Be sure to read the Westside Messenger to find out what’s going on in your neighborhood! To submit events and announcements to this section, e-mail information to westside@columbusmessenger.com.
“From Humbug to Hallelujah”
Glenwood United Methodist Church will present its production of “From Humbug to Hallelujah: Learning Lessons from a Christmas Carol,” Dec. 23 and 30. Service starts at 10:15 a.m.. The church is located at 2833 Valleyview Dr., on the corner of Valleyview and Hague Ave.
CLC information session
The Columbus Literacy Council is holding an information session about tutoring and other volunteer opportunities Jan. 3, from 6-7:30 p.m. The session will be held at the CLC office, 195 N. Grant Ave. Register at www.columbusliteracy.org or call Norma Wetzel at 221-5013 ext. 215.
Hoge Memorial happenings
The following holiday events are scheduled to take place at Hoge MemorialPresbyterian Church, 2930 West Broad St. All people are invited!
•December 23, 10 a.m. – Christmas Reader’s Theatre
•December 24, 7 p.m. – Christmas Eve Service
Rock on Sullivant
Rock on Sullivant is an after school program sponsored by the Westside Free Store Ministries, 3030 Sullivant Ave. Qualified adult and high school volunteers will be present to help, teach and mentor students on Wednesdays after school until 6 p.m. This program begins Jan. 16 and is free of cost. For more information and to receive required registration information, call 351-5480.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 55 Pasadena Ave., Will hold Christmas Eve services Dec. 24. Services for the evening include:
6:30 p.m. – Children’s Choir, family service and Holy Communion.
8:30 p.m. – Candlelight service and Holy Communion.
11 p.m. – Candlelight service and Holy Communion.
A Christmas presentation
Abundant Life Tabernacle’s Children’s Ministries Department is presenting “The Season Without Jesus is Treason” on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 10:30 am. The church is located at 35 Derrer Road. For questions or for more information, e-mail admin@abundantlifetabernacle.net or call 279-5433.
“Open Your Heart”
Parkview United Methodist Church, 344 S., Aloquin Ave., presents “Open Your Heart,” a musical candlelight Christmas Eve, at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.
Christmas Eve in West Jeff
Zion Lutheran Church in West Jefferson will host a service with Holy Commuion on Christmas Eve at 7 pm. Zion is located at 221 S. Center St. and all are welcome to attend. Visit www.zionlutheranwj.org for more information and or directions.
GriefShare seminar
GriefShare seminar and support group (for those grieving the loss of a loved one) will meet at Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton-Darby Creek Road, each Sunday at 6 p.m. beginning Jan. 13 and continuing through April 6. For more information or to register, call Debbie Brisentine at the church office, 878-8192, ext. 238. There is also children’s programming available each Sunday for infants through high school age – some require pre-registration so ask about that when you call. Log on to www.griefshare.org or www.cypressonline.net for more information.
DivorceCare seminar
DivorceCare recovery seminar and support group will meet at Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton-Darby Creek Road, each Sunday at 6 p.m. beginning Jan. 13 and continuing through April 6. There will also be one session held the morning of Saturday, Feb. 2. For more information or to register, call Debbie Brisentine at the church office, 878-8192, ext. 238. There is also children’s programming available each Sunday for infants through high school age – some require pre-registration so ask about that when you call. You can also check out the DivorceCare Web site, www.divorcecare.org or the church Web site, www.cypressonline.net, for more information.
Dodge winter registration
Jan. 7-11 is registration for winter session at Dodge Senior Center, 667 Sullivant Ave. Volunteer leader classes will continue the two weeks between.
Free AARP help
Dodge Senior Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., is offering free AARP help on Thursdays Jan 31. through April 10 by appointment. Call Dodge at 645-3176 to schedule. Appointment times are 9, 10 and 11 a.m., as well as 12 noon. Bring your copy of last year’s tax forms and any other necessary information.
Dodge Senior Council
Dodge Senior Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 8 at l:15 p.m. All members are invited to attend.
All Member’s Reception
Dodge Senior Center’s All Members Reception is Friday Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. There will be no cost and no reservation is needed. Mike Stanley, professional gutarist, will preform. Light refreshments will be provided. The center is located at 667 Sullivant Ave.
Dodge offers new class
Dodge Senior Center, 667 Sullivant Ave., is offering a new class – Easy to Make Blankets. Just cut and tie. We will make both regular and children size blankets. All children blankets made will be donated to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Join Rae Anne Nutter on Thursdays from 1-2:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve with GUMC
Glenwood United Methodist Church, 2833 Valleyview Dr., will be having two Christmas Eve celebrations Dec. 24. The first service begins at 7:30 p.m. and features a child-centered worship service, “So Long Harry Humbug.” At 10:30 p.m., “The Miracle of Christmas,” features a joyful worship celebration with communion and choir. Call 274-8469 for more information.
GUMC New Year’s celebration
Glenwood United Methodist Church welcomes family and friends to a New Year’s Eve gather and worship at 10 p.m. Dec. 31. GUMC is located at 2833 Valleyview Dr., on the corner of Valleyview Drive and Hague Ave.
UMC celebration
Join eight United Methodist Churches on the Westside to shout in the new year! This event will include a worship celebration, music, food, volleyball and fun. Come to Glenwood United Methodist Church, 2833 Valleyview Dr., located at the corner of Hague Avenue and Valleyview Drive.
There will be activities planned from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. There will be something for everyone so bring the whole family, your neighbors and your friends. Bring your favorite dish and your tennis shoes for volley ball or line dancing and join us as we ask for blessings in 2008!
The youth are invited to stay for a lock-in after the celebration. There will be planned activities for them (including sleep) until 10 a.m. New Year’s Day. Call 274-4920 for details.
Paper recycling program
Parkview United Methodist Church’s paper recycling program is beginning its fifth year. Newspapers, junk mail, catalogs, and more can be dropped in the green and yellow recycling bins in the church’s parking lot, at 344 S. Algonquin Ave. No cardboard or telephone books.
PTSC exercise programs
The Prairie Township Senior Center hosts excercise programs free of costs throughout the week. The schedule is as follows:
Mondays – 10 a.m., Low Impact Aerobics
Tuesdays – 9:30 a.m., Gentle Stretchers
Wednesdays – 10 a.m., Conditioning Exercise
Fridays – 10 a.m., Gentle Stretchers
These programs are provided through a grant from Mt. Carmel hospital. For additional information, call 878-5110.
Committee members needed
The Greater Hilltop Area Commission seeks community members to serve on various committees for the 2007-2008 commission term. Committee members do not have to be members of the full commission. Interested persons can learn about the commission and get more information online at www.TheGHAC.com.
Awana Clubs
Awana Clubs for boys and girls, from three-years-old to sixth grade. These clubs meet on Wednesdays, from 6:45-8:30 p.m., at Briggs Road Baptist Church, 3231 Briggs Road. Call 272-7430 for more information.
12 Step Recovery program
Friends Worship Center, 3030 Clime Rd., will host “12 Step Recovery: Celebrate Recovery” for all addictions including co-dependency every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. Come early, stay late for fellowship. For more information, call 279-1892 or 395-6309.
Briggs band alumni
Looking for past members of the Briggs High School marching band, flag corp. andmajorettes for a homecoming reunion. Contact Teresa Wamsley-Baker at briggsbandalumni@aol.com or 419-3358.
Ladies Auxiliary
Plans are underway to form a Ladies Auxiliary Group at AM VETS Post 300. All post members are asked to participate in this open enrollment. All women that are related to a Post 300 member (grandmother, mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt) are encouraged to join and support our military families. Please contact the Post Commander, Barbara Megoloff, at 614-276-8083 for more information. Remember, all good deeds start with the family.
Help your child read
The Columbus Speech and Hearing Center is hosting, “Helping Your Child Learn to Read: What Parents Need to Know,” free information sessions for parents of children in kindergarten and first grade.
All sessions are from 7-8 p.m. Locations and dates of the sessions are as follows:
•Jan. 9 – Upper Arlington Main Library, 2800 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington
•Jan. 16 – Hilliard Library, 4772 Cemetery Road, Hilliard
•Jan. 23 – Westerville Library, 126 S. State St., Westerville
For more information contact Marianne LaRosa at the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center, 263-5151.
Exercise for seniors
Seniors are invited to exercise on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 55 Pasadena Ave. Men and women aged 50 to 90 and up have exercised at the facility since 2001. The instructor leads each session with warm-ups, play balls, resistance bands, hand weights, some low-impact aerobics and balance activities. Each participant can adapt the routine to his/her comfort level. The cost is $35 for each eight-week session. Call the instructor, Lori Vazquez, at 989-4595 with questions.
