New Unitarian church

Biscayne Unitarian, a new Unitarian Universalist religious community, will have its inaugural worship service at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Pelican Harbor Marina Conference Center, 1275 NE 79th St.

According to a press release from the church, the new religious community was established to serve residents along the Biscayne corridor of northeastern Miami-Dade, and will include monthly worship services that "give voice to liberal religious views and provide a spiritual space to meaningfully connect with welcoming, diverse, and open-minded individuals and families."

The worship service, to be led by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Claus, minister of All Souls Miami UU of South Miami; will be followed by a social hour with refreshments.

Claus, a graduate of Union Theological Seminary (Affiliated with Columbia University) received his doctorate from Boston University. He is an associate member of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association and has been a hostage negotiator. He presently teaches English Literature and Composition at Florida International University, and is the founder of the religious studies program at Miami Dade College Kendall campus.

The church plans to have first Sunday monthly worship services and will also host spiritual exercises — group activities at carious community locations that focus on living UU principles out in the world, on the third Sunday of the month. The first spiritual exercise is scheduled for Feb. 17, and will include a tour and volunteer opportunity at the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. For details and more information call David Traupmanat 305-758-3067 or email him at: davidtraupman@comcast.net.

Grace Lutheran women make 150 quilts

Kudos to the ladies of Grace Lutheran's Quilting Group, led by Denise Gishler, for the 150 quilts they made during 2012. The quilts were dedicated during the 10 a.m. worship service last Sunday and will be sent to Lutheran World Relief to be distributed in areas of crisis throughout the world. The Miami Springs church will also send baby layettes, that will go to new mothers who may not even have the basic clothing necessities for their new babies.

In addition, the youth of the church are currently assembling personal-care kits for Lutheran World Relief to send to those recently displaced and are now homeless around the world.

Now, that's love in action.

Garage Sale at Palm Springs Methodist

It's time for the annual Winter Indoor Garage Sale at Palm Springs United Methodist Church, 5700 W. 12th Ave. in Hialeah. The sale will be on Friday and Saturday and also on Feb. 8 and 9 at the church, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be a variety of items to select from, including clothing, linens, records, videos, toys, small furniture, baby items, pet supplies, school and office supplies, craft supplies, golf clubs, luggage, lamps, pictures. collectables, books, holiday items and decorations.

Lunch and snacks will also be for sale. The money raised is used for church work and missions. For more information call 305-821-3232, 305-821-2073 or email the church at: office@palmspringsumc.com.

Episcopalians to hold mass for lawyers

The first Red Mass hosted by The Diocese of Southeast Florida will be at noon today at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 464 NE 16th St.

The Red Mass is a historical tradition within the church dating back to the thirteenth century, when it officially opened the term of the court for most European countries.

The celebrants, which included government officials, lawyers and judges, would proceed into a church clothed in red vestments or red garments, signifying the fire of the Holy Spirit's guidance to all who pursue justice in their daily lives.

The Red Mass is celebrated throughout the United States, to invoke god's blessing upon the members of the legal profession. All Episcopal lawyers ae invited to join the St. Ives Guild, created for attorneys who have a passion for providing assistance and representation on a pro-bono basis to those who have no access to legal representation.

For more information call the Archdeacon for Immigration and Social Justice at 3o5-373-0881.