Sorority meets

The sisters and guests of Preceptor Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority met for a summer picnic at the home of Lewann Neifert to kick off their 2025-26 year.

Since then, members have met at the homes of Patti Confer and Marie Umbriac.

For service to the community, the chapter has decided to participate in the 2025 Tamaqua Community Hunger Campaign. Members will collect nonperishable food items to be donated during the month of October.

Socially, members will attend a Christmas show at Pines Dinner Theater, Allentown.

Andreas VFW

The Andreas VFW will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the West Penn Annex.

Rush-Ryan-Delano Seniors

The Rush Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens met on Sept. 23 with 35 members present. Vice President Jayne McLaughlin opened the meeting.

Two daughters donated pizza for the 98th birthday of Betty Brobst.

President Robert Neifert also celebrated a birthday in September.

The next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at Christ Church, Barnesville.

Tamaqua Seniors

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens met on Sept. 25 with 22 members present. President Jean Machamer opened the meeting.

The group is asking for members to donate a nonperishable food for the Tamaqua Community Hunger Campaign, which runs through the month of October.

Two members were welcomed back.

The group meets at 1 p.m. Thursdays from the Coaldale Complex.

Apple Harvest Luncheon

An Apple Harvest Luncheon sponsored by Schuylkill Women’s Connection will be held at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 14 at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 10 Hollenbush Lane, Orwigsburg.

Anne Curry of Angier, North Carolina, will speak on “A Journey Not By Chance.” Emily High of Pine Grove will provide music. Chris Varner will present essential oils as a special feature.

There is a fee. Reservations are due by Oct. 8 by calling Michelle at 570-617-3896 or Sue at 570-617-9490.

Calvary Lewistown

Pastor Deb Rogers will serve Holy Communion and present the message at the 11 a.m. Sunday worship service at Calvary Evangelical Church in Lewistown.

The message will be prefaced by congregational singing and special music presented by Allie A. (Gerber) Wommer. The Sunday evening service will be a combination of music and words of encouragement.

The prayer and share is at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The annual Sunday school Rally Day will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 with puppets, music and Biblical content. At 6:30 p.m. Oct 12 a concert by Jared and Katie Wehry will be held. Jarrod is a son of the former Wehry Family Gospel Singers.

Rummage sale

A rummage sale will be held Oct. 7 and 8 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pine and Mauch Chunk streets, Tamaqua. Lunch and supper will be served. Eat in or take out. Oct. 9 will be a bag day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. with lunch served. Refreshments and take outs available.

Blessing of animals

Area animal owners are invited to bring their pets to a Blessing of the Animals service at 6 p.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church, Mauch Chunk and Greenwood streets, Tamaqua.

The special blessing service honors St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. Many churches offer animal blessing services.

Pets may include dogs, cats, fish and birds. Some people choose to bring photos of their pets if it is difficult for their pets to attend the blessing. The service takes place indoors so pet owners are asked to have their animal friends secured by leash or carrier.

The service will be livestreamed on Zion’s web page and Facebook page. The video will be available for a month on Facebook.

Thrift sale

The October Blessings Thrift Shop sale will be held from 9 a.m -5 p.m. Friday at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Greenwood and Mauch Chunk streets, Tamaqua.

The sale features gently used fall clothing for all ages, holiday items, toys, books and general housewares. A limited takeout menu is offered. Use the middle doors on Mauch Chunk Street.

If you have items to donate to the Blessings ministry, call the parish office at 570-668-2180 and someone will get back to you.

Zion Lewistown

Pastor Jim Williams will officiate the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at Zion Church in Lewistown Valley. Communion will be included. Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m.

The next episode of “The Chosen” will be shown at 2 p.m. Sunday in the social hall.

St. Peter’s - West Penn

The 9 a.m. Sunday worship service at St. Peter’s Church in West Penn is World Communion Sunday and will have a Neighbors in Need offering. Children will be dismissed after the Children’s Blessing for Sunday School. Apple dumpling orders are also due Sunday, and Adult Sunday school is at 10:15 a.m.

Retirees will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. On Oct. 9, the Cherub Choir rehearses at 6 p.m. and the Senior Choir rehearses at 7 p.m.

To submit a news item, email jwhalen@tnonline.com.