Tabor House of Prayer, in Millvale, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis at Mount Alvernia, is offering the following retreats during the months of August and September. To register, call 412-821-1149 or e-mail taborhouse@millvalefranciscans.org.

Spirituality of Icon Writing, Michael the Archangel, will be held Aug. 28 through 31. The cost to attend is $350.

Icon writing provides a deep transformational experience that expresses itself in the completion of the icon. Through under standing the spirituality of Icon writing, you will find a way to touch the stillness and quiet of God. No artistic ability is required to share in this spiritual experience.

Classes will continue each Wednesday through November, except for Sept. 17, 24 and Oct. 1.

There will be a free will donation.

Study of Scripture is most essential to a spiritual life. Join the group as they discover Luke's Gospel, the intriguing life of Jesus Christ and allow these writings to come alive in your life. Call now and invite friends.

St. Alexis

St. Alexis Parish, in Wexford, will hold its annual Parish Festival from July 30 through Aug. 2 beginning at 6 p.m. Nightly dinners catered by Magoo's Bistro will be served in the cafeteria from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Events include a $5,000 grand prize raffle, games, rides, bingo, Kiddieland, bake sale, outdoor food, Daily's frozen drinks and fire and safety rescue demonstrations. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. each night, featuring Tammy's School of Dance and Cahal Dunne on Wednesday, Tammy's School of Dance and NA Fiddlers and Wexford Dance Academy on Thursday, Michelle's Dance Center and oldies and classical rock band Kardaz on Friday, and Michelle's Dance Center and country rock band Rhubarb on Saturday.

For more information, call 724-935-4343.

Allison Park Church

"New Start" is a group that offers support and encourages people who are struggling with broken relationships, separation or divorce.

This group is grounded in Christian principles and focuses on providing an atmosphere of growth, healing and fellowship.

New Start meets at 7 p.m. on Mondays.

The group meetings are at Allison Park Church, room 206, 2326 Duncan Ave., in Allison Park.

Wexford Community Presbyterian

Every Tuesday in the summer, at 10 a.m., student ministries is inviting young people to play disc golf at Knob Hill Park. Anybody is invited to attend and there are plenty of discs to go around.

The WCPC Youth Ministries is heading to Settler's Cabin Wave Pool on Thursday, July 31, for a day of fun in the sun. The cost to attend is $5.

For details about either of these events, call the church office at 724-935-5650.

St. Mary of the Assumption

The Parish Family Picnic has been scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 17, in conjunction with Feast Day, which is always on Aug. 15.

"The St. Mary Cookbook," which is full of recipes from parishioners, school families and friends, is available for $10.

For additional details about these or any other school-related events, call 412-486-7611.

Anybody interested in registering their child in the St. Mary School may do so by calling the school office at 412-486-7611.

St. Richard

Interested in becoming Catholic?

Are you or is anyone you know interested in learning more about the Catholic faith? The church members are in the planning stages for the upcoming RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) season. Sessions will be held on Thursdays beginning in September.

Contact Mary Jordan at the parish office for further information at 724-444-1971.

Bakerstown United Methodist

At Bakerstown United Methodist Church in Gibsonia, vacation Bible school will be held July 21 to 25, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The event is free to the public and promises to be a fun-filled, enlightening week.

To receive additional information about the future church events, call 724-443-3184.