SEQUIM – Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County will present a special holiday program from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday for individuals grieving the loss of a loved one.
“Surviving the Holidays: A Special Program for the Newly Bereaved” will be conducted at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.
The program is free of charge and open to the public.
Debby Smith, RN, grief support group facilitator, and Marilyn Nelsen, Ph.D., volunteer services manager and bereavement specialist, will facilitate the program.
Topics include “Holiday Survival Strategies,” “Knowing Your Limits,” “Developing a Plan” and “The Three C’s of Coping.”
Space is limited. To register, phone the hospice office at 360-452-1511.
Volunteer Hospice offers compassionate care for the terminally ill and their families free of charge.
For more information, visit www.vhocc.org.
Gala Gift Show set
SEQUIM — Sequim Soroptimists will host their annual Gala Gift Show at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.
The show features more than 40 vendors offering items in home decor, jewelry, clothing, accessories, artwork, health and beauty products, and more.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This year, three local children’s authors, Gene G. Bradbury, Kelly Lenihan and Lindy MacLaine, will autograph any book purchases.
In addition, Sequim Soroptimists will sell their 2015 “Flower Power” calendars, which display the featured artwork from the past 10 annual Gala Garden Shows.
Admission is free.
For additional information or to view the vendor list, visit www.sisequim.org/fundraising.
Alzheimer’s group
CHIMACUM — The Alzheimer’s Association will hold a caregiver support group at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, from 10:25 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8.
The event is free.
Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups provide a place for caregivers to learn and gain support from others caring for a person with memory loss.
Support groups also serve as an opportunity for participants to receive information on care management, available services and research and treatment options.
A free support group for unpaid care partners, family members and friends of individuals with memory loss is held the second Monday of each month.
For more information, phone facilitator Mary Jane Knecht at 360-643-3337 or visit www.alzwa.org.
Students honored
PORT ANGELES — Stevens Middle School students Madelynne Jones and Aeverie Politika were honored by Principal Chuck Lisk and School Board President Steve Baxter at a recent School Board meeting as Port Angeles School District October Students of the Month.
The eighth-graders were selected by Stevens staff as part of a new program instituted by Superintendent Marc Jackson honoring exemplary students.
Lisk touted Madelynne as a very active and committed student.
“She’s been ASB president, takes honors math and language arts courses, plays in the orchestra, is active in Stevens News Network production, plays on [the] volleyball and basketball teams, and has an ‘I will get this done’ attitude.”
Of Aeverie , Lisk said: “Aeverie, too, is another outstanding individual. She loves all her classes and enjoys a challenge. She’s in leadership class and was one of the students in charge of the bonfire program and daily activities for Red Ribbon Week. She worked on the school McTakeover fundraiser, Spirit Week and Veterans Day program.
“Aeverie plays on the Stevens volleyball and basketball teams.”
Madelynne is the daughter of Tyler Jones and Kelly Lovall Jones. Aeverie is the daughter of Mike and Staci Politika.
Students of the Month will be announced at each school’s respective School Board meeting.
‘Unplug’ from Christmas topic of talk
PORT ANGELES — Unity in the Olympics, 2917 E. Myrtle St., will hold a 10:30 a.m. service Sunday with guest speaker the Rev. Sherry Schultz.
The lesson is “Unplug the Christmas Machine.”
Schultz attended Unity School, then served Unity churches in Missouri and Kansas. She has been chaplain for Franciscan Hospice & Palliative Care in University Place for more than eight years and is manager of Volunteer Services and Community Integration for that organization.
Free child care is available during the service.
A time for silent meditation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
All are welcome to attend all church activities.
Rohatsu retreat
PORT ANGELES — NO Sangha will host its Rohatsu Sesshin from 7 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday afternoon at 420 W. Third St.
Each day, there will be two four-hour breaks, during which people will be able to go to work and their usual daily activities.
From Wednesday through Saturday, a vegetarian dinner will be served in silence.
On Sunday, a lunch will be served.
Donations will be welcome.
There will be a formal talk and chances for private discussion with the teacher each day.
Rohatsu is the annual celebration of the Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment.
Each day during the retreat, the teacher will give a talk on a Zen Koan, a short story of an exchange between a teacher and student that challenges cluttered, obsessive minds to more clearly live in the present moment.
For more information, including driving directions, phone Kristen Larson at 360-452-5534 or email NOSangha@aol.com.
‘Mezzanine’ hour
PORT TOWNSEND — Every Sunday, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Jefferson St., holds the “Mezzanine” hour from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in the parish hall and Fenn House (for adults) and in the Judy House (for children).
Mezzanine refers to a space in between the main stories of a building.
At St. Paul’s, they re-create a spiritual mezzanine of sorts — a time in between worship services and in between the busy spaces in lives — to rest, reflect and deepen spiritual lives through learning.
St. Paul’s Mezzanine is open to all ages with classes that focus on prayer and religious education (for adults) and others that combine “Art & Soul” (program for children and youths).
Saturday retreats
Throughout the year, St. Paul’s offers quiet morning retreats from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Upcoming retreats include:
■ Saturday, Dec. 13: “Advent Quiet Morning” with the Rev. Marlene Kropf (Mennonite).
■ Saturday, Jan. 13: “Saints and Mystics: Brigid of Kildare” with the Rev. Dr. Marlene Kropf.
■ Saturday, March 7: “Myth, Ritual, and Symbol” Workshop with Suzanne Crawford O’Brien.
■ Saturday, April 18: “Saints and Mystics: Oscar Romero” with Elisabeth Rotchford-Haight.
■ Saturday, May 9: Saints and Mystics: Julian of Norwich” with Val Johnstone.
Retreats take place in St. Paul’s Parish Hall.
A suggested donation of $10 helps cover the cost of refreshments and materials.
RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary:
For more information or to RSVP to a Saturday retreat, phone 360-385-0770, email stpauls_pt@outlook.com or visit www.stpaulspt.org.
