Breaking News

Religion

Spiritual notes

Clothing giveaway Grace’s Closet at Grace Lutheran Church, 1114 N. Cambria St., Bellwood, will host a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 12. Fall clothing is now available. Masks are optional. For more information, call the church at 814-742-7501 or 814-742-7416. Mount Zion celebrates 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. Family conference sign-ups ...

US Jews feel ‘precarious’ as High Holy Days approach

NEW YORK — As the High Holy Days approach, rabbis in the United States say their congregations are deeply unsettled by antisemitic threats and aware of sharp divisions in their own communities. But many are also determined to embrace the coming days of celebration and reflection. “Jews ...

Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown sees uptick in number of seminarians

From 2023-25, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown lacked seminarians in formation for the diocesan priesthood. To combat this change, the diocese recruited new priests by developing a “culture of vocations” within the community and a “Called By Name” program, encouraging ...

Spiritual Notes

Free community lunch offered Free lunch will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Fourth Street Church of God, 21st Avenue and Fourth Street, Altoona. The menu includes fried chicken, mac & cheese, green beans, dinner roll, dessert and beverage. Sermon series begins Sunday The Rev. Fred E. Hickok, pastor of Fairview and Jaggard First United Methodist churches, will present a sermon series of first-person dramatic portrayals this month. Sermons as part of the “Shadow Believers: Standing Big When the Spotlight Is Small” series will be delivered entirely ...

Troubled hearts to lost keys: Greeks bake cakes for a wish-granting saint

ILION, Greece — For the careless and despairing alike, there’s a special day on the Orthodox Christian calendar to provide relief — with the help of some orange-flavored cake. Thousands of pilgrims gathered late Wednesday and Thursday at the Church of St. Fanourios, 6 miles northwest ...

Spiritual Notes

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 ...