News from Christ Episcopal

Parishioners of Christ Episcopal Church, 207 N. Seventh St., will distribute free hand fans again this year at the annual Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival at the Felix Street Square in downtown St. Joseph. Fans will be available today.

The St. Joseph Autism Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. June 25 in the Christ Church Undercroft.

The Rev. Sidney Breese, former rector of Christ Church, will be guest celebrant, June 21, at both the 8 and 10 a.m. services. The following Sunday, June 28, guest celebrant will be The Rev. Marshall Scott of Kansas City. Both guest celebrants are substituting for Christ Church rector the Rev. Mimi Savidge, who is on vacation in June.

Pastor marks 60 years of ministry

The Rev. Dr Lee Felsburg is turning 80 and is also celebrating being in the ministry for 60 years. He pastored the Maxwell Heights and Community Presbyterian churches in St. Joseph from 1967 to 1974.

There will be a reception from 1:30 to 4 p.m. today at First Christian Church in Savannah, Mo. Cards may be sent to 1001 E. Chestnut Court, Savannah, MO 64485.

Royal Family Kids Camp begins Sunday

On Sunday, June 21, First Christian Church of St. Joseph will celebrate the beginning of its 16th annual Royal Family Kids Camp, a ministry for children in the foster care system. During worship, the church will commission this year’s camp staff and volunteers as well as pray for God’s blessings upon this ministry to abused and neglected children. Royal Family Kids Camp is a national network of week-long residential camps for children in foster care. First Christian Church of St. Joseph has held a camp for local foster children since 1993.

Aglow International meeting

Aglow International will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 26 in the theater at the St. Joseph Public Library, 502 N. Woodbine Road. Renea Hale will be the guest speaker, and Stephanie Glenn will lead worship.

Emergency preparedness fair set

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, 7 N. Carriage Drive, will host an emergency preparedness fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 27. The fair will include classes about basic food storage, preserving food, water storage and hygiene, alternative cooking methods and fuels. Demonstrations and displays include upside-down gardening, 72-hour preparedness kits, sprouting seeds, grain mills and emergency communicating. Lunch will be provided.

The Primary organization, for children ages 3 through 12, with the preparedness fair, will enjoy “The Journey.” The children in this activity will move from station to station to learn preparedness. A fire truck will be on hand, and a fireman will talk to them about what to do in case of a fire or other disasters. There will be a First Aid station, Scripture-related games, singing and fun.

The public is welcome. For more information, call 233-6061.

Celebrating 125 years

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 1824 Sylvanie St., will celebrate its 125th anniversary at 3 p.m. June 28 in John Lucas Park, 19th and Sylvanie streets. The theme will be “Living the Legacy,” and the Scripture text will be Joshua 4:20-24. The Rev. Charles E. Johnson and members of New Life Baptist Church of Platte City, Mo., will be special guests. The community is cordially invited to come to this service.

VBS at Carnegie Baptist

Everyone is invited to Carnegie Baptist Church, 6520 Carnegie St., for vacation Bible school beginning with registration and a free carnival and cookout at 5:30 p.m. today. Bible school will start right after the carnival and will be dismissed at 8 p.m. Then, come back from 6 to 8 p.m. June 22 through 25 for a light supper and “Boomerang Express — Everything Comes Back to Jesus!”

The VBS is open to all children ages 4 through 12. If you need a ride, call 238-2570 no later than 4 p.m.

VBS at Ashland UMC

Ashland United Methodist Church invites children ages 2 and up to go to the edge this summer for vacation Bible school. Camp E.D.G.E.: Experience + Discover God Everywhere is an extreme adventure camp taking kids on exciting Bible treks to experience and discover God everywhere, every day. VBS begins June 22 and ends June 26. It is held each evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Ashland UMC, 2711 Ashland Ave.

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and each Bible trek is supported with science activities, songs, crafts, games and snacks. To sign up, call Kathy at 279-7419.

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached at religion@npgco.com.