Here's some "Hometown Headlines" that appeared in the Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008 issue of The Flint Journal:

Summer Festival set for Saturday in Flint's Max Brandon Park

FLINT, Michigan -- Salem Housing Community Development Corp. will host Summer Fest 2008 from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday in Max Brandon Park.

The free event is open to the community and will feature games, contests and prizes.

Details: Bobby Johnson, (810) 785-5340, extension 25, or by e-mail.

-- By Ron Fonger

Melissa Cousineau | Flint Township NewsSylvia Hansen, Carl Hansen and Nancy-Lee Wilson, all of Flushing, hold items that their church, King of Glory Lutheran, has gathered to send to troops over in Afghanistan in September. This collection hits home to the Hansens because their son, Bjorn, was once in Iraq for more a year and they can relate with other families affected by war.

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- The bumper stickers in the parking lot say "Support the Troops," and members of King of Glory Lutheran Church have materialized that message by collecting supplies for soldiers in Afghanistan.

"Those troops that are serving need to have a connection with people in the country to know that they're being supported and cared about. It's a tangible way for us to do that. We pray for them, but that's not as tangible as a nice package of things they need," said Sylvia Hansen, a church volunteer.

Ryan Garza | The Flint JournalLiving Word Family Worship Center, 6376 W. Mt. Morris Road in Mt. Morris Township, is the church of the week for the Where We Worship feature in the Flint Journal's religion section.

MT. MORRIS TWP., Michigan. -- Living Word Family Worship Center will hold its annual Camp Meeting on Sunday through Aug. 31 at its recreational facility at 10283 Morrish Road, Montrose, about five miles north of the church.

The 11-acre property, purchased in 2005, includes a multi-use facility and 16 campsites with water and electricity.

The event begins Sunday with worship services at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Meetings will be held at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a family carnival Aug. 30.

Courtesy PhotoAfter 21 years, the Rev. Kimon Criner and his wife, Bridgette, are returning to Flint to start a second church.

Couple return to start church

GENESEE TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- The Rev. Kimon Criner and his wife, Bridgette, will hold the first service of Harvest Barn Word of Life Church Flint at 6 p.m. Sunday in The Grand Ballroom, 4437 Richfield Road, Genesee Township.

Kimon Criner is a Flint native and former Flushing High School track athlete whose life changed when, at 17, he faced a prison sentence for a series of breaking and entering charges.

Bruce Edwards | Flint Journal file photo (August, 2004))Barbara McKee, a member of the Bristol Road Church of Christ in Flint, sings with other church volunteers during the 2004 Crim Festival of Races. She'll be back at her regular post at Sunset and Nolen drivers during today's race (Aug. 23, 2008). Get all your Crim news here.

FLINT, Michigan -- What hymns would best encourage weary runners as they trot past in today's Crim races?

Courtesy PhotoBrian Smith will perform 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Thetford Center United Methodist Church, 11394 N. Center Road, Clio.

Correction: A food giveaway will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday (Aug. 28, 2008) at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2210 N. Franklin Ave., Flint. Details (810) 234-2479. An incorrect time appeared in an earlier version of this post.

Here's a list of religion-related events taking place this week in the Genesee County area:

Music

• HOUSE OF PRAYER MASS CHOIR 42ND ANNIVERSARY, 6 p.m. today, House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, 1851 W. Carpenter Road, Flint. Details: (810) 787-3931.

•Â ANNUAL SUMMER MUSICAL, 6 p.m. today, Kent Street Church of God, 1513 Kent St., Flint. Details: (810) 348-3691 or (810) 653-0936.

•Â MOUNT OLIVE INSPIRATIONAL CHOIR ANNUAL SUMMER GOSPEL MUSICAL, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 424 E. Kennelworth St., Flint. (810) 234-8168.

FLINT, Michigan -- Catholic Outreach recently received a $10,000 grant for its St. Christopher Children's Transportation Program.

The program, which has been in existence since 1992, transports sick children to hospitals in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Lansing. Last year, it moved more than 50 children on 550 runs.

MT. MORRIS TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- Bickering parents, a bride who tries to lasso the groom and a minister who attempts a mid-ceremony escape will be part of a Tom Thumb Wedding at 4 p.m. Sunday at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Mt. Morris Township.

The public is invited to attend the mock ceremony, which is held each year by the church's missionary society. During the ceremony, children ages 3 to 10 play the parts of bride, groom, minister, bridesmaids and groomsmen, said Birdie Trouser, a missionary society member who helps students and parents rehearse for the event.

Thomas Simonetti | The Flint JournalPat Mullen (left) of Kalamazoo and Grace Scola of Grand Blanc, both members of the Sisters of St. Joesph, kiss the altar at St. Agnes Catholic Church Sunday during their farwell to the building. "This is a bitter sweet time," Mullen said. Those present were given a chance to kiss the altar before the doors closed and the church sealed with a purple ribbon.

FLINT, Michigan -- Parishioners poured out of St. Agnes Catholic Church and then amid tears and sniffling, watched as the doors to the church -- where family and friends were baptized, married and sent to their final resting place -- were ceremoniously closed following the church's final Mass on Sunday.

Some of those tears belonged to the Metzger family, which started attending the church in 1961.

"I don't know how I would have raised my children if it hadn't been for this church," said Pat Metzger of Flint Township. "The church was with us thick and thin and more than just spiritual."

St. Agnes is the last of three northern Flint Catholic churches forced to close because of low attendance and increasing financial problems. Final Masses already were celebrated at St. Luke and Sacred Heart.

All three are merging with St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Ryan Garza | The Flint JournalR.J. Kaplan handles his pet python for students at St. Pius X Catholic School in Flint.

FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- You've got to love a school principal who has a pet python, collects "Star Wars" memorabilia and carries a Batman lunch bag to work.

"Look -- it's even got a cape," R.J. Kaplan boasted, swinging his yellow lunch sack to make its black cape unfurl.

But don't get Kaplan wrong. The new principal of St. Pius X Catholic School in Flint Township can be firm when necessary, and is passionate about the role of Catholic education in the community.

Scholarships in honor of former church member Miriam Jinnah will be awarded at 5 p.m. Sunday at Christ the Rock Apostolic Church, 3316 Flushing Road, Flint.

The community is invited to attend the program, which will also include refreshments, a special speaker and distribution of 200 bags of school supplies to students in kindergarten through college.

It is the eighth year for the scholarship program, which Jinnah's sister, Deborah, started as a way to help the community, and to make sure her younger sister would be remembered.

Music

•Â THE FOWLER BAND, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thetford Center United Methodist Church, 11394 N. Center Road, Clio. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Details: (810) 640-2280, www.myspace.com/thetfordcenterumc.

•Â HOUSE OF PRAYER MASS CHOIR 42ND ANNIVERSARY, 6 p.m. Aug. 23, House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, 1851 W. Carpenter Road, Flint. Details: (810) 787-3931.

FLINT TWP. -- Bethel Apostolic Church invites visitors to come for prayer at noon Monday through Friday.

Many who come have special needs, said the pastor, the Rev. Ellean Wiggins. "We lay hands on them, and God heals them and delivers them from difficulties."

Wiggins started the church in her home. At its current location, a former day care center, a white steeple and new roof, added in 2007, top the light-blue building with white trim. A rugged cross stands in front. The church seats 167; average attendance is 30.

Journal file photoGospel and country music performer Dylan Grantham, 12, will be featured in a concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at The Restoration Center, 5490 Davison Road, Burton.

The Deaconess Ministry of House of Prayer Church will hold a Quartet Jubilee Musical Fest at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church, 1851 W. Carpenter Road, Flint.

Featured performers will include the Flint Southernaires, Anointed Brothers, Golden Wings, True Vines, Golden Tones, Angelictones, Mitts Brother, Gospel Soul and Heavenly Bound.

The event is free. Dinner will be sold after the service.

John W. Adkisson | The Flint JournalBethany United Methodist Church is at 353 E. Vienna Road in Clio.

CLIO, Michigan -- Bethany United Methodist Church provides for the whole family with an after-school program held during the school year.

Open to the community, the weekly event begins at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday with classes and activities for children and adults. At 6 p.m., the church serves a family dinner for all who come.

Classes include Bible studies, and varied programs for the older children, such as small engine class, woodworking and scrapbooking.