Food pantry distribution at Twenty-Eighth Street Church of the Brethren is Friday
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The food pantry at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, is available for those in need. Distribution will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, by appointment only. Call Deb at 814-207-8293.
Newry church to provide food
Newry Lutheran Church, 1030 Shamrock Lane, Newry, will distribute bags of nonperishable food from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. Bags will be distributed while supplies last; there are no income guidelines needed to receive food.
The Meal in a Bag program is a social ministry initiative of Newry Lutheran Church made possible through grant funding from the Allegheny Synod, Newry Lions Club, and donations by members and community members.
For more information, contact the church office at 814-317-5287.
Campfire Church offered
Christ Community UMC, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona, will be offering Campfire Church in the parking lot from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31. The event will move inside if the weather requires it. Snacks provided. Bring a camp/lawn chair.
Night of worship planned
Holy Spirit Ministry will hold a night of worship from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg. The speaker will be Wally Zapotoczny on "You were born for this Evangelization & The Holy Spirit." There will be praise and worship music and a prayer ministry after the talk.
Clothing, food accepted
Donations of clothing and non-perishable foods will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn St. (Route 36). The church parking lot will serve as a collection site for the American Rescue Workers.
Ox roast drive-thru available
The Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn St., Hollidaysburg, is hosting an ox roast drive-thru from 4 to 6 p.m. or until sold out on Thursday, Sept. 11. A $10 meal includes an ox roast sandwich, homemade gob, chips and a drink. Proceeds will support the goal of improved accessibility to the church. Call 814-695-0072 for more information.
Anniversary Masses planned
Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown's annual Wedding Anniversary Liturgies, recognizing husbands and wives marking milestone wedding anniversaries this year.
Masses are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at St. John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown.
Couples celebrating one, five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60-plus years of marriage during this 2025 calendar year are invited to register and attend either Mass.
Couples must make reservations through their parish.
The deadline to register is Sept. 12.
Basket/purse bingo coming up
A basket/purse bingo will be held Sunday, Sept. 28, at Father Kelley Hall, 429 25th Ave., Altoona. The proceeds will support ministries to children and teenagers. For more information, contact the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 814-944-4603 or pclemens@dioceseaj.org.
Two-day yard sale set
Abundant Life Church, 231 Howard Ave., Altoona, will hold a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5-6, featuring bicycles, furniture, household items, lunch and a bake sale.
Mount Zion plans celebration
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2121 Fifth Ave., Altoona, will celebrate its 152nd church anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 21, with Pastor Keith R. Moore. The morning service begins at 10:45 a.m., followed by a celebratory luncheon at 1 p.m. in the lower level fellowship hall. Call 814-943-5741 to RSVP.
Veteran to speak at conference
A Catholic author, speaker and hockey mom from Denver will be the featured presenter at the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown's 2025 Strength In Christ women's conference.
Megan Hjelmstad will deliver keynote remarks at the conference on Sept. 20 at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson.
Hjelmstad spent 15 years in the United States Army and currently serves the church through Blessed is She, a global Catholic women's ministry.
The daylong conference will begin with Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark L. Bartchak, and includes the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a guided prayer session, fellowship, lunch, refreshments and more.
The cost is $20 for adults; $10 for high school and college students.
Registration is required through the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown website, or hard copy reservation forms are also available at any parish in the diocese.
The deadline to register is Sept. 6.
Precious Life sets events
Precious Life Inc., a faith based, nonprofit organization which offers practical help to those impacted by unplanned pregnancies through pregnancy care centers, has several upcoming fundraisers.
Precious Life's 34th Annual Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, at Iron Master's Country Club in Roaring Springs. Registration and lunch will be held at noon with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost is $85/per golfer (teams of 4) -- Mulligans: $5/each or $10 for 3. Contact the Altoona office at 814-944-2669 to register a team.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, Precious Life will be holding their 24th Annual Walk for Life in Bedford from 9 to 11 a.m. The walk will start at Bedford Methodist Church/Watch Me Grow Daycare and walk along the sidewalks of Bedford Borough to show support for the unborn by raising awareness and donations that will make a difference in the lives of countless women and children in our community.
For more information on these events or Precious Life, contact Amy at 814-494-0069.
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 beginning Sept. 4, 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 punchcard; health insurance fitness plans accepted. For more information, call Groove Fitness at 814-329-3091.
Community lunch returns
St. Luke's Episcopal Church's Community Lunch returns from its summer break and will be held at noon Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the fellowship hall at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1407 Eighth Ave., right down the street from St. Luke's. The meal is free; donations accepted. The menu this month will be a hot turkey sandwich, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, salad with dressing and dessert.
Back-to-school giveaway
Geeseytown Lutheran Church, 462 Route 22, Hollidaysburg, will hold a giveaway with free school supplies and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6. Hot dogs and refreshments will be available for purchase.
Clothing for all ages, as well as shoes, jackets, hats, bags, toiletry items, and other accessories will be available, as well as assorted school supplies. The event is free and open to the community.
The church is across from Geeseytown Fire Company. Contact pastormartyjo@gmail.com with any questions.
Yard sale planned
The annual yard sale at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1341 Grandview Road, will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6. There will be books, puzzles, food, drinks, crafts and jewelry, along with a variety of yard sale items. Vendor and yard sale space is available for $15; bring your own table. Sale will be held at the church. Any questions call Donna 814-569-5561
Study explores peace
As the PEACE Initiative continues, Christ Community UMC will be offering discussions around the book "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High." Limited copies of the book are available at the church through a Peace With Justice grant. Participants are asked to read the book and take part in four sessions -- Sept. 3, Sept. 17, Oct. 1 and Oct. 15. Contact lhosier@susumc.org to sign up.
Roast beef dinner served
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Wilmore will hold a roast beef dinner Sunday, Sept. 14, with take outs starting at 10 a.m. and eat-in at 11 a.m. Dinners are $15 for adults and $7 for children, and under age 3 eat free. A bake sale and farmer's market will also be available. Tickets will be available at the door or call 814-495-9298.
Birth of Mary Celebration
The 44th anniversary of the Birth of Mary Celebration will be held Monday, Sept. 8, at St. Catherine of Siena Church & Fatima Shrine, 308 Old Route 22, Duncansville. Mass times are 7:45 a.m, 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. There will be a rosary procession at the Shrine. Those attending should bring a lawn chair. The rosary will be at 8:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Food will be available. There will be exhibits, a religious raffle, rosary makers and crafts in the church all. Following the morning Mass, coffee and donuts will be available in the church hall. The day will conclude with birthday cake and beverages for everyone in the church hall.
Stories of faith shared
"Mama Arlene" Brown from the Urukundo Learning Center in Rwanda will be sharing stories of faith, hope and love at Llyswen UMC, 308 Coleridge Ave., Altoona, during the 9:30 a.m. service, and at Christ Community UMC, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona, during the 11 a.m. service, Sunday, Sept. 7.
Festival planned
Cresson Catholic Community Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 7 at the festival grounds, 7911 Admiral Peary Hwy., Cresson.
There will be hayrides, food, a beer tent, basket raffle, bake sale, kids games, rummage sale, silent auction, fancy booth, games of chance and more.
On Saturday, Sept. 6, Felix and the Hurricanes will entertain from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by Strings Radio from 4:30 to 7 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 7, a 9/11 ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m., followed by Charlene's School of Dance at 1 p.m. and Rose and the Jammers from 2 to 5 p.m.
Clothing giveaway planned
Christ Community UMC will host a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 20. There will be men's, women's and children's clothes available at no cost. Those who would like to donate items can bring them to the church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or by call the church at 814-942-5586 to set up a time to drop off.
Picnics in the park
The Well Ministry Center will host Picnics in the Park each Tuesday at Grove Memorial Park, SIxth Avenue and 23rd Street. A meal will be served followed by games and a message of hope. The meal is at 5:30 p.m. Picnics in the Park will go on rain or shine. For more information, contact Deb at debneff071@hotmail.com. The Well is located at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona.
Deadline
Religious organizations are invited to submit upcoming events, special speakers and other items to be published free of charge in Spiritual Notes. Items can be emailed to religion@altoonamirror.com or call Holly at 814-946-7451.
Deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. Mondays.