A multimedia learning opportunity about the symbolism in a Passover Seder is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Barrette Business and Community Center at Walsh University, 2020 E. Maple St., North Canton.
The session will be facilitated by Rabbi John Spitzer, associate professor of Jewish studies and founding director of the Jewish-Catholic Studies Institute at Walsh. It does not include a full Seder meal but symbolic foods will be served.
Passover, which begins at sundown on April 14, is one of the most commonly observed Jewish holidays. Agriculturally, it represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel, but observances primarily focus on the exodus of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt.
During the eight-day celebration, families and friends typically gather on the first two nights to share the Seder meal, using a book called the Haggadah as a guide. Symbolic foods on the Seder plate are also used to share the Passover story. Passover will conclude at sundown on April 22.
Reservations and a $5 donation are requested for the Walsh event. Students with identification will be admitted free. Parking is free adjacent to the center. The session is eligible for credit in the Walsh Lifelong Learning Academy and is recognized by the dioceses of Youngstown and Cleveland for religious education credit. For more information, call 330-244-4734 or email jspitzer@walsh.edu.
In other religion news:
Events
Canton Christian Women’s Connection — at The Fairways, 1500 Rogwin Circle SW, Plain Township. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 17. Lights, Camera, Action! is the theme for monthly luncheon. Speaker Loraine Serra will discuss how life in the spotlight “can be blinding.” A vocalist, she will also entertain with a mini-concert after her talk. The $13 cost includes lunch. For required reservations or free nursery, call Sherry at 330-837-6552 or email cantoncwc@aol.com by Sunday. All area women are welcome.
Catholic Charities of Summit County — Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Beef O’Brady’s will contribute up to 20 percent of food sales to Catholic Charities during those hours. Carryout is available. Locations participating are 3732 Darrow Road, Stow, 330-688-8200; 1090 Williams Reserve Blvd., Wadsworth, 330-336-3600; and 3975 Cascades Blvd., Brimfield Township, 330-678-4800. Customers wishing to participate will need the “Spirit Night” flyer. It can be downloaded at http://ccdocle.org/events/spirit-day-beef-obradys or Catholic Charities will send one to you. Call 330-762-2961, ext. 220 or 232 or email kkaufman@clevelandcatholiccharities.org.
Catholic Diocese of Youngstown — at St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W Rayen Ave., Youngstown. 4:30 p.m. April 12. Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Mass with Very Reverend Monsignor Peter M. Polando presiding. Sunday Masses will be at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Edward Brienz, and at 4 p.m. with Monsignor Polando presiding. 330-744-8451.
Faith United Methodist Church — 1235 Tallmadge Road, Brimfield Township. 4:30 to 7 p.m. April 12. Swiss steak dinner will be served. Includes mashed potatoes, vegetables, coleslaw, applesauce, desserts and beverage. Adults $9, youth $4, ages 5 and younger free. Carryout available.
First Church of Brethren — 1812 Marigold Ave., Akron. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today. All-you-can-eat soup supper plus desserts. Adults $6, ages 12 and under $4.
Grace United Methodist Church — 1720 Schneider St. NW, Plain Township. 2 to 4 p.m. April 13. Easter Adventure and Egg Hunt will be held for children. They will experience and take part in Palm Sunday, The Garden of Gethsemane, The Last Supper, Good Friday and The Resurrection. That will be followed by an age-appropriate Easter egg hunt. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to everyone. Register by Tuesday at 330-499-2330.
Green Valley United Methodist Church — 620 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Green. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. The annual Spring Salad Luncheon will be held. Cost is $6 and all proceeds will go to missions. 330-896-4357.
Livingstone Baptist Church — 288 Harter Ave., Barberton. 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Marking the second pastoral appreciation celebration for the Rev. Paul Watson and his wife, Bonita. At morning service, speaker will be the Rev. Paul Smoot. At 4 p.m. service, the speaker is Bishop Clifton T. Jones Sr. Both speakers are from Agape Love Ministries in Sandusky. 330-753-0648.
Love Akron Network — at Mountain of the Lord Fellowship, 1477 Copley Road, Akron. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. All Christian leaders are invited to pray, network and fellowship at a prayer event. Lunch immediately following. For information or to RSVP, email loveakronoffice@loveakron.org.
Mount Calvary Baptist Church — 442 Bell St., Akron. 9 a.m. to noon today. FirstMerit’s Free Mortgage Seminar will be held. Includes free credit counseling, refreshments and child care available for ages 3 to 8. Preregistration required. Call 330-253-3711 or arrive at 8:30 a.m. today before the seminar.
St. George’s Fellowship Centre — 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 13. The Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show will be held. A portion of the profits will benefit Stewart’s Caring Place, a nonprofit cancer wellness center. Admission is $3, ages 12 and under free. www.avantgardeshows.com.
St. Mark Lutheran Church — 158 North Ave., Tallmadge. 6 p.m. Wednesday. Last of the Lenten soup suppers will be served. It will be followed by a Lenten service with communion at 7 p.m. 330-633-3718.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church — 515 48th St., Canton. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. A potluck meal and Lent program will be held. Bring a dish to share. Saving Jesus, a video program presenting several contemporary theologians’ exploration of a “credible Jesus for the third millennium” will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by conversation. 330-499-2662.
St. Matthew Rectory — 2603 Benton St., Akron. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday and April 24. A Cancer Spirituality Group will meet twice a month on the second and fourth Thursdays starting in April. It is for those facing the diagnosis of cancer or have faced that diagnosis in the past, and who wish to talk about the experience in the context of spirituality. It is facilitated by cancer survivors Pat Flaherty and Linda Herold. For more information, contact Pat at 330-628-5725 or everhiker@sbcglobal.net.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron — 3300 Morewood Road, Fairlawn. 7 p.m. Thursday. Opening reception and silent auction for UU Women in Action Inaugural Spring Art Show. The exhibit will run through April 27. Seventeen local artists will be featured with a wide range of mediums. The pieces include glass, textile, photography, jewelry, ceramic, metal work and more. Visit from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. 330-836-2206.
Performances
The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro Township. 6 p.m. Sunday. The Blackwood Quartet will be in concert for one performance only. Free-will offering. 330-935-0132.
Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 4 p.m. Sunday. Holtkamp Organ Dedication Recital, featuring Mark Lindgren and Gary Pinter on organ and piano. They will play duets of well-known sacred selections and hymns. Pipes were recently added to the Holtkamp pipe organ, as originally designed. The recital is the Parish Arts Series’ fifth free concert of the season. Refreshments afterward in Fellowship Hall. 330-867-3082.
Christ Presbyterian Church — 530 Tuscarawas St. W., Canton. 7:30 p.m. Friday. The 2013-14 Christ Church Concert Series continues with A Tale of Three Cities: Music Between the Wars featuring soprano Christine Brandes and organist Jonathan Dimmock. Suggested donation of $10-15. 330-456-8113, www.cantoncpc.org.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help — 342 S. Chillicothe Road, Aurora. 4 p.m. Sunday. The play Make Us Believers will be presented. Written and directed by Bob Summers, it is a musical of the Passion of Christ. Free-will offering. A post-production, meet-the-cast reception will be held in the parish hall. 330-562-8419, ext. 233.
Whipple Heights CMA Church — 4900 12th St. NW, Canton. 7 p.m. Friday. The Canton Singspiration Concert will feature the Southern Gospel Quartet and Ed O’Neal and the Dixie Melody Boys, along with the Pathway Quartet. Free-will offering. 330-477-7834.
Speakers, classes, workshops
Parents of Prodigals — at Natatorium Erie Room, 2345 Fourth St., Cuyahoga Falls. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. A seminar titled Don’t Be Blindsided: Heroin Use is an Epidemic will be held. Speakers are China Darrington of XIX Recovery Support Services and Dennis Shawhand of Broken Chains Ministry, Summit County Jail. Open to all concerned parents and family members who want to know the signs of heroin use. Registration fee is $5. Seating is limited. For information or group reservations, call Ed Davidian at 330-620-5668.
Renew — at Tangier restaurant, 532 W Market St., Akron. 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Ronald J. Fowler, pastor laureate of Arlington Church of God, will speak on A Winner’s Game Plan at the monthly meeting. Pastor for 37 years, the Rev. Fowler has received numerous service awards including the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award and Love Akron’s Allies Award. RSVP to renewsummit@yahoo.com. Cost of $15 includes lunch and is payable at the door.
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.