Father Andrew Sherman is celebrating his 20th anniversary at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church with a special brunch hosted by the Episcopal Church Women Ministry in honor of him on Aug. 20 at the church at 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton.
Sherman is a book lover who once said, “A perfect hour of free time involves a quiet corner and a good book.” He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from American University and a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Virginia, then his Master of Divinity Degree from Virginia Theological Seminary.
Now St. Gregory’s senior pastor, Sherman began his ministry as rector there in 2005. An active voice in the community, he and his friend Rabbi David Steinhardt are active in the Boca Raton Interfaith Clergy Association. He’s a founding board member of Family Promise of South Palm Beach County, an interfaith ministry to homeless families with children. He and his wife, Anita, have two children.
For details about the brunch, call 561-395-8285.
Registration open for day retreat at Unity of Delray
Unity of Delray Beach is offering a summer day retreat of spiritual renewal from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 9 in the church sanctuary, 101 NW 22nd St. “Pathways to Presence: A Day of Inner Renewal” with the Rev. Jeanmarie Eck will include meditation practices, gentle yoga, an indoor labyrinth walk and a vegan lunch.
The cost is $49. All are welcome. Register at the Bookstore or call the church office at 561-276-5796 or visit unityofdelraybeach.org.
Spanish River offers class to prepare for baptism
Spanish River Church, 2400 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, is offering a class to prepare people for baptism who have not been baptized before. The class meets at 9 a.m. Aug. 17 in the Connect Center Room 4, followed by baptisms at 11 a.m. Aug. 24 at the church.
Baptism is the last step in the membership process at Spanish River Church. All teenagers and adults must go through the membership process and be approved for membership before they are eligible for baptism. Child care is provided. Registration is required by Aug. 10. Visit spanishriver.com/baptism.
Prayer Night offered at Boca Community Church
Boca Raton Community Church hosts a Community Prayer Night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 17 in the sanctuary at the church, 470 NW Fourth Ave. Come together to pray for the church family, the needs of our community, and our brothers and sisters around the world. Visit bocacommunity.org.
Bring mat to Yoga Mass held at St. Gregory’s
A combination of prayer and yoga is offered again in a Yoga Mass from 4 to 5 p.m. Aug. 23 in St. Mary’s Chapel at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Elizabeth Pankey-Warren and Father Andrew Sherman lead. All levels are welcome. Bring your own yoga mat. St. Gregory’s is at 100 NE Mizner Blvd. Call 561-395-8285.
Game Night at St. Joseph’s Episcopal is fun for all
Get the kids in the car! The next Game Night at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church takes place at 6 p.m. Sept. 5 in Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage. St. Joseph’s is at 3300A S. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach. Call/text Lynne at 561-704-7043 or visit stjoesweb.org.
HAZAK senior programs to be offered at B’nai Torah
HAZAK is the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s organization for mature Jews and it sponsors a variety of online and in-person classes for adults 55 and older at B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St., Boca Raton.
HAZAK is an acronym for Hokhmah (wisdom), the zayan for Ziknah (maturity) and the kuph for Kadima (looking ahead), and it also means strength. Classes are designed to strengthen the spiritual, emotional, educational and physical health of participants through chair yoga, strength and balance training, brain fitness, breath work and mindfulness, and Zumba Gold.
Classes begin in September and registration is required. Classes are free for HAZAK members and $54 for nonmembers, which includes access to all HAZAK’s programs. Find info online at btcboca.org/hazak-senior-programming or email liz.singer@bnai-torah.org or call 561-392-8566.
St. Jude chapel offers Eucharistic adoration
The Adoration Chapel at St. Jude Catholic Church is now open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The chapel is a place for quiet prayer, reflection and contemplation, but its special meaning comes from the presence of the Holy Eucharist, which is on display in a special monstrance and protected by a plexiglass shield.
Catholics believe the Eucharist — the Communion wafer — is the literal body of Christ, not a representation or a symbol of it as many Christian religions believe.
Having the body of Christ exposed for prayer, for “Eucharistic adoration,” has profound religious significance.
Certain rules apply in the chapel: Dress modestly; enter and leave quietly; be silent in prayer (turn off your phone).
A gift from the Bardaro Family Foundation made the Adoration Chapel possible, along with assistance from the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Beacon Carmel, Ray DeVerona, Beatrix Stevens, Luisa Comuzzi, Chris Golas, Gnatt Construction and Moroney’s Religious Goods.
Days and hours will be extended in the near future. St. Jude is at 21689 Toledo Road, Boca Raton. Call 561-392-8172 or visit stjudeboca.org.
New program offers gifts to fight homelessness
The Interfaith Committee for Social Services announced a new program to help nonprofits serve their clients. The Homeless Prevention Program is designed to provide a one-time gift to help an individual or family in South Palm Beach County that is on the verge of becoming homeless.
Judy Fenney, who helped establish the program with Kathleen Megan, said that in a previous trial, 17 individuals and families were helped with past due utilities, first and/or last month rent, security deposits, move-in expenses, household necessities and appliances. Allocations ranged from $600 to $3,200.
Requests for assistance must come from a partner agency, congregation, or civic group. Personal requests will not be considered. Checks are issued to the requesting organization, or directly to the organization providing the service like the landlord or utility.
Decisions are made based on where the recipient lives (only South County residents are considered at this time), the amount of the request, the probability of the success in preventing the recipient from becoming homeless, and the commitment from the requesting organization to follow up and report.
The Interfaith Homeless Prevention Request form to complete is available at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfY24JsFvbTZmKV0B3UCW8jaWc1MYV14_gbrtCdIPz7LMC53w/viewform
Questions can be emailed to judyfenney1@gmail.com.
Women’s group offering back-to-school supply drive
The Episcopal Church Women of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church are hosting their Back-to-School Supplies Drive to support students at Forest Park and Galaxy Elementary, both Title I schools. The deadline to donate is Aug. 31. St. Joseph’s is at 3300A S. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach. Visit stjoesweb.org or call 561-732-3060.
Sisterhood of St. Lucy seeking members
St. Lucy Catholic Church is calling for women of the parish to come together and become a part of the Sisterhood of St. Lucy. Father Brian Horgan wrote a pastoral invitation in the church’s bulletin.
He wrote: “The Sisterhood has been prayerfully and thoughtfully created as a space where the women of our parish — of all ages and backgrounds — can come together in faith, fellowship, and fun. More than just a group or organization, it is a movement of the heart, calling each woman to look beyond herself and to discover the gift that she is, and the gift she has to offer.”
For more information about the sisterhood, call the church at 561-278-1280. You can also sign up online at stlucy.net/ccw-sign-up.
St. Lucy Catholic Church is at 3510 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach. See Father Horgan’s complete message about the importance of the sisterhood at files.ecatholic.com/35077/bulletins/20250713.pdf?t=1751997219000. (page 5.)
— Janis Fontaine
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