Breaking News

Religion

Spiritual notes

Pumpkin, mum sale Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue, is selling pumpkins and mums at the church. The sale is based on the honor system; if no one is available, the money can be placed in the church’s mail slot. Pumpkins and mums are $7 each. All proceeds benefit the youth fund. Hymn sing A hymn sing will be held at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at The Well Ministry Center, 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. Favorite hymns and some you might not remember will be shared. The message “Life in the Pressure Cooker” will be presented after the hymn sing. ...

Steele to conclude service with Church of the Brethren

ELGIN, Illinois — David A. Steele of Martinsburg has announced that he will conclude his service as general secretary of the Church of the Brethren on Aug. 31, 2028, at the end of his current term. Steele began serving as General Secretary in 2016. In October 2025, the denomination’s Mission and Ministry Board extended his term through August 2028. He has since decided that this will be his final term, concluding 12 years of service in the role. Steele believes the time is right both for a new chapter in his own life and for new leadership to help guide the Church of the Brethren ...

Concert aims to raise food funds

A variety of local musicians will perform at a fundraiser to help feed the hungry at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 13th Street in Altoona. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. All proceeds will benefit St. Luke’s Food Pantry and its monthly food distributions. Titled “Eclectic Music: Accordions to Ukuleles,” the concert will feature a variety of music, from classical pieces to Halloween favorites. Each performer will bring a unique style to the event. Claude Fabinyi, music director ...

Bergman to speak on creation

Jerry Bergman will be the featured speaker at a series of meetings sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Creation Fellowship from Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25. Bergman is the author of more than 50 books dealing with a variety of subjects including creation versus evolution. Bergman will present “Genesis and the Failure of Long Age Creationism” at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Penn State in Room 362 of the Willard Building. The 8:30 a.m. breakfast Saturday morning at the Bellefonte Presbyterian Church, 2-3 N. Spring St., will feature “A Whale of a Tale,” challenging ...

Faiths find common ground with pet blessing

A love for animals has a way of bringing a community together, no matter their differences. This weekend, the newly restored Altoona Interfaith Alliance is hosting the area’s first-ever interfaith Blessing of the Animals at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, in Tuckahoe Park. Rabbi Dr. Audrey ...

Spiritual notes — Oct. 2

Free meal offered A community meal will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Fourth Street Church of God, Fourth Street and 21st Avenue, Altoona. The meal includes chicken casserole, peas, garlic bread, applesauce, dessert and drink. Soup, sandwich sale Greenwood United Methodist Church, 1505 E. Walton Ave., is holding a soup and sandwich sale. Soups are $12 each and include stuffed pepper or chicken noodle. Loaded ham and cheese sandwiches are $5 each. To order, call Gail at 814-946-3862. Order deadline is Oct. 11. Orders can be picked up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. ...