Faith & Spirituality

Dessert auction is sweet success at Bay UMC

Twenty-four desserts. Thirty-four volunteers. A room full of eager bidders. One super-hilarious auctioneer. That is how sweet it was on Sunday, Feb. 9, at Bay United Methodist Church for our annual dessert auction.

In support of our Appalachia Service Project Team, the congregation and friends of our church turn out to bid on delicious homemade desserts. However, this is not just any auction. The generosity and out-pouring of love is amazing and surprising each year.

The dessert auction is well known by our members as a boisterous time where gluttony (oops, generosity) hails in full force. As the tradition goes, volunteers bake their favorite homemade recipes (or get last-minute help from Heinen's) and the audience bids against each other in friendly, giggle-worthy competition. Bids for donuts, big sheet cookies, yummy bars, gluten-free and gluten-full cakes sell into the hundreds of dollars.

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Volume 12, Issue 4, Posted 10:08 AM, 02.18.2020

Portraits of homelessness

The Portraits of Homelessness collection, featuring 15 photographs and stories of residents from the Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside,will be on display at Westlake's Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in the lower lobby entry from Feb. 26 to April 12. 

Lydia Bailey, volunteer coordinator at the shelter and photographer, sought to convey their gifts and vital personalities as well as the confusing, fearful and damaging elements of homelessness.

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Volume 12, Issue 4, Posted 10:07 AM, 02.18.2020

Bay grad follows her father's footsteps into healing ministry

How did a Bay High alumna (class of 1986), with a degree in early childhood education, find herself as a national board member for the Order of St. Luke international Christian healing ministry, and in demand around the country today as a keynote speaker at OSL conferences?

It all began in 2006 when her father, David Ball, then convener of the Westshore Chapter sent his daughter a brochure about the upcoming local conference, featuring the Rev. Nigel Mumford.  At that time, Saran Warne's husband, Tom, was the young rector at St. John's Church in Huntingdon, PA, developing a congregation in the depressed industrial town. She was the stay-at-home mom, with their three active boys.

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Volume 12, Issue 4, Posted 10:05 AM, 02.18.2020

Weekly ministry focuses on praise, revival

The Praise Community has been gathering since early September at 7 p.m. weekly in the sanctuary of Advent Church, 3760 Dover Center Road, Westlake. The core leadership team of this initiative comes from four different area churches.

The Praise Community is an opportunity for believers to gather together weekly to offer up praise to the Lord and expect that He will meet with His people. The Praise Community is a non-denominational ministry that has the blessing of Advent leadership to use their great sanctuary. You are invited to come as we seek to lift up the name of Jesus seeking personal and regional revival!

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Volume 12, Issue 2, Posted 9:48 AM, 01.21.2020

'Peace Troubador' James Twyman coming to Westlake

For years, James Twyman has been known as the "Peace Troubador." In 1995, James was invited to Croatia and Bosnia to perform a peace concert using his songs created from the peace prayers of the 12 major religions. Since then, James has traveled to Iraq, South Africa, Northern Ireland, and most recently Iran, to bring his focus of peace to areas impacted by the tensions of war.

Twyman has always had an affinity for St. Francis, and has been inspired to take his one-man musical, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," to an off-Broadway venue. He will travel penniless from Portland, Oregon, to New York City relying on the generosity of people along the way.

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Volume 12, Issue 2, Posted 9:52 AM, 01.21.2020

Tea time for peace

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Westlake Porter Public Library, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), St. Ladislas Catholic Church and WCMA (West Cleveland Muslim Association) hosted "Tea Time for Peace," an interfaith and larger community dialogue with the focus on getting to know your Muslim neighbor better. It was held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Westlake on Dec. 4.

Christians and Muslims alike took a brave and hospitable step in a time so fraught with controversy and fear. Over 100 guests gathered together for the chance to have tea, snacks and conversation with neighbors from diverse communities that may not have otherwise had a chance to come together. 

The evening was filled with warmth and laughter as neighbors got to know each other and launched new friendships.

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Volume 11, Issue 24, Posted 10:19 AM, 12.17.2019

Remembering the 1914 Christmas Truce

On Dec. 7, 1914, Pope Benedict XV suggested a temporary hiatus from the war for the celebration of Christmas. Although the warring countries did not accept the invitation for a cease fire, the soldiers in the trenches declared their own unofficial truce. 

On Christmas Eve, German and British troops which were fighting in WWI joined together in singing Christmas carols across the lines. When Christmas morning arrived, German soldiers came out from the trenches wishing the British troops a Merry Christmas! Although the British soldiers were concerned that it was a trick, their fears were allayed when they saw that the German soldiers were not carrying guns. They, too, came out from the trenches and began shaking hands.

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Volume 11, Issue 23, Posted 10:13 AM, 12.03.2019

Free Christmas choral celebration in Westlake

The Cleveland Ohio Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host an evening of choral and instrumental Christmas music on Sunday, Dec. 15, beginning at 6:00 p.m., and the public is cordially invited to attend this free holiday event.

Also participating that evening will be youth and adult vocalists as well as instrumentalists representing the St. Joseph Senior Choir.

The performance will take place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 25000 Westwood Road in Westlake. Plenty of free parking is available on the church site.

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Volume 11, Issue 23, Posted 10:07 AM, 12.03.2019

Panache Desai discusses moving from fear to love

Panache Desai knows first-hand the experience of being an immigrant touched by xenophobia. Growing up in London's East End in the 1980s, he lived in a working class neighborhood. More and more immigrants were arriving and competing with the older, more established residents. 

Panache was of Indian descent who preferred the silence of meditation to the safety of gangs. In his teens, however, he began to turn his back on spirituality and worked to become who everyone else wanted him to be. He studied business and law in order to please his grandfather. He began to spend time in the East End underground music scene, partying at night with heiresses, gangsters and drug dealers.

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Volume 11, Issue 21, Posted 9:30 AM, 11.05.2019

CrossPointe seminar focuses on dealing with difficult situations

CrossPointe Community is offering a training seminar from a new book by author Dr. Myke Merrill from Hilton, New York. Dr. Merrill will be at CrossPointe on Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-8 p.m., and Friday, Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. The cost for the training is $20 and includes Dr. Merrill's book, "Why Do People Act That Way ... And What Can I Do About It?" plus a pizza and beverage.

Dr. Merrill will teach practical skills to disentangle complicated or difficult situations and relationships. It will give you insights into the four key complexes of the mind and how they shape our sense of reality, while also offering tools for accurate understanding and effective resolution of the five emotional systems. It will help you ask questions, get answers, and then ask better questions. Finally, it will help you to identify your own storyline in a way that may help you resolve some lifelong issues.

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Volume 11, Issue 20, Posted 9:21 AM, 10.15.2019

Father and son team make a journey with impact

In July, as father and son we had the opportunity to travel from our home in Bay Village with a group of 18 other individuals from Northeast Ohio and other parts of the U.S. to Nairobi, Kenya, on an “impact trip,” with an organization called CARE for AIDS. The purpose of the organization is to empower people, who are HIV positive or have AIDS, to live beyond their condition spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and economically.

During the trip we had the chance to see all levels of the work carried out by CARE for AIDS in partnership with local churches. The people or clients whom we observed ranged from those who were early in their journey with the organization to those who were graduating from its 9-month program. Every step of the way we saw them in their medical and spiritual counselling, visited with them in their homes where we built relationships and shared meals with them, and worshiped and engaged with them in vacation bible school.

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Volume 11, Issue 18, Posted 9:09 AM, 09.17.2019

Parkside Church welcomes new pastor

On Sunday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m., Dr. Donald Lain will be installed as Senior Pastor at Parkside Church of the Nazarene in Westlake, 23600 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake.

Pastor Lain was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in a Nazarene Church parsonage. At age 13, his family became missionaries to Haiti after one year in Albertville, France. Don graduated from an international high school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He attended Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1988 and completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2009.

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Volume 11, Issue 18, Posted 9:09 AM, 09.17.2019

Would you like to transform your relationship with children?

Conscious parenting, based on the Conscious Discipline Program of Dr. Becky Blailey, offers an opportunity for parents, grandparents and others who work with children to build a new bridge to meaningful relationships and cooperative children. Through conscious parenting, adults are supported in transforming their relationships with children through problem solving, compassion, freedom, structure, connection, confidence, enjoyment, life skills, cooperation and positivity.

Conscious Discipline is a multidisciplinary approach that integrates the brain stem, limbic system, and prefrontal lobes. The brain stem is responsible for our survival state. It is in feeling safe that we soothe our survival state. The limbic system is responsible for our emotional state. The only way to soothe an upset emotional state is through connection. The prefrontal lobes are responsible for problem solving and learning. We support the development of the prefrontal lobes as we ask the question, "What can I learn from this?"

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Volume 11, Issue 18, Posted 9:13 AM, 09.17.2019

Rally Together: All are welcome at Bay Methodist

Division. Unfortunately, this seems to be the word of the moment. We disagree on politics, we condemn those who think differently than us, we espouse our opinions on social media to perfect strangers, and we avoid our friends in fear of being judged or alienated.

At Bay United Methodist Church, we are struggling with division as well. This past February, a General Conference was held in St. Louis, Missouri, to determine a path forward regarding LGBTQ+ clergy and marriages within the Methodist Church. It was determined by delegates chosen to vote on behalf of global Methodist communities that self-professing LGBTQ+ ministerial candidates will not be ordained and same-sex marriages cannot be performed.

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Volume 11, Issue 17, Posted 9:52 AM, 09.04.2019

Humility of Mary Nuns Celebrate 60th Jubilee Anniversary

Last month, we hosted Sr. Mary Therese Berry and Sr. Helen Jean Novy in celebration of their 60th Jubilee anniversary of religious life as Humility of Mary sisters. These highly intelligent, creative, humorous nuns are responsible for giving thousands of local students their strong educational and spiritual formation over the past 40-plus years at Magnificat High School.

As a community, we would like to honor them and pay them tribute for such an incredible accomplishment. We know that we represent all students and families (both former and current) in sending our deepest gratitude for what they have given us.

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Volume 11, Issue 15, Posted 10:15 AM, 08.06.2019

St. Paul Westlake welcomes new vicar

St. Paul Westlake installed a new vicar in services on Sunday, July 14. Vicar Chad Bolosan is eager to get started in his role as pastoral intern.

“It’s a chance to learn from those that have the experience,” he said, referring to St. Paul’s pastoral staff which includes Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. David Buegler, Senior Pastor Ronald L. Young and Associate Pastor Jeffery M. Smith.

Bolosan, 44, and wife, Sherry, are the parents of Annabelle, 8, and twins Emma and Charlotte, 3.

“I fell in love with sharing the gospel, and it’s wonderful seeing it in other people,” he said.

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Volume 11, Issue 14, Posted 10:08 AM, 07.16.2019

Healing room to open at Advent Church in Westlake

The West Shore Healing Room will open on July 9 at Advent Episcopal Church, 3760 Dover Center Road in Westlake. The healing room, which is certified by the International Association of Healing Rooms in Spokane, Wash., offers personal prayer for physical and emotional healing and addictions.

The room will be open on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary and there is no charge. Appointments for prayer at other times can be made by calling 216-407-3220 or emailing to westshorehealing@gmail.com.

The International Association of Healing Rooms coordinates 2,946 healing rooms in 68 countries.

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Volume 11, Issue 12, Posted 9:42 AM, 06.18.2019

Unity hosts women's retreat in July

Unity Spiritual Center welcomes women to a spiritual retreat July 18-20 on the USC campus at 23855 Detroit Road in Westlake. The retreat begins Thursday evening, continues all day Friday, and on Saturday until 3:00 p.m. It is not an overnight event.

California-based singer and songwriter, Karen Drucker, who is also a creator of transformational women’s retreats held around the U.S., will lead the Unity retreat. The theme is “Self Care for Turbulent Times.” She will be joined by Betsy Muller, human energy expert and author of “Energy Makeover.” The price of $199 includes all events, and six healthy meals by "whole-istic" chef, Cheryle Costa, of Kitchen Underground Project.

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Volume 11, Issue 12, Posted 9:50 AM, 06.18.2019

Dover UCC honors church members for volunteerism

When was the last time your church thanked you for all that you do to carry God’s message out to the community? Well, Dover Congregational United Church of Christ in Westlake did just that on Sunday, May 19.

The event was named “Church + (Plus)” and over 140 members of the church were treated to a catered dinner, along with live entertainment, speakers and even a maître de. The purpose of the dinner was to recognize that fact that not only does church happen on Sundays, but members continue the Lord’s mission every day.

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Volume 11, Issue 11, Posted 10:19 AM, 06.04.2019

Westside Jews celebrate Passover with fun, learning and ancient traditions

Few Jewish holidays evoke the same warm sentiments as Passover. Memories of family and friends gathered as the four cups of wine are poured, the four questions asked and the Matzah served, all contribute to Passover’s popularity in the Jewish community. Bringing the warmth and tradition of this festival to the West Side community, Chabad of the West Side is inviting all Jewish residents to participate in a community Seder to be held on Friday night, April 19.

The Seder takes participants through the wondrous liberation of our ancestors from Egyptian bondage, while sharing the relevance and beauty of the age-old festival in our modern lives. Included in the Seder will be a delectable catered dinner paired with a variety of fine imported wines and handmade round "Shmurah" Matzah from Israel.

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Volume 11, Issue 8, Posted 9:48 AM, 04.16.2019

Westside churches collaborate for Good Friday

On Friday, April 19, eight Westside churches will come together to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus; offering a community Good Friday Service at 7 p.m. at LaCentre, 25777 Detroit Road, Westlake. This event will focus on the seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross, as well as Holy Communion. There will be music with a live band, scripture readings and four brief sermonettes. 

How do eight churches from a variety of backgrounds and theological persuasions come together? Often pastors are asked, "So what's different about your church?" or "Are you a denomination or independent?" Personally, I prefer to talk about what is the same versus what is different, and that is exactly what this event is all about: coming together to focus on what is the same.

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Volume 11, Issue 8, Posted 9:47 AM, 04.16.2019

A Good Friday Experience: Stations of the Cosmic Christ

For centuries, Christians around the world have practiced the devotion of the Stations of the Cross. These stations invite participants into the last hours of Jesus' life. It is a powerful practice that allows one to enter into and thereby relive the final hours of Jesus' life. 

The traditional stations, however, covers just 20 hours of Jesus' life. There were many other pivotal events in the life of Jesus, and expanding the stations to include these offers a fresh perspective on a traditional practice.

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Volume 11, Issue 8, Posted 9:48 AM, 04.16.2019

Westlake United Methodist Church continues to welcome ALL people

The United Methodist Church (UMC) has been in the news recently after delegates of the global denomination met in a Special-Called Session of the General Conference to address long-standing disagreements around human sexuality and the inclusion of LGBTQIA persons in the full life of the church.

Headlines from this Conference – where a narrow majority of delegates voted to uphold the worldwide-church’s bans on same-gender unions and “self-avowed, practicing” gay clergy – may lead some to question if United Methodist churches are friendly to LGBTQIA persons. Rest assured, in spite of the vote approving the “Traditional Plan” as amended, Westlake United Methodist Church remains a welcoming congregation.

Westlake UMC is an open and affirming house of worship for all of God’s children with a long history and tradition as a progressive, mission-focused church. In 2001, the church formalized this commitment to inclusion into the congregation’s Vision & Value statements. It is core to Westlake UMC’s identity to “welcome people of all ages, races, social and economic backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities.”

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Volume 11, Issue 7, Posted 9:44 AM, 04.02.2019

Love stands in the doorway

On Sunday, March 24, Reverend R. Keith Stuart, pastor of Dover Congregational United Church of Christ in Westlake, held a very different kind of service. You see, he had traveled to Nogales, Arizona, and across the border to Nogales, Mexico, last November and had a front row seat to the so-called "Immigration Crisis." On this Sunday, he was not being political; not advocating illegal immigration or telling the congregation what their opinion should be. Instead, he simply shared his heart.

Rev. Stuart challenged the congregation think about immigration on a human level, a holy level. "Scripture never begins with policy, it begins with humanity," he stated.

When we watch the news, we hear about the illegals, the wall and how we need to protect our border. He wanted the congregation to imagine entering at a different part of the story. What if we started at the beginning of the migrant's journey?

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Volume 11, Issue 7, Posted 9:50 AM, 04.02.2019

What will it take to birth a greater reality?

Unity teachings remind each of us of the power to transform our own individual lives in order to impact the transformation of our greater community and world. As you begin to heal your own mistaken ideas, words and actions you impact the greater human consciousness. As you and I take responsibility for the way we show up in the world, the world as we know it begins to shift. Every day, no matter what is occurring in your own individual life, you have the opportunity to make a difference.

When it feels like the end of your world, you've arrived at a point of magnificent opportunity: the possibility of transforming every dimension of your life. How do you release old ways of thinking? How do you become a conscious co-creator of your reality? How do you become an active participant in global transformation?

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Volume 11, Issue 7, Posted 9:50 AM, 04.02.2019

Westlake church to host simulcast event

Parkside Nazarene Church is pleased to announce the nationwide simulcast of the Tragedy into Triumph series, which features well-known athletes, authors and people in the news. This series will show how God can bring triumphant change into our lives, even in the midst of tragedy.

Simulcast over three days, the series features three inspirational stories:

  • Monday, March 18, 7 p.m.: Rifqa Bary will share the custody story that made national news as she fled her home in Ohio to Florida fearing for her life for accepting Christ.
  • Tuesday, March 19, 7 p.m.: Brian Bosworth will share his journey from football to faith, as he left drugs, defiance, and the “The Boz” persona to embrace faith in Christ.
  • Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.: Siran Stacy will share how even a strong NFL running back has to have help in the loss of his wife and 4 of 5 children in one night.
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Volume 11, Issue 5, Posted 9:54 AM, 03.05.2019

St. Lads to help foster healthy relationships

St. Ladislas will host a panel discussion on fostering healthy relationships titled, "Finding Joy: Creating strong, thriving, healthful relationships with others and God," on Sunday, Feb. 10, 7-8:30 p.m., at St. Ladislas Church on 2345 Bassett Road in Westlake

All educators, counselors, managers and religious leaders agree positive relationships lead to improved mental, physical and spiritual health.

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Volume 11, Issue 3, Posted 9:56 AM, 02.05.2019

Giant menorah lights up Crocker Park

The Festival of Lights, as Chanukah is known, was a particularly bright one for the West Side Jewish community this year.

More than 250 people joined in the annual Chanukah celebration at Crocker Park. Adults and children alike enjoyed a round of ice skating to Jewish music right outside the Hyatt Place, while games, crafts, strolling entertainment and free drinks were enjoyed by participants inside the hotel.

State Rep. David Greenspan joined to light the giant nine-foot menorah as onlookers sang and celebrated their Jewish heritage.

The annual menorah lighting and Chanukah celebration has become a yearly fixture in Crocker Park and is anticipated by families and individuals each year across the whole West Side.

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Volume 10, Issue 24, Posted 10:01 AM, 12.18.2018

Concert remembers 1914 Christmas Truce

During World War I, on Christmas Day 1914, the sounds of rifles firing and shells exploding faded in a number of places along the Western Front in favor of holiday celebrations in the trenches and gestures of goodwill between enemies.

On Friday, Dec. 21, at 7:00 p.m., Unity Spiritual Center Westlake will hold a concert in remembrance of the 1914 Christmas Truce. All are invited to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season and to remember and proclaim that peace in the world is possible among people of goodwill.

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Volume 10, Issue 23, Posted 10:21 AM, 12.04.2018

Unity Spiritual Center candle-lighting service to help bereaved families remember lost children

Candles will glow on Sunday, Dec. 9, when tens of thousands of bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives and friends around the globe join together to light remembrance candles to honor the memories of children who have died but will never be forgotten.

Unity Spiritual Center Westlake will offer its fourth annual service of remembrance and healing during the holiday season for those who lost a loved one too soon. The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will continue to 8:00 p.m. with candle lighting at 7:00 p.m. This service will be free and open to all regardless of faith or no faith background. An indoor labyrinth walk will be available after the service.

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Volume 10, Issue 22, Posted 9:34 AM, 11.20.2018

Best-selling author Neale Donald Walsch comes to Westlake

Each fall, Unity Spiritual Center Westlake holds a fall program in which the entire community studies a spiritual book for a period of seven weeks. This year, the community is reading Neale Donald Walsch's book, "What God Said."

Neale Donald Walsch is the author of the "Conversations with God" series of books, seven of which have made the New York Times bestseller list. Neale has written 29 books on spirituality and its practical application in everyday life. "What God Said" is based on the 25 core messages from the "Conversations with God" series.

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Volume 10, Issue 21, Posted 9:59 AM, 11.06.2018

Regina Brett to speak at Dover UCC

Regina Brett, New York Times best-selling author and former columnist for The Plain Dealer, will speak at Dover Congregational United Church of Christ on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 9 a.m. Brett will be speaking on “Finding Miracles in the Mess and Madness of Life” as part of the Westside United Church of Christ Theological Forum.

“Too often we look for God in the holiness, in the rainbow and unicorn moments,” Brett said, “but God is often found in the holes of life, in the messy, broken parts.”

Brett will speak about how we all have that power to have our souls magnify the God and the good in all things, even in the messes and mistakes around us.

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Volume 10, Issue 19, Posted 9:56 AM, 10.02.2018

St. Barnabas, Bethesda to hold joint animal blessing

An old priest once jokingly told me that if you really want to know who your best friend is, that you should lock your dog and your spouse in the trunk of your car, then leave them both there for about an hour. When you open the trunk, only one of them will be happy to see you! Then you’ll truly know who man’s best friend is.

Our pets bring tremendous joy to our lives and have many lessons to teach us about loyalty, friendship and unconditional love. That’s why the Church blesses and celebrates our companion animals each year around St. Francis Day.

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Volume 10, Issue 19, Posted 9:54 AM, 10.02.2018

Dover UCC celebrates by 'Following in the Footsteps'

On Sept. 23, Dover Congregational United Church of Christ celebrated all of the members who have worshipped at the church for 50 years or more. In addition, they also honored all members who were 90 years old or older. There were 40 people in all – 23 who are in the 50 years or more club and 17 who are at least 90 years old. Three members actually fall into both groups. The celebration was termed "Following in the Footsteps" – an appropriate theme seeing as Dover UCC is the oldest church in Westlake.

The entire program was organized by Lyn Kohler, Martha Vivona and Sharron Wilkins. They wanted to acknowledge where the church has come from and recognize those who have contributed to making Dover UCC the church it is today.

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Volume 10, Issue 19, Posted 9:49 AM, 10.02.2018

Classical pop music duo offers unique entertainment at Unity

Unity Spiritual Center will welcome Armand and Angelina, international performing artists and classical pop music duo. Armand and Angelina will provide three opportunities to be uplifted by their beautiful music and inspirational stories.

On Sunday, Sept. 23, at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., Armand and Angelina will bring their unique musical and story-telling talents to lead USC’s Sunday services with a talk entitled “An Attitude of Gratitude.” You will learn how to infuse your daily prayer with the addition of Affirmative Prayer, as well as learning how to include gratitude and the Law of Attraction in your spiritual practice.

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Volume 10, Issue 18, Posted 10:05 AM, 09.18.2018

Ushering in the Jewish New Year

You've heard of roving reporters. Even roving fibers. But roving rabbis?

Well, now you did.

A program initiated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, 70 years ago pairs up two young rabbinical students and sends them out to remote communities around the world. Their aim is to seek out the members of smaller Jewish communities; or for that matter, Jews in places where no Jewish community even exists.

This summer, our community here in Westlake was fortunate to have been visited by two learned rabbinical students who gave up their summer break to offer Jewish teaching and inspiration to our locals.

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Volume 10, Issue 17, Posted 9:12 AM, 09.05.2018

Unity Spiritual Center celebrates the power of prayer

The Unity movement was founded on prayer. Myrtle Fillmore, founder of Unity, discovered the healing power of affirmative prayer when she healed her body of "tuberculosis" after being given just six months to live. It took two years, but as Myrtle affirmed the Truth, "I am a child of God and as such do not inherit sickness"; she recovered to live another 40 years! 

As a result of her healing, people around the country wrote to Myrtle for healing prayer. Two years later, she and her husband, Charles, organized a prayer group that would later be known as Silent Unity. Silent Unity continues today to be the light of prayer for people around the world. As a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week prayer ministry, Silent Unity has been serving people of all faith traditions for over 100 years.

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Volume 10, Issue 17, Posted 9:13 AM, 09.05.2018

St. Barnabas welcomes a new priest

The Rev. Alexander D. Martin is joining St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Bay Village as Priest in Charge. He is currently the associate rector at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Anderson Township (suburban Cincinnati) of the Southern Diocese of Ohio.

Fr. Alex started at St. Barnabas on Aug. 20. His first Sunday service will be on Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. at the church, 468 Bradley Road. All are invited and encouraged to attend the welcome party hosted after the church service.

Fr. Alex is known for his pastoral care, gifted preaching and passion for leading liturgical worship.

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Volume 10, Issue 16, Posted 8:50 AM, 08.21.2018

Mission Accomplished: Bay UMC volunteers help rebuild Virginia homes

When it comes to mission work, “check your motivation.” Almost 70 youth and adult volunteers from the Bay United Methodist Church community took this admonition to heart as they travelled to Wise County, Virginia, with Appalachian Service Project (ASP). While sometimes mission work starts as a checkmark on a college application or a “look at me” post on Instagram, typically those who serve find that in the end, they do not know who was blessed more, those served or those who serve.

From June 10-16, 23 adults and 47 youth from Bay United Methodist Church and the surrounding community hopped into 10 vans to spend a week in the mountains of Virginia. Partly due to the closing of several mines and the lack of industry to replace them, 61 percent of Wise County families are near or below the poverty level and over 28.5 percent of those are disabled.

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Volume 10, Issue 15, Posted 9:53 AM, 08.07.2018

Dover UCC brings peace to Westlake

Once again, Dover Congregational United Church of Christ held its Peace Village Day Camp the week of July 16 on the grounds of the church on Dover Center Road in Westlake. The children who attended the camp were from a variety of communities in the area who all had differing faith traditions or perhaps no faith traditions at all. The universal concept of peace is one that transcends all belief systems.   

The children, who ranged in age from 6-15 years old, spent the mornings going to different stations to learn about the four main concepts of peace: Peace within Self, Peace with Others, Peace in our Culture and Peace with the Planet. They made projects, learned new songs, and put into action ways to demonstrate peace.

The afternoons were focused on community service. The older children went off-site for various projects: They went to Community Cares in North Ridgeville to do some landscaping. In addition, they worked at Med Wish, made no-sew blankets for sick children at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and created cat and dog toys for the ASPCA in Parma.

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Volume 10, Issue 15, Posted 9:50 AM, 08.07.2018