A glimpse into marriages suffering from Intimacy Anorexia will be shown at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6 at LIFETREE CAFE. The program, titled “Intimacy Anorexia: The Dark Secret That’s Killing Marriages,” features a filmed interview with Dr. Douglas Weiss, a licensed psychologist and an expert in the field of Intimacy Anorexia. Weiss explains Intimacy Anorexia is the intentional withholding of emotional, spiritual, and sexual intimacy from one’s spouse and is a condition that affects both men and women. Lifetree participants will learn the common symptoms of Intimacy Anorexia as well as practical treatment options. Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Lifetree Café is located 540 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor. Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual, comfortable setting. Questions about Lifetree may be directed to Chrissie at 360-679-3431 or office@gracebythesea.org
Everyone is invited to share the excitement and joy of a concert by Seattle’s TOTAL EXPERIENCE GOSPEL CHOIR, at 2 p.m. on Sunday April 10, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 555 S.E. Regatta Drive in Oak Harbor. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Oak Harbor’s Help House Food Bank. Since it was organized in 1973 at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle, the Total Experience Gospel Choir has inspired audiences throughout the world, sharing the Word of God in song. It has received more than 150 awards and recognitions, and it has performed on the same billing with such musical greats as Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Pete Seeger. The choir has performed in 38 states and 28 countries on five continents. The Total Experience Gospel Choir is led by its founder, Pastor Patrinell “Pat” Wright. The core group came together from members of gospel choirs at Seattle’s Roosevelt and Franklin high schools. Today, the choir’s members are a rainbow of colors, ethnicities and ages. For more information about the Total Experience Gospel Choir, go to www.totalexperiencegospelchoir.org. For more information about St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, go to www.ststephensofoakharbor.org
Coffee Break BIBLE STUDY will conclude the current season with a 6-week study of the New Testament book of Philippians, beginning Thursday, April 7. This letter, written by the Apostle Paul to a group of first-century Christians, speaks to all believers everywhere of standing firm in the faith, living in humility and unity with each other, and being committed to spreading the good news of Jesus. This study meets weekly from 10-11:15 a.m. each Thursday, at the Christian Reformed Church, 1411 Wieldraayer Road (off of Swantown Road). Coffee Break is a non-denominational small group Bible study that is open to all women in the community. No previous Bible knowledge is needed. To receive study material, call Launa at 360-675-4706, or call the church office at 360-675-2881 for more information.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES at Coupeville United Methodist Church are at 12:30 p.m. Sundays. There are games, music, crafts and Christian education. Special activities are planned for taking the teens to beaches, forests and other activities. All youth grades six through 12 are welcome; they don’t need to have an affiliation with the church or attend any church. For more information, call Suzanne Loomis, church life coordinator, at 360-678-4256.
WHIDBEY ISLAND FRIENDS (QUAKERS) hold their regular meeting for worship 4-5 p.m. Sundays at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 20103 Highway 525, two miles north of Freeland. This time of silent worship together may include spoken messages. For more information, visit www.whidbeyquakers.org or email Tom Ewell at tewell@whidbey.com
