A drive for potential bone marrow donors will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 442 Bell St., Akron.The local drive, sponsored by Mount Calvary’s nurse ministry, is part of the Be the Match campaign of the National Marrow Donor Program. The initiative encourages people to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor. A bone marrow transplant can be a cure for someone with sickle cell anemia, leukemia, lymphoma and other illnesses.The goal of the local drive is to raise awareness in the African-American community about the need for donors and to add at least 50 potential donors to the bone marrow registry. The chance of finding a match on the Be a Match registry is 93 percent for whites and 66 percent for blacks.Potential donors must complete an application and have the inside of their cheeks swabbed. The only requirements are to be healthy and between the ages of 18 and 60 years old. Donations also can be made to the Be the Match Foundation. For information, go to www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/Mount Calvary or call 800-627-7692.The local drive will conclude with a concert featuring the Mount Calvary Mass Choir, accompanied by African Drummers, at 4 p.m. Nov. 6. For information, call 330-253-3747.In other religion news:EventsAurora Mennonite Church — 59 E. Mennonite Road, Aurora. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Community dinner with pasta and meatballs, salad bar, rolls, drinks and dessert. Adults $8.50, ages 4-11 $4.50, ages 3 and under free. 330-562-8011.Canton Calvary Mission — 1345 Gibbs Ave. NE, Canton. 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11. Dinner & Benefit Auction at Brookside Country Club, 1800 Canton Ave. NW. Tickets $40. 330-454-8610.Christ Is the Answer Ministries — 379 E. South St., Akron. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Robert Matthews of New Hope Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., is guest preacher. At 4 p.m., the Rev. Clifton Norwood and St. Paul Baptist Church will be guests. 330-376-1869.Christ United Methodist Church — 380 Mineola Ave., Akron. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Annual free Halloween carnival for children and families. Pony rides, face painting, games, prizes and refreshments. Children up to age 14 encouraged to wear costumes. 330-836-5563.Concordia Lutheran Church — 724 Sumner St., Akron. 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5. The women’s organization will hold its annual sauerkraut supper and bake sale. Adults $8, ages 4-10 $5, ages 3 and under free. 330-678-0149.East Sparta United Methodist Church — 2041 Pine St., East Sparta. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5. 60th annual turkey supper, sponsored by the women of the church. Includes dressing, green beans, mashed or sweet potatoes, applesauce, cranberry sauce, dessert and drink. 330-866-3341.Faith in Action Medina County Caregivers — Apple Pie Fundraiser presented by Emeritus at Camelot Place. Baked or frozen pies will be delivered to your door. $5 each. To order, call 330-723-5825 by Nov. 8.First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. Noon to 2 p.m. today. Fall festival in the church parking lot. Face painting, games, cupcake walk and caramel apple station. Trunk-or-Treat at 1:15 p.m. Donations accepted. In case of rain, festival will be in the church. At 8 p.m., there will be an All Hallow’s Eve service. Halloween costumes welcome. 330-923-5241.Grace Church — 754 Ghent Road, Fairlawn. 8:45 to 10 a.m. Sundays, Nov. 6, 13, 20 and Dec. 4. Discussions of how to deal with seasonal grief and facing the holidays for the first time without those you love. The Rev. Dale Henneman will facilitate. 330-666-8341.Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave NW, Lake Township. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5. Swiss steak dinner in the Family Activity Center. Includes noodles, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, applesauce, green beans, rolls, dessert and beverage. Quilts and other handcrafted products will also be on display. Adults $8, ages 4-12 $4, ages 3 and under free. 330-699-3255.Mount Calvary Baptist Church — 442 Bell St., Akron. 11 a.m. today, 8 and 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday. Women’s Ministry Annual Women’s Retreat. The Rev. Leslie Parker Barnes of Arlington Church of God will appear today. The Rev. Gail E. Dudley of the Church at North Pointe, the Rev. Cathy Johnson of the House of the Lord and Theresa Norwood of St. Paul Baptist Church are guests on Sunday. 330-253-3711.New Life Episcopal Church — 13118 Church Ave. NW, Lake Township. 9 a.m. to noon today. Annual Boo Breakfast for children and their families. Kid-friendly hot breakfast, crafts, storytelling and costume parade. New features include Haunted Hallway and Matt’s Mad Science Corner. $5 per person, maximum $20 per family. Tickets are limited. Call 419-508-9427.Our Lady of the Elms High School — 375 W. Exchange St., Akron. 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Improbable Pairs, a film documentary about pairs of people who have made peace against extraordinary odds, will be shown followed by discussion. Free. For more information, call Linda Gannon at 330-664-0943 or Sue Crookston at 330-835-9421.Pain Into Power Inc. — Front Porch Cafe, 798 Grant St., Akron. 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Dinner to benefit those affected by domestic violence. For more information, call Charly Murphy at 330-375-1991.Queen of Heaven Church — 1800 Steese Road, Green. 7 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday. All Souls Day commemoration Mass. Covered dish dinner at 5:30 p.m. 330-896-2345.St. Mark Lutheran Church — 158 North Ave., Tallmadge. 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 5. Tea and Fashions with Angels in the Kitchen. Entertainment includes a fashion show and musical talents of Chanda Porter and Jared McGraf. Ladies invited to wear hats. Tickets $3. 330-633-3718.St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church — 1051 Robinson Ave., Barberton. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 5. Semiannual rummage and bake sale. Donations accepted Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. in the church hall. 330-745-8678.St. Paul’s United Methodist Church — 2705 Sixth St. SW, Canton. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Friday lunch with homemade soups, hot sandwiches and more. 330-456-7207.PerformancesArchbishop Hoban High School — 1 Holy Cross Blvd., Akron. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5. Dead Man Walking will be performed as part of Hoban’s 2011-12 Theatre Series. Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, will appear for a talk and book signing following Thursday’s performance. Tickets $11 reserved, $7 general admission. Order at www.hobantroubadors.org. 330-773-6658. Canton Palace Theatre — 605 Market Ave. N., Canton. 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 12. Majestic Voice in concert at third annual Christmas Music Celebration. Other local talent will also perform. For tickets or more information, call 330-854-5061 or visit www.majestivoice.org.St. John Christian Methodist Episcopal Church — 1233 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 4 p.m. Sunday. The music department will present an Afternoon of Praise and Thanksgiving. All of the St. John choirs, the praise dance team and a guest choir will be featured. 330-864-3060.South Arlington United Methodist Church — 790 S. Arlington St., Akron. 10:45 a.m. Sunday. New Creation, a barbershop gospel quartet, in concert. Also performing is Kindred Spirit, the church choir and a congregational hymn sing. 330-724-1334.Speakers, classes,workshopsAmherst Brethren Community Church — 8650 Beatty St. NW, Jackson Township. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5. Dr. John David Geib, dean of the Logos Institute in Canton, will teach and facilitate a conference on 3 Marys: A Journey into the Heart of Jesus. Tuition $35, $50 for couples. Financial assistance available. To register or for details, call the Rev. Kevin Rohr at 330-833-9650.Child Evangelism Fellowship — 310 Orchard Ave., Cuyahoga Falls. Teaching Children Effectively Level 1 classes, a 30-hour course, will be offered Nov. 10, 12, 17 and 19 and Dec. 1 and 3. Thursday classes are 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturday classes 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendance at all sessions required. Cost is $125 for course materials. Course coordinator is Carolyn Miller. To register, call 330-928-1648.Christ Presbyterian Church — 530 W. Tuscarawas St. W., Canton. 9:15 to 10:10 a.m. Sundays through Dec. 12. Dr. John David Geib, dean of the Logos Institute, will teach a course on Spiritualities: A Person’s Centered View of Spiritual Gifts. Donations will be accepted. To register or for information, call 330-456-8113 or email cpcoffice@cantoncpc.org.First Freedom Baptist Church — 2171 Tallmadge Road, Brimfield Township. 7 tonight and Sunday. Annual Fall Bible Conference. The Rev. Mark Rogers from Fairbanks, Alaska, will be guest speaker. 330-673-0997.First Friday Club — Martin Center, University of Akron, 105 Fir Hill, Akron. Noon Friday. The Rev. Daniel G. Groody, a Catholic priest, author and film producer, will speak on the issue of immigration. His topic will be Dying to Live: Migration Theology and the Human Journey. Cost of the luncheon is $15. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. 330-535-7668.Hamilton Forum Luncheon — St. Michael Parish Fannon Center, 3430 St. Michael Drive NW, Plain Township. 11:30 a.m. Nov. 9. Sister Diana Culbertson, professor emeritus at Kent State University, and member of the Sisters of St. Dominic in Akron, will speak on the theology of death and resurrection, the destiny of our loved ones and our own experience of eternal life now. 330-492-2939.Malone University — 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Daniel G. Groody will present Dying to Live: Migration Theology on the topic of immigration in the Fred F. Silk Auditorium at Mitchell Hall. Freewill offering. 330-471-8239.Portage County Dinner and Doctrine — Rusty Nail restaurant, 7291 State Route 43, Franklin Township. 6 p.m. Nov. 15. The Rev. James Daprile, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Aurora, will share insights from his journey of the medieval pilgrims’ route to Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James). It is also the subject of a current film, The Way, starring Martin Sheen. Buffet dinner tickets are $25 and may be purchased at any parish in Portage County. Dinner at 6 p.m., speaker 7 to 8 p.m. Reservations required by Nov. 6. For information, call Eileen Edwards at 330-296-4549 or Mickee Murphy at 330-677-4453.St. Paul’s Episcopal Church — 1361 W. Market St., Akron. 10 a.m. Nov. 5. The Rev. Fleming Rutledge, a noted speaker and author, will visit for a community brunch. Her topics will address the relevance of the Bible today. Freewill offering. Registration necessary. She will also be guest preacher at 9:15 and 11 a.m. Nov. 6. 330-836-9327.Stow Presbyterian Church — 4150 Fishcreek Road, Stow. 7 p.m. Wednesday. Scott Waalkes, professor of international politics at Malone University, will speak on the war on terror and 9/11 a decade later. Free and open to the public. 330-688-6935. Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. 7 p.m. Sunday. Speaking Up for Yourself will focus on ways people can use their speaking voices to full potential, with Professor Chuck Richie of Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance and acting student Raquel Encalada. 330-673-5445.The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to religion@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Religion, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron OH 44309.