Tamaqua news
Day of Remembrance
"Forever In Our Hearts," a community event held as part of the Jan. 29 National Day of Remembrance, will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 223 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.The ecumenical memorial service is being sponsored by the Tamaqua Ministerial Association, in association with the Tamaqua Area Faith and Fellowship Network, STEP-Up Tamaqua and Safer Streets for Tamaqua's Little Feet. The message is a demonstration of strong support for families dealing with loved one's drug addiction.Participants are welcome to include photos of their loved ones by calling 570-527-9278 or emailing
saferstreetstamaqua@gmail.com. Memorial candles are also available for purchase.For more information on Tamaqua's National Day of Remembrance, call the Rev. Kevin Roberts at 570-668-2520 or the Rev. Daryl Kensinger at 570-668-4139.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Jan. 19 with 54 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session. The inspirational reading "God Made This Day" was offered by the chaplain.One new member, Alice Tite, guest Eleanor Sidoriak and returning members John Fredericks and Maryann Laughlin were given warm welcomes. Sylvia Houseman was added to the sick list.Members were reminded to bring a brown bag lunch during the winter months and that if conditions call for schools to be closed on a meeting day, that day's meeting will be canceled.Dues for 2017 are now being accepted.The group is open to anyone 55 or older. Meetings are held at 1 p.m. Thursdays, at the Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St.ESRCThe Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the South Ward Community Center, Penn and Oak streets.Meetings will then be held every other month at the same time and place. Other meeting dates include: March 23, May 25, July 28, Sept. 28 and Nov. 16.The commission is also accepting applications for the 2017 Winter Adult Basketball League. Teams may consist of between six and 12 players, with the season tentatively scheduled to begin on Feb. 8. Competition will continue through the beginning of April.Games will be played Wednesday evenings at the Tamaqua Area Middle School gymnasium.For further information, or to register a team (entry fees are required), call ESRC Executive Director Sarah Connely at 570-668-2919.Calvary EvangelicalThe Rev. Phillip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, a service of praise and music will be held at 6:30 p.m.Prayer meetings are held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.Souper Bowl Sunday will be celebrated on Feb. 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m.'Oz!' auditionsThe Tamaqua Area Community Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming production of "Oz!", a musical based on L. Frank Baum's classic tale of "The Wizard of Oz."Auditions will be held at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua, from 6 to 8 p.m. Fridayand from 8 a.m. to noonSaturday. Come prepared with a song to sing.Callbacks will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.Performances are scheduled for March 31 and April 1.The production is made possible through an arrangement with Pioneer Drama. Music and lyrics are by Bill Francouer.For more information, call 570-668-1192.West Penn LionsIf helping to make a difference is one of your New Year's resolutions, the West Penn Lions Club is offering to help you keep that resolution.The club meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month as they work toward helping others, both locally and nationally.Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. in the West Penn Township Annex Building, located just off Route 309 on Municipal Road.The next meeting will be held on Feb. 1.For further information, call 570-386-2272.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church.Activities for next week include: Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, worship team practices at 7 p.m., worship leaders meet at 8 p.m.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church of Lewistown Valley. Sunday school will meet at 9:15 a.m.Also this Sunday, a congregational meeting will be held after the worship service.Bible study sessions are held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays.Feb. 5 will be Souper Bowl Sunday. Canned good donations will go to the Tamaqua Salvation Army.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at this Sunday's 9:15 a.m. worship service in St. John's Lutheran Church. Sunday school and Confirmation classes meet at 10:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the bell choir will rehearse at noon.The choirs will rehearse on Thursday - angels at 6 p.m.; shepherds at 6:30 p.m.; chancel at 7:30 p.m.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services in St. Peter's Union Church in Mantzville are held at 9 a.m. This week's service will include a congregational meeting. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, Girl and Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.Next week's activities include: Monday, church board meets at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, prayer group meets at 3 p.m.; Thursday, Confirmation class meets at 6:30 p.m., cherub choir meets at 6:30 p.m., junior choir rehearses at 7 p.m., senior choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or
kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or