TOPS

The local chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Wednesdays in the education room at St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale. Weigh-ins begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by a short business session and a program.TOPS is a weight loss support group for men and women of all ages. Members learn sensible nutrition, portion control and lifestyle changes that promote lifelong health. Visitors are welcome to attend their first meeting without obligation, free of charge.SS. Peter and PaulThe Holy Name Society of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church will meet on Thursday, at 8 p.m. Prior to the meeting, a Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m.First Friday communion calls will be made on Thursday for residents of Hometown and Coaldale. All others will begin Friday at 9 a.m. First Friday confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by Mass and devotions at 8 a.m.Help will be needed on Jan. 10 , at 6 p.m., to take down the decorations.St. Peter's UnionThe Rev. Rodney Wells will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. The service will include a Joyous Noise Offering to benefit the missionaries in Thailand. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, youth group members will meet at 1 p.m. to visit with the shut-ins, Daisies and Brownies will meet at 6 p.m.Activities for next week include: Monday, Food co-op at 9 a.m.; Wednesday, newsletter deadline, retirees meet at 10 a.m.; Thursday, prayer group meets at 4:45 p.m., Worship and Music Committee meets at 5:45 p.m., Confirmation class meets at 6:30 p.m., Brownies meet at 6:30 p.m.Choir rehearsals are held on Thursdays. Next week's schedule will include: Junior Choir at 7 p.m., and Senior Choir at 7:45 p.m.Christmas treesThe Borough of Tamaqua's Street Department will be collecting discarded Christmas trees throughout January. Residents are to place their trees curbside on their regular trash collection days. Trees will be collected as time and weather permit.Trees must be free of all tinsel and decorations. Residents are also asked to remove any plastic bags from the trees. Trees may also be dropped off behind the Tamaqua Borough Garage, at 421 rear E. Broad St.No trees will be collected after Jan. 31.