An open house will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Akron-Canton Shambhala Meditation Center, 133 Portage Trail, Suite 202, in Cuyahoga Falls.The event is an opportunity to learn more about the center, the Shambhala view of creating an enlightened society and meditation practice. There is no cost, and refreshments will be served.The local center has its own senior teaching staff and is affiliated with Shambhala International, which includes more than 170 centers and groups around the world. It offers free meditation instruction and practice at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and at 10 a.m. Fridays.Beginning Tuesday, a public class on Buddhist psychology, Karma and the Nidanas, will begin at 7 p.m. for six consecutive Tuesdays. Each class begins with sitting and walking meditation. A three-day introductory Shambhala training, called Level I: The Art of Being Human, starts on Aug. 12 at the Canton satellite center, 2401 Whipple Ave. NW in Plain Township. A three-day seminar called Meditation and Art: The Creative Process begins on Sept. 30 at the Cuyahoga Falls location.Shambhala is rooted in the teachings of Buddhism but is open to practitioners of any faith or nonfaith tradition. Its basis is that every human being has a fundamental nature of goodness, warmth and intelligence and that nature can be developed through meditation and further enriched in daily life.For more information, go to http://www.akron.shambhala.org or call 330-983-9010. In other religion news:EventsFirst United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 11 a.m. today. Soup's On Saturday. Worship followed by a free meal at 11:30 a.m. Everyone welcome. 330-923-5241.Greater Bethel Baptist Church — 404 S. Arlington St., Akron. 3 p.m. Sunday. Annual River Baptizing at Lake Anna in downtown Barberton. All are welcome.Mount Olive Baptist Church — 1180 Slosson St., Akron. 10 a.m. Sunday. Kingdom Partnership hosts the Family & Friends Day celebration. Dinner served after morning service. Afternoon service at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Edison Esters of Detroit, Mich., as guest speaker. 330-836-5561.St. Paul Church — 1580 Brown St., Akron. 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Lite Supper Card Party in Boeke Hall. Wheelchair entrance from Greenlawn Avenue. Raffles and door prizes. Bring your own cards or games. 330-773-9379.Zion Temple Baptist Church — 515 Ardella Ave., Akron. 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Singers and praise dancers. Speaker is the Rev. Marrissa Neal.PerformancesAkron Freewill Baptist Church — 1802 Eastwood Ave., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Christ Unlimited will perform at morning worship service.Community Gospel Tabernacle — 181 E. State St., Barberton. 7 p.m. Sunday. Christ Unlimited will perform.Lake Anna Park — Park Avenue and Sixth Street, Barberton. 7 p.m. today. Christ Unlimited will present its 25th annual Gospel at the Gazebo concert. The Down Home Gospel Quartet will also perform. Bring a lawn chair. 330-285-5581.Trinity Lutheran Church — 600 S. Water St., Kent. 5 p.m. Aug. 8. Picnic followed by performance from Stan Hywet’s Goodyear Concert Band at 7 p.m. Outdoors, weather permitting. Hamburgers and hot dogs with table service and drinks. Bring a side dish or dessert to share and lawn chairs. Open to the public.Speakers, classes, workshopsBlessed Trinity Parish — 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Most Rev. Roger W. Gries, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, will be speaker for the next Come & See meeting in McKeever Hall. His topic will be The Mass and Its New Translation. Small discussion groups will follow. Refreshments will be served. Free, no reservation required. Call Patricia Flaherty at 330-773-7621.Mount Calvary Baptist Church — 442 Bell St., Akron. 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Bridge program will be offered to minority high school students. It is a college access and resource program that facilitates workshops and allows students to earn scholarship dollars to select private colleges and universities in Ohio through their participation. Space is limited, and students must have a reservation. Contact Brandon R. Scarborough at scarborough@ofic.org or call the church at 330-253-3711.Support groupsFirst United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 1 p.m. Tuesday. Attorney Cindy Mason will speak to the Alzheimer Support Group meeting on Medicaid: Long-Term Care Benefits. Free and open to the community. 330-923-5241.Vacation Bible SchoolsEmmanuel United Church of Christ — 1480 Eastwood Ave., Akron. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 8-12. Vacation Bible School, free for ages 5-12, and adult class. 330-784-6608.Manchester United Methodist Church — 5625 Manchester Road, New Franklin. 9 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 8-12. “Shake It Up Cafe” Vacation Bible School. For age 4 through grade 6. Everyone welcome. Transportation is available. 330-882-4818.St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church — 3204 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. 8:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 15-19. Akron Clergy Association presents a one-week Vacation Church School. Theme is The Beatitudes of Christ. Songs, fun, Bible stories, prayers, games, skits and more. For preschool through high school ages. Children from all churches and backgrounds welcome. $10. Registration deadline Aug. 8. 330-666-7116.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