An interfaith conversation exploring Judaism, Catholicism and Islam will be 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 28 in Betzler Auditorium at Walsh University, 2020 E. Maple St., North Canton.
The dialogue will examine how commitment to a faith tradition shapes experiences in everyday life; how people interact with members of other faith groups; and whether it is possible for people of different faith groups and cultures to overcome differences and generate meaningful dialogue. The conversation will include three scholars — Rabbi Joan Friedman, representing the Jewish perspective; Chris Seeman, representing the Christian view and Zeki Saritoprak, representing the Muslim perspective.
An informal Sabbath service will begin at 9 a.m.
The event, which is free to the public, is part of a series of interfaith conversations. Upcoming discussions include Women and Faith on Oct. 7 and Faith and Food on Nov. 14.
Sessions are eligible for credit in the Walsh Lifelong Learning Academy and are recognized by the Catholic dioceses of Youngstown and Cleveland for religious education credit.
The university is an independent Catholic liberal arts and sciences institution with more the 3,000 students from 15 states and 24 countries.
For more information, call 330-224-4734; email jspitzer@walsh.edu or go to www.walsh.edu.
In other religion news:
Events
Akron-Canton Shambhala Center — 1707 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. Noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 22. Harvest of Peace will be held. It celebrates a more aware and mindful treatment of the Earth, and corresponds with the United Nations International Day of Peace. Featuring local musicians, demonstrations of yoga and a farmers market with vegetarian food-based booths. Free admission. For more information, contact Richard Weiner at 330-289-8195.
Broadman Baptist Church — 350 E. Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 11 a.m. Sunday. Back to Church Sunday, part of a national movement of 20,000 churches across America, will be held. Everyone welcome to attend. 330-923-6127.
Centenary United Methodist Church — 1310 Superior Ave., Akron. 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Men’s Day will be celebrated. Guest speaker is the Rev. Nick Holly of New Morning Star Baptist Church in Canton. 330-376-9648.
The Chapel, Green Campus — 1800 Raber Road, Green. 10 a.m. Friday. Abundant Living 55+ Christian fellowship, program and light lunch in the Worship Center and Atrium. Cost $5 per person. Concert with the Stockdale Family Band. Ministry highlight features ICU Mobile. Ages 55 or older welcome to attend. For reservations, call 330-315-5508 by Sunday. Seating is limited.
Diocese of Youngstown — The Rev. William Kraynak has been named pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Ravenna by Bishop George V. Murry of Youngstown. Father Kraynak was ordained in 1981 following seminary studies at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati. He has since served as associate pastor and pastor at several area parishes. 330-744-8451.
Goodyear Heights United Methodist Church — 1690 Hillside Terrace, Akron. 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 21. Spaghetti dinner benefiting Flip-Flops for Africa. Spaghetti and meatballs, salad, rolls, sherbet and drink. Adults $8, ages 4-12 $4, age 3 or younger free. Bring a pair of flip-flops and receive $1 off the price of dinner. Proceeds will go toward purchasing flip-flops to send to Africa for those in need of shoes. 330-784-0495.
Grace United Church of Christ of Loyal Oak — 3285 Cleveland-Massillon Road, Norton. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 21. Annual Swiss steak dinner. Adults $9, children $5 at the door. For pre-sale discounted tickets, call 330-825-3259.
Lakemore United Methodist Church — 1536 Flickinger Road, Lakemore. 4 to 6:30 p.m. today. Swiss steak dinner. Includes mashed potatoes, green beans, bread, applesauce, coleslaw, dessert and beverage. Carryout available. Adults $7, ages 3-12 $3.50. 330-733-6531.
Mogadore Christian Church — 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore. 5 to 7 p.m. today. Swiss steak dinner will be served. Includes mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, applesauce, roll, beverage and dessert. Carryout available. Proceeds will support mission work through Christian Women’s Fellowship. Also, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, the church will participate in National Back to Church Sunday. 330-628-3344.
Mount Haven Missionary Baptist Church — 545 Noble Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Annual Family and Friends Day. Special event activities available immediately following morning worship. 330-253-2923.
Mount Zion Baptist Church — 327 Cuyahoga St., Akron. 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Annual Men’s Day will be held. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Mark L. Black from Cleveland. Theme is Men Who Are Saved To Serve. 330-253-8642.
The Original Church of God — 807 Coburn St., Akron. 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday. Eighth pastoral anniversary of the Rev. Ayuba Maigari will be celebrated. Morning speaker will be the Rev. James Barge of Cleveland, and afternoon speaker will be the Rev. Robert James of Pittsburgh.
Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church — 844 Garth Ave., Akron. 9 a.m. today. The church brotherhood is hosting its 20th prayer breakfast. Members, family and friends are invited to join in fellowship. 330-762-4997.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church — 515 48th St. NW, Canton. 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. A community dinner will be held. Proceeds benefit the Military Families and Veterans Program at Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Center. Chicken dinner with noodles, green beans, applesauce, rolls, beverage and dessert. Gift basket raffle and 50/50 drawing. Tickets $12 for adults, $6 for ages 3-12 and will be sold at the door. Call 330-499-2662 or visit www.stmarks-canton.org. Carryout available.
St. Sebastian Parish School — 500 Mull Ave., Akron. 5 p.m. Sept. 21. The 10th annual September Spectacular, Knight in the Round. Includes a live and silent auction, sit-down dinner catered by parishioner Rafe Vaccaro of Vaccaro Trattoria restaurant. For tickets, visit www.stsebastian/school/sept-spectacular.html, 330-836-2233.
Shrine of Mariapoch — 17486 Mumford Road, Burton. Noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 21. Ninth annual Carpatho-Rusyn Vatra, with ethnic food, music and bonfire. Genealogy, children’s activities, sales tables. At 4 p.m., there will be a Slavonic/English Liturgy and Panachida for deceased relatives by Orthodox and Byzantine priests. Free admission, rain or shine. 440-729-2045.
Temple Israel — 133 Merriman Road, Akron. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 22. Sushi in the Sukkah will be held to celebrate Sukkot. A mobile sushi bar will be on site. Sukkot is a holiday of gratitude for the fall harvest and commemorates the biblical journey of the Jewish people through the wilderness to Israel. Please RSVP by Friday at 330-762-8617.
Visitation of Mary — 87 Broad St., Akron. 6 p.m. Sept. 21. Fifth annual September Sensation Reverse Raffle Dinner and Silent Auction. Gifts or donations for the auction will be accepted. It is a fundraiser for parish services. 330-535-4141, ext. 12.
Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. Free community dinner to encourage fellowship with church members and the local community. 330-836-2226.
Performances
Akron Free Will Baptist Church — 1802 Eastwood Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Christ Unlimited will present a gospel concert. 330-285-5581.
Carrollton Bible Chapel — 365 Steubenville Road SE, Carrollton. 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Bontrager Family Singers will present a gospel/bluegrass concert. Marlin and Becky Bontrager and their 10 children live and work on a 600-acre livestock and crop farm in eastern Iowa. They travel and perform extensively throughout the United States and Canada. Free-will offering. Those attending are asked to bring two food items for the local food pantry. 330-627-7376.
Hartville Kitchen — 1015 Edison St., Lake Township. 7 p.m. Sept. 26. The Hoppers, Gospel Music Hall of Fame members, will perform in concert as part of their Something Good tour. Premium reserved tickets $40, reserved $36. 330-877-9353, http://www.tickets.com/events/297120.html.
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church — 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 2 p.m. Sept. 28. The Glory Train Play will be performed by anointed cast members from several area churches including St. John CME Church, United Baptist Church, New Trinity Baptist Church, as well as Jerusalem Missionary Baptist. Presented by Mary Owens and the Nurses Guild. Tickets $12 per person, $6 for ages 11 and younger. To purchase tickets, contact Mary Owens at 330-836-5628, Lolita Quinn at 330-256-0206 or the church office at 330-864-6635.
Malone University — 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. 9 p.m. Sept. 24. The Student Activity Council Kawfee Haus and Concert Series will continue its 2013-14 season with Jeremy Casella in the Stewart Room of the Randall Campus Center. Free to Malone students with a current ID. Others are $5 at the door.
New Beginning Fellowship Church — 4567 State Route 43, Brimfield Township. 6 p.m. today. Faith Harmony Boys from Charleston, W.Va., and Beyond Calvary, a bluegrass group from LaGrange, will perform at Nora Hunt’s 2013 Southern Gospel Singing. 330-673-0700.
New Mission Missionary Baptist Church — 150 Wayne Ave., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. The Royal Angelettes’ 47th anniversary will be celebrated. Featuring the Horner Singers from Canton, and the Fortson Singers and Boot & The Boys, both from Akron. Special guest is the Rev. Walter Allen Steen & Blessed from Detroit. Admission $12 at the door, under age 12 $2. 330-724-3254.
Shoreline Community Church — 790 Carnegie Ave., Akron. 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 21. Fall Harvest Music Festival. Performers include the Stevens Family, the Lemleys, Paul James Sound and Mike Radebaugh. Bluegrass, country, gospel and inspirational. There will also be a tent revival at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. 330-753-9241.
Springfield Baptist Church — 1920 Krumroy Road, Springfield Township. 7 p.m. Sunday. Christian concert will feature Mark Allen Chapman. Freewill offering.
The Truth Church — Fairhill Building (fourth floor), 12200 Fairhill Road, Cleveland. 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Vivian Sharp will be soloist during an afternoon performance. 440-941-7027.
Speakers and classes
Arlington Church of God — 539 S. Arlington St., Akron. 10 a.m. Sept. 21. First session of The Debt Terminator, a seven-week financial seminar that will teach strategies for eliminating debt and accumulating wealth. Cost is $40. Includes seminar, DVDs and book. 330-773-3321.
Grace United Methodist Church — 1720 Schneider St. NW, Plain Township. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Fall classes offered each Wednesday through Nov. 20. Dinner at 6 p.m. ($5 donation). The Rev. Brian Chase of Canton Anglican Church will teach the marriage course. The community is welcome. 330-499-2330.
St. Hilary Parish — 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 3. Father Michael Gaitley will speak. He is author of Consoling the Heart of Jesus and 33 Days to Morning Glory. His newest book is The ‘One Thing’ Is Three, How the Most Holy Trinity Explains Everything. Tickets $5 and are available after all Masses this weekend and next. They may also be purchased at the church office. 330-204-4308.
St. Sebastian Parish — 476 Mull Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Mother Thomas of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, a cloistered Monastery in Cleveland, will speak on the inspirational love behind her art in Zwisler Hall. Some of her finest work will be on display. Mass will be celebrated followed by champagne brunch, presentation and art show. Cost is $15. For more information or to register, visit www.stsebastian.org/academy. 330-836-2233.
Support groups
The Chapel — 135 Fir Hill, Akron. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Parents of Prodigals, which meets the third Tuesday of each month in the Great Commission Room, will host guest speaker Fred Bucci. His topic is When a Good Kid Makes Bad Choices; How We Can Honor God. The group is for parents of teen or adult prodigals and is open to anyone. For more information, call Ed Davidian at 330-620-5668.
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.