TOPS tonight

The Kresgeville unit of TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Salem-St. Paul Lutheran Church.

No services

Pleasant Valley Assembly of God will not be having activities tonight.

Live music

American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert is hosting live music tonight by Subagroove from 6-9 p.m. For more information, call 610-681-5838.

Winners announced

The Monroe County Conservation District Environmental Education Center’s Natural Resources photo contest winners will be announced via a slideshow from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 7 at Kettle Creek. The top 12 photos will be available on a 2025 calendar.

Proceeds from calendar sales will benefit environmental education programs at Kettle Creek.

Winning photos will be displayed in the MCCD art gallery through Jan. 31, 2025.

For directions, call the MCEEC at 570-629-3061.

AA meetings

McMichaels UMC offers AA gatherings Wednesdays at noon and every Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Zion Lutheran, Brodheadsville, hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every Monday at 7:30 p.m.

There is no charge. All meetings are confidential. If you or someone you know needs help, feel free to attend.

Grief meetings

St. Luke’s Hospice and the Western Pocono Community Library have partnered to offer free monthly adult grief support sessions.

Sign-ups are not needed, and the groups are free and open to everyone. Meetings will be held at 1 p.m., today (Grief at the Holidays session) and Dec. 11.

For more information, contact St. Luke’s Hospice Bereavement Team at 484-526-2499.

Toy registration

The Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network’s Holiday Toy Program will close its registration on Nov. 30. Certain documentation is needed to apply: proof of address for current month (lease or property tax information); birth certificate and/or custody paperwork per child(ren) being registered; proof of household income for current month (pay stubs, cash assistance, if applicable, and must include all members of the household).

Registered children need three wishes and clothing/shoe sizes. There is a $50 limit per gift. Gift cards will not be accepted.

Contact the PVEN at 570-992-3136 with any questions from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Mondays and Fridays.

A reminder for all

Rep. Jack Rader reminds everyone that firearms deer season begins on Saturday, and to consider that when heading for an outdoor walk.

He also said that all state offices will be closed Thursday and Friday this week because of Thanksgiving.

Church decorating

Effort UMC will decorate the church Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.

Voucher redemption

Folks who received state farmers market vouchers are reminded that the redemption period ends Nov. 30.

Kunkletown breakfast

The Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company, at 597 Kunkletown Road, is hosting a breakfast on Sunday from 7:30-11:30 a.m.

For costs, contact the fire company at 610-381-2674.

Thanksgiving dinner

Post 927, American Legion, Gilbert, is holding its annual Community Thanksgiving dinner from noon-3 p.m. in the Main Hall, at 646 Fairgrounds Road, Gilbert.

For costs and more information, call 610-681-5838.

Closed Friday

The Chestnuthill Senior Center, at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville, will be closed Friday in light of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Plant orders due

Effort UMC is selling poinsettias. All orders must be in to the church office no later than Dec. 1. The plants will be in a 6½-inch pot.

Order forms can be found on the church’s Welcome Center.

Advent invite

Zion Lutheran Church, Broheadsville, invites folks to join the congregation for each of the four Sundays of Advent in December leading up to Christmas as worshippers prepare and anticipate for the coming of Christ as the baby Jesus.

Worship times are Saturdays at 5 p.m.; Sundays at 8 a.m., also via Zoom, and 10:30 a.m., also via Facebook Live. A simple prerecorded spoken service is available each week on Facebook.

There will be special music from Zion’s choir at the 10:30 service on Dec. 22.

Sunday school meets at 9:15 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

Craft Fair at PV

Pleasant Valley Cheerleading is hosting a holiday craft fair on Sunday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the PVHS new gym. Over 100 local vendors are expected, and a basket raffle is part of the event. The concession stand will be open.

In addition, while shopping people can complete a Christmas coloring page to earn a free ticket for the basket raffle.

Turkey Bowl

The youth group teens from Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville have invited the youth group from the Church of St. Luke in Stroudsburg to the West End to play kickball at 2 p.m. Dec. 1.

Love stitches

Hands will work at crocheting and knitting at Effort UMC from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday.

Discover Advent

Seven different activities are part of A Family Advent set for 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brodheadsville, from which folks can take home devotionals and activities.

Advent series

The Rev. Robert Simon, Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brodheadsville, will lead Advent series events on Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Each date there will be two times to enjoy the program and discussion: 10 a.m. to noon for coffee and treats, or 6-8 p.m. for dinner.

Giving tree helps

The Giving Tree at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brodheadsville, began several weeks ago. Angel tags, sneakers, socks and underwear tags will benefit local children in need through the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.

Senior male and female tags in yellow are for homebound and nursing home residents from the parish, while red tags are for children in need in the parish.

Gifts should be placed under the Giving Tree before Dec. 6 and should be unwrapped with tag securely attached.

Angel tree

Effort UMC’s Angel Tree has 40 “Angels” that it is supporting through the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.

Anyone who took an “Angel” is reminded to bring the unwrapped gifts back to the church with the child’s number on the gift(s) no later than Dec. 7. The church representative must have the gifts delivered to PVEN between 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 9.