Local churches are offering continuing and new classes and activities in the new year.

At First Baptist Church-La Crescenta, ministries include Special Friends, a ministry that is designed for adults of all ages with special needs. Special Friends meets on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. September through June. For more information, contact Sandy Hatfield at sandy_hatfield@msn.com.

Members of the Love Circle visit shut-ins from the FBCLC fellowship and family, praying and sharing the love of the Lord. Anyone interested in serving in this ministry can contact the church office at info@fbclc.org.

Sue’s Garden is a service group at FBCLC that works with the hope of helping the less fortunate in the foothill communities. Current involvement includes a harvest venture to help distribute food and household items to foothill families impacted by the recent hard times. Those interested in serving in this ministry can contact Rebecca Fletcher at fletchfam4@gmail.com.

First Baptist Church-La Crescenta is located at 444l La Crescenta Ave.

Center for Spiritual Living-La Crescenta is hosting Rochelle Niemerow, a master craftsman who will teach classes at the center beginning in January. She will teach stained glass, jewelry, mixed media/acrylic painting and beginning sculpting. Niemerow is a design artist and master sculptor. She exhibits in many well-known galleries, including the 7 Sisters Gallery in Morro Bay. She has designed for Warner Bros. and Paramount Studios.

Currently, she is teaching a jewelry design class on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Center for Spiritual Living-La Crescenta is located at 4845 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.

On Sunday, Dec. 28, Bryan Jones, vicar of St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church, will give his last sermon at the church as he is retiring. Jones took over the reins of leadership of the church shepherding the congregation after the church was reclaimed by the Episcopal diocese. Service begins at 10 a.m. St. Luke’s is located at 2563 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.