picnic, ponies, a bouncy house and live music with the band “Morris Meows.” The co...