The Akron Area Interfaith Council is sponsoring a forum to help people better understand the Islamic faith at 7 p.m. Wednesday at First Congregational Church of Akron, 292 E. Market St.The 90-minute event will include a presentation about Sharia law; a round-table discussion and exchange of ideas between members of the council; and an opportunity for the audience to participate in the conversation. It is the first of what will be a series of Interfaith Connection sessions geared toward helping people develop a better understanding of different faiths and to discover ways to respectfully coexist.The Akron Interfaith Council was established about 30 years ago by the Akron Area Association of Churches. Its mission is to bring people of different faiths together to promote freedom of religion, equality and understanding. Members of the organization represent a variety of perspectives, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Bahaism, Seventh Day Adventism, Unitarian Universalism, Protestant Christianity and Catholicism.Admission to the forum, called Guess Who Just Moved in Next Door! is free and a light dessert will be served. For information, call 330-864-2380 or visit www.akron
areainterfaithcouncil.org.In other religious news:EventsDeerfield Evangelical Friends Church — 1261 state Route 14, Deerfield Township. 10:30 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Fall Revival Services with the Rev. Braxton Hunter. Theme is What is God’s Plan For Me. 330-584-6777.First Church of Brethren — 1812 Marigold Ave., Akron. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today. All-you-can-eat soup supper, plus desserts. Adults $6, ages 12 and younger $4.First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 13. Along with Family Promise and Ott Electric, the church is sponsoring a “fill the truck.” Cleaning supplies such as mops, brooms, bleach and paper products will be collected for previously homeless families. The truck will be located in the small church parking lot closest to Cuyahoga Falls Public Library. 330-923-5241.Green Valley United Methodist Church — 620 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Green. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Annual holiday bazaar. Features white elephant sale, crafts, jewelry and baked goods. Turkey dinner with dessert served from 4 to 6 p.m. Adults $8, ages 4-10 $4, free for age 3 and younger. Proceeds benefit mission projects for United Methodist Women. 330-896-4357.Maranatha Bible Church — 1424 Killian Road, Springfield Township. 10 a.m. Wednesday. Join the Love Akron network for praise and thanksgiving. All Christian leaders in the Greater Akron area are welcome. 330-384-8124.Nativity Catholic Church — 2425 Myersville Road, Springfield Township. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Annual spaghetti dinner includes meatballs, salad, rolls, beverage and dessert. Also tours of Bethlehem Cave and Museum. Adults $7, children $3. 330-699-5086.Our Lady of Peace School — 1001 39th St. NW, Canton. 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19. Men’s Club 26th annual Reverse Raffle & Rigatoni Dinner. Grand prize of $1,500. Contribution of $20 benefits the school’s athletic programs. Dinner at 6:30 p.m., awards begin at 8 p.m. Contact Doug Bond at 330-495-8255 for tickets.Peninsula United Methodist Church — 1575 Main St., Peninsula. Election Day Dinner Tuesday. Six serving times: lunch at 11:30 a.m., 12:10 and 12:45 p.m.; dinner at 5, 5:50 and 6:45 p.m. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, turnips, green beans, coleslaw, cranberry sauce, bread and homemade pie. Adults $10, children $5, all carryouts $8.50. Age 5 and younger eat free. Reservations requested. 330-657-2567.Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Good Grief — Holidays! is a two-part miniseries given the Journey of Peace bereavement ministry at the church’s gathering area. For information, call Sue Lyons at 330-499-3937.St. Patrick Parish — 313 N. Depeyster St., Kent. 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1. Advent retreat, Advent through the eyes of Elizabeth and Zachariah, will be facilitated by Father John Jerek, vicar for clergy and religious services in the Diocese of Youngstown. No fee. Bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share. To register, call 330-677-4453.Sisters With a Vision — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Annual blanket drive. Drop-off points will be at Akron
UMDAAOP, 665 W. Market St., Akron, and Park Ford, 400 West Ave., Tallmadge. New and nearly new blankets will be accepted. For information, call Allie at 330-633-3569.Tallmadge Lutheran Church — 759 East Ave., Tallmadge. 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 12. Documentary shredding event for the community. Free continental breakfast served in the gym, 9 to 10 a.m. workshop on identity theft, 10 to 11 a.m. Denny Gearhart, financial associate from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, is co-host. Call 330-633-4775 to reserve a place.Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. 7 p.m. Nov. 13. Design Advice For Real Life: How to make your house feel like home, with tips for holiday decorating, with designer and color consultant Amy Howard in Great Hall. 330-673-5445.Trinity United Church of Christ — 150 E. North St., Wooster. 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Annual sauerkraut dinner. Adults $8, ages 12 and younger $5. Carryout available. Proceeds fund a mission trip to Mexico in March with the Wooster Volunteer Network at the College of Wooster and Esperanza International. 330-264-9250.PerformancesAkron Free Will Baptist Church — 1802 Eastwood Ave., Akron. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Concert with featured artist Tammy Jones Robinette from Berlin Heights, Ohio, and Heritage Quartet from Rittman. Host group is Down Home Gospel Quartet. Freewill offering. 330-256-3114.Bath Church — 3980 W. Bath Road, Bath Township. 7 p.m. Sunday. The Heidelberg University Concert Choir will perform a repertoire representing major choral genres, historical eras and cultural traditions. Theme is To Everything There is a Season. Free and open to the public. 330-256-2001.The Chapel in Marlboro — 8700 State Route 619, Marlboro Township. 6 p.m. Nov. 13. Huntley Brown will perform a full concert on keyboards. He will also minister at the 9 and 10:15 a.m. services the same day. 330-935-0132.Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 3 p.m. Sunday. The Parish Arts Series presents Kent State University’s men’s and women’s choruses. Freewill offering. Refreshments provided. Free parking at church and Summit Mall. 330-836-7286.First Church of God — 9016 N. Main St., Windham. 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Dorothy “Dot” Hedge Memorial Dedication. Dinner followed by dedication and Southern Gospel concert from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. with Christ Unlimited from Barberton. Freewill offering. 330-326-2293.Shepherds Joy Ministries — 9445 1/2 Annette Drive, Windham. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Christ Unlimited will perform at worship service. Freewill offering. 330-352-2359.Speakers, classes,workshopsBlessed Trinity Parish — 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Father Daniel F. Schlegel, pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Chagrin Falls, will be speaker for the next Come & See meeting in Mc-Keever Hall. His topic is Teach Us to Pray. Small discussion groups will follow. Refreshments will be served. No cost, reservations not required. 330-376-5144.Catholic Diocese of Youngstown — Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel, Youngstown. 6 p.m. Nov. 29. Third annual lecture of the Bishop Benedict C. Franzetta Memorial Lecture Series. The Most Rev. George V. Murry, bishop of Youngstown, will speak on evangelization. $25 per person, includes dinner. Reservations required no later than Friday. Call Linda Tedde at 330-744-8451, ext. 252.Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brecksville Branch — 9089 Brecksville Road, Brecksville. 2 p.m. Nov. 13. Liturgical and Art Symbolism in the Wooden Churches of Eastern Europe. The Rev. Emil Hutnyan, pastor of St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Maple Heights, will explain the rich history and symbolism in the wooden churches. Free. 440-331-3856.First Congregational Church — 292 E. Market St., Akron. Noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 16. Fred Berry, housing services manager for Info Line Inc., will speak about Continuum of Care/Homelessness. $7.50 payable at the door. Reservations due by noon Thursday. Call Chris Donatelli at 330-864-1359.First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 1 p.m. Thursday. Dr. John Schluep, founder of the Warriors’ Journey Home Ministry, will speak at the Going Strong meeting. His topic is The Healing Trip to Vietnam. Free program. 330-923-5241.Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com.