Rush-Ryan seniors

The Rush-Ryan-Delano Senior Citizens met Feb. 26 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 41 members in attendance. President Robert Neifert conducted the business session after opening the meeting with the invocation “Happiness.”

A moment of silence was held in memory of Sylvia Garcia. Betty Kunkle, Mickey Konidas and Mary Reed were added to the sick list.

Birthday wishes were offered to Eleanor Schmerfeld, Nancy Nunemacher, Alice Tite, Norma Lee Burke, Tillie Kochmer and Edith Verano, while William and Nancy Godanis were congratulated on their 50th wedding anniversary.

A trip to the Mohegan Sun Casino in Wilkes-Barre is planned for March 19. The April trip to Mount Airy Lodge has been canceled.

Refreshments were served.

The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Ryan Township Fire Company in Barnesville and is open to anyone 55 or older.

Sorority news

The Preceptor Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 13, at Luigi’s in Tamaqua.

Chapter members are collecting household and personal goods for the Women In Crisis shelter in Pottsville and will continue to do so through the end of March.

The chapter will resume its annual Community Easter Egg hunt this year, with the event scheduled for April 13 at the Bungalow Park. The hunt will be open to children between the ages of 1 through 10 who live within the Tamaqua Area School District.

Other plans include attending the Flashback to the ’70s show at Capriotti’s on March 16; Founder’s Day celebration on April 24; and an Oct. 12 bus trip to Peddler’s Village for Octoberfest.

Grandparent support

A new support group for grandparents who find themselves parenting for the second time around has been formed and will meet monthly at the Hope and Coffee Shop in Tamaqua.

Organizers look at the group as a way for grandparents to share their experiences and support each other through the struggles and triumphs.

Children are welcome as activities for them will be provided by Raiders STEP-Up.

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on March 12. The group will then meet the second Tuesday of each month, at 7 p.m., at 137 Pine St., Tamaqua.

Diaper depot

Zion’s diaper ministry is now accepting applications for the March 16 distribution date. The free ministry is open to families residing within the Tamaqua Area School District.

Zion’s distributes free diapers on the third Saturday of each month, by appointment only. Proof of residency, but not financial status, photo identification and preregistration are required. Each 50-pack bundle of diapers will also come with a pack of wipes. Participants will be provided one bundle of diapers per child, per month, subject to availability.

For more information or to register, call 570-668-2180 or visit Zion’s website at www.ziontamaqua.com. Look for the ministries link and select diaper ministry.

Deadline to register is March 13.

St. Peter’s

The Rev. Virginia Heimer will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday at St. Peter’s West Penn Church, Mantzville. The service will include a Joyous Noise Offering and a congregational vote.

Also on Sunday, Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m.; junior choir rehearsal is at 11 a.m.; Girl Scouts meet at 6 p.m.

Activities for next week include: Tuesday, April newsletter deadline, prayer group meets at 5 p.m., Sunday school teachers and officers to meet at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, retirees meet at 10 a.m., Confirmation class is at 5 p.m., mid week Lenten service, 7:30 p.m., Ben Salem Church; Thursday, senior choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.

Zion Lewistown

Pastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church, Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.

Zion Valley Christian Pre-School will hold an Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 14.

St. John Lutheran

The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. Sunday service in St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Also on Sunday, Sunday school and Confirmation classes will meet at 10:30 a.m., newsletter deadline.

Activities for next week include: Monday, church council meets at 7 p.m.; Thursday, angel choir rehearses at 6 p.m., shepherd choir meets at 6:30 p.m. and chancel choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, newsletter assembly at 9:30 a.m.; Saturday, craft/vendor fair and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Calvary Lewistown

Pastor Susan Moore 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.

There will be a Sunday evening service and Bible study, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The March 13 Community Lenten service will be held at Calvary, with a hymnsing at 6:45 p.m. and the service at 7 p.m.

Cancer telethon

The annual ACS Telethon will take place on April 6 and 7, airing live from Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. Former ACS Courage Award winners and survivors are welcome to participate.

The Salute to Survivors will be part of the Saturday evening activities.

To appear on the telethon, call 570-205-2454, email gtay200@verizon.net or visit www.cancertelethon.org.

Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.