By Kathryn Popio
Special to The Gazette
The “justice bra” is not among hot topics for 2009.
Or is it?
As readers take a longer look at Charles M. North and Bob Smietana’s book, “Good Intentions, Nine Hot-Button Issues Viewed Through the Eyes of Faith,” they realize the “justice bra” legitimately belongs on the list.
With good humor, [...]

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By JUDY A. TOTTS
Religion Editor
SHARON TWP. — Connection Church is living up to its name with a program that will allow its members to connect with the community to extend the blessings of Christmas.
The congregation held an auction Dec. 6 to raise money for the church, but what the Rev. Tony Myles, who pastors [...]

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By DORIS KILBANE
Faith in Action Medina County
Purchase a beautiful collage puzzle of the local Faith in Action churches and at the same time you’ll be helping local elderly needing a little extra help.
This professional, one-of-a kind, 500-piece puzzle is on sale now in all the local Buehler’s grocery stores, the Faith in Action office [...]

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By JUDY A. TOTTS
Religion Editor
Dandi Daley Mackall captures the sweet spirit of the holiday with her latest picture book, “The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth” (2008, Zonderkidz, $16.99). With illustrations by Deborah Chabrian, the story unfolds in tough economic times of years past. Jack, the main character, learns [...]

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By MONA JACOBSON
Special to The Gazette
Does this Christmas season have the potential to be the worst Christmas in your personal history?
The economy is unstable. Jobs are disappearing. Baby boomers’ retirement funds have become smoke rising on the altar of recession. I know one young couple with three small children about to lose their home. [...]

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By JUDY A. TOTTS
Religion Editor
WADSWORTH — With bells wildly jingling at the tips of their pointed red hats, the tomtes skipped and bounced down the main aisle of Grace Lutheran Church, shattering the Saturday morning quiet.
Tomtes — you might describe them as the Swedish version of Christmas elves — are just the beginning of [...]

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By KATHRYN POPIO
Special to The Gazette
One phrase that comes to mind when reading Bill Henderson’s book, “Simple Gifts: One Man’s Search for Grace,” is, “never realized something like that was in a hymn.”
At first, readers may lazily turn pages while Henderson extravagantly unravels his family’s memories associated with a few favorite hymns — seemingly sentimental, [...]

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By SANDY CIUPAK
Special to The Gazette
MEDINA TWP. — More than 200 First Baptist Church members showed up on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to pack and deliver food baskets to area families.
The annual project began in 2003, when the church first partnered with Medina’s Community Services Center to provide a turkey and fixings for [...]

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By JUDY A. TOTTS
Religion Editor
AKRON — In many families, bringing out the nativity set is one of the main highlights of the holiday. Whether an elaborately carved imported wooden crèche or a humble plaster set from the five-and-dime, the Holy Family holds a special place of honor, with angels keeping watch over Mary, Joseph and [...]

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By JOHN BENSON
Special to The Gazette
What: “Messiah” Part One: Christmas Section
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Harvest Presbyterian Church, 1095 E. Reagan Parkway, Medina
Tickets: Free
Info: www.harvestpca.com or 330-723-0770
MEDINA — Celebrating the holiday season in style is the reason Harvest Presbyterian Church Choir annually presents G.F. Handel’s “Messiah, Part One: Christmas Section” as part of [...]

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