Spirit of Christmas

Voting for the 2016 Little Miss Spirit of Christmas is now underway as the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership's Spirit of Christmas Committee prepares for the annual festivities.Voting will take place at the Wells Fargo Bank on West Broad Street in Tamaqua until Nov. 18. Ballots are available from the tellers. Votes require a $1 donation.There are 15 girls, in grades 3 through 5, competing this year. Each submitted an essay, 25 words or less, on "What the Spirit of Christmas Means to Me."The winner will be announced during the week of Nov. 21.West Penn LionsThe West Penn Township Lions Club will meet at 6:30

p.m.Wednesday in the West Penn Township Annex building.New members are always welcome.To learn more about becoming a Lion, call 570-386-2272.Community ThanksgivingA Community Thanksgiving Eve service will be held at 7

p.m.Nov. 22, in Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St., Tamaqua.All are welcome to attend.Rush-Ryan seniorsThe Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens Inc. met Nov. 1 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 39 members in attendance. President Bill Morrison conducted the business session. The chaplain offered an inspirational reading titled "My Prayer."A moment of silence was held in memory of Gloria McHale. Birthday wishes were extended to Jean Machamer, Sharon Haldeman, Muriel Wehr, Joe Krell, Edna Romanick and Betty Bablo.Jean Machamer and Ruthann Feane offered readings.The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.Clothing driveSTEP-Up Tamaqua is conducting a clothing drive of gently used business attire, which will be used to help people get back on their feet and contribute to the community.Clothing may be dropped off at the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce office, 37 W. Broad St., during regular business hours.For more information, email

tzimmerman@lccc.edu.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church in Mantzville. This week's service will include a salute to veterans. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at 10:30 a.m.; preschool basket raffle from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Cub and Girl Scouts meet at 6 p.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m., called to care committee meets at 6 p.m.; Thursday, apple dumpling pickup from noon to 5 p.m., cherub choir meets at 6:30 p.m., junior choir practices at 7 p.m., senior choir rehearsal is at 7:30 p.m.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John's Lutheran Church. The service will be followed by a congregational meeting.Also on Sunday, bell choir rehearses at noon.Activities for next week include: Thursday, property committee meets at 7 p.m., angel choir practices at 6 p.m., shepherd choir rehearses at 6:30 p.m. and chancel choir meets at 7:30 p.m.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church of the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school meets at 9:15 a.m.A Bible study session will be held at 12:30

p.m.Nov. 17.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or

kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or

tneditor@tnonline.com.