,h3>Church will host ventriloquist[/naviga:h3]

The Second Saturday Concert Series at Friendship Presbyterian Church Community Center, 86 New Castle Road, will host ventriloquist Cindy Speck and friends Saturday for a program of humor, music, audience interaction, and a message.

All are invited. Dessert will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. A free-will offering will be received.

Church slates clothes giveaway

There will be a free clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the New Beginnings Free Methodist Church, 416 Center Ave.

Come to the back of the church’s lower level. For more information, call Sally at -724-290-2384.

[naviga:h3]Mission confab speakers listed[/naviga:h3]

VALENCIA — The Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church, 161 McFann Road, is participating in its annual mission conference with the following missionary speakers:

- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Ben Graber, ministering in Germany;

- 7 p.m. March 15, Efraim Goldstein, ministering in Israel;

- 7 p.m. March 16,David Jones, ministering in the Ivory Coast, and:

- 9:30 a.m. March 18, Richard Smith, ministering to international students at Penn State University.

All are welcome to attend.

[naviga:h3]New deacon class will form[/naviga:h3]

The Diocese of Pittsburgh is initiating the nomination and application process for admitting a new class of interested and qualified Catholic men into the Deacon Formation Program.

Deacons along with bishops and priests constitute the three levels of ordained ministry in the Roman Catholic Church. Deacons often assist priests at Mass, preach on occasion and sometimes preside at baptisms, weddings, funeral services and other liturgical functions.

Applicants must be between the ages of 30 and 59. They should have at least a bachelor’s degree and be able to financially support themselves and their family. A married applicant must be in a stable, well-established marriage and have the full support of his wife to enter the formation program, which lasts at least five years.

To begin the process, a prospective applicant’s pastor must submit a nomination on his behalf. The deadline for nominations is May 15.

For more information, contact the Diocese of Pittsburgh Deacon Formation Program: deacons@diopitt.org or 412-456-3124.