Valley church youth groups again are joining with others from throughout California to do service projects during spring break when they are out of school.
The BreakAway 2013 spring break outreach is Sunday through Thursday, March 24-28.
The youth are using Peoples Church, which is at 7172 N. Cedar Ave., as their base camp. They will complete service projects each day, then return to Peoples Church, where they will have worship events in the evenings and sleep in tents on the church grounds.
BreakAway began as a citywide community service event in 2009. It has evolved to include youth from other areas over the years.
Details: (559) 298-8001, ext. 323.
Ministry offers Easter meal for the homeless
A small Fresno street ministry is offering an early Easter meal to the homeless.
Big Fish Ministries will provide ham, potatoes, rolls, vegetables and dessert to 100 to 150 people at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24. The event takes place across from the Fresno Rescue Mission, 310 G St.
Big Fish stands for: Believers in God, Faithful in Serving Him.
The group serves hot meals at 4 p.m. Sundays throughout the year. Members are Sharon and Raymond Gonzales, Ray DeLaCruz, Laura Fishback, Mark and Linda Greene and Shawnda Helm.
The ministry's purpose is in Matthew 25:35-26: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Easter is March 31.
Episcopal retreat has speaker
An Episcopal nun for more than 40 years is the speaker at the Holy Family Retreat on April 5-6 at Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst, 43803 Highway 41.
Sister Ellen Stephen is speaking on the retreat's theme: "My Lord and My God." She is a member of the Order of Saint Helena, a religious order for women in the Episcopal Church.
The retreat begins with a reception at 5 p.m. April 5, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. On April 6, Stephen will lead a full day of activity.
The event is hosted by Holy Family Episcopal Church in Fresno.
Cost is $128-$188, including lodging and meals. Details: (559) 439-5011.
Faith group begins citizenship campaign
The local Faith in Community nonprofit organization has begun a Campaign for Citizenship, seeking a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.
The campaign was announced this week at a news conference at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fresno. It is part of a national effort by People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO).
Details: faithinfresno.org or (559) 355-5169.
Lutheran church holding egg hunt
The fifth annual Egg Hunt Extravaganza is from 1-3 p.m. March 30 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 785 N. Fowler Ave., Clovis.
The event features eggs hunts in three age divisions, each beginning with the sound of a whistle. There also will be music, crafts, face painting, a bounce house, puppet show and other activities.
Details: (559) 298-0725.
Catholic organization hosting fundraiser
A Serra Club of Fresno dinner/dance fundraiser is at 6 p.m. today (March 23) at University Square Hotel, 4961 N. Cedar Ave.
Proceeds benefit seminarians and the religious of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno. The event also celebrates the 300th birthday anniversary of Junipero Serra.
Cost is $75. Details: (559) 439-0184.
Jehovah's Witnesses holding event
A Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses presentation -- "One Man Died for All" -- is at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Hidalgo Elementary School, 3550 E. Thomas Ave.
The event is examining what makes Jesus -- and his sacrifice -- so important to people. Details: jw.org.
Ron Orozco covers religion for The Bee. He can be reached at (559) 441-6304 or rorozco@fresnobee.com.
