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Food pantry available
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 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, by appointment only. Call Deb by Thursday at 814-207-8293. The Septembetr dates are Sept. 11 and Sept. 25.
Night of worship set
Holy Spirit Ministry will host a night of worship from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg.
Father Jeremy Mohler will speak on "From Simon to Peter." The worship team will present the praise and worship music.
Clothing, food donations sought
Donations of clothing and non-perishable foods will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 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 meal available
Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn St., Hollidaysburg, is hosting an Ox Roast Drive Thru on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. A $12 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.
Free family fest offered
Frontier Family Fest will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Altoona Volunteer Sportsmen's Association, 1448 Kittanning Point Road (on the way to Horseshoe Curve). This is a free one day historical event with hands-on activities for the entire family.
Gospel study starts Sept. 9
The gospel according to Mark will be the focus of an 8-week study that begins Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Christ Community UMC, 5715 Roselawn Ave., Altoona. To register, contact Pastor Rich Hanlon at RHANLON@SUSUMC.ORG.
Participants will have the opportunity to consider how God is at work in their life while exploring the shortest, most action-packed gospel account in the Bible. Bring a Bible and something to write with.
Widow Warriors group to start
A new group is forming to encourage and support widows as they move from grief toward renewed purpose, confidence in Christ and hope for the future. The group will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at The Well Ministry Center, 605 Burns Ave., Altoona, and the second Monday of every month.
Exercising your faith to begin
Everyone is welcome to praise the Lord while exercising at the Christian dance fitness class held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays at 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.
Birth of Mary celebration set
The 45th anniversary Birth of Mary celebration will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8, at St. Catherine of Siena Church and Fatima Shrine, 308 Old Route 22, Duncansville. Mass times are 7 a.m., 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Coffee and donuts will be available in the church hall after the morning Mass.
The rosary will be at 7:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Evening Mass and rosary procession will be at the shrine. Those attending should bring a lawn chair. In case of inclement weather, the outdoor Mass will be celebrated in the church.
There will be foods, exhibits, a religious raffle, rosary makers and crafts in the church hall.
The day will conclude with birthday cake and beverages for everyone in the church hall.
Celebration announced
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2121 Fifth Ave., Altoona, will be celebrating the church's 153rd anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 13. Worship begins at 10:45 a.m. with the Rev. Keith R. Moore. A celebratory luncheon will be served after the service.
Juniata Jubilee planned
Juniata United Methodist Church will host Juniata Jubilee, a free community festival open to all Juniata neighborhood residents, from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. The event will be held behind the church along Eighth Avenue between North Fourth and North Fifth streets, which will be closed to traffic for the evening.
Juniata Jubilee is designed as a neighborhood event first -- a chance for residents to gather, share a meal and enjoy an evening together. Food, baked goods, snacks and children's activities will be provided at no cost. Organizers are also planning to bring a food truck or two to the festival; those vendors may have a charge. Charlie's D. Train, sponsored by area friends, will provide free rides for children and their families. Lots of free basket giveaways! Local businesses have shared generously. No registration is required to attend.
Two church congregations, Jaggard First UMC and Holy Rosary are joining in on the celebration along with area organizations.
"We wanted this to belong to the whole neighborhood, not just to us," said Pastor Denise Haskins. "The fact that other churches jumped in is exactly the spirit we were hoping for."
The festival takes its name from the biblical concept of jubilee -- a season of restoration and celebration -- though the event is open and welcoming to all members of the community regardless of religious affiliation or background.
Organizers hope Juniata Jubilee will become an annual fall tradition for the neighborhood.
For more information, contact Juniata United Methodist Church at 814-942-6065 or juniataumc@atlanticbbn.net.
Free lunch
Free lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue. The menu will be announced closer to the date.
Movie Night
Movie night will be held Sept. 18 at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren, 28th Street and Union Avenue. Snacks will be served at 6:15 p.m. and the movie will begin at 7 p.m.
DELC partners on karate lessons
Duncansville Evangelical Lutheran Church has partnered with Champion Martial Arts and Master Gates to offer affordable karate instruction to the local youth community. The new program offers participants the opportunity to develop confidence, discipline, physical fitness and self-defense skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. Classes are held at DELC and are open to area youth interested in learning martial arts regardless of experience level.
Classes meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost is $5 per session.
Register online at mydelc.org/happenings.
For additional information about karate classes or other community programs offered through DELC, visit the church website at mydelc.org or contact the church office at 814-695-0508.
Picnics in the park
Well Ministry Center is sponsoring Picnics in the Park at Grove Memorial Park, 23rd Street and Sixth Ave., every Tuesday.
A meal will be served at 5:15 p.m., followed by games, crafts and a short message of hope. The whole family is welcome. Rain or shine. The Well is located at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona.
Grief group meets
A grief group will meet every other Thursday at 6 p.m. The next meeting is Sept. 3. Participants gather to encourage one another, lean on God's promises and take small steps toward healing together. Wherever you are in your journey of loss you are welcome. The Well Ministry Center is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. FOr more information, call 814-201-2548.
Shoes available to those in need
The Juniata United Methodist Church Angel Feet Ministry provides a sneaker shoe bank service to children birth to 9th 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 for the appointment. Children may visit at six-month intervals. Families living in southern Blair County -- Roaring Spring, Claysburg, Martinsburg, and East Freedom -- may call and arrange for sneakers to be picked up at the Roaring Spring Community Library - JUMC Angel Feet Ministry Nook. JUMC Angel Feet Ministry has been serving the Blair County community for more than a dozen years. JUMC Angel Feet Ministry is also assisting children with special foot needs who may need the BILLY type sneakers.
For information or questions, contact JUMC Angel Feet Ministry for an appointment contact 814-799-5053, Juniata United Methodist Church at 808 N. Fourth St., Altoona; 814-942-6065, or by email at juniataumc@atlanticbbn.net.
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.