An appearance by the Episcopal bishop and the return of a popular community event were some of the season's highlights in religion news.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, visited The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in April, presiding at a Holy Eucharist service.

In her post since June 2006, Jefferts Schori told attendees that the church must find new ways to meet the spiritual needs of society at large.

Bethesda also hosted the 30th annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival, A Taste of Bethesda and the annual Thanksgiving ecumenical service.

Chabad of Palm Beach Island

In its second year on the island, the Chabad increased membership in the Jewish Music for Kids and Moms program as well as the Torah Education Classes, Singles' Shabbatons and Jewish Women's Circle events.

The Women's Circle hosted An Evening of Song and Inspiration, a well-attended event at The Chesterfield. The concert featured professional singer Kineret Cohen, as well as The Six Deitsch Sisters and their mother, Rishe Deitsch.

The Circle also hosted "Debunking the Myths of Orthodox Judaism" at The Chesterfield.

New Synagogue

of Palm Beach

In its first season, the synagogue hosted several high-profile speakers, including Rabbi Marc Schneier, who is founding rabbi of the Hampton Synagogue, the New York Synagogue and chairman of the World Jewish Congress American Section; Alexander Haig; and Knesset Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.

Palm Beach Synagogue

New this year to the program lineup were Living Room Learning, where several people hosted learning sessions in their homes with teachings by Rabbi Moshe Scheiner, and Wisdom on Worth, in which Scheiner took his teachings to Worth Avenue.

The synagogue began a $3 million expansion and renovation project in the fall of its sanctuary, social hall and religious school. The renovations will continue in the summer with a target of completion before the High Holidays in September.

The Paramount Church

The church held Wednesday potluck dinners followed by Bible study, a new program this year. The Rev. Dwight Stevens said his eight-week course on the Book of Revelations was so well attended that he plans to repeat it next season.

The church held its sixth annual Historical Christmas Eve candlelight service, featuring baritone William Stafford. It also continued the Paramount Theatre Movie Classics, for its fifth season, on the first Thursday of each month from December to May. In addition to the regular monthly films, the church hosted an additional showing featuring Gone With The Wind.

Royal Poinciana Chapel

As always, the 19th year of the Christmas Boutique was a big fundraiser for the church's scholarship and benevolence programs. The boutique made more than $150,000. Every dollar, after expenses, goes back into the community to help the needy and give scholarships to students who might not otherwise be able to afford an education.

The proceeds also fund grants to agencies that feed the homeless, support the physically challenged and the elderly, respond to disasters and build Habitat for Humanity Houses.

The chapel also held its annual Scottish Service, which attracts people from around the county and beyond.

Other events last season: the groundbreaking for Sea Gull Cottage restoration and expansion in November and the culmination of the Taking the Next Step capital campaign, which raised $6.5 million for anticipated chapel renovation, columbarium expansion, grounds enhancement and the Preservation Foundation-partnered Sea Gull Cottage restoration and expansion project.

St. Edward Catholic Church

The Rev. Francis Lechiara and volunteers from St. Edward Guild and the congregation continue feeding the hungry by providing three meals a week to the Caring Kitchen in Delray Beach.

Other major programs this season: the Christmas Dinner Dance, a Valentine luncheon and the annual Treasures of the Island rummage sale.

Temple Emanu-El

The synagogue kicked off several new programs this season under the leadership of Rabbi Michael Resnick.

Among them: a musical Friday night Shabbat service and a new service geared for young families, called Noah's Ark.

In addition, the synagogue has a new Web site address at http://www.tepb.org.

Palm Beach Fellowship

of Christians and Jews

New co-chairmen Michael McAuliffe and Bill Metzger reorganized the group and returned the popular Fellowship Week to its program lineup.

Joyce McLendon chaired the event that she introduced to the island in the early 1990s. The event took a five-year hiatus before emerging again this year.

St. Edward Catholic Church hosted the kickoff event April 13 with a talk by the Rev. Francis Lechiara.

Other participating houses of worship were The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, the Palm Beach Synagogue, the Paramount Church, The Royal Poinciana Chapel, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Beth El and Temple Israel.