Ash Wednesday

• Effort UMC will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. today and each Wednesday for seven weeks. All take place in the sanctuary.

The worship at 7 p.m. includes a discussion of a study taught on video by District Superintendent Steven C. Morton, joined by Elders from the North District of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.

• McMichaels UMC is having its Ash Wednesday service at 5 p.m.

• Our Lady Queen of Peace church has announced its schedule for the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday.

Those times include: 8 a.m., Mass and ashes; noon, Mass and ashes; 4 p.m., prayer service and ashes; 5:30 p.m., prayer service and ashes; 7 p.m., Mass and ashes.

• St. John’s Lutheran, Effort, will have its service at 7 p.m. with Lynn Weiler preaching. The service will include the Imposition of Ashes.

• St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, will worship at 7 p.m. and will include ashes and Holy Communion.

• St. Peter’s UMC, Saylorsburg, is having its Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m.

• Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kresgeville, will have ashes in the parking lot at 2 and 6:30 p.m. The in-church services, with Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion, are at 1 and 7 p.m.

• Salem UCC, Gilbert, will have a 7 p.m. service with ashes and Communion.

• Zion Lutheran, Brodheadsville, will again be doing Ashes to Go, which will be distributed from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and again from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for anyone unable or not comfortable attending an in-person worship service. One must be masked and remain in one’s car.

There will be a worship service at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary for Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. Masks and distancing are still being observed. People can also participate in the service via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/zionulc.

Legion meeting

West End Memorial American Legion, Post 927, Gilbert, is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Exercise program

Zion Lutheran Church/Senior Center in Brodheadsville will be the site for a Pennsylvania Department of Aging/Monroe County Area Agency on Aging presentation of a Falls Prevention Exercise program to adults 60 years of age and older beginning Thursday from 10 to 11:15 a.m. and including March 11,18, 23, and April 1, 8, 13 and 22.

It starts with a warm-up, followed by strength and balance exercises and ends with a cool-down stretch.

Call Laura at 570-420-3746 to reserve a place.

Birds, bees, and Beyond

Photographer Ray Roper has an exhibit, The Birds and the Bees and Beyond, currently on display at the Gallery at Kettle Creek on Running Valley Road. It will be featured through March 31.

Stations of the Cross

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will begin its Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, prayers at 7 p.m. this Friday and continuing through Lent.

In this prayer, 14 traditional events in the passion of Jesus are recalled and meditated upon. Each station is visited as the prayers are made; icons or stations are traditionally hung along the perimeter of the inside walls of churches.

Buddy Barrel help

This Saturday, from 3 to 7 p.m., Pleasant Valley Assembly of God church youth will have the opportunity to help Buddy Barrel collect coins from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Brodheadsville ShopRite, exit lobby, for a missions fundraiser.

That money collected will be for the Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge to help send missionaries all over the world and help Third World countries get water wells.

Special service

Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church is looking forward to having other Monroe County churches join in their worship at 7 p.m. Friday.

Back to the ’80s

Pocono Mountains United Way Has rescheduled its weather-canceled 80th anniversary celebration to Mountain View Vineyard from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.

It will feature live music by Erin Kelly, appetizers, a signature beverage, desserts and more, and ’80s theme outfits are encouraged. A prize for the best dressed will be awarded.

For questions regarding this event and/or current registration, contact Melanie Milo, Director, Development at 570-261-8010 or Melanie@PoconoUnitedWay.org.

Block shoot set

The next block shoot and meat raffle at the Kunkletown Rod & Gun Club at 122 Gun Club Lane, Saylorsburg, is Sunday.

The public is welcome. The event begins at 11 a.m. and it is 12-gauge shotguns only.

To contact the club, call 610-381-3215.

Meeting change

The Ross Township Monday meeting will begin at 6 p.m. due to a change the board voted on in January.

Bingo time

The public is welcome to play bingo at the American Legion, Gilbert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with card sales, and playing time beginning at 7 p.m.

Seniors choices

Those attending the Chestnuthill Senior Center at Zion Lutheran in Brodheadsville can order creamy Tuscan chicken for March 9, and garlic broccoli and shells for March 11.

Those planning to eat the hot meal are asked to call by 11 a.m. one day in advance.

Touch of Home

A regular meeting of Operation Touch of Home will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the American Legion Post Home, Gilbert.

Legion Auxiliary

American Legion Auxiliary, Post 927, will meet at 7 p.m. March 9 at the Gilbert Legion Post home.

Garden Club meets

The Monroe County Garden Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. March 9 at the Kettle Creek Environmental Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg.

There will be a presentation on butterflies by Alesia Gallo.

Anyone interested in gardening is invited to attend. The club is accepting new members.

For more information, contact club president Carol Akam at carolakam27@gmail.com.

All-Sports Club

The Pleasant Valley All-Sports Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Prom dresses

Anyone having a used prom dress may drop it off at the Pleasant Valley High School main office by March 18 or see Ms. Rushak in D20.

The dresses will become a part of the Prom Dress Event at the Eldred Township Thrift Store.

Pocono Parkinsons

This support group meets every third Friday at noon via Zoom. For information on attending, call 570-422-3247 and ask for Pam Gallina.

Art classes

Art classes with artist Jean Perry will begin on March 10 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Irish blessing/St. Brigit’s Blessing, a colored pencil and Celtic design is the subject.

Class is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There is a fee.

Sign up at jjgmobeel@ptd.com.

Free-throw time

The Knights of Columbus are holding a free throw competition in the parking lot at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church at 10:30 a.m. March 12.

Boys and girls from age 9-14 are welcome to come and participate.

St. Patrick’s event

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church is hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at 5 p.m. March 12. Tickets are available after Mass or can be purchased at the church office.

The menu includes a traditional Irish dinner of corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes and a delicious dessert with coffee or tea. Other beverages, beyond a complimentary one, will be available for purchase. Tickets are limited, so call the church at 610-681-6137. Entertainment will feature the returning Lozier family on bagpipes. And there will also be a chance to win a basket.

Appliance repairs

Monroe County Habitat for Humanity is ready to help qualifying people with repairs to various appliances such as refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, water heaters, washers and dryers.

There are certain qualifications and homeowners are required to pay back the cost of materials to MCHFH over a five-year period, interest-free. There is no credit check, according to the announcement.

Lasagna dinner

Effort UMC is taking preorders for a fundraising lasagna dinner which will be takeout only and held on March 19. Pickup will be available from 3 to 6 p.m. The meal includes: lasagna, salad, garlic bread and a dessert. This year the church is selling dinners individually (single serving). For cost and to choose whether one wants the meal(s) cold or hot, and cost, call the church at 570-620-1890 or visit the church’s welcome center when staff is present.

Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.