Westminster choir concert set

Considered to be one of the finest choirs in the world, The Choir of Boys & Men of Westminster from London, England, will present a free, sacred Lenten concert at 7 p.m. April 3 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, One Cathedral Square, Altoona.

The program is focused on Lent and the crucifixion of Christ.

The concert is free, however tickets are required due to safety requirements. Tickets are available after all weekend Masses (5 p.m. Saturdays; 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 5 p.m. Sundays) or in the Parish Office on 13th Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays until gone.

Ministry offers shoes for kids

The Juniata United Methodist Church Angel Feet Ministry provides a sneaker shoe bank service to children birth to ninth grade. JUMC Angel Feet Ministry provides sneakers, socks and a new book to children visiting the program. Eligibility is based on medical assistance, CHIP or referral to the ministry. Parents may call for an appointment and must accompany their child to the shoe bank. Children may visit the shoe bank at 6-month intervals. Availability of shoes is dependent on contributions and inventory.

Families living in southern Blair County — Roaring Spring, Claysburg, Martinsburg and East Freedom — may call and arrange for shoes to be picked up at the Roaring Spring Community Library – JUMC Angel Feet Ministry Nook.

For information or questions, contact JUMC Angel Feet at 814-799-5053, Juniata United Methodist Church at 808 N. Fourth St., Altoona, 814-942-6065, or by email at juniataumc@atlanticbbn.net.JUMC Angel Feet Ministry has been serving the Blair County community for 12 years.

New teen program announced

Faith Baptist Church of Altoona is now hosting an after school program. Stand in the Gap Youth Ministries, geared toward teenagers, was started by Nicole Thompson. It is held in the church Fellowship Hall from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for all teens in 6th through 12th grade. The program offers teens a safe place to gather, have fun, get a bite to eat, do homework or get help with their schoolwork.

For more information, call 814-935-3838. The church is in the Highland Park Section of the city, Fourth Avenue and 40th Street.

Garretson to speak at Encounter

Kary Garretson is the featured speaker at the Spring Ladies/Teen Encounter on March 29 at Grace Fellowship Leamersville Church,

14 Brethren Lane, Duncansville. The free event begins at 9 a.m. No tickets are required; donations accepted.

The event will include testimonials, music, speaking, shopping and prizes. Snacks will be available for purchase.

For more information, contact Celeste at 814-571-6779.

‘Noah’ to be shown

Altoona Bible Church will show Sight and Sound’s production of “Noah” at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, April 5. Doors will open at 5 p.m. There is no charge for the movie. It will be shown in conjunction with the church’s 72nd Annual Missionary Conference, which will be held at the church from April 5-9. The theme is “We send missionaries to all points of the compass.” For more information on “Noah” or on the conference, call the church office at 814-942-2131. The public is invited to attend the showing of “Noah” and the conference.

Pancake meal has a topping bar

All-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 6, at St. Michael’s Church hall, 301 Spruce St., Hollidaysburg. The meal is served by the Men’s Club of St. Mary and St. Michael. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for Children 12 and younger. Proceeds will benefit upcoming service projects. The meal includes drinks and a new pancake topping bar.

Tickets available for barbecue

The annual Spring Chicken BBQ will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, 2201 Union Ave., Altoona. Tickets are $10, which includes a half chicken, Murf’s potato salad from DelGrosso’s Park, applesauce and a roll.

Homemade baked goods also will be available for purchase.

Tickets may be purchased at the Soup Kitchen from 8 to 11 a.m. weekdays or at the door.

Lenten Quiet Day scheduled

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 335 Locust St., downtown Johnstown, is hosting a Lenten Quiet Day at the church in-person and via Zoom from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 22.

A Quiet Day provides respite away from the busyness of life, a time to reflect, and rest in God’s presence. During alternating quiet time and guided meditations, participants find spiritual refreshment through prayer, reading, journaling, drawing, or walking meditation. Participants are asked not to talk until after final prayers. The event concludes with a communal vegetarian lunch.

The event is free. All are welcome. Masks are optional. To participate via Zoom, contact the Rev. Nancy Threadgill at revnancy-stmarks@atlanticbbn.net or 814-535-6797 in advance of the event to obtain the login.

Lenten lunches offered

Wehnwood United Methodist Church will offer Lenten lunches at noon Wednesdays through April 16. Under the theme, “Journey to the Cross: Encounters with Jesus,” the luncheons will include a light lunch with guest speakers. An offering will be accepted. Speakers include the Rev. Lenore Hosier, Encountering Jesus the Forgiver, March 26; Pastor Trina Miller, Encountering Jesus the Servant, April 2; the Rev. Randy Willis, Encountering Jesus in Agony, April 9; the Rev. Ben Chon, Encountering Jesus Betrayed, April 16.

Community meal offered

Greenwood United Methodist Church, 1505 E. Walton Ave., Altoona, will hold a Community Table Meal at 11 a.m. Monday, March 24, in the fellowship hall.

Food pantry distribution

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Eighth Avenue and 13th Street, Altoona, will hold its monthly food pantry distribution from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27. Food distribution is done on a drive-thu basis to maximize social distancing, and the use of masks is encouraged for those on foot or getting out of their cars.

Information is available on the church’s website or Facebook page, or call the church at 814-942-1372; leave a message and calls will be returned. Donations to the food pantry, either in money or in nonperishable food are always welcome.

Free soup dinner served

Juniata United Methodist Church is sponsoring a free soup dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. March 22 at the church, 808 N. Fourth St., Altoona. For more information, visit juniataumc.net, check out the church’s Facebook page or call 814-942-6065.

Midweek Lenten worship offered

Geeseytown-Newry Lutheran Parish is hosting Midweek Lenten worship services at noon Wednesdays at its two churches, with a light lunch as follows: March 26 at Geeseytown Lutheran Church; April 2 at Newry Lutheran Church; and April 9 at Geeseytown Lutheran Church.

Concert scheduled

The Blair Concert Chorale will present Requiem by Maurice Durufle at 7:30 p.m. March 29 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12th Avenue and 14th Street, Altoona. Members of the Pitt-

Greensburg Chorale will join the Blair Concert Chorale. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and are available at Thompson Pharmacy (Hollidaysburg and Chestnut Avenue), through Eventbrite, at the door the night of the performance, and from chorale members.

Bible seminar offered

The Central Pennsylvania Bible Conference will host a walk-thru the Bible seminar from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 22, in the Soho Room at the Grand Pavilion at Lakemont Park in Altoona.

In just less than three hours, instructor Pastor Gordon Nelson will lead a walk through the Old Testament, which will give all who attend a more thorough understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures. Participants will learn 40 key words and signs, be able to summarize the Old Testament in 3 minutes and be motivated to read and study the Old Testament more.

This seminar is for those 12 years of age and older.

The cost is $20 per person, and includes a textbook that can be taken home after the seminar. Registration and payment must be made to the office by Friday, March 14. Register by calling 814-944-2894 or emailing office@tcpbc.org. For more information, visit the CPBC website at tcpbc.org or call 814-944-2894.

Exercising your faith

Everyone is welcome to praise the Lord while exercising at the Christian Dance Fitness class from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, at the Groove Fitness Studio, 539 E. 25th Ave., Altoona (Ivyside Plaza). The class is taught by instructor Cathy Chirdon. All fitness levels are welcome. Cost is $7 a class, or $60 for a 10-class punch card; health insurance fitness plans accepted. For more information, call Groove Fitness at 814-329-3091.

Food pantry distribution

Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren church’s food pantry distribution is March 21. Distribution will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293 to sign up. The church is at 28th Street and Union Avenue.

Lectures on Theology planned

Christ Reformed Church, 502 Main St., Alexandria, will host the third annual Aurandt Lectures on Theology. At 9 a.m. Saturday, March 22, the Doctrine of Creation will be discussed. How should a Christian today understand the accounts of God’s creating the world in Genesis 1-3? The Rev. Daniel Arter, the Rev. Chris Osterbrock, the Rev. Dr. Daniel Stegeman and the Rev. Angelo O. Valle will come together to provide insight on answering the questions of faith and creation.

There is no charge for the seminar; offerings accepted. For registration and more information, visit www.CRCAlexandria.org or call 814-669-4135.

Free movie night

The movie “Jesus,” about the life of Jesus, including the crucifixion, will be shown free of charge at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren on Friday, March 21. Snacks will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by the movie at 7 p.m. The church is at 28th Street and Union Avenue.

Run, walk benefits programs

St. Thomas Lutheran Church will host a 5K run/5K walk at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at the church, 1439 Ridge Road, Hooversville. Race applications and sponsor forms are available at https://www.stthomaslutheranchurch.org/5k-race-walk.

All proceeds benefit St. Thomas youth programs in addition to community support for schools, fire departments, police, EMS and those in need.

Speaker series scheduled

Holy Spirit Ministry will host an Empowering the Spirit series, “A Life in the Spirit Series,” on Tuesdays through April 8 at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg. Fellowship and light refreshments begin at 6:30 p.m. with the program to start at 7 p.m. Each evening includes speakers, praise and worship and small group discussion.

Registration is free and can be made at holyspiritministry20@gmail.com or call 814-207-9110.

Tony Conrad will have “The Holy Spirit, Pentecost and The Great Commission” on March 25; Father Jeremy Mohler will speak on Spiritual Gifts – Charisms on April 1 and Father David Dodd, T.O.R., will speak on Empowerment and Activation on April 8.

P.E.A.C.E. continues

Christ Community UMC will continue their P.E.A.C.E. (Peacebuilding through Education, Awareness, Collaboration and Empowerment) Initiative in March as they offer two opportunities to study “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson. On Wednesday, March 26, there will be a discussion on the book at 6:30 p.m. Participants are asked to read the book prior to the gathering. For those who would prefer to watch the movie, there will be a showing at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30, followed by a time of discussion. All activities are free of charge and offered at the church at 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona (at the corner of 58th Street). All are welcome. For information or to register, contact lhosier@susumc.org. A limited number of books are available at the church by request.

Soup kitchen open

Altoona Mennonite Church holds a soup kitchen from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Mondays through March. All are invited. The church is at 1405 Broadway, Altoona. More information about the church can be found at

https://altoonamennonite.church/.

Lenten Bible study

Duncansville Lutheran will hold Bible study every Wednesday in Lent. Study will be at 5:15 p.m. followed by dinner and fellowship at 6 p.m. For more information contact the church office at 814-695-0508. The group is also collecting canned and boxed goods for the Allegheny rescue mission every Wednesday.

Splash Nights offered

The Well Ministry Center will host a family meal at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 10. After the meal, children ages 3 and up to sixth grade can stay for fun, games and a message of love. There will also be a special St. Patrick’s Day activity. Parents may stay at the cafe or come back for pickup at

7 p.m. Splash nights are held the second Monday of each month at the church, 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. For more information, contact Deb Wirth at debneff0717@hotmail.com.

Ministry training offered

Carrie Biddle from Child Evangelism Fellowship will speak during three sessions on teaching children about Jesus. The sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays March 22, March 29 and April 5, at The Well Ministry Center, 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. The aim is to build a team for community outreach through Good News clubs. The event is free and nondenominational. For more information, contact Deb Wirth at 814-232-3175 or email debneff0717@hotmail.com. More information about The Well can be found at welladministration@thewellofbc.org.

Free soup program wraps up

St. Michael Catholic Church, Montgomery and Spruce streets, will host the Hollidaysburg Free Soup Program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 22.

There is no charge; offerings will be accepted. Cancellations will be announced on the websites of Lightner Radio at Lightnercommunications.com or 7 Mountains Media.

There will be soup, bread and butter, desserts, tea, coffee and water.