The debate about why certain books were included in the Bible and others were not will be the focus of the Fall Academy of Religion lecture series at the College of Wooster.
The series, which is free to the public, will be offered on six consecutive Wednesdays beginning Sept. 17. Each session is from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Lean Lecture Room of Wishart Hall, 303 E. University St.
Each lecture, unique in its perspective, will explore documents that date from the first century (when the books of the canonical New Testament were written), including the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Thomas and the Dead Sea scrolls discovered between 1946 and 1956 (which could have been included in the Bible).
Speakers and their topics, in chronological order, are:
• John Gordon, chaplain and associate professor of religion at Baldwin Wallace University: From Story to Canon: An Overview of the Formation of the New Testament.
• Robert Fowler, professor of religion at Baldwin Wallace: How Do We Know What We Know About the Books of the New Testament?
• Hal Taussig, visiting professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary in New York City: What is Spiritually at Stake in the Reading of A New New Testament?
• Arthur Dewey, professor of theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati: Being Like Jesus: An Introduction to a Radical Reading of the Gospel of Thomas.
• Maia Kotrosits, assistant professor of religion at Denison University: Making Sense of the Secret Revelation of John.
• Charles Kammer, James F. Lincoln Professor of Religious Studies at Wooster and academic dean of the Fall Academy: Finding the New in the Old in an Age in Need of Wisdom.
For more information about the series, call 330-263-2473, email ckammer@wooster.edu or go to www.wooster.edu.
In other religion news:
Events
Becoming A Light Ministries — 1316 Kentucky Ave., Akron. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. The BALM “Free-Away” will distribute school supplies, book bags, school uniforms, household items, and new and used clothing, free of charge to families in our community. 330-289-8830.
Canton Christian Home — 2550 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6. Seventh annual chicken barbecue fundraiser. Includes: one-half chicken, potato salad, coleslaw or applesauce, roll, beverage and dessert. $10 for adults. Hot dogs can be substituted for chicken, $5 children 12 or younger. There will be a silent auction and the Mercy River Gospel Quartet will perform at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Lori Noebe at 330-430-5120.
Celebration Church — 688 Dan St., Akron. 6 p.m. Sept. 14. Financial Peace University. Nine-week course provides families and individuals with practical tools to gain control of their finances and set themselves up for long-term financial success. For more information and to register, call Matthew Reid at 330-762-7458.
Christ Is The Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. First Ladies Day in honor of Sharon E. Martin. Speakers include Lady Ylonda Terry of Bethesda Church of Cleveland, Lady Senesa Peterson of Fellowship Baptist Church of Medina and Lady Geraldine Floyd of Hill’s Temple FBC of the Living God of Akron. A spaghetti dinner (spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert and beverage) will be available at 2 p.m. for $5. Contact the church office at 330-376-1869 for additional information.
Cornerstone Free Methodist Church — 578 Killian Road, Coventry Township. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8. Financial Peace University. Nine-week course provides families and individuals with practical tools to gain control of their finances and set themselves up for long-term financial success. For more information and to register, call John Alchier at 330-644-3937.
Full Gospel Tabernacle — 939 Utica Ave., Akron. 5-8 p.m. Friday. All-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, salad, roll, dessert and beverage. $7, $4 ages 3-12.
Greater Bethel Baptist Church — Middlebury Plaza, 871 E. Exchange St., Akron. Saturday and Sunday. 2014 Annual Jubilee. Music, hourly prizes, food, speakers and more. Friday Night Concert: Remembering Those Who Are Missing at 7 p.m. featuring Jennifer Mekel. Rib burn-off and car show starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Haven of Rest — 175 E. Market St., Akron. 1 p.m. Tuesday. Women’s Auxiliary program will feature Mark and Jody Roliff’s duo, Butternut Hill. A light luncheon is served at noon and the program begins at 1 p.m. For more information, call Rose Rose at 330-535-1563 or email rrose@havenofrest.org.
Mount Calvary Baptist Church — 442 Bell St., Akron. 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Faithful Servants Care Center urgent care (no emergency care) clinic. Must bring photo ID, those under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid ID. Must sign an affidavit noting monthly income and lack of insurance. Annual income below 200 percent of poverty level. Care center is open to all qualified individuals, regardless of religious beliefs.
New Dimensions Educational Ministries — 3700 38th St. NW, Canton. 2 to 7 p.m. Sept. 6. “Gathering of Eagles” Leadership Training. Instructors: Apostle Toni Pugh and Apostle Stanley N. Jack. Join us for an empowering day featuring: How to understand the prophetic ministry, obedience to the call of God, what is the apostolic and prophetic, how to grow, know, sow, flow, glow in the apostolic and prophetic. Training session is free. Registration is required, and due by Sunday. To register, call 330-224-0570 or email tnpuray@gmail.com.
New Horizons Christian Church — 290 Darrow Road, Akron. 7 p.m. Sept. 18. Financial Peace University. Nine-week course provides families and individuals with practical tools to gain control of their finances and set themselves up for long-term financial success. For more information and to register, call Jim Bane at 330-733-3533.
OPEN M — Todaro’s Party Center, 1820 Akron-Peninsula Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. OPEN M’s second annual Fire and Ice Celebration. The Fire and Ice Celebration is a fundraiser to bring the fire of warmth and stability to our neighbors living in the icy cold of poverty. Tickets are $75 per person, or you can purchase double date discounted tickets for $270. Price includes dinner, music, appetizers and a live auction. For more information on tickets, call Missy Klein at 330-434-0110, ext. 418, or email projects@openm.org.
Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 9 a.m. Monday. Labor Day Mass in the pavilion, or inside the church in the case of rain. Doughnut social will follow. 7 p.m. Sept. 8. Outdoor Mass on the feast of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. 330-896-2345.
River of Life Community Church — 5649 Stow Road, Hudson. 6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 8. Alpha, a 10-week practical introduction to the Christian faith. Alpha is a dinner, a talk and a discussion. It is a chance to explore Christian faith in a relaxed and fun setting. There is no cost for the course, but donations will be accepted to cover the cost of dinner. For reservations, call 330-342-9796 or email church@riverlifecommunitychurch.com. For more information, go to www.riverlifecommunity.com.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Canton — Mothers who need a clean and private place to feed and/or change their babies while visiting the Stark County Fair through Monday, can head to the Main Exhibitor Hall, where St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Canton will have a Mother and Baby’s Feeding and Changing Station. A changing table and a rocker will be available. Diapers and wipes will be provided for those who need them by Babies “R” Us.
St. Mark Lutheran Church — 158 North Ave., Tallmadge. 10 a.m. Sept. 7. Sunday School Fall Rally Day Celebration and picnic. There will be a worship service that will include a performance of The Sunday School Teacher of Oz presented by the St. Mark Players and followed by the Rally Day Picnic.
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church — 43700 Fulda Road, Caldwell. 9 a.m. Monday. St. Mary’s-Fulda Picnic Homecoming. Dinners will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A corn hole tournament will begin at 1 p.m. There will be games, bingo, raffles and refreshments all afternoon with a round and square dance from 4 to 7 p.m. with music by Little Creek.
St. Joseph Catholic Church — 2643 Waterloo Road, Randolph Township. 5 p.m. today. Catholic Diocese of Youngstown Bishop George V. Murry will consecrate the newly repair altar during a special Mass in the Grotto. 330-628-9941.
South Arlington Methodist Church — 790 S. Arlington St., Akron. 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 6. The Mount Haven MB Church Mass Choir will sponsor 2014 Absolute Style Show and Salad Supper. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call Cylla Henderson at 330-294-7377 or Marvella Mason at 330-208-8398.
Summit Spiritual Center — 2307 Sackett Ave., Cuyahoga Falls. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. “An Evening of Inclusion” with international author and speaker Bishop Carlton Pearson from Tulsa, Okla. Special music from the band Inclusion with Lady V from Columbus. 330-777-0250 or www.summitspiritualcenter.org.
Tallmadge Church of Nazarene — 191 S. Munroe Road, Tallmadge. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Special free showing of the movie God’s Not Dead. Popcorn and drinks provided. For more information, call Pastor Charlie Bechtold at 330-696-4890 or go to www.tallmadgenazarene.org.
Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. Sept. 9 to Nov. 4. A Time To Dance — dance lessons, 6:15 p.m. Swing lessons; 7 p.m. Waltz lessons. 9 weeks of one dance for $35, nine weeks of both dance classes $60. Drop-in rate is $5 per person/per class. For more information, call 330-883-1644 or go to http://atimetodanceyoungstown.vpweb.com.
Trinity UCC — 215 High St., Wadsworth. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Farmers market. Fresh produce from local farms and gardens. Baked goods, fresh eggs, honey, herbs and more. 330-334-2536 or www.ucctrinity.com.
Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Last summer outdoor worship service on the patio. 330-836-2226 or www.westminsterakron.com.
Performances
Grace Baptist Church — 5050 Middlebranch Ave. NE, Canton. 6 p.m. Sept. 6. Ed O’Neal and the Dixie Melody Boys, with the Pathway Quartet, will be in concert. A freewill offering will be taken. For more information, call 330-685-0296 or 330-492-7144.
Support groups
Queen of Heaven Catholic Church — 1800 Steese Road Green. 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 8. Journey to Peace Bereavement Support, a ministry of information, consolation, spiritual and emotional support at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, will offer a free six-week series starting Sept. 8. For more information, call Sue Lyons at 330-499-3937.
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.