Saturday, Sept. 8

Tot Shabbat program

MANCHESTER -- Israel Congregation of Manchester will offer a Tot Shabbat program on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 9 to 10 a.m. It will be held at this time on the second Saturday of each month.

Join toddlers, children, parents, and grandparents for grape juice, challah, fun activities and a chance to spend time together. Interfaith children, parents and grandparents are welcome. There will be a free children's picture book or CD on different Jewish themes every month.

No synagogue affiliation/membership required, but let them know you're coming. Email office@icmvt.org or call 362-4578.

The weekend at St. James Episcopal Church

ARLINGTON -- At 2 p.m. today, St. James Episcopal Church will host an organ and piano recital by Sarah Lenfest, the musician at St. James. A graduate of Williams College, Lenfest will present a varied program of works by noted composers past and present for both organ and piano. Admission is free.

At the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, Sept. 9, there will be a special "Backpack Blessing." Bring your backpacks, tote bags, briefcases, handbags, purses, computer tablets -- whatever you carry with you and use in your daily round of activities. The blessing ceremony is open to people of all ages, not simply students.

St. James Episcopal has announced its fall program of services and events. There are two celebrations of the Holy Eucharist on Sundays: at 8 a.m., quiet and contemplative; at 10 a.m., with organ, choir and congregational singing. The 10 a.m. liturgy is followed by a coffee hour, hosted each week by different members of the congregation. During the week, the Holy Eucharist is celebrated on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. This is an informal service that provides a welcome "refreshing" break during the busy week. All are welcome, regardless of religious affiliation. St. James is a welcoming community of open hearts and discerning minds and invite all to join them.

Sunday, Sept. 9

UUs plan fall Water Communion

BENNINGTON -- Fall is one of several "new starts" during the year. On September 9 the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bennington will mark what has become a tradition among UU congregations--the Water Communion.

Participants at the service are invited to bring water to add to a large bowl. In much the way streams join together to become rivers, members will add their flow of water to form a larger whole. People bring water from their yards, nearby streams, vacation beaches are far away oceans. It signals the way in which people join together after a summer that may have taken them in many directions.

The UU Fellowship meets at 10 a.m. at its meetinghouse at 108 School St. Information is available at www.uubennington.or Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost at St. Peter's

BENNINGTON -- All are welcome to the Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. (Rite 1) and 10 a.m. (Rite 2) at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Worship will be led by the Rev. L. Paul Gratz, transition minister, and Derek Stannard, organist/choirmaster.

The guest preacher will be the Rev. Rolfe Lawson. The Chancel Choir will sing at the 10 a.m. service.

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, "He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Following worship, all are invited for coffee hour in the parish hall. St. Peter's is an open and affirming church that respects religious inquiry and welcomes all people to the Good News of Christ's presence and a place at his table. Wheelchair accessible, the church is located at 200 Pleasant St. For more information, call the parish office at 442-2911 or visit www.stpetersvt.org.

'An Invitation to Dance' at Second Congo

BENNINGTON -- All people of faith or in search of faith, of all ages and stages, are warmly invited to join in worship, learning, and fellowship at Second Congregational Church this Sunday morning at 10 a.m. Godly Play for children up through fifth grade, and middle school and high school classes begin after the Time for the Children in All of Us. Nursery care is provided throughout worship. The Rev. Mary Lee-Clark's sermon is entitled, "An Invitation to Dance." A time of fellowship and refreshment for the whole church family follows worship in Webster Hall. There also will be a brief meeting for middle- and high-school students and parents in the church sanctuary at 11:15 a.m.

Second Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, on Hill Side Street, welcomes all people of faith or in search of faith, without regard to age, race, sex, economic condition, disability, or sexual orientation. Its building is wheelchair-accessible, and hearing-assistance devices are available. For more information, call the church office at 442-2559 or visit www.bennscc.org.

Worship in North

Bennington

NORTH BENNINGTON -- The North Bennington Congregational Church welcomes all to its 11 a.m. worship service led by the Rev. Penny Rich Smith. The sermon, "Surely, the Lord Is In This Place," will be based on Genesis 28:10-17 and Mark 7:24-37. This is Rally Sunday, when we celebrate the start of Sunday School for the year -- newcomers are always welcome. There will be a children's time, after which Sunday School classes will meet for pre-school through grade 8.

Following the service, everyone is invited to stay for coffee hour and a time of fellowship. The church is located at 8 Bank St.and is wheelchair accessible from the back door at the parsonage driveway. For more information, call the church office at 442-5161.

Rally Sunday, Elisabeth Von Trapp at Federated Church

EAST ARLINGTON -- It is the start of a new church school year at the Federated Church of East Arlington on Ice Pond Road, with Rally Sunday.

Any child, 3 through 10, is encouraged to arrive at Bailey Hall a little early, beginning at 9:15 a.m., to register with a parent or guardian for this year's program. The children and teachers will process in to the service of worship that begins at 10 a.m. and there will be a prayer of blessing offered. The children and teachers will leave the service about a third of the way through the service. The service continues with Scripture lessons that include Mark 7:24-37, Psalm 146 and James 2:1-17 with the James passage providing the foundation for the day's message from the Rev. Kathy Clark, which is titled, "Playing Favorites." The choir will be led and accompanied by Music Director Mary Edwards. Immediately following worship all are invited for cake during coffee hour to celebrate the new school year.

At 4 p.m., the public is invited to a concert by Elisabeth Von Trapp in the church sanctuary. There are no reservations or tickets but a free-will offering will be gathered with a portion going to support the ministries of the Federated Church. Following the concert, the Board of Trustees will provide an open house reception to celebrate the recent renovation of Bailey Hall. Refreshments will be provided and Von Trapp will also have CDs for sale.

Senior meals are served on Tuesday and Thursday at noon in Bailey Hall. To participate in the ride share program, call the church office at 802-375-2548. For more information, visit www.federatedchurchofeastarlington.org or look for the church on Facebook.

The Federated Church of East Arlington maintains denominational ties with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. Its mission is "To welcome all, follow Jesus Christ together, and live God's Word with compassionate service."

Upcoming

Breakfast during car show

BENNINGTON -- The First Baptist Church of Bennington invites the to a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The breakfast will be held at First Baptist, 601 Main St., downtown. Breakfast will be held before the community's car show.

The breakfast tickets cost $6 for adults, $4 for children, or $20 for the whole family. Tickets are available at the door. All funds raised at this event benefit facility upgrades at First Baptist, where non-profits and civic groups find a welcome space for collaboration, organizations dedicated to meet basic human needs, and various activities.

For more information about First Baptist, visit www.fbcbennington.org or contact the church office at 442-2105 or fboffice@sover.net.

High Holiday schedule for Congregation Beth El

BENNINGTON -- Congregation Beth El, on Adams Street, has announced its 2012 High Holiday schedule.

Services and discussions will take place in the Ada & Paul Paresky Sanctuary. On Sunday, Sept. 16: Erev Rosh Hashanah evening service from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17: Rosh Hashanah Day One: Main services 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family service with younger children (5 to 8) 10 to 11 a.m. Family service with older children (9 to 12) 11 to 12 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 18: Rosh Hashanah Day Two: Main services 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tashlich immediately following Kiddush. Tuesday, Sept. 25: Kol Nidrei evening service from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26: Yom Kippur morning main services 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family service with younger children (5 to 8) 10 to 11 a.m. Family Service with older children (9 to 12) 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Yom Kippur afternoon: "To Hold Together the Broken and the Whole" with Rabbi Jarah Greenfield from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Book of Jonah reading and discussion 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Yizkor 6:30 to 7 p.m. Mincha/Neilah 7 to 7:45 p.m. Havdalah and breakfast meal 7:45 p.m.

Child care will be provided for adults wishing to join the main service but we also encourage parents to participate in the family services. Bring donations of laundry detergent, dish soap (small bottles), diapers, and toilet paper with you to synagogue this High Holy Day season to help those in need.

Phone: 802-442-9645.

End of Life Care forum offered

BENNINGTON--On Sunday, Sept. 30, the First Baptist Church of Bennington will host "Ending Well: Talking About Your End-of-Life Care Decisions," an informational forum from 2 to 4 p.m. With a panel of local professionals in their fields, the forum will explore medical, legal, spiritual and other caregiving decisions involved with end-of-life care. The event will be held at First Baptist, 601 Main St. RSVP requested to 802-442-2105 or fboffice@sover.net.

There is no charge to attend this non-sectarian public event facilitated by First Baptist, offered as part of its mission to be "a place for healing, community involvement and spiritual grounding".

Panelists will include Dr. Richard Dundas, MD; nursing, representatives from Bayada Hospice and the VNA & Hospice of SVHC; Mike Munson of Cormier, Cormier and Munson, PC; and staff from E. P. Mahar & Son Funeral Home. A literature table of sample legal forms and informational booklets will be available. A time for questions will be provided as part of the forum.