The Gordon College Department of Political Science and Christians in Political Science will host the Christians in Political Science Conference (CPS) on Thursday, May 31, through Saturday, June 2, on the college's campus, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham. The CPS conference, themed "Power and Justice: Perspectives on Political Order," provides Christian political scientists with a unique forum to explore how faith impacts teaching and scholarship. Events include a keynote address on Friday, June 1, 7 p.m. by college president D. Michael Lindsay titled "Higher Power? How Christians Use Power to Shape the World Around Us"; and founder and director of Yale Center for Faith and Culture Miroslav Volfe, and Henry B. Wright, professor of theology at Yale University Divinity School will deliver the annual Kuyper Lecture on "A Public Faith: A Christian Alternative to Secular and Religious Political Exclusivism" on June 2, 7 p.m. Keynote lectures are free and open to the public. For details and a complete conference schedule, visit http://www.gordon.edu/cps.
The Christian Women's Connection May Brunch is set for Monday, June 11, from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m. at the Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St., Danvers. Guest speaker Rosa Maria Faulkner will share a humorous look at marriage and child-rearing. Laura Malone will demonstrate how to create candles for any occasion. The brunch is $13 all inclusive. All women are welcome, and free child care is available for children ages 5 and under. Reservations are required by Saturday, June 9. For more information, to reserve a spot, for child care details or to make a cancellation, call Jan at 978-532-1379 or 978-303-7873.
In celebration of Israel's 65-year anniversary as a state, the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation and Da'at Tours are planning an active trip to Israel for adults in April 2013. The trip is ideal for first-time visitors, and will include must-see places, including Shabbat in Jerusalem, a float in the Dead Sea, and many more activities. The trip will depart around April 7 and will return around April 17. There will be informational meetings it the coming months. For more information, contact Deborah Coltin at 978-740-4428 or dcoltin@rilcf.org.
A liturgical celebration for Father Gerard L. Dorgan's retirement is set for Saturday, June 2, at 4 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers, followed by a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at CoCo Key Hotel, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers. Dorgan is retiring after 21 years of service to St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish. Registration is required for the reception and costs $20 per person. Register by Saturday, May 26, with Norma or Mary at stmarydanvers@comcast.net, or 978-774-0340.
Chris Warner will teach a six-week series titled "Being Well, Here & Now," a stress-reduction program of meditations, gentle movements and mindfulness activities developed by the UMass Medical School for busy parents, caretakers, business executives, those suffering from a chronic illness and anyone who craves a relaxing break in their week. The program meets on Friday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. through June 15 at A Different Christian Voice, 189 N. Main St., Middleton. Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. The free program is sponsored by A Different Christian Voice. For more information, call 617-759-2288 or email santiyoga@yahoo.com.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Center presents "The Book of Revelation: Decoding its Message of Joyful Hope," a three-part scripture study series on the book of Revelation, set for Monday, June 4, 11 and 18 at 7 p.m. at 80 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. In the series of talks, professor Stephen Fahrig will offer a Catholic perspective on what Revelation meant to its original first-century audience and what it means for today's audience. For more information, call 781-631-0086.
The Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 16 Sylvan St., Danvers, provides reusable grocery bags with the church's name written on them for anyone who would like to fill one at the grocery store for the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Bags can be returned to the church any Sunday of the month, and a new one obtained. For more information, call the church office at 978-777-7408.
A Different Christian Voice, a new progressive spiritual community at 189 N. Main St., Middleton, presents the following hourlong conversation experience with stories, original videos and prayers, open to everyone: "In the Beginning: What is Intelligent Design?" Sunday, May 27, 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.adifferentchristianvoice.org or call 978-973-2466.
Calvary Episcopal Church and the Rev. Thea Keith-Lucas invite all couples, those married in a religious or civil ceremony and of all faiths, to celebrate the joys, responsibilities and privileges of marriage by renewing their wedding vows in a public ceremony on Saturday, June 16, at 2 p.m. in Peabody Institute Library's pavilion, 15 Sylvan St., Danvers. The ceremony includes music, prayers, marriage vow renewal ceremony, blessing of rings and a certificate to commemorate the renewal of marriage vows. A free reception with light refreshments for couples and their guests will follow in Calvary's Parish Hall, corner of Holten and Cherry streets. In order to have certificates available for every couple and a head count for refreshments, participating couples are asked to provide their names and the number of people they expect to attend in their party no later than Monday, June 4, by calling 978-774-1150 or emailing admincalvary@gmail.com.
Maple Street Church at 90 Maple St. in Danvers holds a food drive collection for the Danvers food pantry on the second Sunday of each month. Members are encouraged to bring juice boxes, pasta, canned soups and vegetables, and other items and leave them in the narthex or the shopping cart in the Social Hall. For more information, call Priscilla Curda at 978-777-0793 or email phcurda@verizon.net.
First Church Boxford presents Operation Overboard, a free vacation Bible school set for Monday, Aug. 13, through Friday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. The program is for children in pre-kindergarten through grade five. For more information or to register, visit www.firstchurchboxford.org or call 978-887-5841. First Church Boxford is at 4 Georgetown Road.
