Metro Kanawha publishes free church-related announcements as news items at the editor’s discretion. Regular weekly services are excluded (for those listings, see the worship times ad on this page). Submission deadline is noon Wednesday for the following week’s publication. Submissions should be emailed to metrokanawha@hdmediallc.com. Submissions are not accepted by telephone. If applicable, include the church’s address and contact information.
VBS: Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church in Pinch invites children ages 3 (Pre-K) through 5th grade to Vacation Bible School, July 22–24, beginning at 6 p.m. each evening. Kids will enjoy Bible lessons, crafts, singing, games, and snacks—fun for all! Parents are welcome to attend. For more information, call 681-474-2800.
VBS: The Buffalo Church of God will host its Vacation Bible School, "Road Trip", from July 28 to Aug. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. each evening. Children from toddlers through middle school are invited to enjoy Bible lessons ("On the Go with God"), crafts, puppets, music, games, and themed snacks. Friday night will feature inflatables, hot dogs, and a visit from the ice cream truck. The church is located at Rt. 62 and Church Street in Buffalo.
VBS: Fraziers Bottom Methodist Church will host a 3-day Vacation Bible School from July 28–30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. nightly. This year’s theme is "Christmas in July", and will have fun activities, including Bible stories, singing, crafts, snacks and games, for children of middle-school age and under. The church is located at 1 Church Lane, just off Rt. 817 in Fraziers Bottom. For more details, visit the church’s Facebook page.
Baby Love Pantry: Cross Lanes United Methodist Women (CLUMW) operate a diaper giveaway twice a month, typically on the first and third Fridays. In the summer, these dates may vary. The dates for July are 11 and 25, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Go to the drive-thru at the upper parking lot of Cross Lanes UMC on 5320 Frontier Drive. The women give away one 25-count packages of diapers and a package of baby wipes to each eligible person, and also have some types of formula. These are given based on need. Adults must have an ID and proof that they have a baby. No other personal information is collected. CLUMW operates this project through donations raised by the group. They also welcome outside donations of new unopened packages of diapers and new, in date, formula. For more information, go the CLUMW's Baby Love Pantry Facebook page.
Convention: The West Virginia State Gospel Singers is holding their 75th anniversary convention July 20-27 at Mount Nebo in Nicholas County at 791 Song Convention Rd. There will be indoor seating. Camping is available. From July 21-25, a vacation Bible school will be run from 10 a.m. to noon in the dining hall. From July 21-25, nightly open choir singing is at 6 p.m., followed by the official sing at 7 p.m. On Saturday, July 26, open singing is at 1 p.m., the official sing at 2 p.m. On Sunday, July 27, morning worship is at 11 a.m. For more information, call 304-872-1977.
Sing: The Believers will sing Monday, July 14, during the 7 p.m. service at Lucy Wilson Baptist Church on Wills Creek Road at Elkview.
Almost Heaven Retreats: Have you scheduled a retreat for yourself this year? Taking time away to have a vacation with God is lifegiving and nurturing to our souls. The West Virginia Institute for Spirituality’s retreat house in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä is open during the months of May through July for you to make a 2-, 3-, or 5-day retreat. WVIS has spiritual directors who will be at the house and will be happy to meet with you for your retreat. To learn more, visit our website at www.wvis.org/retreats/ignatian-silent-directed-retreats or email exec.director@wvis.org.
Thomas Merton Society: The West Virginia chapter of the International Thomas Merton Institute meets via Zoom the third Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Each month, the group discusses recent material from the International Merton Society and/or information from the Book of Hours. For more information email Father Bill Petro at frbpetro42@gmail.com.
Contemplative Prayer: The West Virginia Institute for Spirituality holds contemplative prayer practice Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The prayers are led by a variety of volunteers. Prayer begins promptly at 7 p.m. when the leader opens with a brief chant followed by 20 minutes of silence. Sign up to receive the weekly reminders and the Zoom link. For questions or to register, send email to wvis_sally@aol.com.
Gabriel Project: The Gabriel Project at Highlawn Presbyterian Church, 2501 Washington Ave. in St. Albans, offers free baby products and clothes, sizes preemie to 2T, every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Car seats and portable cribs are available for $15 each. For more information, call 304-727-7140.
