Tamaqua news for April 19, 2018

Sorority news

The Preceptor Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority honored Lori Schmerfeld and Donna Gerber, presenting them with the Silver Circle Award for their 25 years of membership. The ritual was held at the Mansion House in Summit Hill and included a dinner.

Members celebrated Sterling’s birthday at the New Asian Bistro.

The chapter collected $120 to donate to the Tamaqua Hunger Walk, which will be held in May.

A Founder’s Day celebration will be held April 25 at the Pottsville Zone. All three of Tamaqua’s sorority chapters will be joined by the Pottsville chapters.

An election of officers was held March 28 with the new slate of: Sue Hummel, president; Donna Gerber, vice president; Patti Burke, treasurer; Mary Machay, recording secretary; and Helen Walters, corresponding secretary.

Future plans include a movie night social sometime in May.

Blood drive

An American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be held in Tamaqua on April 25 in the gymnasium at the Tamaqua YMCA. Hours will be from 1 to 6 p.m.

Anyone 17 or older, who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good general health, is eligible to donate blood.

Walk-ins are welcome, as appointments are available but not required.

For more information on donating blood, or to schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767.

The YMCA is located at 1201 E. Broad St.

Tamaqua seniors

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens met April 12 at the Tamaqua YMCA with 53 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker opened the meeting with the reading of “Heart Prints.”

Members were reminded of the upcoming Hunger Walk, which will be held on May 6. Donations of canned goods and financial assistance are now being accepted.

The group is open to anyone 55 or older, meeting at 1 p.m. every Thursday at the YMCA.

Calvary Evangelical

The Rev. Philip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, an evening service and Bible study session will be held at 6:30 p.m. This will include a music ministry.

A free family game night will be held at 7 p.m. on April 20.

Primitive Methodist

Pastor Rick Clemson will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday in American Primitive Methodist Church. The service will include the sacred rite of Infant Baptism,

Hope in the Mountains NFG is held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Thursday at the church.

Rush Ryan seniors

The Rush-Ryan-Delano Senior Citizens met April 10 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 43 members in attendance. Former president Bill Morrison conducted the business session after opening the meeting with the invocation “Precious Gift.”

Birthday wishes were extended to Gladys Arner.

Nominations for officers were accepted, with elections to be held on May 22. Candidates are: Robert Neifert, president; Nancy Godanis and Mary Reed, vice president; Ruthann Feane, secretary; Larry Boner, treasurer.

The next meeting will be on April 24, which is the deadline for banquet reservations

The group is open to anyone 55 or older.

St. John Lutheran

The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at this Sunday’s 9:15 a.m. worship service in St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Also on Sunday, bells will meet at 8 a.m.; Confirmation and Sunday school classes meet at 10:30 a.m.

Activities for next week include: Monday through Thursday, rummage sale.

Also on Thursday, the angel choir rehearses at 6 p.m., shepherd choir meets at 6:30 p.m. and the chancel choir practices at 7:30 p.m.

St. Peter’s Union

The Rev. Kenneth Buckwalter will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday at St. Peter’s Union Church in Mantzville. The service will include a congregational vote on the church constitution and bylaws. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the junior choir will rehearse at 11 a.m., Confirmation class meets at 11:15 a.m., search committee, Cub and Girl Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.

Next week’s activities include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, senior choir practice is at 7 p.m.

Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.