Tamaqua news
Sorority news
The Preceptor Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority met twice in January, planning a number of activities for the coming year.The Jan. 11 meeting was held at the home of Mary Machay, who provided a program on the dietary benefits of dried fruit. Details on upcoming events and plans were offered by the officers.The chapter met at the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Jan. 25. Lori Schmerfeld and Helen Walters organized a number of craft activities and treats for the residents.Following the service project, members held a business meeting.Officers include: Susan Hummel, president; Lori Schmerfeld, vice president; Mary Machay, recording secretary; Patti Burke, treasurer; Helen Walters, corresponding secretary.Rush-Ryan seniorsThe Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens Inc. met Jan. 24 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 40 members in attendance. One new member, Alice Tite, and returning members Doris Yeager, Dolly Schuetrumph and Jane Neidlinger were given warm welcomes.President Bill Morrison conducted the business session. Treasurer Shirley Becker offered her resignation due to health reasons after serving in that position for more than 25 years. Larry Bower was then elected as treasurer.The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Ryan Township Fire Company in Barnesville. The next meeting will be held Feb. 14, weather permitting.Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.Business womenThe Tamaqua Business and Professional Women's Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdayat Sisters' Cantina.Guest speaker will be a health care professional from St. Luke's University Hospital, who will present a program on "Women and heart disease."Prospective new members are welcome to attend.For more information, call 570-900-1421.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at this Sunday's 9:15 a.m. worship service in St. John's Lutheran Church. Sunday school and Confirmation classes meet at 10:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the bell choir will rehearse at 8 a.m.The worship and music committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.The choirs will rehearse on Thursday - angels at 6 p.m.; shepherds at 6:30 p.m.; chancel at 7:30 p.m.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services in St. Peter's Union Church in Mantzville are held at 9 a.m. This week's service will include Holy Communion. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.Next week's activities include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 3 p.m., called to care committee meets at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, retirees meet at 10 a.m.; Thursday, Confirmation class meets at 6:30 p.m., junior choir rehearses at 7 p.m., senior choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.Calvary EvangelicalThe Rev. Phillip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include Holy Communion, a collection of canned goods for Souper Sunday and a second mile offering. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, a time of devotion and party for the big game will be held at 5:30 p.m. Call 570-668-9111 for information.Prayer meetings are held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.The next movie night will be held Feb. 25.Support groupsThe Tamaqua area has a number of support groups to help people with different types of addiction.Alcoholics Anonymous has multiple weekly meetings at two locations. St. John's Lutheran Church, Pine and Mauch Chunk streets, has meetings at 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. Meetings are also held at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays; 10 a.m. on Fridays and 7:30 p.m. on Sundays at St. John XXIII Parish Center, 266 W. Broad St.Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Tamaqua Salvation army, 105 W. Broad St. Nar-Anon Family Support Group meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, at First United Methodist Church, 124 W. Broad St.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Jan. 26 with 56 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session. The inspirational reading "Somehow God Knows" was offered by the chaplain.One new member, Eleanor Sidoriak, was given a warm welcome.Members were reminded to bring a brown bag lunch during the winter months and that if conditions call for schools to be closed on a meeting day, that day's meeting will be canceled.Dues for 2017 are now being accepted. The next meeting will be held on Groundhog Day.The group is open to anyone 55 or older. Meetings are held at 1 p.m. Thursdays, at the Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St.Soup socialThe next monthly community soup social at Trinity United Church of Christ will be held on Saturday. The social will be held from 4-6 p.m. in the social hall.The meal is free to the public and everyone is welcome to enjoy the soup, desserts, refreshments and time with friends.For more information or to volunteer, stop by the church at 22 Lafayette St. or call 570-668-4139.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church.Also on Sunday, commission meetings will be held at 11:45 a.m. and Hunger Walk volunteers will meet at 2:30 p.m.Activities for next week include: Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m., TYM staff meeting at 8 p.m.; Thursday, worship team practices at 7 p.m., worship leaders meet at 8 p.m.The monthly worship service at the Hometown Nursing Center will be held at 2:30 p.m.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church of Lewistown Valley. The service will include Holy Communion and Souper Sunday collection of nonperishable goods. Sunday school will meet at 9:15 a.m.Upcoming meetings include: Feb. 2, Guild will meet at 7 p.m.; Feb. 3, Bible study meets at 12:30 p.m.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or
kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or