Ash Wednesday

For various Christian houses of worship, Ash Wednesday, which is today, is remembered as the beginning of Lent, a time of reflection, praying, denying oneself, repenting of one’s sins and preparing for the joy of Easter.

Services are held from early morning to the evening, depending on denomination and location.

In Monroe County’s West End, we have been made aware of the following services and events:

• Zion Lutheran Church, Brodheadsville, is again offering Ashes-to-go on Ash Wednesday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot.

There will be a special Ash Wednesday worship service in the church at 7:30 p.m.

• Effort UMC, on Merwinsburg Road, will have an Ash Wednesday service, beginning with a Lenten study based on the book “Excellence: Run with the Horses,” by Eugene Peterson. The study, for those who registered by Feb. 16, begins at 5:45 p.m. following the soup and salad supper from 5:30 to 5:45.

The worship service begins at 7 p.m.

• New Covenant Outreach Church in Brodheadsville will hold its standard prayer service at 7 p.m.

• Our Lady Queen of Peace church, Gilbert, will offer Mass at 12:10 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church, Brodheadsville, will have its standard Wednesday evening service/activities.

• St. John’s Lutheran Church, Merwinsburg Road, Effort, will have an Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m.

• St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, will be having its Ash Wednesday service after a 6 p.m. simple supper of soup made by Laymen’s and other small dishes brought by others. The service will begin at 7 p.m.

• St. Peter’s UMC, Saylorsburg, will have an Ash Wednesday service with Imposition of Ashes at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Ed Beam presiding.

• Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kresgeville, will have a short service at noon with the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion.

There will be another service with the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion at 7 p.m.

Joint Lenten worship services for five cooperating churches will begin March 4.

St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, will host the first one, with the Rev. Deb Scheffey speaking on the first topic.

The theme for these joint Lenten services is Signs of Lent, including: stop, merge, yield, one-way and dead end.

The service, which begins at 7 p.m., is preceded by a simple soup supper from 6 to 6:45 p.m. to which all worshippers are welcome.

Board of Education

The Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. at the District Office in Brodheadsville.

West End Dems

The West End Democratic Association represents the townships of Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Polk and Ross. The group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the West End Firehouse in Brodheadsville.

Anyone needing more information about the group can call C. Burger at 570-994-5402.

Chestnuthill Seniors

The activity for the Seniors meeting at Zion Lutheran in Brodheadsville on Friday, under the auspices of Monroe County’s Senior Centers, is Healthy Steps in Motion.

The light menu being offered is tuna salad, cucumber salad, sliced peaches, rice puddings and whole grain wheat.

The regular menu offers cheese omelet, roasted potato wedges, snap peas, fruit cocktail and whole wheat bread.

The menu for March is not yet posted.

Trivia Night

American Legion Post 927, Gilbert, is hosting its monthly Trivia Night on Friday, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

There will be prizes, drink specials, food specials and a time for having fun and thinking.

For more information, call 610-681-5838.

Blood drive

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at the Monroe County Conservation District from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Both whole blood and Power Red donations will be accepted.

Polk permits

New solid waste permits for Polk Township will be available starting come March. The cost can be paid using cash or check only. Residents will need their vehicle registration when purchasing a permit.

Ross supervisors

The Ross Township Board of Supervisors is slated to meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the township municipal building on Anchorage Road, Saylorsburg.

Chestnuthill meeting

The Chestnuthill Township Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet Tuesday, the first Tuesday of March, at 7 p.m. at the township municipal building in Brodheadsville.

Home Association

The West End Home Association of American Legion Post 927 will meet at 7:30 p.m. March 4.

Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.