Tag: chuck flagg

Halloween is fast-approaching, much to the pleasure of candy-loving children. The ancient Celts, who inhabited the area now occupied by Great Britain, Ireland and Normandy, believed that on this night, called “Samhain,” the spirits of the dead returned to earth, and they welcomed them with food and bonfires.

The holiday season is quickly approaching, as is witnessed by the many displays already appearing in stores. One of the features of the fall season is a multiplicity of craft fairs, bazaars, boutiques or similar events. Worthy of special note is one held annually at a church in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood.

South Valley residents will have a unique opportunity next week when Morgan Hill's Advent Lutheran Church (16870 Murphy Avenue) will host a performance of the Diyar Dance Theatre on Tuesday, October 1 at 7 p.m. Admission to “Room for Hope” will be by donation.

Sometimes an occasion comes along that is particularly fortuitous. Here is such an opportunity: a chance to enjoy a fun activity while contributing to children's education.

The focus currently in the news seems to be on war and violence. A civil war in Syria during which the Syrian government used poison gas against its own citizens has brought the United States to the brink of entering that conflict.

Two news stories caught my attention recently: one local, one far away. Both seem to say something about history's impact on the present.

Although there are many mental health care providers in the South Valley, one of them may be unique. Besides the individual and couples therapy provided, Discovery Counseling Center (16275 Monterey Road, suite C) reaches out to the community through many free programs.

Sept. 4 will mark the beginning of a 10-day period so sacred in Judaism that it is known in English as “Days of Awe” or “High Holy Days.” Joining with Jews around the world, members of South Valley’s Congregation Emeth will participate in ancient prayers, fasting and other traditional rituals that reflect the essence of their faith.

Each spring, Bishop Patrick McGrath formulates a list of priests who will be assigned to different churches in the Diocese of San Jose. Then in July these priests must pull up stakes and move to a new parish. The process may be painful, as they leave behind familiar surroundings, friends and colleagues to face the unknown in a new rectory, church and community.

Earlier this summer children attending the Vacation Bible School sponsored by the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church learned about Uganda as part of their mission program. Now they have an opportunity to actually meet children from that African nation.