Jemimah worked at St. Paul’s for more than three years before she passed away. Photo provided
St. Paul Lutheran Church & School in Boca Raton lost a beloved member of its ministry with the passing of Jemimah, the comfort dog, on March 12.
For more than three years, the loving golden retriever brought the love and comfort only a dog can provide to many parishioners. She and her team visited nursing homes, ministered at schools and attended open houses, spreading joy. Jemimah comforted hurricane victims after Ian and Helene and was deployed to Georgia when a shooting took the lives of four students and staff at Apalachee High School in 2024.
The church at 701 W. Palmetto Park Road is one of a handful of churches to bring in specially trained comfort dogs. The Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is a national human-care ministry “embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred golden retrievers.”
The ministry was started in 2008 and has more than 130 comfort dogs working in churches in 27 states.
For more information about the ministry, visit lutheranchurchcharities.org/k-9-comfort-dogs-about.html.
’Celebrate Israel’ day of fun and food at PJ Library
The PJ Library in partnership with the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County invites families to its signature event, Celebrate Israel, from 1 to 4 p.m. May 4 at Patch Reef Park, 2000 Yamato Road, Boca Raton.
The event features bounce houses, hands-on crafts, mitzvah projects, Israeli music, food trucks and special interactive activities with the Shinshinim, Israeli young ambassadors.
PJ Library provides free Jewish books to families with young children and creates opportunities for families to engage in Jewish learning and community events. This event is free and open to the public, but RSVP at jewishboca.org/pjisrael.
Temple Beth El ensembles to be featured at concert
Temple Beth El of Boca Raton hosts a free concert at 3 p.m. May 4 at its Schaefer Family Campus, 333 SW Fourth Ave. From Gershwin to Bernstein to Sondheim, enjoy an uplifting afternoon of inspiring music by beloved Jewish composers in this multi-generational performance by the music ensembles of Temple Beth El. Free, but registration is required at tbeboca.org/event/sounds-of-music-concert.
Churches hosting events to celebrate Mother’s Day
Ascension Catholic Church, 7250 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, will host a pre-Mother’s Day Tea at 11:30 a.m. May 10 in the family center. Tea, finger sandwiches, sweets and fellowship. Tea party attire. $12. RSVP to Leslie at snavely.leslie@gmail.com or call 561-997-5486.
Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Journey Church, 2200 NW Boca Raton Blvd., at 9:30 or 11 a.m. May 11. A day celebrating women is planned. Guests can get a free individual or family portrait taken. For kids in grade 5 or younger, there will be bounce houses and Bible lessons hosted by Journey Kids. Info at bocajourney.com/events or call 561-420-0606.
Candlelight concerts offer classical, modern music
Featuring tributes to both classical masters like Mozart and contemporary icons like Taylor Swift, Candlelight Concerts feature gifted professional musicians set against the backdrop of thousands of LED candles at St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton. These concerts are planned:
• The Best of Hans Zimmer at 8 p.m. May 16. Tickets start at $40.61.
• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 8 p.m. May 24 and July 11. Tickets start at $41.20.
• Tribute to Adele at 8 p.m. June 20. Tickets start at $41.20.
• Tribute to Queen at 8 p.m. July 25. Tickets start at $40.61.
• Rings and Dragons at 8 p.m. Aug. 15. Tickets start at $40.61.
St. Mark is at 2100 Yamato Road. Get tickets at feverup.com/en/boca-raton-fl-us.
Journey’s recognition day to honor new graduates
The Journey Church hosts Graduate Recognition Day at 11 a.m. May 18 to celebrate high school, college or graduate school graduates. The Journey Church is at 2200 NW Boca Raton Blvd., Boca Raton. Register your student to be recognized and receive a special gift at bocajourney.com/graduate or call 561-420-0606.
Help backpack brigade pack bags for children
Boca Raton Community Church’s Boca Helping Hands Backpacks Outreach Group needs team leaders and packers to help for one to two hours on Tuesday afternoons to pack backpacks. These are distributed to local children in the National Free & Reduced Lunch Program to supplement students’ meals over the weekend.
The Outreach Group also prepares and serves 300 to 350 meals from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the fourth Saturday of every month. Help is needed. The next meeting is May 24.
Volunteers will meet at Boca Helping Hands Food Center at 1500 NW First Court. Parking is available in the lot across the street from the center. For more information, visit bocacommunity.org/detail/?groupID=103
St. Vincent offers six-week Bible course for women
St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, 840 George Bush Blvd., Delray Beach, is offering a six-week Bible study course for women called “Living in the Father’s Love” beginning June 18. The class meets from 10 a.m. to noon in the St. Vincent Ferrer room. This course is part of Walking with Purpose (www.walkingwithpurpose.com). Contact Jeanne King at wwp@stvincentferrer.com to register.
— Janis Fontaine
Comments