Artist reception

The Tamaqua Community Art Center will sponsor a meet and greet reception for artist Vicky Dash from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the center, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua.Dash is a member of the Schuylkill County Allied Artist and discovered the "inner landscape of her imagination" following a second kidney transplant in 2007. She creates paper collages representing her journey to recovery.For more information on the art center, visit

www.tamaquaarts.org or call 570-668-1192.Healthy livingA "Living a Healthy Life" series will be held in Tamaqua from 12:30 to 3 p.m., Thursdays, April 17. The six-week series, designed to help people with chronic illness, will be held at the Tamaqua Salvation Army, 105 W. Broad St.The sessions are also open to caregivers, spouses, family members and the general public. Participants will learn ways to improve healthful behavior, health status and help reduce hospital stays.The sessions are free, but registration is required through Diakon Community Services for Seniors. For more information, or to register, call 570-624-3017.Senior citizensThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens group met March 20 with 57 members in attendance.President Melody Weicker conducted the business session. Jacque Patrick provided the invocation "Gentle Jesus." Several members were welcomed back following lengthy absences.The group celebrated Mike Rego's 85th birthday.Reports were offered by secretary Ruth Ann Feane and treasurer Penny Schlorf.The meeting concluded with cards and social games.The seniors meet at 1 p.m. every Thursday, at the Masonic Lodge, located on Route 54 (east) in Hometown. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The center is handicap accessible.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. A contemporary service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Tamaqua YMCA, including nursery and primary church. Sunday school classes, for all ages, will meet at 9:15 a.m. at the church.Also on Sunday, the Christian education commission will meet at 11:45 a.m. and the care and connection, operations, and outreach commissions will all meet at 12:30 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m., Good News Club meets at 3:45 p.m. at the South Ward Playground; Wednesday, Community Lenten service, noon, at First United Methodist Church, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, study of the Book of James, 1 p.m., at the Majestic House, membership class meets at 7 p.m.; Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9 a.m.SS. Peter and PaulStations of the Cross are held every Wednesday during Lent, at 7 p.m., in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Before Stations, there will be an hour of prayer, recitation of the rosary and confessions, beginning at 6 p.m.The choir will rehearse after Stations on Wednesdays.St. John UCCThe Rev. Kevin Duffy Guy will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John United Church of Christ. The service will be followed by a time of fellowship. Sunday school classes for all ages will be held at 11 a.m. The weekly radio program will be aired on WLSH AM1410, at 11:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, choir rehearsal and a meeting of the fundraising committee will meet during the time of fellowship.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, bell choir rehearsal at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, joint Lenten service, 7:30 p.m.For more information, visit the

www.stjohnucctamaqua.net.