religion notes

First Baptist Church of College Park is sponsoring a flag football game noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Paint Branch Elementary School, 5101 Pierce Ave. in College Park. Free. 301-474-3995.

Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church will have a used-book sale 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 14 at 7400 Temple Hill Rd. in Camp Springs. 301-449-4308 or http://www.dmuuc.org.

Eastern Community Church will host the eighth Pastoral Anniversary Celebration for its pastor, the Rev. Damion M. Briggs, from Monday through Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at 8213 Manson St. in Landover. Guest preachers will include: the Rev. Lehman Bates, pastor of First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights in the District, on Monday; the Rev. Anthony G. Maclin, pastor of the Sanctuary at Kingdom Square in Capitol Heights, on Tuesday; the Rev. Be Louis Colleton, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Landover, on Wednesday; the Rev. Nathaniel Benjamin Jr., pastor of Second New St. Paul Baptist Church in the District, on Nov. 12; and the Rev. Bernard Winchester, pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairmount Heights, on Nov. 13. 301-322-9787, ecc@easterncommunity.orgor http://www.easterncommunity.org.

The youth of Union United Methodist Church will host a furniture sale including items such as love seats, entertainment centers and dressers, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at 14418 Old Marlboro Pike in Upper Marlboro. Proceeds will benefit the Transportation Ministry. 301-627-5088.

St. Philip's Episcopal Church will host its 43rd annual Holly Days Bazaar 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 21 in the parish center, which is adjacent to the church at Sixth and Main streets in Laurel. The event will include handmade gifts and ornaments, toys, baked goods and raffles. Children's activities will include face painting, gift making and photos with St. Nick. A continental breakfast and lunch will be available at the Holly Inn. 301-776-5151.

First United Methodist Church will have a panel discussion on health care reform 7-9 p.m. Thursday at 6201 Belcrest Rd. in Hyattsville. The panelists will include Donald Shell, who was a physician in private practice before his recent appointment to be director of the Prince George's County Health Department. Robert Francis of the national office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will also be a panelist. Terry Gardiner, national policy director of the Small Business Majority, will talk about the impact of health-care reform and costs on small businesses. Pastor Michael Howes, the associate pastor of First United Methodist, will moderate the discussion. For details, call Howes at 301-927-6133 or Sara Henry at 301-249-8092.

St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church will host an all-you-can-eat ham and oyster dinner 1-6 p.m. Nov. 14, which will include a silent auction, garage sale, crafts and bake sale. The church is at 14111 Oak Grove Rd. in Upper Marlboro. $20; seniors, $18; ages 6-12, $12; age 5 and younger, free. 301-249-5000, Ext. 304.

The Mary and Martha Guild of Redeemer Lutheran Church at 3709 East West Hwy. in Hyattsville will sponsor Flea Market Plus 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. It will feature more than 70 outdoor vendors, indoor crafts, baked goods and lunch including pork barbecue, chili, homemade soups and pumpkin pie. 301-277-2302.

Glenn Dale United Methodist Church will offer its annual Smorgasbord from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14, with affordable meals including turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked ham, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, corn, creative casseroles, sauerkraut and kielbasa, green beans, assorted vegetable, fruit and gelatin salads, candied pecans, rolls, beverages and homemade desserts. Christmas ornaments, fresh Georgia pecans, plants, church cookbooks and T-shirts will also be on sale. Springfield and Good Luck roads, Glenn Dale. $10; ages 6-12, $5; 5 and younger, free. 301-262-2299.

St. Gregory of Nyssa Byzantine Catholic Church will host a Slavic Food Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 12420 Old Gunpowder Road Spur in Beltsville with Eastern European foods, a bake sale including kolachi and other treats, and a raffle. Free. 301-552-2434 or go to http://www.stgregoryofnyssa.net.

Bethany Christian Church will host a holiday craft bazaar at 7128 Allentown Rd. in Fort Washington 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 14. 301-248-4600.

Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church will host a hands-on visual art workshop for students in grades 3 through 12 in honor of the Day of the Dead. Led by Clinton resident Caryl Henry Alexander, the workshop will include creating a traditional altar honoring the deceased. The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Registration for the workshop, which will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 7400 Temple Hill Rd. in Camp Springs, is $35 and must be done in advance by e-mailing caryl@bigbanners.com or by calling 301-877-2029.

-- Compiled by Akeya Dickson