Over its 175 years of existence, the St. John’s church in Kenton has gone through a series of names. This week, it added a new one. The congregation met last Sunday and approved adopting the name St. John’s Evangelical Church and dropping the United Church of Christ portion of its identification.

Those traveling in the area of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Kenton have likely seen Jeffery Tigyer and his three Dobermans outside getting some exercise. Tigyer, the parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception, has been training his three “boys” since they were puppies.

As I sit in my office I am drawn to the word "new." We use the word when we say, "It's a new year” or “It's a new day" or a "New week."

LIMA — The Lima Chapter of Aglow International will be holding its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at WTLW TV 44 Christian TV station, 1844 Baty Road, Lima. The event will feature a call to prayer to begin the new year.

Just the other night I spoke with an old friend whose wife is dying from cancer. She has about four more months to live.

Kenton Full Gospel Church, 129 N. Wayne St., Kenton, announces its Christmas services. People are invited to come celebrate King Jesus birthday on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. A Christmas Eve Service is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23. People are invited to join in the singing of Christmas carols. Every child that attends will receive a stocking …

Feliz Navidad! That is the traditional Spanish greeting this time of the year. It is the equivalent of Merry Christmas.

FOREST — “One Voice,” a Gospel country group, will be singing at the Forest United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. The church is located at 111 E. Dixon St., Forest. The members of “One Voice” all feel the calling of God to minister in music, to encourage, uplift, and share the blessed news of a loving Savior with the lost; plus our brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter what their situation.

MOUNT VICTORY — The Mount Victory and Ridgeway First United Methodist churches are teaming up to send a local team to Guatemala. The missions trip is slated Jan. 6-13, 2016.

The Mt. Zion United Methodist Women's Association recently held its annual Family Thanksgiving Dinner at The Plaza Inn at Mt. Victory. Annual gifts of recognition were presented to different members in the church.