Parenting help

An eight-week session designed to help parents is being offered, free of charge, at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center on Pine Street. The sessions will begin at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5The "Homes of Honor Parenting Series" offers information on ways to become a better parent and develop closer relationships and better communication with your children. Topics include building a close knit family, motivational techniques, setting limits through contracts and more.There is no fee for the course.For more information, or to register, call (570) 668-1192.West Penn softballThe West Penn Softball League will be accepting registration for the 2013 season on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. The registration sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, both days, at the West Penn Township Municipal Building.The league is open to players between the ages of 5-16.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 reminded 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.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary worship services Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Nursery and primary church are offered during the later service. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, commission meetings will begin at 11:45 a.m., with the exception of care and connection.The Tamaqua Youth Ministry will meet at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday.Musician practice is held Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., followed by praise practice at 9:30 a.m.Registrations are now being accepted for the spring semester of Growth Groups. Information is available at

www.bethanyec.org.A new GriefShare group will begin regular meetings on Feb. 6.First MethodistThe Rev. James Cavallero will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service this Sunday in First United Methodist Church. The service will include a children's message, offered by Marge Kropp.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, quilters meet at 9:30 a.m.; Wednesday, chancel choir rehearses at 7 p.m.A Lenten Bible study session will begin Feb. 17 with a pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. The session will begin at 7 p.m. There will be a total of six sessions related to the Bible study.St. Peter's UnionThe Rev. Cheryl Moore will officiate at the 9 a.m. contemporary worship service Sunday in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. The service will include the annual congregational meeting. Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at 11:30 a.m. and Daisies, Brownies and Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.The prayer group will meet next Thursday at 4:45 p.m.The choirs rehearse on Thursdays. Next week's schedule will include: junior choir at 7 p.m.; senior choir at 7:30 p.m.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. church service this Sunday in Zion's Church, Lewistown Valley. Sunday school will meet at 9:30 a.m.Also this Sunday, the annual congregational meeting and covered dish dinner will be held immediately following the worship service.