FAITH BRIEFS
Pastoral care week

Covenant Hospice invites the community to honor the contributions of its dedicated pastoral care staff during Pastoral Care Week, Oct. 21 through 27. Each day pastoral care givers are invited into the life experiences of women, men, children, and organizations. Faith can be tested and questions arise about the meaning of suffering and pain. Pastoral caregivers bring many gifts to the process of healing and wholeness. They are trained to help individuals draw on their own faith traditions and teachings for comfort and guidance as they walk through dark valleys.

Held first in 1984, Pastoral Care Week is sponsored by the Coalition On Ministry In Specialized Settings Network (COMISS) a national organization of pastoral care providers, pastoral care professionals, and faith group endorsers. The weeklong observance promotes spiritual values as a part of the healing process and invites us to celebrate the work of caregivers in such settings as hospitals, prisons, mental health facilities, nursing homes and counseling centers.

In 2006, Covenant Hospice chaplains made 27,840 calls and visits to patients facing life-limiting illnesses and their families and were asked to officiate over 900 funerals and 154 baptisms or communions.

First Baptist collects shoeboxes

First Baptist Church will be collecting shoe boxes until Nov. 19. Organizers are asking residents to fill shoeboxes or small plastic containers with gifts and donate $7 for shipping. Gift boxes can be dropped off at the church, located at 555 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze.

For more information, call 850-932-2207 or visit www.fbcgulfbreeze.com. Pensacola Beach fish fry Sunday

The Pensacola Beach Community Church has two big events coming up in October.

First on Saturday, Oct. 21 is a fish fry. It's free and open to the public. Eating begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs through 2 p.m.

Fish and side dishes will be provided.

Plus, a big-screen TV will be set up to watch some area college football games.

Then, on Sunday, Oct. 28 is the church's annual Fall Festival from 2-4 p.m.

Events will include a truckor treat for children where church members will decorate their vehicle trunks and offer halloween treats. Other events include a cake walk, haunted room, moonwalk, dunking booth and hot dogs and refreshments.

It is open to everyone and the church is also collecting baby food for local charities.

For information, contact the church at 850-932-6628.