Beyond the Pews: A Veterans Day Mass and a blood drive, Nov. 9-14

LOS ALAMOS — A Veterans Day Mass, a Friday blood drive and an opening Angel Tree are among the events Los Alamos County congregations have posted for Nov. 9-14, outside their regular weekend worship.

Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church

2390 North Road, Los Alamos

• - Wed. Nov. 11, 1 p.m. Quilting Senior Blankets in the conference room; all are welcome.

Bryce Avenue Presbyterian Church

333 Bryce Avenue, White Rock

• - Fri. Nov. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Vitalant Blood Drive in the Church Fellowship Hall.

First United Methodist Church of Los Alamos

715 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos

• - Tue. Nov. 10, 1 p.m. McCurdy Work Day: volunteers meet in the church parking lot to carpool to McCurdy Ministries, 362A McCurdy Road, Española, to help where needed, and return to the church at 4 p.m.; all are welcome.
• - Thu. Nov. 12, 3 p.m. United Women in Faith Circle meeting in the Friendship Center, with a program by Julie Risch on how McCurdy Ministries is helping families in the Española Valley; the circle invites others to join.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish

3700 Canyon Road, Los Alamos

• - Tue. Nov. 10, 7 p.m. OCIA begins in room 9 of the Religious Education Building, a class for anyone who wishes to enter the Catholic Church or grow in faith; call the parish office at 505-662-6193.
• - Wed. Nov. 11, 8 a.m. Veterans Day Mass, offered by the Knights of Columbus Don Larson Assembly 688; all veterans and their families are invited, and after Mass the Knights will hand out U.S. flag pins and a handout honoring the Armed Forces. The parish office is closed that day.
• - Sat. Nov. 14, the parish Angel Tree opens outside the parish office with gift-request tags for children in need; tags are also online and a limited number are at St. Joseph's in White Rock. Wrapped gifts are due by Dec. 6, suggested value is $20 to $50, and gift cards and cash are also welcome. Questions go to Nancy Willis at 701-595-1600.

Unitarian Church of Los Alamos

1738 North Sage Street, Los Alamos

• - Sat. Nov. 14, 6 to 8 p.m. Monthly Mahjong, a night to learn and play; bring a set of tiles if you have one and snacks to share if you like, and contact KokHeong McNaughton for more information.

Looking ahead

• - Tue. Nov. 17, 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Celebration with the Los Alamos Jewish Center, The United Church of Los Alamos, 2525 Canyon Road.
• - Wed. Nov. 18, 10 a.m. All Booked Up book group discussion of "My Side of the River" by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, First United Methodist Church, 715 Diamond Drive.
• - Sat. Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair in the Parish Hall at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 3700 Canyon Road, with food for sale for cash; all proceeds go to charity.
• - Thu. Nov. 26, 2 to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Community Feast, a potluck at the Unitarian Church, 1738 North Sage Street; guests RSVP to Elizabeth Portillos with their party size and the dishes they plan to bring.
• - Sat. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bizarre Bazaar at the Unitarian Church, 1738 North Sage Street, an indoor Winterfest Weekend market with kids' crafts and food trucks outside; vendor spots are free.