It’s Christmastime in the Redland and that means it’s time for Silver Palm United Methodist Church’s annual Christmas Bazaar. The bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and will feature handmade items by the ladies of the church, from homemade tropical fruit jellies and home baked items, to fresh Redland-grown produce, plants, and nuts. There will also be items from Aunt Lydia’s Attic.

The event will also feature a "scoop" luncheon at noon, which will feature foods from the ladies’ new cookbook. Buy a scoop of whatever

looks good to you and then buy the cookbook for $10. I’m told the cookbook makes a great Christmas gift.

The bazaar will be in the fellowship hall of the church that is located toward the back of the campus at 15855 SW 248th St., next to

Redland Middle School and across the street from the Knauss Berry Farm.

Call the church at 305-247-3769 for more information.

New pastor at North Miami Congregational

A warm Neighbors in Religion welcome to the Rev. Harvey C. Lockhart, who on Nov. 18, was installed as pastor of First Church of North Miami Congregational, United Church of Christ.

A native of the Bahamas, Lockhart emigrated to the United States and attended Tennessee State University. He later received a bachelor of

arts in Business Management and later studied for the ministry. He earned his master of divinity in 2009 and was ordained at Miami’s

church of the Open Door. Lockhart is no stranger to First Church; he has preached at the 100-year-old church on many occasions, and his installation was the high point of the church’s centennial year.

The final event of the year-long centennial celebration will be a concert performed by the Miami Oratorio Society and Orchestra at 5 p.m. on Dec. 9. The choir will preform the Christmas portion from Handel’s "Messiah."

Members from the Church of the Open door and ordained clergy from local UCC churches attended Lockhart’s installation. Music was

provided by the combined choirs of First Church and the gospel choir of the church of the Open Door. Following the service, the

congregation feasted on an early Thanksgiving dinner.

For more information on the concert, call Judy Feldman, the church’s publicity chairwoman at 305-891-1183. First Church is at 1200 NE

135th St. in North Miami.

Special service for Advent

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at 464 NE 16th St. will have a special evening service at 6 p.m. Sunday, to mark the beginning of

the Advent season. The new service is called "Mishkah," and according to the cathedral’s newsletter, "...will incorporate the beauty and

wonder of tradition... and move us to a place of healing and calm, where urban and ancient are blended in a casual community atmosphere.”

Shabbat salute to veterans

A special Shabbat service saluting veterans who have served their country will be at 8 p.m. Friday at Temple Bet Yam, 5151 NE

14th Terr. in East Fort Lauderdale.

Taoist Tai Chi Society dedicates shrine

The Miami Branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the U.S.A. and the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism, will dedicate the Goon Yam Shrine at noon Saturday at the Taoist Tai Chi Society Miami Branch, 10300 SW 72nd St., Suite 235.

The event will include a vegetarian "jai" lunch, with entertainment provided by the Chinese Performing Arts Group of Palm Beach.