By Janis Fontaine
The students in Banyan Creek Elementary School’s chapter of the Samaritans365 club are proof that young people can take the initiative in helping others.
More than three dozen fourth- and fifth-graders at the Delray Beach school participated in an educational fundraiser Oct. 20 to help homeless families.
The students learned about family homelessness and how they can help homeless families with children. Each student created a House for Change, a house-shaped collection box to save spare change. The coins collected will be donated to the charity Family Promise to use to help homeless families become independent.
The nonprofit Samaritans365 is a free after-school program. The program teaches children to be compassionate caretakers of the Earth and its people.
The Houses for Change campaign was launched in 2010, and since then 50,000 kids nationwide have raised more than $500,000 for charities that help homeless people.
Find out how you can start your own House for Change or Samaritans365 chapter at www.samaritans365.org.
Call 715-3534 or email kgellen@comcast.net.
St. Paul’s Christmas music
The December performance of Music at St. Paul’s features “Noel! Noel! A French Christmas.” The St. Paul’s choir and musicians will present the Lessons of the Seasons through carols and traditional French hymns, including the Christmas Oratorio of Camille Saint-Saens, at 3 p.m. Dec. 18. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is at 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. The concert is free. Call 278-6003 or visit www.music.stpaulsdelray.org.
Putting faith into practice
“Walking Toward Eternity,” a two-day seminar with Jeff Cavins, will be hosted by St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church on Dec. 9 and 10. The seminar will help guests put their faith into practice, challenge them to make changes in their lives that will bring them closer to God and become the people they were meant to be. The seminar is designed for Catholics, but the message is universal.
Cavins is an author, speaker, preacher, radio personality, theologian, evangelist and married father of girls.
He created his own Bible study guide, The Great Adventure Bible Study series, which has guided thousands of people though Bible studies around the world.
Cavins’ seminar kicks off Dec. 9 with a book signing and reception from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
On Dec. 10, the work begins. The cost of the seminar is $38, which includes all seminar materials, continental breakfast, and lunch.
All events take place at St. Vincent Ferrer at 840 George Bush Blvd., Delray Beach. Call 276-6892 for more information or register at www.stvincentferrer.com/jeffcavins.
Share the Light Gala
Chabad of East Boca Raton hosts “Share the Light, a Gala Reception and Concert,” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19, at Hyatt Place Hotel, 100 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. Lamplighter Awards will be given to three people who exemplify the prayer “A little light dispels much darkness.” Marc Goldman, Arlene Herson and Eric Reid will be recognized.
An acoustic performance by Matisyahu will follow the awards. His music is a fusion of styles ranging from reggae to rock, with a deeply spiritual flavor. Tickets are $180. Sponsorships are still available. For more information, visit www.bocabeachchabad.org/sharethelight.
Prayer breakfast date set The annual Pray for Delray Prayer Breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. Jan. 11 at Old School Square Fieldhouse, Delray Beach.
Proceeds will benefit City House Delray Beach, a not-for-profit organization whose vision is to provide two-year transitional living for single mothers and their children. (www.cityhousedelray.com)
The keynote speaker is Capt. Kevin Saxton of Delray Beach Fire Rescue. Austin French, the worship pastor at the Avenue Church, will perform. French was the runner-up on the ABC series Rising Star in 2014.
Tickets are $25 and are available at www.theacdelray.ccbchurch.com.
Jewish Film Festival
The 27th annual Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival will bring 30 movies by Jewish filmmakers to local stages in January and February. The PBJFF was founded in 1990 to bring the best films to more people, especially in America.
Jewish art, culture and history, Jewish political challenges and social issues, Jewish achievements and acts of valor are all explored in the movies.
The festival will open Jan. 19 at the Kravis Center with the film On the Map, the story of Israel’s 1977 basketball team, which was the first to bring the coveted European Cup to Israel. The film’s director, Dani Menkin, and basketball legend Tal Brody will attend the screening and a post-film discussion.
Films will be screened from Jan. 19 to Feb. 12 at the Kravis Center; Jan. 21-27 at the Cinemark Palace in Boca Raton; Jan. 28-Feb. 4 at Cobb Theatres in Palm Beach Gardens; Feb. 5-11 at the Frank Theatres in Delray Beach; and closing Feb. 12 at Muvico at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. Visit www.pbjff.org; call 877- 318-0071.
Walk where Jesus walked
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach is hosting a trip to Israel April 19-28, led by Doug and Grace Hood. Travelers will find a new dimension and a deeper understanding of Christian history. The cost is $3,998 per person, all-inclusive. Money is due Jan. 10. Register at www.friendshiptours.com or email Nancy Fine at nancyfine@FirstDelray.org.
Audio engineer needed
Cason United Methodist Church in Delray Beach is looking for a weekend audio engineer who can provide audio reinforcement for Sunday morning services. The engineer must be dependable, a team player and organized. For details, visit www.casonumc.org/job-opportunities.
Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Contact her at janisfontaine@outlook.com.
Comments