Upcoming faith-based events around East Texas: worship and missions conference, interfaith event, music festival

Published 12:15 am Saturday, April 7, 2018

TRAINING FOR MINISTRY TO SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS

The Smith County Behavioral Health Leadership Team and the Texas Veterans Commission are co-sponsoring a free training for faith community leaders and lay leaders from 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at Central Baptist Church, 1343 E. Grande Blvd., in Tyler.

This training is designed to inform, equip and inspire local faith leaders in the Northeast Texas region to be “Warrior Wise” in reaching out and ministering to those service members, veterans and their families who may be struggling, according to a news release about it.

The topics will include Military Culture, the Invisible Wounds of War/Trauma (focusing on Moral Injury), Rural and Women Veterans Mental Health, Practical Ideas/Examples and a List of Resources.

“Texas is home to almost 1.6 million military veterans, many of whom have experienced one or more forms of military service related trauma,” said Kim Beckham, Central Baptist Church pastor and the faith community representative on the Smith County Behavioral Health Leadership Team. “Northeast Texas is home for a number of these veterans and they and their families are often longing to find informed support for the struggles they endure because of their traumatic experiences. A well-informed and compassionate local church can often be an effective source for the support and solutions that these service members, veterans and their families are seeking.”

Presenters from the Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Mental Health Program are Carrie L. Sconza, women and rural veteran coordinator, and J. Craig Combs, community partner coordinator.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-mental-health-community-partner-training-tickets-42076973360.

WORSHIP AND MISSIONS CONFERENCE

The INSPIRE Worship + Missions Conference began Friday and continues at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 7 at the Youth With A Mission campus, 20131 Farm-to-Market Road 16, in Lindale. Visit ywaminspire.com for more information or to register. Event is free.

DEACONESS SUNDAY

St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 1020 S. Lyons Ave., will have its Annual Deaconess Day at 3 p.m. April 8.

CHURCH MUSICAL

Pollard Theater Center will present “1776,” the musical, April 12-14, at Pollard United Methodist Church, 3030 Copeland Road in Tyler. The story is based on the events surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence and dramatizes the efforts of John Adams to persuade his colleagues to vote for American independence. There are four shows: 7:30 p.m., April 12 and 13; and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 14. All tickets cost $15 and are on sale online at showtix4u.com. For assistance call the box office at 903-521-0069 or purchase directly from Pollard’s Box Office, which opens March 25 at the church, and continues weekdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. until show dates. All seats are reserved.

A HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE

In commemoration of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), an interfaith Holocaust remembrance program “Art from the Ashes,” will be presented at 2:30 p.m. April 15 at Congregation Ahavath Achim, 3501 S. Donnybrook Ave., Tyler. The program is designed to remember and honor victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Guest speakers will include Tyler city Councilman Bob Westbrook, the Rev. Ginger Brandt, Michael E. Eidenmuller, Pastor Johnathan Ellison, Rob Mason, Kevin Roper, Irene Rose, Rabbi Alan Learner, and Dr. Ronald Beals. A proclamation issued by Tyler Mayor Martin Heines declaring April 15-22, 2018, as the Days of Remembrance in memory of the victims, survivors and rescuers of the Holocaust will be read. The commemoration program is free and open to the public. For more information call Dr. Ron Beals, 903-561-6274, Rabbi Alan Learner or Dee Wapner, 903-561-4284.

INTERFAITH EVENT

“Hearing Each Other: Tolerance and Interfaith Dialogue,” a Distinguished Lecture Series panel discussion with Rabbi Neal Katz of Congregation Beth El, Anwar Khalifa of East Texas Islamic Society, and the Rev. Ginger Brandt of First Christian Church, is set for 10 a.m. April 17 in Wise Auditorium. This is one of several events taking place as part of the Tyler Junior College Fourth Annual Arts Festival to be held throughout the month of April on the TJC main campus. The festival is a collaboration of “The Bell Tower Arts Journal,” International Day, Tyler Museum of Art, and the TJC departments of art, music, theater, speech, dance and visual communications.

CALL HER BLESSED LUNCHEON

Author and actress Nicole Johnson is the scheduled speaker for the 2018 Call Her Blessed luncheon benefitting Christian Homes and Family Services. The event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. April 24. Johnson has authored eight books including her best-selling debut, “Fresh Brewed Life,” which is one of her most popular works. In her newest book, “Creating Calm in the Center of Crazy,” she shares her journey to “sanity” in the midst of a busy, modern life revealing how a woman can create a sacred space – and some peace and calm – inside her own soul. The nonprofit is celebrating a milestone: 2,000 children adopted into loving Christian families. Since 1962, Christian Homes and Family Services has provided foster care for 1,803 children, maternity care for 2,752 birth mothers and has placed 1,996 babies and children into loving Christian homes through adoption. To register for this event, call 903-509-0558, or register online at Eventbrite.

WOMEN’S MISSIONARY PROGRAM

The Christian Women’s Council will host a Women’s Missionary program at 10 a.m. April 29 at Bethany Word of Life Tabernacle, 6808 Paluxy Drive, Tyler. The scheduled speaker will be inspirational speaker Sister Patricia Brown. For more information call 903-534-0094.

CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

For the fourth year The Crossing Palestine will provide outreach and entertainment to the public in Palestine with various artists from different genres of Christian music. The two-day music festival will include free admission concerts from 5-10 p.m. May 4 at Reagan Park and a ticketed event from 5-10 p.m. May 5 at the Palestine Civic Center. Professional recording artist Janet Paschal will headline the May 5 event at the Civic Center taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15. With more than 20 recordings to her credit including Grammy and Dove Award nominations, she has composed such songs as “Another Soldier’s Coming Home,” “God Will Make A Way,” and “If I’d Had My Way.” After surviving breast cancer in 2005, she returned to her touring schedule and added bestselling author to her resume with “The Good Road” and “Treasures of the Snow,” which chronicles her triumphant battle with cancer. Tickets may be purchased at the door on May 5, or online at www.thecrossingpalestine.com or www.dogwoodmusiccenter.com.