Carillon concerts
Carillonneurs will perform concerts, rain or shine, on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 16, 23 and 30 at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect St. in Gloucester. Installed in 1922, the carillon bells in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church were the first toned set in the United States. More information is available by contacting Luann Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com.
Vivekananda celebration
To celebrate the historic visits to Cape Ann of Swami Vivekananda in 1893 and 1894, the Annisquam Village Church, 820 Washington Street in Gloucester, will host the Vedanta Society of Providence for a joint service of worship on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. Swami Vivekananda is credited with bringing Hinduism to the West.
Swami Yogatmananda and the Rev. Sue Koehler-Arsenault will be reflecting on an excerpt from Swami Vivekananda’s “The Ideal of a Universal Religion.”
The service will include both Hindu and Christian prayers and a wide variety of music on tabla, sitar, and violin. The AVC Choir, under the direction of Kathleen Adams, will tell the story of Swami Vivkenanda’s travels to the United States with “The Mission Song.” Rapper Hannah Reisinger will reprise her “Vivekananda Rap.”
A repast of Indian food will follow. All are welcome to attend.
More information is available by calling the church at 978-281-0376 or visiting annisquamvillagechurch.org.
Cribbage tourney
West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, 488 Essex Ave. in Gloucester, hosts a monthly cribbage tourney. The next tourney is Monday, Aug. 19, at 6:15 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per person. For questions, please contact the church at 978-283-2817 or wgtccucc@gmail.net. All are welcome.
Back-To-School Sale
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle St. in Gloucester, is hosting a 50% off sale on all clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children, as well as back-to-school and office supplies in its Regal Rummage Shop through Labor Day. The shop is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. MasterCard and Visa accepted. Free parking available at 33 Washington St.
School supply drive
West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, UCC, 488 Essex Ave. in Gloucester, is running a school supplies drive this month. Backpacks, pens, notebooks, pencils, erasers, paper, pencil boxes, etc., may be dropped off in the bin by the church’s mailbox, any time.
Armenian picnic
HAVERHILL — The Armenian Church at Hye Pointe will host its annual picnic Sunday, Aug. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. The afternoon will feature live music by the Jason Naroian Ensemble, cash raffles, an air-conditioned hall, and tours of the new church. The menu includes lamb shish, losh and chicken kebab, kheyma, with a vegetarian plate available, and a table of Armenian pastries. Beverages including cash bar. Bring lawn chairs for sitting outside. For more information visit: www.hyepointearmernianchurch.org or call 978-372-5688. The church is located at 1280 Boston Road in Haverhill. Take Route 495 north to exit 106, bear right at the end of the ramp and follow the signs.
Assisi trip
The Assisi Project will be making a pilgrimage to Assisi, Carceri and LaVerna from Nov. 11-20 with Brother Patrick and the Rev. James Achadinha of Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. Cost is $4,200 per person includes round-trip air travel, ground transportation, guest house accommodations with single rooms and private bathrooms and travel insurance. Travelers will visit several basilicas and sanctuaries, a hermitage, and Cathedral of San Rufino. Space is limited and reservations are open. More information is available by emailing Father Jim at frjim@assisiproject.com.
Teen task force
High school students of all faiths are invited to join Lappin Foundation’s Teen Antisemitism Task Force. Students will hear from experts about ways they can combat antisemitism and all forms of hate, as well as put into action what they learn. There will be opportunities for teens to share their experiences and ideas as well. Meetings are held Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., once a month. For the complete calendar and list of speakers, visit LappinFoundation.org. There is no cost to join the task force and students can attend meetings as their schedules allow. For more information email dcoltin@lappinfoundation.org. The Teen Antisemitism Task Force is supported by CJP and the Jewish Teen Initiative.
Clothes Closet
The Saint Vincent de Paul Clothes Closet is open every Saturday except the first Saturday of the month. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon in the basement of St. Ann’s Church, Holy Family Parish, Pleasant Street. New and gently used clothing and footwear are available in all sizes for men, women, and children. All is provided free; donations are greatly appreciated.
Thrift shops
Cape Ann Thrift Shop at the Trinity Congregational Church UCC, 70 Middle St., Gloucester, now is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Inventory of seasonal clothing, accessories, household items and collectables. Donations are accepted during operating hours. Proceeds support Trinity Congregational Church Missions’ community-focused programs. Connect with church at 978-283-2767 or trinity@trinitycongregational.org.
Regal Rummage shop at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle St. in Gloucester, is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with clothing for men, women and children. Freshen up your home with linens, dishes, furniture and decorative items. Proceeds support the mission of St. John’s to serve the Gloucester community and beyond. Mastercard and Visa accepted. Free parking at 33 Washington St.
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport’s thrift store, 4 Cleaves St. in Rockport, is open every Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon through Sept. 28. Jewelry, art, toys and puzzles, indoor and outdoor decor, household wares, and beach reads. Donations gratefully accepted. More information available by calling the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport at 978-546-2989
Services
Annisquam Village Church, 820 Washington St., is conducting worship Sundays at 10 a.m. in person and via Zoom. There is a new Children’s Church program during the service for children ages 3 to 12; it offers music, storytelling, arts, nature-based activities, movement and more, with trained adult leaders. As an independent, interdenominational church, members come from a variety of religious backgrounds and strive to follow Jesus Christ’s way of love and compassion, while being open to the wisdom found in the world’s great religious and spiritual traditions. A non-dogmatic spiritual community, the church encourages members to care for one another and the Earth, and to reach out in service to the community and the world. All are welcome. Parking is available along Leonard and Washington Streets. For more information and web links, please visit annisquamvillagechurch.org.
Cape Ann Bible Church, 8 Thompson St., Gloucester, offers an in-person Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. and continues to provide it live-streamed on facebook.com/capeannbiblechurch where past services and messages may be found. For more information go to capeannbiblechurch.org or call 978-281-3941.
The Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport‘s churches are open for Masses without capacity limits and reservations.
Saturday Vigil Masses are at 4 p.m. at St. Ann Church, 74 Pleasant St. in Gloucester, and 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect St. in Gloucester.
Sunday Masses will at 7 and 11:45 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 8:15 a.m. in St. Ann Church, and 10 a.m. in Saint Joachim Church, 56 Broadway in Rockport. Sunday Mass will also be offered online at the churches’ YouTube channel, https://bit.ly/3oXvBnf.
Daily Masses are celebrated at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., Thursdays and Friday at 8 a.m., and on the first Saturday of the month at 8 a.m.
The sacrament of confession is offered Wednesdays from 6:05 to 6:45 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church and by appointment.
The Rev. James Achadinha, pastor of the community, said all pastoral ministry and service organizations are meeting again. Pastoral assistance is always available by calling 978-281-4820 or office@ccgronline.com.
Community Church of East Gloucester, 7 Chapel St., Gloucester. Opportunities to worship available on the church’s website at https://www.eastgloucester.org/news/holy-week-2024.
First Baptist Church of Gloucester, 38 Gloucester Ave., hosts Sunday Services at 10 a.m. The sanctuary is open for worship, and been marked with arrows for entrance and exit, and some pews have been blocked to help observe proper COVID-19 protocols. Masks are required at all times, as well as practicing social distancing. The service is also available on Facebook Live for viewing as it is being conducted, or for viewing at a future time if desired. All are welcome.
First Baptist Church of Rockport, 4 High St. in Rockport, worships on Sundays at 10 a.m. Worship takes place in the sanctuary and is live streamed via facebook. There is a robust Children’s Church program divided by respective ages that takes place during the service. The service includes traditional and contemporary worship music.
For more information, visit FirstBaptistRockport.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
First Congregational Church of Essex holds Sunday Worship service in person & live streaming on our Facebook page (www.facebook/firstcongregationalchurchofessex). Our regular worship service is held from September, after Labor Day to the end of May from 10:30—11:30 a.m., with children’s Sunday school at the same time. Adult Sunday school is at 9:30 am. Family communion for all is held on the first Sunday of every month throughout the year. Summer worship starts the beginning of June to the beginning of September (before Labor Day) from 9:30—10:30 a.m. Visit us at www.fccoe.org. All are welcome!
First Congregational Church, UCC, of Rockport, 12 School St., is meeting in person and online on Sundays at 10 a.m. Links to online streaming can be found at www.oldsloop.org as well as weekly rebroadcasts of the Sunday service. Masks are now optional for in-person services and meetings in the buildings. See the church’s “calendar” of weekly activities and Zoom prayer meetings, storytelling, Bible study, book groups, coffee houses, choirs and poetry at the website, www.oldsloop.org, for times and locations. Questions? 978- 546-6638.
First Parish Church Congregational Manchester, 10 Central St. in Manchester, is hosting in-person and online Sunday morning worship at 10 a.m. Details can be found at firstparishchurch.org. Virtual worship can be found at facebook.com/firstparishmanchesterma/live and YouTube (search First Parish Church Manchester by the Sea).
Mondays: On first and third of month, “Still Speaking” group meets at 7:30 p.m. to discuss modern intellectuals’ thinking on issues of faith, morals and justice as they relate to our spiritual tradition. Last Monday of the month, the Book Group meets at 7 p.m. to discuss of a book of interest to people of various backgrounds.
Wednesdays: Prayer & Meditation, 7 p.m. An opportunity to come together for quiet reflection, sharing of scripture and the offering of prayer intentions.
Thursdays: Bible Study, 4 p.m., discusses upcoming weekly scripture. No preparation is needed.
To join these programs on your computer, tablet, smart phone or phone, contact office.fpchurch@gmail.com or 978-526-7661 for details.
Gloucester Assembly of God, 211 Washington St., hosts Sunday services at 10 a.m. Care is available for infants and children up to age 5. More information is available by contacting Pastor Jim Williams at jim.williams@gloucesterassembly.org or the church office at 978-283-1736.
Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church St., holds Sunday services at 10 a.m. in-person in its historic sanctuary, as well as online. Please visit the church’s website, www.gloucesteruu.org, for the link to the livestream. Activities provided during the service for elementary school-aged children. The church is handicap accessible. All are welcome.
North Shore Bible Church, 65 Eastern Ave. in Essex, hosts Sunday services at 10 a.m. The service is also live streamed at northshorebiblechurch.com. For more information call 978.768.3539 or email northshorebible@gmail.com.
North Shore Friends (Quakers) are now meeting at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 74 Hart St. in Beverly Farms. More information is available by contacting Martin Ray at 978-283-4585.
The Orthodox Congregational Church of Lanesville‘s Sunday 10 a.m. worship service takes place in person and online. Visit https://occlanesville.org/ for information or for the link to connect via Zoom or Facebook to participate.
Pigeon Cove Chapel in Rockport‘s services are being celebrated in person and online at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. See its YouTube channel, Pigeon Cove Chapel. 978-546-2523.
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle St., has in-person worship Sundays at 10 a.m., and streaming the service live on Facebook, and posting later to YouTube at stjohnsgloucester. Updates, links to services, and more information are available at www.stjohnsgloucester.org.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1123 Washington St. in Gloucester, holds worship services every Sunday at 10 a.m., in-person and on Zoom. All ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, and faiths — including non-believers and persons curious about faith — are welcome. More information is available at www.stpaulcapeann.org or by calling 978-283-6550.
Temple Ahavat Achim is meeting in-person and via Zoom. Instructions on how to join the temple’s Zervices may be found at on its homepage, https://www.taagloucester.org/, where details on High Holidays programming can also be found.
Trinity Congregational Church UCC, 70 Middle St., Gloucester, invites all to its Sunday Services at 10:30 a.m. Guest musicians in a range of styles complement the weekly services. Zoom link available for those unable to attend. Please contact the church office, trinity@trinitycongregational.org for the link. Coffee hour following the service. All welcome. Connect with church via email, or online at www.trinitycongregational.org, where a full calendar can be found.
Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport, 4 Cleaves St., Rockport, has resumed in-person worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Services will also be available via Zoom. Check the website (www.uusr.org) for the Zoom ID and password or email us at rockportuu@rockportuu.org, if you cannot attend in person. Everyone is welcome.
Visitation Parish, Churches of Sacred Heart & St. John the Baptist: The Rev. Paul Flammia celebrates Mass in Manchester at Sacred Heart Church, 62 School St., at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays, and at 10 a.m. Sunday at St. John the Baptist, 52 Main St. in Essex. More information may found on the parish website at https://www.mecatholic.org.
West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, 488 Essex Ave. in Gloucester, an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, is hosting in-person services Sundays at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Rona Tyndall. Children’s Message & Music offered, children worship with their families. The church offers youth groups for junior high and high school students as well as programs for younger children. Masks are optional in the Sanctuary but are suggested. Services are also streamed live on the church’s Facebook page. You do not need to be a subscriber to Facebook to view the worship service.
Monthly Mission Bin Collection: Back-to-school supplies. Drop off 24/7 in the bin by the church mailbox.
Aug. 19: Monthly Cribbage Tournament at 6:15 p.m.
Aug. 25: Blessing of the Backpacks and end of summer party, 10 a.m.
Coffee Hour Conversations on Christian Basics; Baptism, Holy Communion, membership and the United Church of Christ, Sunday mornings in Fellowship Hall after worship.
For pastoral needs, questions, or to reach the Rev. Rona Tyndall, please contact the church at 978-283-2817 or www.wgtccucc@gmail.net. The website is www.wgtccucc.org.
Listings may be sent to: Religion Calendar, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St., Gloucester, MA 01930; or emailed to Andrea Holbrook at aholbrook@gloucestertimes.com, at least two weeks prior to the event.