Two local churches are holding important events next week, gifts
to the South Valley Community.
Two local churches are holding important events next week, gifts to the South Valley Community.
Sunday, Oct. 28, the Gilroy Presbyterian Church Health Ministries will be holding its 10th annual Health Faire from 10am to 12:45pm in the GPC Fellowship Hall, 6000 Miller Ave. Just in time for the start of this year’s cold and flu season, a wide variety of resources will be available, mostly free of charge.
Visitors will be offered flu shots, massage, vision screening, respiratory testing, glucose testing, hearing tests, glaucoma screening, oxygen concentration monitoring, cholesterol screening and blood pressure testing.
A breakfast will be served by the church’s youth for $5 per adult and $3 per child.
Information will also be available about the following topics: Stephen’s Ministry, healthy foods, phone access for the disabled, children’s health, aids for the visually impaired, and senior information and resources. Costco pharmacy will be providing free water and prescription information.
There will be a disaster planning exhibit, plus information about SAFELINE, an emergency phone alert system for seniors who live alone.
New this year is an exhibit about Vials for Life, small containers kept in the refrigerator with medical information (allergies, insurance policy, medications taken) for use by emergency responders such as paramedics.
This Health Faire for the public is just one aspect of the church’s innovative Health Ministries program which provides medical information and support to both parishioners and other community members. Activities include visiting shut-ins to check basic health indicators, loaning medical devices like crutches and canes, and disease-prevention/safety classes.
Gilroy Presbyterian Church encourages all South Valley residents to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about preserving health. For more information, call the church at(408) 842-3000.
Gilroy’s First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave., invites the community to an annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8pm. Families are welcome to bring their children to a “safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.”
There will be a variety of free attractions for all ages:
– Carnival booths with many different games;
– Cake walk (popular with adults, too);
– Refreshments, including hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, brownies and beverages;
– Face-painting;
– Crafts table;
– Spin-the-Wheel booth which awards prizes;
– Treat bags with a variety of candies;
– And Bibles and children’s booklets about Jesus and God.
For more information call (408) 847-6000.
Halloween is a strange holiday, combining elements of Celtic paganism and Christianity. Twenty centuries ago, residents of the United Kingdom celebrated “Samhain” on the night of Oct. 31, a time when, it was believed, the spirits of the dead wandered the earth.
In the 7th century, Pope Gregory the Great decreed the conversion of many pagan holidays to Christian Holy Days. November first became All Saints Day (often called “All Hallows”). “All Hallows Even” meant the evening before All Hallows; eventually it was shortened to Halloween.
Many of the popular customs of Halloween today (such as wearing costumes and trick-or-treating) can be traced back to roots in Celtic paganism.
