Local youth fast

Students in grades 8 through 12 from St. Mary of the Presentation and Good Shepherd Catholic churches, West End Baptist and St. Paul’s Episcopal will have a fast starting at 10 a.m. today in the social hall at St. Mary’s, 202 S. Broad St. The teens will only have juice and water until the retreat concludes with Sunday liturgy at 9 a.m. Feb. 8 in St. Mary’s. The purpose is for them to learn about some of the factors that cause many people to live in hunger and poverty.

Family Fun Night

Main Street UMC will have its Family Fun Night today starting with a covered-dish supper at 5:30 p.m. Dessert will be furnished. A white elephant auction takes place at 6:15 p.m. Proceeds benefit the youths’ summer mission trips. Preacher Bob will be the auctioneer. For $5 you can throw a whipped cream pie at his face. The church youths will also be auctioning their services for yard work, babysitting, etc. A movie will be shown in the Christian Education building for children in preschool through grade 5. A nursery will be available for infants through age 2. Call 539-8751 for details.

Life Changing Ministries.

Life Changing Ministries will sponsor a &uot;Love Fellowship Luncheon&uot; at noon today in the fellowship hall of New Paul’s Temple, 720 Hosier Road. Cost is $10 per person. Call 539-2693 for details.

Meals for sale

New First Baptist, 1105 Hosier Road, will sell yock at 10 a.m. today. Profits benefit the Pastor’s Aide. The meals will be prepared by Florida. To place orders, call 934-0833.

The Senior Ushers’ ministry of New Calvary Baptist, 220 N. Sixth St., will sell breakfasts from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 7. Cost is $5 for eat-in or take-out.

Fish and chicken dinners will be sold from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in Mineral Spring Baptist, 4849 Mineral Spring Road. Call 986-3994 for delivery.

Nehemiah Outreach Center

Join single mothers and single ladies in the Suffolk Community for Educational, Career and Parenting Enrichment every first Saturday of the month at Nehemiah Outreach Center, 202 Baker St. The speaker for today is the Rev. Kay Tucker. The program is free to the public. For more information call 934-0684.

Christian Sweetheart Celebration

Faith Temple Apostolic’s Christian Sweetheart Celebration takes place from 5 to9 p.m. today. Guests will be the Gospel Harmonizers of Ivor and the Christian comedian &uot;Granny Love&uot; from Olive Branch Baptist. Attire can be formal or semi-formal. Advance tickets are $25 per couple, $15 for singles, add $3 more at the door. Call Bernadine Colander at 934-3921, Brenda Parrish at 539-0023 or Geraldine Fisher at 653-0399.

Main Street UMC

At 7:30 a.m. Feb. 8, the United Methodist Men’s Breakfast meeting of Main Street UMC will be held in the fellowship hall. Coffee will be served at 7 a.m. All junior and senior high young men, as well as adult men, are invited. The sermon topic for the fifth Sunday of Epiphany will be &uot;Put out into the deep (Luke 5:1-11).&uot; Rev. Robert J. Parks Jr., pastor, will deliver the sermon. Scouting Ministries Sunday will also be recognized during the 11 a.m. worship.

Grace Lutheran

Grace Lutheran, 25280 New Market Road, Courtland, will have its annual congregational meeting at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 8. President Janet McElfresh will lead. A covered-dish luncheon will follow. Rev. Hal Harter, pastor.

Boy Scout Sunday

Oakland Christian, 5641 Godwin Blvd., will host its Boy Scout Sunday on Feb. 8. Boy Scout Troop and Pack 25 and Crew 25 will be in attendance to present the colors at the 11 a.m. worship. For details, call 255-4353.

Hillcrest Baptist

Ken Freeman will be guest speaker at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 in Hillcrest Baptist, and then at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9. For details, call Christian Bagley at 539-8801, or go to www.kenfreeman.com

Appreciation service

Sixth Street Baptist, 324 Goodman St., will have an appreciation service for Tommie Winborne at 4 p.m. Feb. 8. This is sponsored by The Singing Larks of Suffolk. Apostle Laverne J. Shaw will be the mistress of ceremony. Groups performing for the occasion will be The Dynamic Tones of Portsmouth, Brothers in Christ from Franklin, Determination of Portsmouth, The Mighty Pearly Gates of Suffolk, and Divine from Virginia Beach. Call Ethel B. Eley at 539-6232 for details. Rev. James B. Williams, pastor.

Black Achievers’ Concert

The Scholarship Ministry of Mt. Sinai Baptist, 6100 Holy Neck Road, will sponsor The Black Achiever’s Choir in concert at 4 p.m. Feb. 8. Members of the choir are from Franklin and Southampton County. Rev. Joseph H. Goode, pastor.

Gates of Heaven COGIC

A tribe service will be held 3 p.m. Feb. 8 in Gates of Heaven COGIC, 112 Beech St. Speakers will be Deaconess Diana Joe, Deacon Charlie Ward, Missionary Dorothy Gatling, Deacon Douglas Hankieson, Shannah Silver, Deaconess Nellie Lawrence, and Mary Phillips. For details, call 539-8715. Sponsors are Deacon John Joe and Evangelist Ann Joe.

Faith of Deliverance

Elder Angelo Scott of First Pentecostal, Portsmouth, will give a service at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 8 in Faith of Deliverance, 239 Holladay St. This is on behalf of New Ivor Holiness. Mother Martha Colander, sponsor. Bishop Clarence Copeland Sr., pastor.

Faith Temple Apostolic

Evangelist Paulette Eley of Zuni will speak for the Missionary Ministry of Faith Temple Apostolic at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 8. The Golden Trumpeteers will perform at 6 p.m.

New Paul’s Temple Holiness

The missionaries of New Paul’s Temple Holiness, 720 Hosier Road, will celebrate their fifth anniversary at noon and 4 p.m. Feb. 8. There will be various speakers for the occasion. Missionary Frances Towns is the sponsor. Call her at 923-4032 for details. A revival is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 – 13. Elder Sylvester Silver Sr. of Gates of Heaven COGIC will be the evangelist. Choirs from the host church, Gates of Heaven and St. Matthew’s will perform. Elder Catherine B. Skinner, pastor.

Pleasant Union Baptist

Pleasant Union Baptist, 215 Webb St., will have a Heritage Sunday service at worship on Feb. 8. Wearing African attire is encouraged. Dr. V.T. Chambers, pastor, will deliver the message.

St. Phillip Holiness

St. Phillip Holiness, 728 Ashley Ave., will have a 50 States Rally to benefit the Pastor’s Aide at 4 p.m. Feb. 8. Missionary Carolyn Smith is the sponsor. Bishop Marshall C. Goodwin Sr., pastor.

Tucker Swamp Baptist

Tucker Swamp Baptist will have a Parent, Grandparent and Youth revival at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 – 11. Featured guest speakers will be Rev. Steve Coleman and Brody Holloway from Camp Snowbird in Andrews, N.C. A light meal will be provided at 6 p.m. by reservation. The church is located at 37257 Seacock Chapel Road, Zuni. For details, call 242-6553.

Greater New Hope COGIC

Greater New Hope COGIC, 159 Wrenn Road, will have a revival at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 – 13. Evangelist for the week will be Elder Henry C. Dorcus of Virginia Beach. Elder Herbert L. Hunter, pastor.

St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness

St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness, 20063 Thomas Woods Trail, Zuni, will have its revival at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 – 13. Overseer Bailey Hall Jr. of St. John Pentecostal Holiness will be the speaker. For details, call Wanda L. Simmons at 539-8450 or Mother Mozella Green at 538-9147. Bishop Early Gay Jr., chief apostle.

Gethsemane Baptist

The senior missionaries of Gethsemane Baptist, 1656 Copeland Road, will sponsor &uot;Ministers in Song&uot; at 7 p.m. Feb. 10. Featured performers will be the Revs. J.J. Ferguson, Dorothy Armstrong, Charlie Wiggins, John Kindred, Charles D. Lavell, Larry Parker, Nathaniel Scates Jr., Sarah Williams, Ronnie Hall, and Sabrina Parker, mistress of ceremony.

Tabernacle Christian

The Pastor’s Aide of Tabernacle Christian will present &uot;Divas and Dons in Concert&uot; at 7 p.m. Feb. 13. This semi-formal occasion will be held in the church, 1401 E. Washington St. Featured performers will be: LaNita Wiggins of New Mt. Joy Family Worship Center; Wanda Upton Jenkins of Tabernacle Christian; Gregory A. Lawrence of Greater Sweet Beulah; and Gary C. Knight of New Mt. Joy. Tickets are available by calling 539-7257. Dr. Carlton Upton Sr., pastor.

New Millennium Ministry

New Millennium Ministry Inc. will sell oriental yock from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13 and from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 14. Mrs. Mary Askew will prepare chicken, pork and beef dishes for $5 apiece, $6 for shrimp and $7.50 for a combination. Proceeds benefit the Outreach Ministry of the founder, Apostle I.J. Baker Jr. For pick-up or deliveries, call539-0918.

CornerStone Missionary Baptist

CornerStone Missionary Baptist will have a Valentine gala at 4 p.m. Feb. 14 in Holland Community House. The theme is &uot;Children of God, love each other; God is love.&uot; Music will be provided by Mr. Dotson and his band, Ronnie Whitfield and the Revival Singers. Cost is $25 per couple or $15 for singles. The Music Ministry is the sponsor. For details, call Tony Bailey at 934-8661. Dr. A. Eugene Wiggins, pastor.

Black Heritage

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will sponsor a black history program at 3 p.m. Feb. 14 in East End Baptist, 523 E. Washington St.

First Baptist Main

The Praise and Worship Ministry of First Baptist will host Jeff Smith, director of the Salt and Light Ministries based near Richmond. Smith is an honor graduate of Regent University, where he finished his MA degree in script and screenwriting in 1995. He will speak at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Feb. 15. A concert takes place at 6:30 p.m. The church is located at 237 N. Main St. For details, call 539-4152.

Gospel Choir anniversary

The Gospel Choir of Lakeview Missionary Baptist will take place at 4 p.m. Feb. 15. The Rev. James B. Williams and Sixth Street Baptist will be the guests.

‘Let My People Go’

&uot;Let My People Go,&uot; a musical drama about the Emancipation Proclamation, will take place at 5 p.m. Feb. 15 in Zion Bethel UCC, 1617 Des Moines Ave. The Virginia Opera Guild will be featured. Christine M. Davis, director. The Social Service Ministry is the sponsor.

Shekina Family Worship Center

The Shekina Family Worship Center will host a free distribution of homemade stew starting at 9 a.m. Feb. 15 on the corner of West Washington and North Main streets. The rain date will be Feb. 22. Rev. Larry Fogan Sr., pastor.

Faith-based workshop

IMPACT Suffolk is sponsoring a faith-based workshop, &uot;Writing Mission Statements and Grant Proposals&uot; from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 21. This will be presented by Dr. Carolyn Mayfield, professor of English and grant writer. This takes place at Paul D. Camp Community College, 271 Kenyon Road. This is free, and a preparation to a faith-based seminar with Bill Emery scheduled March 5-6. For details, call 925-6331 or 255-2134.

Prophetic Conference

El Bethel Worship Center will host the 2004 Prophetic Conference at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 – 27. The theme will be &uot;Hearing the Voice of God for This Hour.&uot; Guest speakers will be Prophetess Rhonda Lane of Newport News, Prophetess Ernestine Burton of Norfolk, Prophetess and co-pastor Freda Cross of Suffolk, and Prophetess Tammy Alexander of Richmond. For details, call 923-3511.