BERLIN (AP) — A Catholic reform group in Germany criticized the country’s bishops Monday for declaring that believers who refuse to pay religious taxes won’t be able to receive the sacrament, become godparents or work in church institutions. A century-old agreement with the state adds up to nine percent to the income tax bill of […]

PORTLAND — The national group Americans United for Separation of Church and State is sponsoring the local Voices United on Sunday. The 7 p.m. concert at One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., is part of a concerted effort by the national group to sponsor concerts in all 50 states from today until Monday and present […]

BRUNSWICK — St. Patrick and St. John the Baptist churches are jointly offering a program on miracles on Wednesday and Thursday. The event — “Do You Believe in Miracles? Seeing is Believing” — will be offered at St. John’s in Brunswick on Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. For those who cannot make it, the […]

BATH — Grace Episcopal Church will offer a free preschool program on Fridays in October. The church invites local preschoolers to enroll in a special four-week nursery school program that will include snacks, activities, Bible stories, music and play time, led by staff and adult volunteers at Grace. With harvest time happening all around, and […]

TOPSHAM — A yard and bake sale is planned Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Topsham Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church is located at 214 Topsham Fair Mall Road. The sale is sponsored by Topsham SDA Youth Orchestra.

HARPSWELL — The Islands Community Church on Bailey Island has invited the Rev. Nancy White to preach on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The ICC, a nondenominational church based on the teachings of the Bible, is led by a board who invite ordained ministers, lay people and chaplains to celebrate the service. Outreach and community service […]

LISBON — Holy Trinity Parish at 67 Frost Hill Ave. in Lisbon Falls is planning its eighth annual Christmas craft fundraising fair on Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters who want to rent tables can do so for $20 for a 6- foot table and $25 for an 8-foot table. Call Pat […]

HARPSWELL — The Rev. Linda Peyton is the guest speaker scheduled this Sunday at All Saints Chapel. This week’s service will also close out the 2012 summer season. The services of Holy Eucharist and sermon begin at 9 a.m. at the chapel, located at 9 Cooper Lane, off Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24. For more […]

WATERVILLE J oe Clavette went for the gold. The Oakland man unveiled a dazzling creation during the weekly men’s meeting at Notre Dame Church on Sept. 20. Following months of study and 40 hours of actual labor, Clavette presented a scale model of The Ark of The Covenant. Clavette’s glittering recreation, spray-painted gold, is one-fifth […]

Two sets of services to mark the Jewish high holidays are planned in the Midcoast. Bowdoin College BRUNSWICK — Yom Kippur services will be held on the Bowdoin College campus this weekend. All services are open to the public. Services will be held in Thorne Hall, Daggett Lounge. The schedule is as follows: — Tuesday, […]