Today

Acolytes Day — The Rt. Rev. Johncy Itty, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, will celebrate a festal Eucharist at 11 a.m. today at the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 N.W. 35th St., with acolytes from western Oregon in the 15th annual Acolyte Day. The acolytes, young people who assist at the altar, will enjoy lunch after the service and attend the Oregon State University football game against Washington State University later in the day. The Eucharist service is open to the public. Information: 757-6647.

Sunday fare:

“Gaza Strip” — A film depicting the challenges to achieving peace in Palestine will be shown at 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 1165 N.W. Monroe Ave. The 2002 documentary portrays a population under Israeli occupation and the frustration of the people, especially young Gaza males. The free showing, sponsored by the Corvallis/Albany Friends of Middle East Peace, will be followed by discussion and refreshments. Information: 752-8020.

Memorial service — The Unity Church of Corvallis will host a service of memorial and remembrance for deceased animal companions at 2 p.m. Sunday in the studio behind the Mystic Mountain Bookstore, 435 N.W. Fourth Ave. Participants are invited to bring photos or relics of their animal friends in honor of their life. Information: 766-8090 or www.unityofcorvallis.org.

New church start — The Life Bible Church: Alpine will hold its first service at 10 a.m. Sunday in what used to be the Assembly of God Church, 25184 Webster Ave. in Alpine. Pastors Brad and Jennifer Neuschwander will lead the congregation, which is a new satellite church of Life Bible Church in Harrisburg. The church will offer nursery care for infants up to 2 years of age and children’s classes up through the fifth grade. Information: 541-995-8282.

Club meeting

Full Gospel Businessmen — Cheri Sorbe and Miriam Ebert will share their testimonies from a mission trip to India at the monthly meeting Monday of the Corvallis chapter of Full Gospel Businessmen’s International at the El Presidente restaurant, 1110 N.E. Second St. The two women from Corvallis traveled to India twice. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7:30 p.m.

Interfaith meditation

“Time In” — The Interfaith Community of Corvallis will host an open meditation session from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel at First Methodist Church, 1165 N.W. Monroe Ave. (use the 11th Street entrance). A member of a local faith community will teach a contemplative or devotional practice during the first 15 minutes; 45 minutes of silence will follow to allow participants to experience the meditative technique presented, another form of contemplation or spiritual study. The monthly event is open to people of all faiths. Information: 753-0926.

Anniversary weekend

Celebrating 50 years — Grant Avenue Baptist Church, 1625 N.W. Grant Ave., will observe its 50th anniversary with a weekend full of activities beginning with a 7 p.m. service and reception Friday featuring testimonies from the past, a fellowship dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, and a celebratory worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. Six of the congregation’s eight pastors in the last 50 years will be present as well as many former staff. All former members and friends of Grant Avenue are invited to participate in any or all the anniversary events. Saturday night’s dinner costs $5 per person; reservations are required. Information: 757-7497.

Ministry auction

Compassion Ministries — Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1738 N.W. Dixon St., will be the site for Compassion Ministries’ annual dessert, plus oral and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Founded in 1993, Compassion Ministries educates the faith community about mental illness in adults and offers support groups in Albany, Corvallis, Philomath and Independence. Items in the oral auction include a new Toyota Camry and Tacoma truck, weekend getaways, handmade quilts, handcrafted jewelry, custom gift baskets and more. Information: 928-6382.

Lectures/workshops

“A Remembered Beauty” — Walter Brueggemann, a professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga., will discuss God’s gift of beauty and how violence defeats beauty in a 7:30 p.m. lecture Friday at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave. in Portland. Brueggemann is the author of many books, including “The Poetic Imagination” and “The Prophetic Imagination.” He will continue his examination of beauty and violence in a workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. General admission to the lecture is $15 and $5 for students; the workshop costs $50, or $15 for students. Information: 503-478-1218.

“Art, Creativity and Prayer” — Shalom Prayer Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount Angel, is offering a daylong exchange of ideas on how to enhance Christian prayer and growth in Christ through art, writing and dance from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Workshop leaders include Father Hugh Feiss, a writer on monastic spirituality and theology teacher; Jane Rickenbaugh, a speech and dance instructor at Clackamas Community College; Joanne Draper, poet and online writing teacher; and Susanna Lundgren, an art and art history teacher at Warner Pacific College. The cost, including lunch, is $60; registration is due by Oct. 16. Information: 503-845-6773 or www.open.org/shalom.

Miscellaneous

Annual Day of Recollection — Women of the Archdiocese of Portland are invited to the annual Day of Recollection of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women on Oct. 18 at the Our Lady of Peace Retreat House, 3600 S.W. 170th St. in Beaverton. The Rev. John Waldron, a native of Ireland and the pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Canby, will give three talks on the theme of the day “I Believe — Help my Unbelief.” The event will also include a 11:30 a.m. Mass, lunch and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30; preregistration is required by Monday. The cost is $15, including lunch. Information: 503-266-6567.

Oregon Christian Writers conference — Christy award winner Stephen Bly will be the keynote speaker at the annual Oregon Christian Writers conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 at Multnomah Bible College, 8435 N.E. Glisan St. in Portland. Bly, the pastor of Winchester Community Church and mayor of Winchester, Idaho, is the author of more than 95 books of Western fiction and contemporary novels and nonfiction for children and adults. Workshop sessions will cover a variety of topics related to improving one’s writing skills and marketing tactics. The cost is $8 for OCW members and $30 for nonmembers; there is a late fee of $5 for registering after Oct. 14. Information: 503-393-3356 or www.oregonchristianwriters.org.

Submissions

News items for the religion calendar must be received by noon on Wednesday the week of publication. Information should be mailed to religion editor Carol Reeves at P.O. Box 368, Corvallis, OR 97330; faxed to 758-9505; or e-mailed to carol.reeves@lee.net.