A fundraiser for Mark Bowen is at 7 p.m. Monday at the Arlington Avenue Church of God, 142 Arlington Ave. N.W., Canton.

Bowen, 46, of Akron has
been diagnosed with lung cancer, and the church is raising money to help his family. The former drug addict and recovering alcoholic has spent five years volunteering at schools and detention centers to warn teens about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

The church program will feature local singers and refreshments. Proceeds will benefit Bowen's family. Donations can also be made at any Chase Bank branch to the Mark Bowen Fund or at the church. For more information, visit http://markbowenfund.athost.net.

In other religion news:

Events

The Chapel — Akron Campus, 135 Fir Hill, Akron. Freedom Celebration, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday. Featuring inflatables, music, face
painting, a cruise-in and more. http://www.the-chapel.org.

Greater Faith Bible Way Church — 325 S. Van Buren Ave., Barberton. ''A School of Prayer and Intercession,'' 10 a.m to 2 p.m. today. . Free. 330-745-3590.

New Hope Baptist Church — 1706 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. Hope soup kitchen, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Free.

Peninsula United Methodist Church — 5972 Akron Peninsula Road, Peninsula. Chicken BBQ Dinner, noon to 7 p.m. today. Adults, $8; children, $5. 330-657-2567.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship — 3186 Burbank Road, Wooster. Fairy Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m today. Admission is $5 per adult with up to four children. Additional children, $1. http://www.uufwc.org.

Williard United Church of Christ — 742 Johnston St., Akron. Celebrate Recovery Open House, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Milestones

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church — 5318 S. 30 St., Omaha, Neb. Akron native Dr. Lorenzo Fincher will be installed as the senior pastor of the historic church on Sunday.

St. Stephen Lutheran Church — 3725 Kent Road, Stow. The Rev. Arthur Cubbon will be installed as pastor at 2 p.m. Sunday. Judy Hoshel, deaconess of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Northeastern Ohio Synod, will preside.

Performances

Mission Baptist Temple — 4163 Kent Road, Stow. The Gospel River Boys will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday. 330-688-0901.

Tallmadge Lutheran Church — 759 East Ave., Tallmadge. Ichthus will perform a concert to benefit the food pantry, 7 tonight. Free with a donation of a nonperishable food item. 330-633-4775.

Classes, workshops

John Knox Presbyterian Church — 5155 Eastlake St. N.W., Jackson Township. Dr. John David Geib, dean of Logos Institute, will offer the course God's Plan for Wholeness, at 10 a.m. Sundays, July 6, 13, 20, 27 and Aug. 3. Free. 330-494-9479.

Special services

Christ Is the Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. Men's Day services, 11 a.m. Sunday, with the Rev. J. Michael Martin Sr. and 5 p.m. with the Rev. Eugene Norris of the Mountain of the Lord Fellowship.

Support groups

First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. Alzheimer Support Group, 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Vacation Bible school

Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave., Lake Township. SonWorld Adventure Park , 9 a.m to noon, July 14-18. Registration: 330-699-3255.