Winfred Rembert, a folk artist who tells the story of his journey through the segregated South and the civil-rights movement via leather carvings and paintings, will present the film All of Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert at 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at Arlington Church of God, 539 S. Arlington St., Akron.
Rembert, who grew up in rural southwest Georgia, carves figures into sheets of leather, then paints or dyes them. His artwork recounts his life and includes images of his great-aunt, who reared him; of him being held as a baby on the edge of a cotton field; of his baptism, when he was 9 years old; of a cafe with a “Colored Only” sign and of a black man hanging from a tree.
Beyond the artwork that tells his life story, some of Rembert’s work offers commentary on African-American life. That work includes images of President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson and Malcolm X.
Rembert spent much of his childhood laboring in the cotton fields of Cuthbert, Ga. He was arrested during a 1960s civil-rights march. As a prisoner, he learned to make tooled leather wallets and design on leather.
After the local screening of the documentary, Rembert will interact with those in attendance during a question-and-answer session, a demonstration and a reception. The film, released in 2011, received “Best of Festival” in October 2012 at the Arlington International Film Festival in Arlington, Mass.
For more information, call 330-773-3321.
In other religion news:
Events
Dominion Family Church — 90 W. Thornton St., Akron. 7 p.m. Wednesday. First night of the second anniversary celebration with the Rev. Samuel Hampton and First Apostolic Church. At 6 p.m. Friday, the church will host Family Game Night. At 10:30 a.m. worship Sunday, the Rev. Adam Loomis of A.L. Ministries will bring the message, and at 4 p.m. the Rev. David Nelson and New Hope Baptist Church will be the guests.
Emmanuel Christian Academy — The House of the Lord, 1650 Diagonal Road, Akron. 6:30 p.m. Friday. Emmanuel students will perform The Talking Drum in the Great Worship Center. They will creatively interpret the history of the drum in the African-American community through theater, dance and song. A soul-food dinner will follow. Call 330-836-7182, ext. 22, or email tmorris@ecarams.org.
Faith Lutheran Church — 2726 W. Market St., Fairlawn. The church will host a meal and speaker, focusing on the theme The Poor in Our Own Backyard, alternating with neighboring St. Hilary Catholic Parish, 2750 W. Market St., each Wednesday during Lent. Next Wednesday, a 6 p.m. soup supper will be followed by evening prayer at 7 p.m. and a presentation by Daniel R. Flowers of Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank from 7:30 to 9 p.m. On Feb. 27 at St. Hilary, scheduled events will be at the same times with Dottie Achmoody of OPEN M as speaker. On March 6 at Faith Lutheran, Diane Johnson and Kate Sass of International Institute, will offer the presentation. On March 13 at St. Hilary, it will be Duane Crabbs of South Street Ministries. Baby-sitting is provided. Free to the public. 330-836-8827.
Firestone Park Presbyterian Church — 275 S. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 4 to 6 p.m. today. Soup for the Soul. Taste numerous soups, along with dessert and drinks. Adults $6, children $3, tickets available at the door. This annual event benefits the preschool program. 330-773-2020.
Grace United Methodist Church — 1720 Schneider St. NW, Plain Township. 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Spaghetti benefit dinner. All proceeds will go to the Jimmy Williams Fund, in memory of the young man who lost his life in a traffic accident Nov. 18. $7 per plate. Additional donations will be accepted. For more information, call Diane Andrus at 330-807-5122 or the church office at 330-499-2330.
Lakemore United Methodist Church — 1536 Flickinger Road, Springfield Township. 4 to 6:30 p.m. today. Swiss-steak dinner. Includes mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce, coleslaw, bread, dessert and beverage. Adults $7, ages 3-12 $3.50, under age 3 free. Carryout available. 330-733-6531.
Mogadore Christian Church — 106 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore. 5 to 7 p.m. today. Swiss steak dinner. Includes mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce, coleslaw, rolls, beverage and dessert. Adults $8, ages 5-12 $4, age 4 and under free. Carryout available. 330-628-3344.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help — 342 S. Chillicothe Road, Aurora. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23. The church will host A Lenten P.I.C.K.L.E Retreat: How to Preserve Yourself Without Getting Into a PICKLE. Authors Jeanne Hunt and the Rev. Norm Langenbrunner, a priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, will present a lighthearted Lenten retreat. Lunch and child care provided. Four hours of Diocesan certification credit will be offered to participants. For information or the make a reservation, call 330-562-8519 or visit www.olphaaurora.org.
St. John Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — 1233 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 10:45 a.m. Sunday. The adult ministry will have a presentation during morning worship. Members are asked to wear African attire. Light refreshments and a Black History documentary viewing will be in Fellowship Hall after the service. At noon Feb. 23, the Golden Agers will have a black history program and luncheon with traditional soul food. It will feature choirs and speakers from the Akron community.
Wooster Avenue Church of Christ — 1147 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 23. Snack lunch and clothing giveaway. First come, first served. All sizes when available. 330-762-7301.
Performances
Church of the Savior United Methodist — 120 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton. 4 p.m. Feb. 24. An organ concert with Dr. Jonathan Moyer. Freewill offering. 330-455-0153.
Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 3 p.m. Sunday. The Wittenberg Choir from Springfield, with new director Adam Con, will perform. It has traveled throughout the world, recently appearing at the Bach Festival in Leipzig, Germany. The concert is free. Refreshments will be served afterward. Parking available at the church and Summit Mall. 330-867-3082.
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church — 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 7 p.m. Friday. Black History Concert presented by the Christian Women of Strength ministry. Guests include the Christian All Stars, the Old Men and the Boyz, Shelley and the Corninthian Gospel Singers of Youngstown. Emcees are Suzie Finney and Henry Dunn. Free. 330-864-6635.
Living Stone Apostolic Church — 587 S. Arlington St., Akron. 7 p.m. March 1. A Night of Laughter with Keith Bender, Mike Head, Russell Babb and Quinn Patterson. Admission $15, no tickets at the door. To purchase tickets, call Juanita Lynn Wilson at 330-459-2492. Deadline is Feb. 25.
St. Paul Catholic Church — 241 S. Main St., North Canton. 8 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday. The musical passion play Tetelestai will be performed on stage by Cleveland Performing Arts Ministries. A reception will follow for the audience to meet and mingle with cast and crew. Freewill offering.
South Main Street Church of God — 261 S. Main St., Rittman. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Friends of Jesus Reunion Concert. The Mighty Sons of Thunder will also appear. Doors open at 6 p.m. Refreshments available. 330-825-3995.
Springfield Baptist Church — 1920 Krumroy Road, Springfield Township. 7 p.m. Sunday. Christian concert featuring pianist Timothy Noble. Freewill offering.
United Baptist Church — 1007 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Feb. 23. The Annual Scholarship Fund Concert will feature area college choirs. It will benefit Akron Public School students. Free to the public.
Speakers
The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro Township. 7:15 p.m. March 4. University of Akron football coach Terry Bowden will speak at the annual men and boys sausage-sauerkraut dinner. Cost of meal is $10. 330-935-0132.
First Friday Club of Greater Akron — University of Akron Martin Center, 105 Fir Hill, Akron. Noon March 1. Brother John R. Paige, president of Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Ind., will be the speaker. His topic is Eli and Elizabeth: Models of Mentoring in Sacred Scripture. Luncheon cost is $15. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. 330-535-7668, www.firstfridayclubofgreaterakron.org.
Support groups
The Chapel — 135 Fir Hill, Akron. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Parents of Prodigals, for parents of teen and adult prodigal children, will meet in the Great Commission Room. Speaker is Jamie Slabaugh Wood, a community counselor. Her topic will be Relationships. For more information, contact Ed Davidian at 330-620-5668.
The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. 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.