Religion notebook

The Great Blessing of Waters healing and cleansing event will take place today at 12:30 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene City Beach downtown, presented by the Orthodox Churches of the Inland Northwest.

The annual service takes approximately 30 minutes with the highlight being when a priest throws the Hand Cross into the water and several young men and women plunge into the water to retrieve it. This feature is mostly practiced in warmer climates and will be done locally for the first time.

In Orthodox Christian tradition it is customary to bless a local body of water following the Feast Day of the Theophany, or Baptism of Jesus Christ, acknowledged as Jan. 6.

Participating churches include St. John the Baptist in Post Falls, Christ the Savior in Spokane Valley, and St. Nicholas and Holy Trinity, both of Spokane. The public is encouraged to attend. For information, please call Father Gregory Horton at St. John the Baptist Church, 773-2876.

•Real Life Ministries Men’s Breakfast – today, 8 a.m. at the RLM1 building, 1866 Cecil Road, Post Falls; 777-7325.

•Kid Community – Sundays 8:30 a.m. and Kid Community Fun and Games at 9:30 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave.; also play group Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30-11 a.m. at the church; 765-8800.

•Adult Study Classes – Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave.; offering Homes of Honor relationship series by Gary Smalley; Life Lessons: study of Corinthians; and the Book of Acts; for more infomation, call 765-8800.

•“You Can Quit Tobacco,” Stop Smoking Series – classes begin Monday, 7 p.m. in the choir room of RLM2 at Real Life Ministries, 1866 Cecil Road, Post Falls.

•Striders Exercise Group – meets Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8-9 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave.; $1 donation per class; 765-8800.

•Men’s Bible Study – Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. at Real Life Ministries, RLM 1; contact Dan at 777-7325, ext. 111.

•Real Life Ministries Singles Divorce Care – 13-week class begins Wednesday, 7 p.m. in RLM2, Room 6, 1866 Cecil Road, Post Falls. Cost is $15 for workbook; for information, call Ron at 777-7325, ext. 180.

•Wednesday Night Break-Outs and Prayer times – Wednesdays, in the Spirit prayer time, 7 a.m., and all-church prayer gathering, 7 p.m., family break-out sessions begin with dinner at 6 p.m., worship at 7, activities include computer labs, crafts, sports and teen youth groups at Community United Methodist, 1470 W. Hanley Ave.; 765-8800.

•Community United Methodist Church Women’s Bible Study – Wednesdays at the church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave.; contact Michelle 765-8800.

•Mid-week Bible study – Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Living Word Presbyterian Church in Athol, 28177 N. Clagstone Road. Information: 683-1638.

•Women’s Bible Study – Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at Hayden Bible Church, Information: 772-2511.

•Prayers and Quilts Group – meets Thursday 7 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave.; 765-8800.

•Real Life Ministries Mothers of Preschoolers Post Falls – meets Monday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., for information call Kelly at 773-2377.

•RLM Women’s Ministries – Women of the Word study Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at RLM2, upper room, Real Life Ministries, 1866 Cecil Road, Post Falls; contact Linda at 640-1151. Also offering women’s book club third Saturday of each month at Little Seattle Coffee Shop, Patrice at 772-9112; Prism lifestyle change, Claire at 687-2150; and Fresh Start weight loss support, Doug or Diane at 640-1663.

•Christian Education Classes – Sundays at 9:45 a.m. for ages 3-adult at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 Ramsey Road; 765-1002.