New beginnings

As of this past Monday, Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Gilbert, began its regular daily Mass at its regular time, but it takes place in the pavilion. Up to 35 people could be present to keep the proper socially distanced seats.

This Sunday, Mass will be offered at 9 a.m. in the church with 25 percent of the seating capacity allowed. Mass will be live­streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Those who view Mass at home are welcome to come to the church to receive Communion after Mass. Communion will be distributed from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sunday morning in the church. There will be one entrance in and one entrance out.

On Monday, Confessions begin, from 6 to 7 p.m., and on June 13, the time is from 4 to 5 p.m. They will be heard in the pavilion.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will resume this Friday until 7 p.m. with evening prayer and benediction.

Mass will be celebrated under the pavilion at 8 a.m., but adoration will take place in the chapel.

Masks and safe distances are required at all times.

Library open

The Western Pocono Community Library has announced that it would be opening this past Monday with limited services, curbside pickup and call ahead printing. Residents are invited to call 570-992-7934 for more information.

Meals make move

The last day of summer meals for children at the Pleasant Valley School District was Monday. Beginning today, the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network food pantry was to take on the responsibility for preparing and distributing Grab-N-Go meals for Pleasant Valley children and is scheduled to continue through the summer distribution days on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Meal packs will include a breakfast and lunch.

The distribution location moved from the high school to the Western Pocono Library, 131 Pilgrim Way, Brodheadsville, PA 18322 off Route 115 across from the middle school.

To learn more about the PVEN, visit www.pven.net or call 570-992-3136.

Busy volunteers

West End Fire Company Chief Don Zipp says the Brodheadsville company responded to 47 incidents in May. That represents a 67 percent increase.

The year-to-date total is 223 incidents. that includes: 42 structure fires, 9 vehicle fires, 23 brush fires, 3 other type fires, 59 fire alarms, 33 car accidents, 22 officer in charge calls, 5 hazardous materials, 3 fire police calls, 2 utility incidents, 10 co alarms, 5 burn complaints and 1 search.

Virtual worship

McMichaels UMC will continue with its virtual worship service this Sunday on the church’s Facebook page, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The service offers Dennis Maida on guitar; Ruth Funk, lay leader; and Ryan Hinton with a children’s message.

Communion celebrated

Effort UMC will celebrate Holy Communion during its online service Sunday. Those wishing to participate are asked by Pastor Robin Fisher to have bread and juice available and she will consecrate the elements during the service and all can share together.

St. Matthew’s

St. Matthew’s UCC in Kunkletown is making preparations to hold Sunday services in the church grove in a drive-in format, weather permitting. The service will also still be available online.

Check the church’s website, https://stmattsucckunkletown.com and Facebook page for updates.

Postponed event

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Gilbert, has postponed its annual flea market from June to September due to the COVID-19 situation.

The new date for a big outdoor rummage sale of furniture and household items is set for is 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 4 and Sept. 5. Food will be available.

There will be no outside vendors for this smaller event.

Frozen meals

The Monroe County Area Agency on Aging is now able to offer frozen meals to seniors if they are in need of food is the word via the monthly Senior Express Times, a publication of the agency.

For details, call the Loder Senior Center at 570-420-3745.

Frozen meals can be picked up at the senior center one would normally attend on a weekly basis.

The Monroe County Area Agency will be closed on June 15 for Flag Day.

Meeting held

According to the Chestnuthill calendar, the West End Park and Open Space Commission will happen at its usual meeting time, 6:30 p.m. June 10, at the Chestnuthill Township Park building in Brodheadsville.

Choose time now

The American Red Cross is asking people to register and choose a donation time at the local community site blood drives.

The next local drive that has times to sign up for, from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., is in Chestnuthill Township at the park on Route 715, on June 29.

Go to redcrossblood.com or call 800-RED Cross (800-733-2767).

Volunteers needed

Monroe County Habitat for Humanity has announced that the work on its home preservation projects is back. Volunteers are needed.

In compliance with the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health’s construction guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, MCHFH will be abiding by the following procedures:

Volunteers will be screened when they arrive on a worksite, and their temperature will be taken to ensure that they do not have a fever. Volunteers will also fill out a questionnaire to determine whether they were exposed to COVID-19 or have had symptoms of it within the past two weeks; strict safety protocols on all worksites will include a maximum of four volunteers per day, wash stations, disinfecting of all tools before and during work, and 6 feet distancing of volunteers; and, volunteers will be provided with personal protective equipment including masks and gloves.

Five new preservation projects are underway and those who have the time and would like to help are asked to contact Scott Fabian at volunteer@habitatmc.org or call 570-216-4390.

EUMC Preschool

Registrations are being accepted for the Just 3’s and Pre-K classes for September 2020 at the Effort UMC Pre-school.

Anyone who has a child or knows of a family with a child that might be interested in this Preschool program can contact Gail Regina, Preschool Director, at 570-629-1890, ext. 201.

Pantry needs

Effort UMC’s SFRC (Supplemental Food Resource Center) can use donations of Ramen noodles, macaroni & cheese, canned soups and vegetables.

Anyone having questions can contact John Ostovich and Alfredo Russo, the co-directors of the food pantry at eumcsfrc@ptd.net or 570-629-1890, ext. 109.

Donations may be dropped off at the church, but it is suggested that one call first to ensure someone will be there to accept the donation.

Summer programs

The Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center will be offering Summer Programs for Children beginning June 16. Age groupings available are ages 3-6 (one parent must attend with child), ages 7-10 and ages 11-14. Preregistration is required and limited to 10 guests per program. Only the registered participant and one parent for ages 3-6 group only, may attend the program.

Registration for each program will close once the program is full or the day prior to the program. Those who are not registered in advance will not be permitted to attend. Programs will start promptly at designated times. Pay at the time of program. Cash or check made payable to MCCD only.

Face coverings must be worn by all attendees at all times as required by CDC guidelines. Building and gift shop not open to public.

Call the center at 570-629-3061 to register. For program schedule and more information, visit www.mcconservation.org.

PVEN item needs

From Colleen Walsh, Operations Manager at the PVEN Food Pantry & Clothing Closet comes word of current needs. They include, for both boys and girls, new socks, black and white; new underwear, boxer briefs for boys and young men; new school supplies and backpacks, pencils are not needed as there are already plenty on hand; new school sneakers, black or white; and food pantry items such as canned vegetables, pasta, condiments and canned pasta.

Donors are asked to bring donations to the PVEN or if shopping at Kinsley’s, donations can be placed in the donation bin - to the left of the door at checkout - or brought directly to PVEN on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Anyone with questions can call 570-992-3136.

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