STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The Staten Island Association of Evangelicals has issued an invitation to Island churches and their pastors to join them in prayers for President-elect Barack Obama, his administration, the incoming Congress, the nation and the city.

The association will join in prayer from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday on the Borough Hall promenade, on the Richmond Terrace side, in St. George.

The prayers will include a time of intercession, a time of repentance and a time of thanksgiving.

For information, call the Rev. David Watson, public affairs liaison, at 718-720-5390.

RIGHT TO LIFE MASS

The second annual Right to Life Mass will take place tomorrow at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's R.C. Church in New Brighton. Monsignor Edmund Whalen, pastor of St. Joseph-St. Thomas Parish in Pleasant Plains, will be the guest speaker at a breakfast to follow in the church's Farrell Hall.

Organizations sponsoring the mass include the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Catholic War Veterans; Holy Name Societies; Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes.

Tickets are $20 per person and may be reserved by calling Joe Sabella at 609-655-2578 or Anthony Russo at 917-455-3720.

Monsignor Whalen returned to Staten Island in 2007 after spending six years as pastor of St. Benedict's Church in Bronx and three years as rector of the St. John Neumann Residence in Yonkers. Ordained in 1984, the Monsignor Farrell graduate taught religion and foreign languages at his alma mater, and also served as secretary to Cardinal John J. O'Connor, completed doctoral studies in Rome and was a professor of moral theology and vice rector at St. Joseph's Seminary.

St. Peter's Church is at 53 St. Mark's Pl.

KING DAY CONCERT

The Unitarian Church of Staten Island will feature renowned folk singer/songwriter Greg Greenway in two events tomorrow: A special service commemorating Martin Luther King Day at 10:45 a.m., and an evening performance at 7 p.m. A $10 donation is suggested for the evening performance.

At the morning service, Greenway will deliver a sermon titled "They Didn't Come from Nowhere," which will draw upon the civil rights movement and chaos theory to illustrate the gift of human potential that Dr. King gave to people of all colors.

For information, call 718-442-1012 or visit the Web site at www.unitarianchurchofstatenisland.org.

The church is located at the corner of Fillmore Street and Clinton Avenue.

RACIAL RECONCILIATION

Racial Reconciliation Sunday will be observed tomorrow at the Church of the Gateway in Richmond Valley. The sermon series on "America ... Where are We Headed," will continue at the 9 and 11 a.m. services, with a focus on where the nation is headed culturally.

The special guest at the services will be Bishop Ezra Nehemiah Williams, founder and general superintendent of the Urban & Global Mission Alliance and pastor emeritus of Bethel Gospel Assembly in Harlem.

Urban & Global Mission Alliance was formed to exemplify the unity of God through an alliance of Gospel-committed churches. At Bethel Assembly, the ministry expanded under Bishop Williams' guidance to include outreaches to youth, substance abusers and prisoners. In addition to being heavily involved in the issues of its surrounding community, the church also is involved in mission in Zambia, India, Nigeria, Israel, Aruba, Cameroon, Albania and South Africa.

Married for 48 years to Lucille Dorothea, they are the parents of three and grandparents of seven.

Church of the Gateway is at 200 Boscombe Ave.

RETREAT

The Rev. Clement Machado of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity will lead a Weekend Recollection Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the St. Charles Mission Center in Dongan Hills.

The theme will be "The Conversion of St. Paul." The retreat will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Jan. 30; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 31 and 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 1. The fee is $75 per person and includes breakfast for two days. Attendees should bring their own lunch on Saturday.

For information or reservations, call Belle Parsons at 718-273-5249 or Angela Camardo at 718-442-2853.

CHOWDERFEST

Christ Church New Brighton will sponsor a Chowderfest from 2 to 6 p.m. Jan. 24 in the church at 76 Franklin Ave.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. A variety of homemade chowders will be served, along with beverages and dessert. The meal is sponsored by the Christ Church Choir, and all proceeds will benefit the Music Fund.

FLEA MARKET

New Hope Cafe Coffeehouse will host its monthly flea market today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1031 Castleton Ave., West Brighton.

WOMEN'S RETREAT

Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Fort Wadsworth will offer a day-long Women's Retreat, "The Reconciling Love of God," on Jan. 31. Registration is at 9 a.m. Presentations will be conducted by the Rev. Thomas Quinn, S.J., and Manresa's lay preacher staff. The day includes lunch and dinner.

The Rev. Dr. Edward J. Quinnan, S.J., director of Mount Manresa, will direct Hatha Yoga classes in a six-week Monday evening series that begins Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.

Hatha yoga is a low-impact exercise for the body and mind. It combines different postures with a deep breathing technique called pranayama to promote flexibility, balance and relaxation.

The suggested donation is $60 for six classes, or $12 per class.

Register by calling Manresa at 718-727-3844, extension. 200. The class is limited to 20 people.

A Tai Chi/QiGong body movement program will take place Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Manresa, beginning Jan. 22. Instructor Victoria Drumbakis will lead the class in what is often called "moving meditation."

'ORDER IN THE FAMILY'

The Rev. John Picarello, pastor of House on the Rock in Tottenville, will preach on "Order in the Family of God" during tomorrow's noon service. The message will address the issues of church governance, including Fivefold ministries, elders and deacons.

Join the Praying Parents every Wednesday at noon in the church at 7357 Amboy Rd., or email requests to hotrockchurch@msn.com

JOB TRAINING

Employment training classes and image building seminars will begin Feb. 2 in a program sponsored by Women Taking Charge 2 in partnership with Stapleton UAME Church and New Hope Community Church.

Classes will take place Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stapleton UAME, 49 Tompkins Ave., or Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Hope Church, 77 Alaska St., West Brighton.

To register, call the Rev. Grace Richardson or the Rev. Maggie Howard at 347-682-5139 or send an e-mail to CGOResources@aol.com

'JUST LIKE JESUS?'

The Rev. Larry Sallee, pastor of Oakwood Heights Community Church, will preach a sermon titled "Just Like Jesus ... Not a Chance" at the 10:30 a.m. worship service tomorrow.

Those interested in participating in a grief and loss support group are invited to call 718-351-3667 or visit www.myohcc.org.

The church is at 345 Guyon Ave.

WORSHIP CONCERT

The Living Water Healing Center will host a two-day Valentine's worship concert, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 9:30 a.m. Feb. 14 in the center at 230 Livingston Ave., Meiers Corners.

Several recording artists and worship choirs will perform. Admission is free but a free-will offering will be taken.

The center will finish up its workshop on "Living Happy, Healthy and Whole," on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

The Confident Woman support group will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday. The cancer prayer and support group will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Miracle services take place every Saturday at 10 a.m.

For information, call 718-876-5860 or visit www.livingwatermin.com.

'DIFFICULT PEOPLE'

"Loving Difficult People" will be the topic of the sermon at the 10:30 a.m. service tomorrow at Immanuel Union Church in Westerleigh. The Rev. Charles Baldini, pastor, will be in the pulpit.

Nursery care is provided during the service and a coffee hour will follow. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9:15 a.m.

The Outlook on Life discussion group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the church, located at 693 Jewett Ave.

Leslie Palma-Simoncek is the religion editor for the Advance. She may be reached at palma@siadvance.com Visit her Beyond Beliefs Web log at blog.silive.com/beyondbeliefs.

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