Free community meal today

The Trinity United Church of Christ, 30 Erie Ave., Gowanda, will host a free community meal on Saturday, Sept. 14. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with serving from 4 to 6 p.m. Handicapped access is on Erie Avenue. This month’s menu is pork medallions, mashed potatoes, vegetable, applesauce, beverage and homemade dessert. The meal is all you can eat in-house. Free will donations are not necessary but are appreciated.

Church of the Living Spirit

This week’s speaker is Joseph Shiel, Speaker and Registered Medium. Church services are held every Sunday in the Assembly Hall on Cleveland Avenue in Lily Dale.

Service time is 10:30 a.m. to noon and consists of a spiritual talk, a hands-on healing, a message demonstration, music, meditation and prayer.

The public is invited to attend and there is no gate fee through June. Visit the website at www.livingspiritlilydale.org and/or the Facebook page for more information concerning church services.

Rev. Ronald Skowronski to speak at Unitarian Universalist

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua is pleased to announce that Rev. Ronald Skowronski will speak on Sunday, Sept. 15. In his reflection, Skowronski will ask if we believe that our prayers are answered, what expectations we have of “God”, and if we are entitled to anything. These questions and more may provide surprising food for thought in this sermon called, “Be Careful What You Pray For!” All are welcome to attend this service.

During worship services, children may remain with their parents, or parents may send children either to the supervised nursery or to the independent play room for children who are able to engage in unsupervised activities such as crafts and games. Both rooms are adjacent to the main room and have large windows which allow parents and children to see one another during the service.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua is a liberal religious community devoted to promoting individual spiritual development, working toward peace, liberty and justice in our immediate and global communities, and providing companionship on life’s sacred journey. Worship services are held each Sunday at 11 a.m. at 222 Temple St., Fredonia. Parking for those who need close access is located immediately behind the building. Others should park in the lower lot behind the building. Call 679-7944, visit the online calendar at https://tinyurl.com/caluucnc or visit the page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uucnc for more information.

FFUMC Kids’ Afterschool Club to hold kick-off and registration

Fredonia First United Methodist Church will have open registration for their Kids’ Afterschool Club Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the church, located at 25 Church St. Snacks and refreshments will be available as well as games for the kids while parents and guardians complete the registration form. There will be time to speak with the FFUMC family ministry leadership team and visit your child’s classroom.

Kids’ Afterschool Club meets Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and provides a safe place for kids in grades K-8 to make new friends, compete in challenging games, and develop a sense of community. Shared Bible stories and lessons will help kids understand and apply scriptural principles in their everyday life.

“Our goal is to support kids on their faith journey so they may access all that God created them to experience,” shares June Ruckman, FFUMC Youth Director.

The Kids’ Afterschool Club has two sessions. Each session has a theme thread that will connect each weekly lesson topic. Session One will meet Sept. 17 through Dec. 10 with the theme thread of Prayer. Session Two will meet April 28 through June 23 with Service as the theme thread.

The weekly theme thread topic is introduced in our large group opening and investigated more deeply in age-appropriate small groups. All staff and volunteers involved in the program complete Safe Sanctuary Training and a background check. The Afterschool Club follows the Fredonia Central School calendar, so check the website at www.fredonia.wynric.org/ for the schedule. Closings and other program information will be posted on the FFUMC Facebook page.

Families are also invited to join FFUMC for Worship on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Nursery Care is available for infants-Pre-K from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children’s Church is available for student’s grades K-4. Children begin in Worship with their families, then are dismissed for a story and activity. 716 Youth Spot is for students grades 8 to 12 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday on the fifth floor.

Fredonia First United Methodist Church is a church family that is open to all. They are missional, family-friendly and comfortable, offering a traditional service with a contemporary message. Visit www.fredoniafirst.org to see their schedule of events and worship. FFUMC is located at 25 Church St. in Fredonia. Call 679-1513 for more information.

Blessing of the Grapes planned for Sept. 21

The Blessing of the Grapes and a 15 Year Celebration of the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, Inc., will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Grape Discovery Center, 8305 W. Main Road, Westfield. The service will be officiated by Reverend Virginia Carr at 1 p.m. sharp on the Steve Baran Memorial Patio. A Concord-filled cake will be served following the ceremony. Visit with members of the community. This event is open to the public.

St. John’s United Church of Christ meat loaf dinner Sept. 21

St. John’s United Church of Christ will hold a meat loaf dinner on Saturday, Sept. 21, with serving from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 733 Central Ave., Dunkirk. Call 366-0710 for reservations. Pre-sale tickets are $9.50, or tickets at the door, $10. Take-outs are available. Use the Eagle Street entrance and parking. Pre-sales are highly recommended.