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Judy Russell, For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin 1:48 p.m. CT April 5, 2017

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Several faith communities in Oshkosh will combine their ministries and congregations to offer special Holy Week services this week. The public is welcome to attend.

The first service will be on Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 137 Algoma Blvd. FCC and First Presbyterian Church are jointly offering this worship. The service will be led by the Rev. Tom Willadsen of First Presbyterian and the Rev. Nancy Taylor of First Congregational.

Eight faith communities are jointly offering a Good Friday Ecumenical Service from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bethany United Church of Christ, 145 W. 24th Ave. The Rev. Deborah Bartelt of the host church said there will be a combined choir, with a choir rehearsal at 11:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. In addition to the host church, participants are Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Community, First Congregational Church, St. Paul's United Church of Christand First Presbyterian Church. Questions? Call 920-235-1631.

Three congregations will individually offer a Tenebrae Service on Good Friday. This is a service of light and darkness based on the Passion and the "seven last words" of Christ. A series of reflections are offered, as are hymns and prayers. After each read verse, a candle is extinguished. The service ends in silence and darkness. The Tenebrae Service at Peace Lutheran Church, 240 W. Ninth Ave., begins at 6:30 p.m.; Tenebrae at the St. Mary site of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, 605 Merritt Ave., starts at 7 p.m.;and Tenebrae at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 364 S. Cambridge St., Wautoma, begins at 7 p.m.

Tim Wise, anti-racist writer and educator, will be the keynote speakerMonday, April 10, as Social Justice Week kicks off at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His address, "Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges," will be from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center. Wise's latest book is "Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America." Social Justice Week is sponsored by the Interfaith Dialogue and Education Alliance of UWO. Events Tuesday through Friday will be in Reeve Union. For the full schedule, go to equity.uwosh.edu/social-justice-week/.

Scripture, and a variety of choral and instrumental sacred music, will be part of a free, public Lenten Meditation program at 3 p.m. Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2450 W. Ninth Ave., Oshkosh. Music will be provided by members of Good Shepherd and a guest string quartet. There will be a reception after the program.

Oshkosh now offers two free Memory Cafes each month for families who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and for those experiencing some dementia. The next Memory Cafe will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Kathy Davies of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Wisconsin Chapter said, "These social afternoons are designed to reconnect families with others facing similar challenges and provide time to share, laugh and learn." The second Memory Cafe this month will be Monday, April 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the 20th Avenue YMCA in Oshkosh. Y membership is not required to attend. Snacks and beverages are provided. Questions? Call 715-869-2667 or email to kdavies@alz.org.

A Stone Soup Supper, sponsored by the Human Concerns Committee of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, will begin at 5 p.m. Holy Thursday in the lower level of the St. Mary church site. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. The supper is open to the public.

A planting demonstration by Lowney's Landscaping Center will be the program when the Senior Young-At-Heart Club of St. Jude Parish has a potluck lunch and program at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, in Leannah Hall at the Sacred Heart site. Those attending are asked to bring an item to be donated to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society.

Thought for the Day: Others are not in this world to live up to our expectations.

Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about happenings at area centers of worship. To submit news for her consideration, email her courtesy of oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject Church news. Deadline is 5 p.m., Mondays.

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Ecumenism hallmark of Holy Week services - The Oshkosh Northwestern