PHILLIPS – The Phillips Shared Ministry service at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, will include a liturgical dance performed by Diane Zalis of Wakefield, R.I., and Phillips, to the music, “Be Not Afraid.” The service will be held at the Congregational Church.

Liturgical dance is an artistic and prayerful addition to worship and can illustrate a song or reading, and because it is watched and heard it can evoke new understanding of familiar passages.

Beginning on Sunday, Oct. 3, services at 9 a.m. will move to the United Methodist Church for the winter. Sunday school will also begin at 9 a.m. and children age 3 and up are invited. They will be in church until the sermon, when they will go to the undercroft for their lesson and a snack.

Volunteer helpers for Sunday school are always needed. For more information or to sign up to help or provide a healthy snack, call Sue Smith at 639-3166.

Four members recently attended the first session of “Strong Leaders, Vital Churches” at Fairbanks Union Church in Farmington. The educational program for local church leaders is sponsored by the Bangor Theological Seminary and is conducted by Doug Walrath, professor emeritus of practical theology.

The eight-month program is designed to help churches envision and plan for their future and to strengthen their congregational life and outreach ministry. Those attending commented on how encouraging and inspiring the first session was.

The church’s annual chicken supper will be held on Friday, Oct. 15. This tradition of 100 years has been a favorite harvest event, allowing all to gather for a meal and visit with neighbors and friends.

The ministry has a continuing mission emphasis and recently received donations for Florida hurricane victims, for building projects in Honduras, blankets and socks for migrant workers in the blueberry harvest in Maine and shipments of used eyeglasses for New Eyes for the Needy.

Donations of nonperishable food are always needed at the food pantry and can be brought to the church between 9 a.m. and noon on Tuesday or Thursday. For more information, call Pat Matulaitis at 639-3786.