DOVER — All children should wear their backpacks -- and invite their friends -- to the 10 a.m. service (Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with choir and organ) Sunday, Aug. 23, for Christ Episcopal Church's annual Blessing of the Backpacks.  Children should assemble, wearing backpacks, on the church porch to join the procession in to the church on the opening hymn.  During the service children will be invited forward for a blessing that affirms them as they head back to school.  Note:  Aug. 23 is the final date to bring new school supplies for homeless children at The Shepherd Place.  The need is great -- so bring your items this Sunday.

Christ Church, located at the southeast corner of the intersection of South State and East Water streets  in the historic section of Dover just south of The Green, is fully handicapped-accessible. Off-street parking is available in the church’s parking lot, which can be entered by either Elm Terrace (off South State Street) or Kerbin Street (off East Water Street.) For additional information, contact the church directly at 734-5731, e-mail christchurchdover@verizon.net or visit the parish Web site: http://www.christchurchdover.org.

DOVER — Ice-cream lovers take note! Christ Church, South State and Water streets in downtown Dover, is offering free ice-cream socials open to the general public on Sundays in July (5, 12, 19, 26) following the 10 a.m. service (approximately 11:15 a.m.). All are welcome to attend! "It’s an opportunity to have a refreshing summer treat following the services," said Jon Rania, lay ministry associate at the parish. "We came up with the idea last year, and it met with such success that we decided to do it again this year! There is no need to RSVP; just simply show up at the church for the 10 a.m. service and follow the crowd to the parish hall after," Mr. Rania said.

DOVER — Every second Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., including July 9, Christ Episcopal Church, Dover, will hold a service on the second floor of the Assisted Living Building of the Westminster Village campus at 1175 McKee Road, Dover (location change effective as of July 2009). This service, taken out of the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, is open to all residents, staff and anyone else who would like to attend. The service will include Scripture readings, a brief sermon, Communion and music. The rector of Christ Church, the Rev. Celeste O. Cox, will officiate, and the parish’s music director and lay ministry associate, Jon Rania, will provide music.

DOVER — Christ Episcopal Church, South State and Water streets in downtown Dover, has scheduled a Gospel Mass for Pentecost Sunday, at 10 a.m. this Sunday. The parish’s adult choir, under the direction of music director and lay ministry associate Jon Rania, will be accompanied by guest musicians, and the sermon will be delivered by the Rev. Celeste O. Cox, rector of the parish.

DOVER — Every second Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., including next Thursday, May 14, Christ Episcopal Church, Dover, will hold a service in the Community Center Dining Room on the Westminster Village campus at 1175 McKee Road, Dover. This service, taken out of the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer, is open to all residents, staff and anyone else who would like to attend. The service will include Scripture readings, a brief sermon, Communion and music. The rector of Christ Church, the Rev. Celeste O. Cox, will officiate, and the parish’s music director and lay ministry associate, Jon Rania, will provide music.