Calvin Guess spends his days working construction.

Lately, he’s been using his carpentry skills as a volunteer, in his off time helping to get his church ready for its opening this weekend. The church — Heaven’s Gate Community Church, at 2095 Romig Road in Akron — will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, more than seven years after construction began at the site.

“I want to use my gifts and talent to help people,” said Guess, an usher at Heaven’s Gate. “The church needed help, and I’ve just been doing what I can to help them finish a church building where people can come to worship.”

Last weekend, Guess was part of a crew that poured concrete for handicap parking. Crew members are part of the recently established Membership Action Committee of the Indiana-Kentucky-Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters Local 285.

Guess said the committee, called MAC, was started as a way to provide skilled trade volunteers to work on local projects as a way to raise awareness about the local union. The volunteer concrete-pouring mission was the first job the committee completed.

The parking area is among several finishing touches put on the church in the past three months to make the opening possible. Guess and other church volunteers also painted and cleaned, laid tile, installed pews and doors and set up chairs.

Construction began in June 2007, when crews from the Acworth, Ga.-based Master’s Builders, a division of Builders for Christ, converged on what was an empty lot and spent a week erecting the frame of the more than 9,000-square-foot building. Four months later, the church’s doors were padlocked because of a mechanic's lien for plumbing. Work stopped until the lien was lifted in 2011.

Since then, progress has been slow, primarily because of limited finances, according to the Rev. Greg Lee, pastor, who had vowed to continue plugging away to complete the building with no target date in mind.

“Representatives from the church came to us in August and asked for help in getting an occupancy permit. At that time, we sent somebody out and he told them what they needed to finish at the building before the permit could be issued,” said Marco Sommerville, the city’s planning director. “We’re just glad to see it’s finally going to open to serve the community.”

In addition to paving, which will be completed in stages, the church had to finish some interior work and a stormwater management system.

Heaven's Gate was established in 2005 with seven members in the living room of Lee's home on Vernon Odom Boulevard. As the congregation grew to 28 members, it began searching for more space. According to online records of the Summit County Fiscal Office, the congregation bought the property in the former Rolling Acres Mall area for $50,000 in 2005 from Kenmore Construction Co.

“I think the church is a good example for the community. The members put in their own sweat and time. They didn’t go into a lot of debt. Their roots have been going down deep for seven years, and now, the harvest,” said Mike Freeman, Ward 9 councilman and vice president of Akron City Council. “It has been a seven-year process, but it is evidence that miracles can happen when you have a small group of dedicated people who are persistent.”

Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.

The following is a listing of events and special services at Akron-area churches and places of worship.

Events

Calvary Apostolic Church — 2693 Nesbitt Ave., Akron. 2 p.m. Saturday. Will dedicate its new church building and celebrate its fifth anniversary. Bishop T.L.K. will oversee the building dedication, with Bishop Kenneth Carpenter delivering the dedication sermon. Karen Hardin will minister in song.

Canton Baptist Temple — 515 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Annual CBTreating Halloween Alternative. Free candy will be given to those who come through the hallways of the church. Children are encouraged to dress in festive costume. For more information, call 330-477-6267.

Celebration Church — 688 Dan St., Akron. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Celebration of Life. Free candy, games, hayrides, Bible costume contest and more for kids of all ages. Activities for the entire family.

The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro. 6 p.m. Nov. 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 3. A two-day Prophecy Conference featuring Dr. Jimmy DeYoung.

Christ is the Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 6 p.m. Saturday. Celebrating our Road to Glory On the Road Be Strong and Courageous radio broadcast with Brother Michael Harris and Anointed Voices of Peace and J.L.T.S. (Just Love to Sing).

Cottage Grove Evangelical Church — 3133 Cottage Grove Road, Akron. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 1. Christmas Missions Shop. Featuring crafts, theme rooms, homemade baked goods, candies and treats. There will be a lunch on Friday and Saturday for $5.50, $3.50 under age 10, and a dinner on Friday for $7, $5 under age 10.

Faith United Methodist Church (Brimfield) — 1235 Tallmadge Road, Kent. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 8. Turkey Dinner. Menu: Turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, cranberry relish, desserts and beverage. $9 adults, $4 youth, 5 and under free. Carry-out available.

First Congregational Church — 292 E. Market St., Akron. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Annual Fall Forum Forgiveness & Reconciliation after Mass Violence. Dr. James Tyner, professor of geography, Kent State University, will lead the forum. Free.

First United Methodist Church of Akron — 263 E. Mill St., Akron. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Make a Difference Day Blood Drive. Walk in or call the American Red Cross at 800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment.

Grace UCC of Loyal Oak — 3285 Cleveland-Massillon Road, Norton. 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Swiss steak dinner. Served restaurant style, includes salad/dessert buffet. Adults: $8.50 in advance, $9 at the door; kids $4 in advance, $4.50 at the door. For tickets, call 330-825-3259.

Green Valley United Methodist Church — 620 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1. Annual Holiday Bazaar featuring a white elephant sale, baked goods and crafts. A turkey dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. and will cost $8 for adults and $4 for ages 5 to 10. For more information, call 330-896-4357.

Heaven’s Gate Community Church — 2095 Romig Road, Akron. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Will hold an Open House.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. Nov. 7 to Dec. 7. Impressions of Holy Trinity, all-media show is part of the celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Holy Trinity building on Prospect Street in Akron. 330-376-5154.

Journey Covenant Church — 2679 N. Haven Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls. 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free, hot dinner to local residents. 330-923-8021.

Mogadore Christian Church — 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Will celebrate 182 years as a Disciple Heritage congregation in the village with a Homecoming birthday service. The Chancel Choir will sing and Pastor Elmer Johnson will bring the message “The Problem with Traditions.” 330-628-3344 or www.­mogadorechristian.com.

Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church — 2425 Myersville Road, Akron. noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 2. 34th Annual Spaghetti Dinner. Menu includes: spaghetti, homemade meatballs/sauce, salad or applesauce, rolls and butter, dessert, coffee, tea or milk. Adults $8; Children $4. Carry-out dinners are available. 330-699-5086.

New Mission Missionary Baptist Church — 150 Wayne Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. 35th annual Men’s Day with guest speaker the Rev. Evans of the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, Akron.

Northside Christian Church — 7615 Ridge Road Wadsworth. Nov. 1 to Nov. 9. The men’s Ministry 6th Annual Pack the PODS Food Drive. Will be collecting nonperishable food items, paper products, cleaning supplies and personal care items along with monetary donations. The food drive will benefit the Helping Hands Food Pantry and the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Queen of Heaven Church — 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Cabbage roll dinner. Menu includes two cabbage rolls with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, bread and a beverage. $8. $6 kids meals and hot dogs served as well. Proceeds benefit BSA Troop 334. 330-899-0442.

St. George Famuly Center — 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. 6-10 p.m. Nov. 14. Project: St. Nicholas Returns, Inc. presents 20th Anniversary Annual Auction/Dinner. Theme 2014: “Gifting in Secret.” Chuck Schuster will share stories from our St. Nicholas. Cost is $30 per person. To RSVP, email Register@psnr.org.

St. John C.M.E. Church — 1233 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Annual Trunk or Treat. Children are invited to wear costumes. All activities will take place in the church parking lot. Also, 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. There will be a welcome reception for the Rev. Reynard Monmouth, who was appointed senior pastor on Aug. 1. For more information, call 330-864-3060.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church — 158 North Ave., Tallmadge. 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Trunk or Treats Halloween Event. Decorate your car, wear a costume, and bring bags of treats to distribute from your trunk. There will be a tent and games for the children. Free. For more information, call June at 330-945-7455.

St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church — 5451 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Norton. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1. Holiday Craft Show featuring crafts and candles, baked goods, candies, jewelry and more. There will also be soup, sandwiches, and desserts served throughout the day. Free admission.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish — 12:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 2. Biennial Diocesan Youth Convention (DYC’14). Approximately 400 teenagers and chaperones from throughout the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will participate. This event celebrates the gifts of young people, and assists them in learning, sharing and practicing their faith. Cost is $25 per person. For more information, go to http://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/2014-diocesan-youth-convention.html.

Tallmadge Church of the Nazarene — 191 S. Munroe Road, Tallmadge. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Trunks, Treats & Truths. A safe trick-or-treat opportunity for all kids in Tallmadge. In addition to sweet treats there will be fun activities offered, including face painting and apple bobbing.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron — 3300 Morewood Road, Akron. Noon to 1:15 p.m. Saturday. Free Monthly Community Meal. In addition to the meal, we offer a Harvest Table with fresh produce and pantry items, as well as a table hosted by our UU Women’s Association stocked with toiletries, cleaning products, and clothes. For more information, go to www.uuakron.org.

Wintergreen Ledges Church of God — 1889 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 6 p.m. Saturday. LOOP (Loved Ones of Prisoners) Soup and salad dinner. Dennis Shawhan from Broken Chains will be the guest speaker. For more information, call Linda Davis at 330-212-6661. Also 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Free hot meal. Free personal hygiene and cleaning supplies while they last.

Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Annual All Saint’s Day worship service. This service honors those we have lost this year from our church community and your family. For more information, call 330-836-2225 or go to www.­westminsterakron.com.

Woodland United Methodist Church — 444 N. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Free community breakfast.

Performances

Cornerstone Church — 578 Killian Road, Akron. 7 p.m. Saturday. Crowns 4 Christ — The Unbroken Tour 2014. Presented by amazing speakers on fire for Christ, along with music, videos and fun. $16 in advance, $18 at the door. For ticket information, call 330-703-1183 or email info@TheDaneFoundation.org.

CrossPoint Alliance Church — 855 Rochrock Road, Copley. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5. The African Children’s Choir will perform a program of well-loved children’s songs, traditional Spirituals and Gospel favorites. Free. A free-will offering will be taken.

Fairmount Presbyterian Church — 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights. 4 p.m. Sunday. Organ Recital by Scott Montgomery, concert organist. Free-will offering will be accepted. 216-321-5800.

Holy Spirit Church — 4341 E. 131st St., Garfield Heights. 4 p.m. Nov. 2. The Holy Spirit Choir will be joined by the New Spirit Contemporary Ensemble of the United Methodist Church of Kent, and Canticum Novum Renaissance Choir of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Akron. The concert will benefit the construction of St. Joseph Hospital in Boma, The Democratic Republic of the Congo.

St. Francis Xavier Church — 606 E. Washington St., Medina. 7 p.m. Nov. 10. The Medina Community Band will present its annual Veterans Day Concert.

St. Mary Catholic Church — 527 Beall Ave., Wooster. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16. The Cantata Singers will present its fall concert, “A Season of Thanks.” A free will offering till be taken.

Trinity United Church of Christ, Canton — 3909 Blackburn Road NW, Canton. 7 p.m. Nov. 1. The 30-member Brass Band of the Western Reserve will perform.

Trinity United Church of Christ, Wadsworth— 215 High St., Wadsworth. 4 p.m. Sunday. Trinity Concert Series presents The Men of Wadsworth.

Westminister Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Nov. 2. Five and 5 Concert Series presents the Festival Chorus and Orchestra. Program: Highlights from Messiah. Free.

Speakers

First Friday Club of Greater Akron — Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway, Akron. 11:15 a.m. Nov. 14. Karla J. Bellinger will present To Be Young and Catholic in the U.S. Cost of the luncheon is $15. For reservations, call 330-535-7668 or go to www.­firstfridayclubofgreaterakron.org.

Independence Middle School — 6111 Archwood Drive, Independence. 7 p.m. Nov. 1. Father Tony Flanney, an Irish priest censured by the Vatican, will speak. His topic is the importance of conscience in the Catholic Church. For more information, go to www.­futurechurch.org/events.

St. Joseph Parish in Mantua — 11045 St. Joseph Blvd., Mantua. 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; Adult Women’s Spirituality Night: Sister Melannie Svoboda, Finding God in Every Nook and Cranny. For more information, call 330-274-2253 or go to www.stjosephmantua.com.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish — Fannon Center, 3430 St. Michael Drive NW, Canton. 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13. The Hamilton Forum presents Jeannie DeFazio, professor of education at Walsh University. Her topic will be Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities in Church and Society. Cost with box lunch is $12, presentation only $6. Reservations, 330-649-1231 or email thehamiltonforum@yahoo.com.

Walsh University — Barrette Business and Community Center, 2020 E. Maple St., North Canton. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Lifelong Learning Academy presents A Little Bit of Dynamite: My Grandmother, Dorothy Day. Free. For more information, call 330-244-4734.

The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to religion@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Religion, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44309.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.: More than a thousand evangelical pastors and others — gathered for a three-day conference to steel the resolve of Christians who preach that gay relationships are sinful — were asked a simple question: How many live in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage?

Hands rose all across the convention hall.

“This moral revolution is happening at warp speed,” said the Rev. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. “This is a real challenge to us on biblical authority.”

Speakers at the event said they understood they were on the losing end of the culture war on marriage. But they were prepared to be the voice of a moral minority because gay marriage is a “rejection of God’s law,” according to Mohler. He said evangelicals needed to have “a lot of agonizing conversations” about how to move forward.

The conference, called The Gospel, Homosexuality and the Future of Marriage, is taking place not only against the backdrop of expanding gay marriage, but also amid a small but vocal movement of evangelicals who publicly advocate greater acceptance of gays. Several of the advocates attended the conference and held behind-the-scenes meetings with evangelical leaders to seek common ground.

“My goal here is to meet as many people as I can who disagree with me and talk over coffee,” said Justin Lee, founder of the Gay Christian Network, during a break at the opening session Monday. His organization brings together Christians who differ over whether gays faithful to the Bible should remain celibate or can have same-sex relationships.

Southern Baptist leaders said they would be expressing their views in a way that was humble and compassionate, but rooted in the theological belief that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Each participant was given a bag full of books and pamphlets, with titles such as, Love Into Light: The Gospel, The Homosexual and The Church, and Loving My (LGBT) Neighbor, meant to help pastors articulate their stand against same-sex relationships.

Mohler said from the stage that he was wrong years ago when he said same-sex attraction could be changed. The Rev. Russell Moore, director of the Southern Baptists’ Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, which organized the conference, drew applause when he condemned anti-gay bullying and called on Christians to address the problem of homelessness for gay and lesbian youths as “a human dignity issue.” He said parents shouldn’t shun their gay children.

“You’ve been given a mission of reconciliation,” Moore told the audience. “Jesus is not afraid to speak the truth, but Jesus is not shocked by people or disgusted by people.”

However, some speakers took a harder line. Erik Stanley of the Alliance Defending Freedom, the law firm defending Christian business owners and others who refuse to serve gay weddings, said it was a myth that the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo., was a hate crime. He argued gays wanted “unfettered sexual liberty” while silencing dissent.

Most morning sessions featured Christians such as Rosaria Butterfield, who had been attracted to members of the same-sex but say they were now married to someone of the opposite sex or had overcome their attractions.

Matthew Vines, author of God and the Gay Christian, has drawn more than 800,000 views on YouTube for a lecture challenging the theology that drives evangelical opposition to same-gender relationships.

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has made some of the most important policy speeches of his pontificate in recent days, catching up for lost time following months of attention to bureaucratic reform and the turbulent meeting of bishops on family issues that just ended.

Often speaking in his native Spanish, Francis has focused on issues close to his heart, pontificating at length about the plight of the poor and unemployed, the environment and even evolution, seemingly emboldened to speak his mind on topics that must make even some of his closest collaborators squirm.

He hasn’t changed church doctrine. But he has pushed the envelope on some issues, raised eyebrows with his blunt speaking style on others, and made clear where his progressive social priorities lie. Here are some highlights from a busy week at the Vatican, with issues that Francis might raise again when he makes a major policy speech to the European Parliament next month.

SILENT DEATH PENALTY

In his most explosive speech to a group of penal lawyers, Francis went well beyond the Vatican’s previous opposition to capital punishment by denouncing life prison terms as a “hidden death penalty.” Francis’ outreach to prisoners is well-known: He famously washed the feet of juvenile delinquents — Muslims and women among them — at a Rome detention center during his first Holy Thursday as pope. In his speech last week, Francis denounced prison systems as “out of control” for depriving people of their dignity, citing recourse to the death penalty, detaining people without charge or conviction and holding inmates in isolation, which he called a form of “physical and psychological torture.” Putting him squarely at odds with the United States, where he is going next year, Francis also denounced extraordinary renditions, which the CIA used after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to take terror suspects to third countries for interrogation.

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BIG BANG

Francis raised some eyebrows with his remarks on creation and evolution, saying the Big Bang theory doesn’t contradict the Christian belief in creation. While his words were very Franciscan in their bluntness — “When we read the story of Creation in Genesis we risk imagining that God was a magician” — Francis was merely restating what the Catholic Church has long taught: that there is no contradiction between creation and evolution. Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI spent his entire pontificate elaborating on the compatibility of faith and scientific reason, insisting that the cosmos isn’t a system of random chaos but rather an organized system where the hand of the Creator is obvious. St. John Paul II and Pope Pius XII voiced similar conclusions before him. Francis put the church’s thinking in his own words: “Evolution in nature doesn’t contradict the notion of creation because evolution presupposes the creation of beings who evolve,” he said.

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UNEMPLOYMENT

Francis also grabbed headlines when he acknowledged that his concern for the poor, the unemployed and the environment would lead some to label him a communist. “They don’t understand that love for the poor is at the center of the Gospel,” he said. The remarks were delivered to a meeting of representatives of popular movements at the Vatican. In the audience were farmers, miners, fishermen and Argentine “cartoneros,” who sift through garbage looking for recyclable goods. Also on hand to hear one of the longest, most heartfelt speeches of Francis’ pontificate was Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president known for his socialist rhetoric. In an off-the-cuff speech in Spanish, Francis denounced the injustices of the poor that the world wants to forget, the “scandal” of hunger and the lost generation of young people who are unemployed.

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THE DEVIL

Francis has demonstrated an unusually vivid concern about the devil, more than his predecessors, in a reflection both of his Jesuit spirituality and his Latin American roots. This week he sent a message to the International Association of Exorcists, praising the work of exorcists for “showing the church’s love and welcome toward those who suffer from the devil’s work.” Earlier this year, the Vatican granted the association legal recognition in a sign of Francis’ belief that the world needs more exorcists for the increasing number of people seeking to be liberated from their demons. Two months after he was elected, Francis caused a huge stir when he laid his hands on the head of a Mexican man said to be possessed by four different demons. The man’s reaction — he heaved, deeply shook, and then slumped in his wheelchair — led Italy’s most well-known exorcist to insist that Francis had helped liberate him from the devil. The Vatican insisted no such exorcism took place.

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WHITHER THE THEOLOGIANS?

Francis has frequently spoken with near-disdain about theologians, seemingly complaining that they often hold the church back from being the merciful place of welcome and union that he wants it to be. And so it was when he greeted a group of Pentecostal Anglicans in private who were visiting him. Once again Francis invoked the devil, saying Satan was behind the divisions among Christians. But he urged Catholics and Pentecostals to “walk together,” doing works of charity together and praying for each other. “We each have in our churches excellent theologians. That’s another way to talk together also. But we shouldn’t wait for them to reach agreement!” he said. As if to emphasize his point, he added, “That’s what I think.”

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Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield

The leader of the worldwide Ukrainian Catholic Church on Tuesday will ordain and install a new bishop of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat, which includes Holy Ghost Parish in Akron and St. Nicholas Parish in North Canton.

Upon his installation, the Rev. Bohdan Danylo, 43, will become the youngest Catholic bishop in the United States.

He was appointed to lead the eparchy on Aug. 7 by Pope Francis and will succeed Bishop John Bura, who has served as apostolic administrator since 2009.

The bishop-elect was born in Poland and immigrated with his family to the United States in 1992.

He earned an undergraduate degree in sacred theology at the Catholic University of America and was ordained in 1996 as a priest in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, Conn.

The Eparchy of St. Josaphat is one of four Ukrainian Catholic dioceses in the nation. It includes parishes in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

The ordination and installation will begin at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Josaphat, 5720 State Road.

More information about Danylo and the eparchy can be found at http://stjosaphateparchy.com.

The following is a listing of events and special services at Akron-area churches and places of worship.

Events

The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro Township. 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday. A two-day Prophecy Conference featuring Dr. Jimmy DeYoung.

Christ is the Answer Ministries — The Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron. 6 p.m. Nov. 15. “20-40-60 Celebration” includes dinner, dancing and a surprise event. Pastor J. Michael Martin Sr. will be celebrating 20 years of being a pastor, 40 years of marriage and 60 years of life. Tickets are $35 per person, $50 per couple. 330-376-1869.

Emmanuel United Church of Christ — 1480 Eastwood Ave., Akron. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The University of Akron Jazz Ensemble will accompany the All Saints’ Sunday Worship. 330-784-6608.

Faith United Methodist Church (Brimfield) — 1235 Tallmadge Road, Kent. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 8. Turkey Dinner. Menu: Turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, cranberry relish, desserts and beverage. $9 adults, $4 youth, 5 and under free. Carry-out available.

Firestone Park United Methodist Church — 250 N. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15. Country Fair featuring Santa’s Gift Shop, crafters, baked goods and more.

First Church of the Brethren — 1812 Marigold Ave., Akron. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. All-You-Can-Eat Soup Supper with Desserts. $6 adults, $4 ages 12 and under.

Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave., Uniontown. 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Fall Festival, with potluck dinner, hayride, trunk or treat, family activities, and songs around the campfire. 330-699-3255.

Green Valley United Methodist Church — 620 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Annual Holiday Bazaar featuring a white elephant sale, baked goods and crafts. A turkey dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. and will cost $8 for adults and $4 for ages 5 to 10. For more information, call 330-896-4357.

Haven of Rest — 175 E. Market St., Akron. 1 p.m. Tuesday. Haven of Rest’s Women’s Auxiliary Annual Fall Fashion Show. Volunteers and staff will be modeling the quality clothing donated by people in our communities to help men, women and children in need. To enjoy some bargain shopping, arrive at 10 a.m. A light lunch will be served at noon and the program begins at 1 p.m.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. Nov. 7 to Dec. 7. Impressions of Holy Trinity, all-media show is part of the celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Holy Trinity building on Prospect Street in Akron. 330-376-5154.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church — 442 Bell St., Akron. 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Free urgent care services, walk-ins only. Patient eligibility: must sign an affidavit noting monthly income and lack of insurance, Annual income at or below 200 percent of poverty level, and a photo ID. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent/guardian.

Mount Lebanon Baptist Church — 180 Edward Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Men’s Day Annual Brunch; speaker is the Rev. Mark Rheins, $5 donation. Men’s Day Tailgate Fellowship Party in the church hall 6 p.m. Nov. 8 before the Ohio State-Michigan State game. 68th Men’s Day 11 a.m. Nov. 9; speaker is the Rev. Dr. Booker Person of Harvey Ill. Theme is The Relevance of a Christian Man. Information, 330-376-6378.

Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church — 2425 Myersville Road, Springfield Township. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. 34th annual Spaghetti Dinner. Menu includes spaghetti, homemade meatballs/sauce, salad or applesauce, rolls and butter, dessert, coffee, tea or milk. Adults $8; Children $4. Carry-out dinners are available. 330-699-5086.

Northside Christian Church — 7615 Ridge Road, Wadsworth. Saturday to Nov. 9. The Men’s Ministry Pack the PODS Food Drive. Nonperishable food items, paper products, cleaning supplies, personal care items and money are being collected to benefit the Helping Hands Food Pantry and the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 7 p.m. Thursday. Mass in Commemoration of Faithful Departed. Those who died in the past year will be remembered. 330-896-2345.

St. George Family Center — 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 14. Project: St. Nicholas Returns Inc. presents 20th anniversary Auction/Dinner. Theme: Gifting in Secret. Chuck Schuster will share stories of St. Nicholas. Cost is $30 per person. To RSVP, email register@psnr.org.

St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church — 5451 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Norton. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Holiday Craft Show featuring crafts and candles, baked goods, candies, jewelry and more. There will also be soup, sandwiches and desserts served throughout the day. Free admission.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish — 12:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday. Biennial Diocesan Youth Convention (DYC ’14). Approximately 400 teenagers and chaperones from throughout the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will participate. This event celebrates the gifts of young people and assists them in learning, sharing and practicing their faith. Cost is $25 per person. For more information, go to http://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/2014-diocesan-youth-convention.html.

Tallmadge Lutheran Church — 759 East Ave., Tallmadge. Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Community Day of Caring. Accepting donations of canned goods, new toys and new small appliances and gift cards. The items will be donated to the families of Pleasantville, N.J., a town devastated by Superstorm Sandy. For more information, call 330-634-6549 or 330-414-0208.

Zion United Church of Christ — Beck Fellowship Hall, 415 S. Main St., North Canton. 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15. 2014 fundraiser. The fundraiser will include a steak dinner and a sports-themed silent auction. Dr. James King, grandson of NFL founder Ralph Hay, will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are $25.

Performances

Church of Our Saviour, Episcopal — 471 Crosby St., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. A service of Choral Evensong will be presented. The Parish Choir, with organist/choirmaster Richard Shirey, will sing a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. The anthem will be “The Holy Vine” by Andrew Moore, with the solo part sung by Jackson Hederstrom.

CrossPoint Alliance Church — 855 Rothrock Road, Copley. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The African Children’s Choir will perform a program of well-loved children’s songs, traditional Spirituals and Gospel favorites. Free. A free-will offering will be taken.

Faith Lutheran Church — 2726 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 4 p.m. Nov. 9. Organist Felix Hall will perform on the newly restored Schantz 32 rank pipe organ. Free.

Holy Spirit Church — 4341 E. 131st St., Garfield Heights. 4 p.m. Sunday. The Holy Spirit Choir will be joined by the New Spirit Contemporary Ensemble of the United Methodist Church of Kent, and Canticum Novum Renaissance Choir of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Akron. The concert will benefit the construction of St. Joseph Hospital in Boma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

People’s Baptist Church — 525 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 4 p.m. Nov. 9. 42nd Annual Choir Anniversary, featuring a concert of sacred songs. 330-253-4073.

St. Francis Xavier Church — 606 E. Washington St., Medina. 7 p.m. Nov. 10. The Medina Community Band will present its annual Veterans Day Concert.

St. Mary Catholic Church — 527 Beall Ave., Wooster. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16. The Cantata Singers will present the fall concert, “A Season of Thanks.” A free-will offering till be taken.

Trinity United Church of Christ, Canton — 3909 Blackburn Road NW, Canton. 7 p.m. Saturday. The 30-member Brass Band of the Western Reserve will perform.

Westminister Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. Five and 5 Concert Series presents the Festival Chorus and Orchestra. Program: Highlights from Messiah. Free.

Speakers

First Friday Club of Greater Akron — Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway, Akron. 11:15 a.m. Nov. 14. Karla J. Bellinger will present To Be Young and Catholic in the U.S. Cost of the luncheon is $15. For reservations, call 330-535-7668 or go to www.­firstfridayclubofgreaterakron.org.

Independence Middle School — 6111 Archwood Drive, Independence. 7 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Tony Flanney, an Irish priest censured by the Vatican, will speak. His topic is the importance of conscience in the Catholic Church. For more information, go to www.­futurechurch.org/events.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish — Fannon Center, 3430 St. Michael Drive NW, Canton. 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13. The Hamilton Forum presents Jeannie DeFazio, professor of education at Walsh University. Her topic will be Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities in Church and Society. Cost with box lunch is $12, presentation only $6. Reservations, 330-649-1231 or email thehamiltonforum@yahoo.com.

The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to religion@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Religion, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44309.

SAN DIEGO: The Jehovah’s Witnesses have been ordered to pay $13.5 million to a Southern California man who said he was molested as a child by a church member.

U-T San Diego says a San Diego judge ruled Wednesday that the church’s governing body covered up years of sexual abuse. He ordered the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York to pay Jose Lopez damages.

A lawyer for the body, Mario Moreno, denies Friday that there was a cover-up and says an appeal is planned.

Lopez says he was abused in 1986 when he was 7 by a member of the Linda Vista congregation. Six other men and one woman who also claimed the same man molested them have settled their lawsuits out of court.

SEATTLE: Two weeks after lead Mars Hill Church pastor Mark Driscoll resigned amid questions about his leadership, the Seattle megachurch he founded announced Friday it was dissolving its network of branches across four states.

The church said on its website that the best future for its branches would be for them to becoming “autonomous self-governed entities.”

“This means that each of our locations has an opportunity to become a new church, rooted in the best of what Mars Hill has been in the past, and independently led and run by its own local elder teams,” Pastor Dave Bruskas wrote on the church’s website.

The existing Mars Hill Church organization will be dissolved.

The megachurch’s controversial founder resigned as elder and lead pastor on Oct. 14, following an investigation into formal charges brought against him.

The church currently has multiple branches in Washington, and one location each in Oregon, California and New Mexico. Last month, it closed its Phoenix location as a Mars Hill church.

Driscoll’s resignation came after a group of church elders recently ended an investigation into the charges.

Driscoll took a leave of absence in August so church leaders could investigate whether he was fit to lead. He faced accusations that he bullied members, threatened opponents, lied and oversaw mismanagement of church funds, the Seattle Times has reported.

The church said it found Driscoll had a domineering style with a quick temper and harsh speech, but it noted he was never charged with immorality or heresy.

On Friday, Bruskas said on the church’s website that central Mars Hill staff would be compensated for their work and then let go, and that church properties would be sold off or individual property loans would be taken over by independent branches.

Local leaders and pastors will decide whether to become independent, merge with an existing church or disband.

“Mars Hill Church has never been about a building or even an organization,” Bruskas wrote. “Mars Hill is a people on mission with Jesus, and that singular focus continues as these newly independent churches are launched.”

The church says it hopes the reorganization plan will be completed by Jan. 1.

ROME: Pope Francis has paid tribute to what he calls the ‘’unknown saints” — those who flee war, hunger and poverty, the jobless and the homeless.

Francis marked the Catholic Church’s Nov. 1 All Saints Day by celebrating Mass and giving a homily Saturday in Rome’s sprawling Verano cemetery.

He hailed those who are forced to flee their homes and villages to save their lives, risking hunger, illness and cold. He lamented that sometimes people regard these refugees, including hungry, ill children ‘’as if they are of another species, not human.”

Francis praised these suffering people as ‘’unknown saints,” sanctified through their distress.

Using his papacy to advocate for the poor, Francis said these people are pleading for peace, bread and work.

NEW YORK: Cardinal Timothy Dolan on Sunday announced plans for the merger of almost a third of the parishes in the Archdiocese of New York.

An advisory committee of clergy and other diocesan officials conducted a yearslong review before coming up with the plan to merge 112 of the 368 parishes. The reorganization affects churches throughout the archdiocese, from Staten Island to Sullivan County, and takes effect Aug. 1.

“This time of transition in the history of the archdiocese will undoubtedly be difficult for people who live in parishes that will merge,” Dolan said. “There will be many who are hurt and upset as they experience what will be a change in their spiritual lives, and I will be one of them.”

It was unclear what would be done with the unused churches and buildings.

VATICAN CITY: The Shroud of Turin, the burial cloth some believe covered Jesus, will go back on public display next year. Pope Francis said Wednesday he will go to that northern Italian city on June 21 to view the 14-foot cloth, which is kept in a climate-controlled case in Turin’s cathedral.

As in the 2010 display, reservations are required for the April 19-June 24 viewing. There is no charge.

Papal predecessor Benedict XVI has described the cloth as an icon “written with the blood” of a crucified man, but didn’t go into scientific questions. Skeptics say the linen bearing the figure of a crucified man is medieval forgery.

Turin Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia called the shroud both “reality and deep mystery” to which science hasn’t given “concrete answers.”

CHICAGO: Months after documents showed it had concealed the sexual abuse of children by priests for decades, the Archdiocese of Chicago released files Thursday on about three dozen more abusive clergy members to fulfill Cardinal Francis George’s pledge to do so before he retires.

“We cannot change the past but we hope we can rebuild trust through honest and open dialogue,” George said in a statement. “Child abuse is a crime and a sin.”

The archdiocese released the files on 30 abusive priests in January as part of a legal settlement, and it posted on its website Thursday the internal records related to 35 others.

Altogether, the 15,000 pages of records show how the archdiocese treated abuse allegations from the early 1950s until recently. They only cover cases in which the archdiocese substantiated the abuse accusations, and don’t include those in which a priest died before his accuser came forward.

“Cardinal George wanted it finished on his watch,” said John O’Malley, special counsel to the archbishop for misconduct issues. O’Malley said George didn’t want Bishop Blase Cupich to have to deal with the issue when he assumes leadership of the nation’s third largest archdiocese later this month.

A report provided by the archdiocese to the Associated Press and other media this week suggested that the documents released Thursday would be similar to those made public in January. Those records described how the archdiocese hid the histories of abusive priests moving between parishes, did not swiftly remove the men from the priesthood, and in some cases helped them remain priests for years after allegations against them were deemed credible.

In one case, for example, a priest who was removed from the ministry after admitting to sexually molesting two boys 19 years earlier was reinstated in 1995 under a set of strict guidelines by then-Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

The following is a listing of events and special services at Akron-area churches and places of worship.

Events

Apostolic Church of Barberton — 1717 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Coventry Township. 6 p.m. Sunday. Vintage Song Service with the Rev. Stan Cook from Kennett, Mo. 330-745-5550.

Canton Christian Women’s Connection — Fairways at Arrowhead, 1500 Rogwin Circle SW, North Canton. 11:30 a.m. Nov. 20. Monthly luncheon featuring Jill Hardie, author of The Sparkle Box. Cost is $13. For reservations, call Sherry at 330-837-6552 or email cantoncwc@aol.com.

Celebration United Methodist Church — 771 E. 260th St., Euclid. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15. Women of Faith Conference Faith, Family and Fortitude — Pathways to Success. Featuring workshops and an open panel discussion. For more information, call 216-282-8694.

Christ is the Answer Ministries — The Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron. 6 p.m. Nov. 15. “20-40-60 Celebration” includes dinner, dancing and a surprise event. Pastor J. Michael Martin Sr. will be celebrating 20 years of being a pastor, 40 years of marriage and 60 years of life. Tickets are $35 per person, $50 per couple. 330-376-1869.

Faith United Methodist Church (Brimfield) — 1235 Tallmadge Road, Kent. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Turkey Dinner. Menu is turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, cranberry relish, desserts and beverage. $9 adults, $4 youths, 5 and under free. ­Carryout available.

Firestone Park United Methodist Church — 250 N. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15. Country Fair featuring Santa’s Gift Shop, crafters, baked goods and more.

Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave., Uniontown. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 15. Swiss Steak Dinner. Menu includes Swiss steak, noodles and/or mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw or applesauce, green beans, rolls, coffee or tea, and your choice of mouth-watering desserts. Dinner is $9 for adults and $4 children ages 4 to 12. There will be a quilt exhibit during the dinner. For more information, call 330-699-3255.

Haven of Rest — 175 E. Market St., Akron. 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Open House. Come and see the three-building campus and hear personal testimonies from those whose lives have been changed through the ministry of Haven of Rest. For more information, call Rose Rose at 330-535-1563 or email rrose@havenofrest.org.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. Through Dec. 7. Impressions of Holy Trinity, all-media show is part of the celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Holy Trinity building on Prospect Street in Akron. 330-376-5154.

Home Missionary Baptist Church — 1922 Oakes Drive, Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Rod Truman will be ministering in song.

The House of the Lord — 1650 Diagonal Road, Akron. 6 p.m. Friday. The Worship and Arts Celebration Ministries presents An Evening of Worship — I Still Have a Praise. Free. Please bring a canned food item or make a monetary donation. Also, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15. The University of Akron School of Law will hold a Free Clinic. Get information about: Expungement/Sealing, Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE) and Clemency. For more information on the clinic, go to http://www.uakron.edu/law/clinical/reentry.dot.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church — 442 Bell St., Akron. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Community Clothing Giveaway. For more information, call 330-253-3711.

Mount Lebanon Baptist Church — 180 Edward Ave., Akron. 6 p.m. Saturday. Men’s Day Tailgate Fellowship Party in the church hall before the Ohio State-Michigan State game. 11 a.m. Sunday. 68th Men’s Day, 11 a.m. speaker is the Rev. Dr. Booker Person of Harvey, Ill. Theme is The Relevance of a Christian Man. Information, 330-376-6378.

Our Lady of Grace Church Hall — 1088 Ridge Road, Hinckley. 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Nov. 15. Hinckley Arts & Crafts Fall Show & Sale. Fine Arts and Christmas Crafts Show and Sale. For more information, call 330-278-3633.

The Pavilion of Praise Church — 976 W. Waterloo Road, Akron. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27. Thanksgiving Dinner. Free event open to the community and those who are in need. For more information, call 330-400-7810, 330-564-5382 or 330-564-5938.

St. George Family Center — 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. Project: St. Nicholas Returns Inc. presents 20th anniversary Auction/Dinner. Theme: Gifting in Secret. Chuck Schuster will share stories of St. Nicholas. Cost is $30 per person. To RSVP, email register@psnr.org.

St. John C.M.E. Church — 1233 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Monthly food distribution, for qualified persons living within postal code 44320. Registration and qualification for current year, 2014, will be required of all applicants. Also, the Annual Thanksgiving Lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 19. Free to the community. 330-864-3060.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church — 515 48th St. NW, Canton. Friday. Community Dinner to Benefit Hammer & Nails Inc., a local nonprofit outreach ministry dedicated to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged area homeowners through home and property improvements. There will be two seatings, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. $10, $5 ages 5 and under. For tickets, call 330-499-2662.

St. Matthew’s Outreach Ministry — 2580 Berne St., Akron. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27. Thanksgiving Dinner. Menu is turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls, and assorted pies for dessert. The dinner is free. Reservations for the dinner are due Nov. 20. Call 330-733-9944.

St. Matthew Rectory — 2603 Benton St., Akron. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday. A Cancer Spirituality Group for those on the cancer journey, those who are facing the diagnosis of cancer or have faced the diagnosis in the past or are interested in exploring and talking about the cancer experience in the context of spirituality. 330-628-5725.

Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Nov. 16. Third Sunday Dinner. A free community dinner that encourages food and fellowship with church members and the local community. 330-836-2226.

Zion United Church of Christ — Beck Fellowship Hall, 415 S. Main St., North Canton. 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15. 2014 fundraiser will include a steak dinner and a sports-themed silent auction. Dr. James King, grandson of NFL founder Ralph Hay, will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are $25.

Performances

Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St., Akron. 4 p.m. Nov. 16. Parish Arts Series presents the Bowling Green State University Men’s Chorus. Free-will offering will be taken.

Fairmount Presbyterian Church — 2757 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights. 4 p.m. Nov. 16. Fairmount Choir and Orchestra will present Baird Memorial Concert. Program: Haydn, Lord Nelson Mass; and Mozart, Divertimento in D, KV136. Free. 216-321-5800 or www.fairmountchurch.org.

Faith Lutheran Church — 2726 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 4 p.m. Sunday. Organist Felix Hell will perform on the newly restored Schantz 32 rank pipe organ. Free.

Grace Fellowship — 6282 Nave St. SW, Canton. 6 p.m. Nov. 16. The Dixie Melody Boys will perform.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. 8 p.m. Friday. Organist Simon Thomas Jacobs will perform in the church’s chapel. Free. 330-376-5154 or www.holytrinityakron.org.

People’s Baptist Church — 525 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. 42nd Annual Choir Anniversary, featuring a concert of sacred songs. 330-253-4073.

St. Francis Xavier Church — 606 E. Washington St., Medina. 7 p.m. Monday. The Medina Community Band will present its annual Veterans Day Concert.

St. Mary Catholic Church — 527 Beall Ave., Wooster. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16. The Cantata Singers will present the fall concert, A Season of Thanks. A free-will offering will be taken.

Trinity United Church of Christ — 915 N. Main St., Akron. 5 p.m. Nov. 16. Gospel Concert and Fried Chicken Dinner. Dinner will start at 5 p.m. followed by a concert by Surrender featuring Pete Claxton and Frankie Ganther. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 children 10 and under. 330-376-7186 or www.trinucc.org.

Speakers

First Friday Club of Greater Akron — Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway, Akron. 11:15 a.m. Friday. Karla J. Bellinger will present To Be Young and Catholic in the U.S. Cost of the luncheon is $15. For reservations, call 330-535-7668 or go to www.­firstfridayclubofgreaterakron.org.

First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 1 p.m. Thursday. Dr. Terry Gordon, author and retired cardiologist, will discuss his book No Storm Lasts Forever. 330-923-5241.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish — Fannon Center, 3430 St. Michael Drive NW, Canton. 11:30 a.m. Thursday. The Hamilton Forum presents Jeannie DeFazio, professor of education at Walsh University. Her topic will be Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities in Church and Society. Cost with box lunch is $12, presentation only $6. Reservations, 330-649-1231 or email thehamiltonforum@yahoo.com.

St. Patrick Church — 313 N. Depeyster St., Kent. Nov. 30. Dr. Scott Hahn will present The Lamb’s Supper at 3 p.m. and The Bible, the Eucharist and the New Evangelization at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 330-673-5849 or 330-677-4453.

The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to religion@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Religion, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44309.

SALT LAKE CITY: A Mormon bishop in Los Angeles is under fire for his assertion that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is unworthy to enter the faith’s temples because of his support for Democratic Party positions.

Mark Peredes’ blog, titled “Good Riddance to Harry Reid, the Mormon Senate Leader,” has drawn criticism from the church and Mormon Democrats.

Peredes called Reid an “embarrassment” and expressed his belief that Democrats’ support of same-sex marriage, abortion rights and gambling runs contrary to church positions.

“Of all of yesterday’s election results, the one that made me dance a jig was the ousting of Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader,” he wrote. “The Senate’s most powerful perch will no longer be occupied by a man who does not take his religion seriously.

“I have no doubt that Harry Reid is a wonderful man who loves his wife and kids, attends church, and is kind to animals. However, he is not a man of serious religious faith,” he added.

Church spokesman Dale Jones issued a statement criticizing the blog. The essay was published Wednesday in The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.

“Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are, of course, entitled to express their own political opinions,” he said. “However, publishing such views while using a title of a church officer, even if only as a leader of a local congregation as in this case, is entirely inappropriate.”

Although the vast majority of U.S. Mormons are Republicans, the church trumpets its political neutrality and notes Mormon politicians need not support church stances, The Salt Lake Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/1yjpMyC ).

Paredes did not respond to a request for comment Saturday. He noted in a disclaimer that he was merely expressing his personal opinion, but he identified himself in the blog as a bishop.

Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthman on Saturday released a letter from a Mormon Democrat in Las Vegas to Paredes. “Our comment to this is to show you one of many comments Sen. Reid has received from his friends,” Orthman said.

The letter was written by Charles Zobell, a 56-year member of the church and a former longtime editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Both he and his wife are lifelong Democrats.

“Your very public comments on Sen. Harry Reid, a faithful member of the Church, were outrageous and unbecoming a priesthood holder in your position of influence. In short, they were un-Christian ... You should apologize to (him) and to every LDS Democrat you have so viciously disparaged,” Zobell wrote.

“I am so tired of self-righteous members of my own Church telling me I cannot be a Democrat and a good Mormon ... I cannot see how anyone can read the Book of Mormon and the New Testament and not have more compassion and charity for others. Those have been hallmarks of the Democratic Party since the days of Franklin Roosevelt and earlier,” he added.

Paredes, who is bishop of the church’s Wilshire Ward in Los Angeles, explained in his blog that Mormons are asked certain questions before they can enter sacred church temples, including whether they support groups whose beliefs or practices are contrary to those of the faith.

“I have no problem with an average Mormon in the pew who supports the Democratic Party because one of its issues or positions appeals to him,” Paredes wrote. “However, occupying a national Democratic leadership position is an entirely different matter.”

But Richard Davis, a political science professor at Brigham Young University and a Democrat, told The Tribune that local church leaders are not at liberty to deny someone a “temple recommend” based on their political affiliation.

Reid will lose his position as Senate majority leader in January after Republicans took control of the Senate in Tuesday’s election. No other Mormon has held a higher elective national office.

U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are gathering at a moment of turbulence for them and the American church, as Pope Francis moves toward crafting new policies for carrying out his mission of mercy — a prospect that has conservative Catholics and some bishops in an uproar.

The assembly, which starts Monday in Baltimore, comes less than a month after Francis ended a dramatic Vatican meeting on how the church can more compassionately minister to Catholic families.

The gathering in Rome was a prelude to a larger meeting next year that will advise Francis on church practice. Still, the open debate at the event, and the back and forth among bishops over welcoming gays and divorced Catholics who remarry, prompted stunning criticism from some U.S. bishops.

“Many of the U.S. bishops have been disoriented by what this new pope is saying and I don’t see them really as embracing the pope’s agenda,” said John Thavis, a former Rome bureau chief for Catholic News Service. “To a large degree, the U.S. bishops have lost their bearings. I think up until now, they felt Rome had their back, and what they were saying — especially politically — would eventually be supported in Rome. They can’t count on that now.”

Cardinal Raymond Burke, the former St. Louis archbishop and leading voice for conservative Catholics, said the church “is like a ship without a rudder” under Francis. Burke made the comments before the pope demoted him from his position as head of the Vatican high court, a move he had anticipated.

Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, R.I., said the debate and vote on a document summing up the discussion in Rome, which laid bare divisions among church leaders, struck him as “rather Protestant.” Tobin referenced a remark Francis had made to young Catholics last year that they shake up the church and make a “mess” in their dioceses.

“Pope Francis is fond of ‘creating a mess.’ Mission accomplished,” Tobin wrote.

Other American bishops said the meeting sowed confusion about church teaching, although several blamed the way information was released from the Vatican or reported by the media.

“I think confusion is of the devil. I think the public image that came across was confusion,” said Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia. Next year, Chaput will host the pontiff on his first U.S. visit for the World Meeting of Families, a Vatican-organized event that draws thousands of people.

Francis is pressing U.S. bishops to make what for many prelates is a wrenching turnaround: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and individual church leaders have dedicated increasing resources over the years to the hot-button social issues the pontiff says should no longer be the focus. The bishops say they’ve been forced to emphasize these issues because of the growing acceptance of gay relationships and what they see as animosity toward Christians in America.

Dozens of dioceses and Catholic nonprofits have sued the Obama administration over the birth control coverage requirement in the Affordable Care Act health reform law. The administration has made several changes to accommodate the bishops’ concerns, but church leaders say the White House hasn’t gone far enough.

Through religious liberty campaigns, church leaders have sought exemptions for religious objectors, including recognition for same-sex marriage and workplace protections for gays and lesbians.

BALTIMORE: America’s Catholic bishops came together Monday to project an image of unity, after a Vatican meeting on the family unleashed an uproar over the direction of the church.

Last month’s gathering in Rome on more compassionately ministering to families featured open debate — alarming many traditional Catholics, who argued it would undermine public understanding of church teaching. Pope Francis encouraged a free exchange of ideas at the assembly, or synod, in contrast to previous years, when such events were tightly scripted.

At a meeting Monday in Baltimore, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, signaled there was no conflict between a gentler approach and upholding church orthodoxy. Kurtz cited his home visits to parishioners, where he wouldn’t give them “a list of rules to follow firsthand,” but would instead “spend time with them trying to appreciate the good that I saw in their hearts,” before inviting them to follow Christ.

“Such an approach isn’t in opposition to church teachings. It’s an affirmation of them,” said Kurtz, who attended the Vatican gathering.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington emphasized that last month’s meeting was only the start of a discussion before a larger gathering on the family next year, where bishops will more concretely advise the pope on developing any new church practices. New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said the divisiveness he read in media accounts did not reflect the collegial discussion inside the event.

“It was a synod of consensus,” Dolan said. The pope, he said, has a God-given gift “for attentive listening.”

The bishops made the remarks at their fourth national meeting since Francis was elected. While many Catholics have praised Francis’ new emphasis on mercy over the culture wars, many theological conservatives have said Francis is failing to carry out his duty as defender of the faith. Some U.S. bishops have resisted turning their focus away from gay marriage, abortion and other contentious social issues to take up Francis’ focus on the poor, immigrants and those who feel unwelcome in the church.

The papal ambassador to Washington, Archbishop Carlo Vigano, said in a wide-ranging speech bishops “must not be afraid to work with our Holy Father.”

The public sessions at the U.S. bishops’ meeting are focused on religious liberty, upholding marriage between a man and a woman, and moral issues in health care.

This is a weekly listing of church-related activities in the Akron area.

The congregation at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Sunday will celebrate 100 years at West Hopocan Avenue and Fifth Street Northwest in Barberton.

The church building, constructed with the support of industrialist O.C. Barber, was dedicated on Oct. 24, 1914. The congregation was founded in 1900 as a mission of Akron’s St. Paul Episcopal Church as a place for workers at the factories owned and managed by members of the Akron congregation, including Barber. St. Andrew’s became an independent congregation in 1950.

The congregation is a founding member of Barberton Area Community Ministries, which provides free assistance to low-income families in Barberton and Norton. It has also supported a congregation in Haiti for more than 20 years, supplying clothing, supplies and monetary donations. It is currently expanding its outreach to include a ministry called Sacred Journey, which focuses on healthful living and end of life issues. A Wellness Sunday initiative is scheduled for Jan. 18 and will include health screenings by local health-care providers. Its Blue Christmas program, designed to give hope to people who struggle with pain during the holiday season is at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

The centennial celebration is at 4 p.m. and will feature the Saint Catherine’s Choir of Women from Akron’s St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The church is at 591 W. Hopocan Ave. For more information, visit www.standrewsbarberton.org or call 330-753-9026.

In other religion news:

Events

Canton Christian Women’s Connection — Fairways at Arrowhead, 1500 Rogwin Circle SW, North Canton. 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Monthly luncheon featuring Jill Hardie, author of The Sparkle Box. Cost is $13. For reservations, call Sherry at 330-837-6552 or email cantoncwc@aol.com.

Celebration United Methodist Church — 771 E. 260th St., Euclid. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Women of Faith Conference Faith, Family and Fortitude — Pathways to Success. Featuring workshops and an open panel discussion. For more information, call 216-282-8694.

Christ is the Answer Ministries — The Tangier, 532 W. Market St., Akron. 6 p.m. Saturday. “20-40-60 Celebration” includes dinner, dancing and a surprise event. Pastor J. Michael Martin Sr. will celebrate 20 years of being a pastor, 40 years of marriage and 60 years of life. Tickets are $35 per person, $50 per couple. 330-376-1869.

Firestone Park United Methodist Church — 250 N. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Country Fair featuring Santa’s Gift Shop, crafters, baked goods and more.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist Medina — 5147 River Styx Road, Montville Township. 10 a.m. Nov. 27. Thanksgiving Day Service. This service will include music and hymns, a reading of the Thanksgiving Proclamation by the president of the United States, a Scriptural reading, prayer, a Thanksgiving Bible lesson, and testimonies of gratitude from attendees. Child care will be provided. 330-722-3331.

Goodyear Heights Community Church — 464 Brittain Road, Akron. 6 p.m. Nov. 24. Special Thanksgiving Communion Service. Join us for a time of giving thanks through song, sharing and communion.

Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave., Uniontown. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Swiss Steak Dinner. Menu includes Swiss steak, noodles and/or mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw or applesauce, green beans, rolls, coffee or tea, and your choice of mouth-watering desserts. Dinner is $9 for adults and $4 children ages 4 to 12. There will be a quilt exhibit during the dinner. For more information, call 330-699-3255.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church — 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. Through Dec. 7. Impressions of Holy Trinity, all-media show is part of the celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Holy Trinity building on Prospect Street in Akron. 330-376-5154.

The House of the Lord — 1650 Diagonal Road, Akron. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The University of Akron School of Law will hold a Free Clinic. Get information about: Expungement/Sealing, Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE) and Clemency. For more information on the clinic, go to http://www.uakron.edu/law/clinical/reentry.dot.

Lakemore United Methodist Church — 1536 Flickinger Road. 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Swiss Steak Dinner. Menu: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, coleslaw, applesauce, bread, dessert and beverage. $7 adults, $3.50 children 3-12. 330-733-6531.

The Pavilion of Praise Church — 976 W. Waterloo Road, Akron. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27. Thanksgiving Dinner. Free event open to the community and those who are in need. For more information, call 330-400-7810, 330-564-5382 or 330-564-5938.

Providence Baptist Church — 458 Madison Ave., Akron. 6 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Nov. 22 and 5 p.m. Nov. 23. United As One Music Workshop. Workshop sessions, music, food, fun and fellowship. The workshop is $10, with the concert at 5 p.m. Nov. 23, free. 330-253-3932.

Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 9 a.m. Nov. 27. Thanksgiving Day Mass will be cerebrated. Canned goods and cash donations will be collected to benefit Green Good Neighbors. 330-896-2345.

Radisson Marriott — 897 Arlington Ridge E., Akron. 7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 22, 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 22, and noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 23. A True Word from the Lord A NOW Word conference. 330-356-1943 or 404-914-0044.

St. John C.M.E. Church — 1233 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Monthly food distribution for qualified persons living within postal code 44320. Registration and qualification for current year, 2014, will be required of all applicants. Also, the Annual Thanksgiving Lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. Free to the community; Golden Agers Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22. 330-864-3060.

St. Matthew’s Outreach Ministry — 2580 Berne St., Akron. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27. Thanksgiving Dinner. Menu is turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, rolls, and assorted pies for dessert. The dinner is free. Reservations for the dinner are due Nov. 20. Call 330-733-9944.

St. Sebastian Parish — 476 Mull Ave., Akron. 9 a.m. Nov. 23. Father Mark Haydu, international director of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, will preside at the 9 a.m. Mass and will be available after the 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. masses the same day to meet the public and sign his book, Meditations on Vatican Art: Angels.

Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. Third Sunday Dinner. A free community dinner that encourages food and fellowship with church members and the local community. Also, 5 p.m. Nov. 30. Advent Potluck and Workshop focusing on “Decluttering Advent.” Create a family poster and share a meal with church members and the local community. 330-836-2226.

Zion United Church of Christ — Beck Fellowship Hall, 415 S. Main St., North Canton. 5:30 p.m. Saturday. 2014 fundraiser will include a steak dinner and a sports-themed silent auction. Dr. James King, grandson of NFL founder Ralph Hay, will deliver the keynote address. Tickets are $25.

Performances

Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. Parish Arts Series presents the Bowling Green State University Men’s Chorus. Free-will offering will be taken.

Fairmount Presbyterian Church — 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights. 4 p.m. Sunday. Fairmount Choir and Orchestra will present Baird Memorial Concert. Program: Haydn, Lord Nelson Mass; and Mozart, Divertimento in D, KV 136. Free. 216-321-5800 or www.fairmountchurch.org.

First Christian Church — 116 E. Boyer St., Wadsworth. 7 p.m. Saturday. A Handbell Concert will present the Bells of First Christian, the adult handbell choir of First Christian Church. A free-will offering will be accepted.

Grace Fellowship — 6282 Nave St. SW, Canton. 6 p.m. Sunday. The Dixie Melody Boys will perform.

St. Mary Catholic Church — 527 Beall Ave., Wooster. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The Cantata Singers will present the fall concert, A Season of Thanks. A free-will offering will be taken.

Trinity United Church of Christ — 915 N. Main St., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. Gospel Concert and Fried Chicken Dinner. Dinner will start at 5 p.m. followed by a concert by Surrender featuring Pete Claxton and Frankie Ganther. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 children 10 and younger. 330-376-7186 or www.trinucc.org.

Speakers

St. Patrick Church — 313 N. Depeyster St., Kent. Nov. 30. Dr. Scott Hahn will present The Lamb’s Supper at 3 p.m. and The Bible, the Eucharist and the New Evangelization at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 330-673-5849 or 330-677-4453.

The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to religion@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Religion, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44309.

Faithful Servants Care Center has extended its reach from Tallmadge into the city of Akron.

The independent Christian-based urgent-care clinic opened its doors more than two years ago and began serving the uninsured on a daily basis in Suite F at 65 Community Road, adjacent to Pioneer Physicians Network.

Earlier this year, after receiving a nearly $52,000 grant from Northern Ohio Golf Charities (the charitable arm of the Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament), the clinic purchased a sprinter van and converted it into a mobile medical unit that rolls into Akron five times a month. It parks at Arlington Church of God, Haven of Rest and Mount Calvary Baptist Church to serve the uninsured who are living at or below 200 percent of the national poverty level (starting at $23,340 for a single-person household and increasing $8,120 for each additional person).

“There is a critical need for access to medical care, and the mobile unit goes to the neighborhood, which limits the hardship on people who don’t have transportation to get to a medical facility, and it eases the burden on local emergency rooms,” said the Rev. Dr. Diana L. Swoope, pastor at Arlington Church of God. “It also gives people who don’t have insurance a place to get quality medical care. Even with the Affordable Care Act, there are still people without insurance who have chronic and acute medical needs, and everything in between.”

Faithful Servants, the first free clinic in Ohio solely dedicated to urgent care, was established as an all-volunteer medical ministry to give local doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical personnel an opportunity to live out the gospel mission of serving those in need.

Meeting the need

Drs. Sue and Mark Meyer, co-founders of the ministry, saw a need to expand after discovering that many patients were walking to Tallmadge from Akron’s North Hill, Goodyear Heights, Firestone Park and Kenmore areas.

“I was on my way to a meeting at the hospital one day around noon and I saw a man sitting at the door of the clinic. When I told him the clinic doesn’t open until 5:30, he said, ‘I have to be at the shelter by 6 or I can’t get a bed,’ ” Mark Meyer said. “That was the last straw. I knew something had to be done.”

After talking to leaders at the Haven of Rest, an agreement was reached last fall to begin seeing patients in a conference room that was converted into an exam room on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Last month, a third day — the second Thursday of the month — was added.

The Rev. Jeffrey A. Kaiser, executive director at Haven of Rest, at 175 E. Market St. in Akron, described Faithful Servants as “a true blessing.”

“It’s wonderful to have doctors and nurses who have a heart for helping those in need. People have been very comfortable coming and asking questions and getting answers to their questions and getting linked to medical resources,” Kaiser said. “One of the really great things about this is it’s not just for people who are using the Haven of Rest; it’s for everybody who meets the requirements.”

The same rule applies wherever the Faithful Servants mobile unit is parked — on the first Wednesday of the month at Mount Calvary, 442 Bell St., Akron; and on the second Tuesday of the month at Arlington Church of God, 539 S. Arlington St., Akron. Patients do not have to be members of the church.

“God has got big plans for this van. We’re praying for more doctors, nurses and pharmacists to volunteer so we can increase the number of nights we spend in the city, and we’re praying for God to direct us to other churches where we are needed,” Sue Meyer said. “In all of this, we still want to be the church. We want people to know that there is a loving God that cares about them.”

Ways to help

In addition to volunteers, the clinic is also in need of partner churches, whose members serve as volunteers, provide meals for volunteers and offer financial support. The clinic also has expanded to include diabetes and hypertension clinics.

Arlington Church of God, which supplies volunteer doctors and nurses, has been a partner church with Faithful Servants since its beginning in 2012.

“The mobile clinic offers Arlington Church of God an opportunity to do what we love to do: serve people and use our skills and talents to help others,” Swoope said. “Our relationship with Faithful Servants has certainly been an apex for us. It fits perfectly with our commitment to helping people in the community stay healthy.

“It’s a great example of how faith and medicine have come together in a marvelous way,” she said.

The clinic is open 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Friday. The mobile unit is open 6 to 9 p.m. at Haven of Rest, Mount Calvary and Arlington Church of God. Only walk-ins are accepted.

For more information about Faithful Servants and its volunteer opportunities, go to http://faithfulservantscarecenter.org or call 330–633–3680.

Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.

PHILADELPHIA: Organizers of the World Meeting of Families for months were coy when asked if Pope Francis would come to Philadelphia for the massive Roman Catholic-sponsored gathering.

It turns out that when the pontiff finally confirmed his attendance Monday, organizers already had gotten inside information from an unimpeachable source: Francis told Gov. Tom Corbett during a Vatican meeting in March that he would make the journey, his first papal visit to the United States.

“The Holy Father answered our invitation by whispering three words in Tom’s ear: ‘I will come,’ ” said Susan Corbett, Pennsylvania’s first lady.

Protocol kept them from saying anything publicly until now, she said at a news conference hours after the pope’s statement.

Still, the timing of Francis’ announcement — made during an interreligious Vatican conference on traditional family values — came as a bit of a surprise and set cellphones abuzz in Philadelphia around 3:30 a.m. Organizers had not expected official word until later next year.

The September voyage will come at a time when the U.S. church is trying to keep Catholics in the fold, including Latino immigrants who have been joining Protestant churches or leaving organized religion in significant numbers. Expectations will also be high for Francis to address the clergy sex abuse scandals.

The World Meeting of Families is a conference held every three years in a different city to celebrate the importance of family. It will be the first pontifical trip to the U.S. since 2008.

“What an historic day, and an unparalleled day for the city of Philadelphia,” Mayor Michael Nutter said. “We could not be more excited.”

Details of Francis’ itinerary will not be finalized until next spring or summer, officials said. But his confirmed attendance will likely help spur fundraising for the huge event. Just over half of the $45 million budget has been raised so far, said Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross who also serves on the organizing committee.

The pope is also expected to visit New York and Washington, but Vatican officials would not confirm those legs of the trip Monday. The Vatican’s envoy to the United Nations strongly hinted last week Francis would visit New York to address world leaders at the General Assembly.

The World Meeting of Families is set for Sept. 22-27.

Angelo Antognoli’s heart for people is shown in his concern for the hundreds of people who come to the Gennesaret Family Nutritional Center twice a week for hot meals.

“To be honest, it benefits me more than the people I’m serving. I don’t know what I would do with myself, if I didn’t have this,” said Antognoli, 83. “The people who come in here are wonderful — you can’t judge people. You have to remember that any of us could be in their shoes. All I know is that everyone here has been good to me and they loved my wife.”

Antognoli and his late wife, Sally, began volunteering at the soup kitchen more than 20 years ago. When she died in January, he decided to continue the mission they started together at Gennesaret: showing the love of Christ by serving people in need.

Gennesaret, an all-volunteer charity that is managed by a board of directors, provides long-term housing for homeless two-parent families in Summit County and free hot meals and groceries every Tuesday and Saturday to needy families and individuals at its nutritional center, at 419 W. Exchange St., Akron.

The center, formerly an automotive shop, was renovated four years ago through a $350,000 donation in labor and materials from Testa Cos. and several of its subcontractors. Antognoli, whose late son, Anthony, worked for Testa, was instrumental in connecting Testa and the nonprofit Gennesaret.

“I had known [CEO] Paul [Testa] for years. I met him years ago when working construction. He was just starting out as a builder,” Antognoli said. “Because I knew he was a man who likes to give back, I told Tony to ask him if he would help. The building was a mess. It was a major undertaking.”

When asked, Testa agreed to help because he was inspired by Gennesaret’s mission and the fact the nonprofit is funded entirely through grants and individual donations. At the root of his altruism is his Christian faith. His real estate, construction and development company added a philanthropic arm in 1996 called “Operation Dreams Come True” to help families and organizations in need.

“God has been good to us, and we want to make a difference. When you’re blessed, you want to be a blessing to others,” Paul Testa said. “I’m a sinner, and I want to do what I can to make up for it. And, fortunately, we work with some subcontractors who like to give back to the community, too. Getting this place renovated was a team effort.”

The renovation, practically a complete interior rebuild, was finished just before Gennesaret’s annual “Home Run for the Homeless” in 2010. The annual race, which attracts thousands of runners and walkers on Thanksgiving morning, is the sole fundraiser to benefit Gennesaret’s mission throughout the year.

This year’s 1-mile fun run and 4-mile race begin at 8:30 and 9 a.m., respectively, at the nutritional center, 419 W. Exchange St. (The race also ends there.) Parking is available in the deck at 300 Locust St., and a shuttle service to and from the race will operate from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Participation in this year’s event is expected to match last year’s total of 4,000.

“We’re just people trying to help people. We appreciate everything that anyone can do to help us meet the needs of the homeless in our community. It’s people like Angelo and the Testas that make what we do possible,” said Bob Dirgo, president of Gennesaret’s board. “I can’t say enough about the humility of the people who volunteer. They don’t look for credit; they do it because they care about people and they do it quietly. It’s so inspiring.”

Dirgo and his wife, Mary, founded Gennesaret in 1986. The couple, along with more than 300 volunteers that include daughters Swati, 13, and Kajal, 11, work year-round to provide a safe place that is responsive to the needs of the area’s homeless.

“It’s all about treating people the way you want to be treated,” said Antognoli, who also volunteers at the Thanksgiving Day race. “People deserve to be treated with respect no matter where they are in life. That’s what happens here; we all respect each other and care for each other.”

For more information about Gennesaret or to volunteer or register for the race, go to www.gennesaret.net or call 330-351-4608.

Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.