Tamaqua news

School taxes

The Tamaqua Area School District is accepting Assessed Occupation Tax exemption applications for the 2015-2016 school year. This will cover the 2015 calendar year. This year's forms are orange.

Retired people and those with no earned income who have previously been exempted do not need to file again unless their status has changed and they are now earning income.

Also, those who are disabled or at least 75 years of age who have been specifically notified of their exemption by the district need not file an application.

Students who reach the age of 18 by June 30, 2015, will be responsible for paying the tax unless exempt by application.

Requests for exemption must be filed with the district by March 1. Application forms are available at the school district administration building, all tax collectors' offices, Tamaqua Borough Hall, the Tamaqua Public Library, and all post offices and bank branches within the district.

Diabetes support

St. Luke's University Health Network will sponsor a diabetes support group. Monthly meetings will begin in April and be held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the health network's Miners Campus in Coaldale. With the exception of the April meeting, the group will meet in the ground floor community room. The April 29 meeting will be held in the second-floor cafe.

Each month, a different diabetes topic is explored. Topics are based on ways to improve blood sugar control and quality of life. Meetings include a question-and-answer period.

Reservations are not required and there are no fees. For more information, call 570-645-8107.

Calvary Evangelical

The Rev. Ed Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes are at 9:15 a.m.

Also this Sunday, a Bible study session based on the book of Jonah will be held at 6:30 p.m.

An hour of praise and prayer is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Call 570-668-9111 for directions.

Rudy Gaerghel will be the guest speaker at the Feb. 15 service.

Weekly prayer

The Tamaqua Area Faith and Fellowship Network is sponsoring a series of weekly prayer meetings at the New Life Assembly of God Church on Schuylkill Avenue. The meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday for the next three months. The public is welcome to attend.

For more information, email Faye Montgomery at famontgomery@yahoo.com.

St. Peter's Union

Sunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. This Sunday's service will include the celebration of Boy Scout Sunday. Sunday school will meet at 10:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, a time of fellowship will be held following the service; the confirmation class will meet at 11:30 a.m.; Boy Scouts will meet from 5 to 8 p.m.; bell choir will rehearse at 6 p.m.; Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadet Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.

Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer group at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, retirees met at 10 a.m.; Thursday, worship and music committee meets at 6 p.m., junior choir rehearses at 7 p.m., senior choir practice at 7:30 p.m.