Church renovation led the discussion this week at the Parryville borough council monthly meeting.

Pastor Bill Ritzenthaler joined the council and discussed his in-depth plans of restoring and reopening the community's United Methodist Church.In 2013, the church was shut down by Ritzenthaler due to lack of involvement from the community.He said the new generation of people in the community are looking for a different kind of worship."They don't want to preached to like we've offered in previous eras," Ritzenthaler said.His new plan is to try an innovative form of worship which invites all members of the community for more of a social gathering rather than a sermon. This idea is meant to work like a coffee shop theme where everyone can discuss certain aspects of religion or just discuss current events.The church has changed its name to the Helping Hands Community Center and will begin by offering three different days of worship a week.On Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., the church will hold an open mic night where people of the community can have their turn speaking their mind, playing an instrument, or many other things for everyone to hear.Fireside Fridays will bemade for conversation between 6 and 9 p.m. Separate tables will be set up for everyone to hold conversations. The church will help start conversations by creating cards with a variety of topics.Cooperative games such as Jenga will be offered to give members something to do while they discuss topics with their new friends.The last day of the week offered will be Saturday with similar setup calledLifetree Cafes that will offer coffee, tea and muffins while community members enjoy a conversation-style of worship. This will be held at 5 p.m.The community center's main goal is to cater to the 25- to 40-year-old age range but will "hope to bring in older folks and children as well," Ritzenthaler said.The center will not offer pews but instead will have tables and chairs and will be led by a video on a new 70-inch flat-screen TV.More changes are being made to the church to make sure that it is handicap accessible and offers a handicap restroom.Ritzenthaler said he wants to create a place for the community to come together to enjoy events, make friends, and give everyone something to do.He also said he is open to suggestions for other days of the week and would be willing to open up the center to any clubs or organizations in the community that need somewhere to meet.For more information, call 610-767-6233.Other businessThe rest of the council's meeting included updates on projects such as acquiring construction equipment and playground renovations.Earlier this year, the borough worked with the Carbon County Council of Governments to receive a grant for a milling machine called an asphalt zipper.The borough was approved for the grant. The next step is for the council to vote on which method they will use to bid for the machine.The council will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. Saturdayin the borough hall to decide this step. The meeting will be open to the public.The playground renovation committee had its first meeting two weeks ago and now are in the process of attending a grant writing course. The course was offered last week but was canceled by weather. Following the course, the renovation committee will continue to move forward on the playground.