Lenten study tonight

Effort UMC will start a Lenten study on the first season of “The Chosen.” There will be soup and salad at 5:30 p.m. with the study starting at 6 p.m. and running to 7 p.m. All are invited. A sign-up sheet is on the Welcome Center.

Giving statements

Salem-St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kresgeville announces that if needed, 2025 Giving Statements are in the lobby. Those who need a statement mailed are asked to email the church at ssplc@ptd.net.

Missions meal

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville holds its next West End Missions dinner at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Habitat for Humanity

On Valentine’s Day, Monroe County Habitat for Humanity will find a new home for the second heart-shaped tub. Tickets are available (online) through Friday.

The drawing for the tub will be held live on Facebook at noon on Saturday.

Habitat for Humanity is also holding a loveseat sale with 40% off on all loveseats, sofas and recliners through Sunday at its ReStore store in Marshalls Creek.

On Monday, the feature at the ReStore is a Presidents Day Sale, and on Thursday it’s Thrifty Thursday.

For more information, call 570-216-4390.

Volunteers sought

Pocono Mountains United Way is seeking volunteers to review applications for its fiscal year 2026-27 resource investment process for local nonprofits. Anyone 18 years and over who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Monroe County can evaluate applications from community partners as a Finance Panelist or Program Panelist.

The evaluations are conducted online and on one’s own time. Panels begin meeting this month.

If interested, fill out the online registration form.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, email Maria@PoconoUnitedWay.org.

Pantry open

The Supplemental Food Resource Center at Effort UMC will be open from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Stromboli pickup

Those who ordered stromboli at Effort UMC are reminded to pick up orders Sunday.

Steak night

West End American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert is hosting a steak with garlic butter shrimp dinner at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

For more details, call the Legion at 610-681-5838.

Lent and supper

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville is holding a Discover Lent and Pancake Supper on Monday beginning at 6 p.m.

There will be interactive stations of discovery into the traditions of Lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, for all generations. In addition, the “Alleluia” banner will be put away until Easter and families can make a banner to take home and bury.

All participants are invited to bring any nonperishable food items for the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network collection as supplies dwindle in the winter months.

Soup sale

Effort UMC is holding another soup sale through Feb. 19. Being offered are turkey noodle and loaded baked potato.

Order forms are on the Welcome Center or call the church office at 570-629-1890 and staff will take the order.

Breakfast set

McMichael UMC is holding a breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Saturday by donation only. The menu includes eggs, meat, potatoes, pancakes and hot drinks. Takeouts available. All are welcome.

A group of musicians will play until 11 a.m.

Shawl ministry

Effort UMC Prayer Shawl Ministry will gather at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Anyone interested in joining the group can call the church at 570-629-1890.

Zion installation

As part of the regular Sunday worship services on Sunday at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville, the installation of council members will be included.

Food Crisis Fund

Pocono Mountains United Way and the Community Foundation of Monroe County helped support Monroe County families in need with the November Food Crisis Fund.

The community’s response was to contribute over $61,000.

The fund was distributed across Monroe County’s food access network. Half went to Second Harvest Food Bank as credits for all 17 food pantries serving Monroe County.

In addition, 40% of the fund was allocated to the six regional pantries to assist with food purchases, using established county distribution ratios, and 10% supported Monroe Meals on Wheels, helping subsidize meals for clients not fully covered by government programs.

To contact Pocono Mountains United Way, call 570-517-3953.

Trout stocking

The state Fish and Boat Commission now has the 2026 trout stocking schedule available. Stocking is set to begin next week.

Also, the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day is set for March 28, and the statewide opening day of trout season is on April 4.

The 2026 adult trout stocking schedule by county is available on the Fish and Boat Commission website, https://www.pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat.

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18

• Effort UMC will hold an Ash Wednesday worship service at 7 p.m.

• Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will have the following Ash Wednesday services: 8 a.m. — Mass/ashes; 12:10 p.m. — Mass/ashes; 4 p.m.— prayer service/ashes; 5:30 p.m. — prayer service/ashes; 7 p.m. — Mass/ashes,

• Salem-St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold two Ash Wednesday services. The services, including Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion, will be at 1 and 7 p.m.

• St. Peter’s UMC will hold its worship service on Ash Wednesday at 7 p.m. Other February services on Sundays are at 9 a.m. weekly, with Christian Education taking place at 10:15 a.m. on the first and third Sunday, and a Fellowship time on the second and fourth Sunday, also at 10:15 a.m. Sunday worship services can be watched live or later on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/petersumc.saylorsburg.

• Zion Lutheran will begin the day with Ashes to Go from 8-9:30 a.m. and offer them again from 4-5:30 p.m. The evening Ash Wednesday service will be at 7 p.m.

Pastie sale

The Laymen’s group at St. Matthew’s Church in Kunkletown is holding a handmade pastie sale now through Feb. 22, with orders and payments due on that date.

Flavors offered include: original beef, with or without onions; chicken; Italian sausage; veggie melt; and spinach melt. Pasties will be available for pickup at St. Matthew’s on March 16.

For costs or other information, call the church at 610-381-2442 or visit the church website at st.mattsecckunkletown.com.

PVEN needs

The Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network is in need of personal care items-body wash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste and baby products.

Chili cook-off

On Feb. 21 there will be a chili cook-off to raise funds for Austin’s Blue Line, a nonprofit focusing on suicide prevention. The fifth annual cook-off, which also will include raffles, is from 1-4 p.m. at the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company in Kresgeville.

To enter, visit austinsblueline.org. Registration for contestants is free. Supporters and students are asked to pay a fee, but the event is free for those 12 and younger. People can order tickets on the website.

Local chefs will compete and attendees will enjoy a variety of chili recipes while supporting Austin’s Blue Line.

Sweet sponsorship

Each person who sponsors a maple tree at Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center will receive a pint of fresh maple syrup; a certificate; free admission to one of the Public Day Programs on either March 7 or 14 for up to four people; and a map showing the location of the sponsored tree in the center’s sugarbush.

For more information, call the center at 570-629-3061 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit www.mcconservation.org to download a sponsorship form. People can also call staff to pay by credit card and sponsor a tree by phone.

Men’s retreat

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville has announced an annual Men’s Retreat for March 6-8 at the Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center in Dalton.

For costs, and other information, contact the church at 610-681-6139. Deposits are due no later than Sunday.

Polk history

The Polk Township Historical Society will meet at 11 a.m. March 7 at the Polk Township Municipal Building in Kresgeville. All citizens interested in local history are invited.

Anyone with questions can call Norm Burger at 610-681-7561. The following meeting is planned for 11 a.m. April 4.