Special guest

Members of the Western Pocono Lions Club had a holiday party as their meeting for December. A special guest was Jorge Rivas who spoke about his camp experience at Beacon Lodge. The club had sponsored Rivas' attendance.Citing the friends he made, the activities that were available, and how good it was to be with others who are also visually impaired, Rivas volunteered to go back any time the club wanted. He also played his trumpet for the group.In addition to Rivas entertaining the Lions and guests, event organizers Cindy Rodenbough and Pat Bucceri prepared a skit with the help of club volunteers, led by Fred Klein, who had the role of St. Nick.The club will hold its January meeting at Cherry's Family Restaurant in Kresgeville on Wednesday, Jan. 19, beginning with a social hour at 6:30 p.m.St. Peter's servicesChristmas Eve Services will be held at 7 and 11 p.m., at St. Peter's UMC in Saylorsburg.Monroe SeniorsDue to the Christmas holiday, Monroe Seniors will not meet on Friday, Dec. 25. They will next meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 29.No meetingThe West End Rotary Club will not meet on Thursday, Dec. 23.Free recyclingSensitive document paper shredding services are available free of charge to Chestnuthill Township residents. Phone (570) 992-4654 for more information about any solid waste or recycling question.Zion servicesThree Christmas Eve services are being offered at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville. Said services are at 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and at 10 p.m. All are candlelight services.Effort UMC servicesThree Christmas Eve services are also being offered at Effort UMC. The 6 p.m. service is a family service with candle lighting. Children may come in pajamas. The 8 p.m. service is a candlelight service and the 11p.m. is a service of lessons and carols.There will be no service Saturday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day.The regular worship services are in place for Sunday, Dec. 26, at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., with Sunday School at 11 a.m. as well.McMichaels UMCMcMichaels UMC, on the corner of White Church Road and Route 715, will hold one service Christmas Eve, at 7 p.m. It is a service of carols and candles.The church is pastored by the Rev. Ed Unangst, who can be reached by calling (570) 629-1136.Queen of Peace MassesChristmas Masses will be said at 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve Day. The first two are Christmas Vigil Masses; the latter a Christmas Mass. On Christmas Day, Mass will be held at 10 a.m. and at noon.More phone numbersLast week, in this column, Carol Esdale's phone number was listed as being a contact for the GFWF Western Pocono Women's Club service project of knitting or crocheting chemo hats for cancer patients. Claire Napierski at (610) 681-5688 and Kathy Hargash at (570) 369-4831 are also contacts.Clothing driveFamily Promise of Monroe County will hold a clothing and essentials drive from Jan. 2-17.Being accepted are wearable used clothing, pocketbooks and linens as well as shampoo, paper towels and toilet paper.For more information contact Family Promise at (570-420-8589. The organization provides homeless shelter with the help of many Monroe County churches.