Roundup of faith-based events in Pioneer Valley.
Mass for Nelson Mandela
SPRINGFIELD — The Rev. William Pomerlau will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Nelson Mandela on Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 405 Boston Road, with participants of African ethnicity taking part in the liturgy. The former South African president died Dec. 5 at the age of 95.
Global fun
SPRINGFIELD — A “Holidays Around the World” celebration will be held Dec. 11 at 10 a.m., in the Bradley Room, on the second floor of the Schwartz Campus Center, at American International College. The event, sponsored annually by the college’s office of diversity and community engagement and campus ministry, is free to the public.
“We will have a variety of presentations at the event, as students describe the traditional Christmas celebration, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Advent and Christmas in the Islands,” John DeBonville, campus chaplain said.
Music and refreshments will be provided.
Church fair
WESTFIELD – Wyben Union Church, 678 Montgomery Road, will hold its Wyben Craft Fair on Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Church proceeds will benefit Westfield Food Pantry.
Christmas fair
EASTHAMPTON – Trinity Lutheran Church, 2 Clark St., will hold its Christmas fair on Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Annual fair
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Grace Lutheran Church, 1552 Westfield St., will hold its 35th annual craft fair on Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be lunch sold from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Holiday bazaar
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Congregational Church, 488 College Highway, is having its annual Holly Bazaar on Dec. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gingerbread fair
SUNDERLAND – Sunderland Congregational Church will hold its annual Gingerbread Fair on Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Christmas bazaar
TURNERS FALLS – A Polish Christmas bazaar will be held at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 87 K St., on Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saint Nicholas Bazaar
AMHERST – Grace Episcopal Church will hold its annual Saint Nicholas Bazaar on Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located on the Town Common.
Craft fair
LONGMEADOW – St. Mary’ Guild will hold its 33rd annual craft fair on Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parish gym at 56 Hopkins Place.
Singing tree
AGAWAM – Bethany Assembly’s 2013 “Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular” will be presented on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m., Dec. 8 at 3 and 6 p.m. and on the weekend of Dec. 13 through 15. All seats are free, with no individual reserved seating. For more information, visit www.bethany-ag.org. The church is located at the corner of Route 57 and Main Street.
Compline service
SPRINGFIELD – Christ Church Cathedral presents “Order for Compline,” which is an opportunity to gather by candlelight, to listen to words of Scripture and other sources, sing and to offer prayers in remembrance of loved ones, on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. For further information call (413) 736-2742.
Holiday concert
SPRINGFIELD – Mary, Mother of Hope Parish on Page Boulevard is hosting a holiday concert, with the Old Post Road Orchestra on Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be sold at intermission. Admission is free.
Christmas drama
WESTFIELD – Westfield Evangelical free Church, 588 Southwick Road, will hold the performance of “Magi” on Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. The performance is free, Tickets may be reserved and secured either individually or in blocks by calling the church office (413) 562-1504.
Church concert
SUFFIELD, Conn. – Music on High Concert series presents “Music of the Advent Season” at First Church of Christ, Congregational, 81 High St., on Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. All are welcome. Admission is $10 at the door. A reception will follow the concert.
Special service
NORTHAMPTON – Instead of conducting its usual 10 a.m. Sunday worship service on Dec. 8, Edwards Church at 297 Main St. will open its doors at 8:30 a.m. to host a service for participants in Safe Passage’s Hot Chocolate Run.
Prayer service
EAST LONGMEADOW – St. Michael’s Church, 128 Maple St., will hold an Advent creative prayer service on Dec. 11, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Pro-life
SPRINGFIELD – Vigil for the Unborn will be held on Dec. 12, starting at 10 a.m. in the Holy Spirit Chapel at St. Michael’s Cathedral, 260 State St., and concludes with Mass at 12:10 p.m.
Dinner dance
AGAWAM – St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, in Springfield, will have its annual dinner dance on Dec. 21 at Chez Josef in Agawam, from 6 p.m. until midnight. Cost is $55 per person, and $100 for a couple. For tickets or more information call the church office at (413) 736-8567, John Hoyte at (413) 246-6980 or Donna Christian at (413) 841-0343.
Listings should be mailed two weeks in advance to The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102; email pmastriano@repub.com