Alpha begins

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will begin the Alpha program today.

Alpha is a place to connect with other people who are open to exploring life, faith and meaning, quoting the church.

Each session includes a time to connect with others, often over a free meal, hear a short talk on an element of the Christian faith, and then a chance for each person to share their own questions with the group.

It will be held every Wednesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Our Lady Queen of Peace in McCawley Hall or on Zoom.

To register, call the church at 610-681-6137.

Ida damage report

Eldred Township has announced site where Monroe County residents can report property damage due to tropical depression Ida.

This report will go directly to Monroe County Planning. If anyone has suffered reportable damage, report at: https://bit.ly/2WYjaxo.

PVEN board meets

The Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network board of directors will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church in Brodheadsville.

PV school board

The Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education is slated to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. The meeting is virtual and a link will be posted Thursday morning.

WELL Board

The West End Little League board of directors will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Chestnuthill Township Park. This is a closed meeting.

The public or open meeting follows next Thursday, same time, same place.

Primetimers Ministry

Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church Primetimers Ministry will be meeting the second Friday of the month starting this month. The next scheduled meeting will take place at noon on Friday.

Members who are 50 years or older, can join this group for a great time of fellowship. Bring a dish to share and invite a friend are the instructions to them.

Contact the church office at 570-992-6799.

Day of Caring

The Pocono Mountains United Way reminds all that today is the 2021 Day of Caring for Monroe County. Many good works have been done by volunteers in the West End over the years.

Free crafts

On Friday the West End Park & Open Space Commission is offering free back-to-school crafts from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chestnuthill Park in Brodheadsville.

Kids can make a Popsicle stick picture frame and/or pencil shaped bookmark. There will be a drive-thru option for craft supplies, to make at home. This is a drop-in event.

Indoor breakfast

McMichaels UMC will be serving a donation-only breakfast indoors from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

A complete breakfast will be served along with beverages. Everyone is welcome.

New Bible study

Pleasant Valley Presbyterian’s Pastor Chuck Monts will be starting a new Bible study breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Crossroads: The Intersection of Life & Faith will take place on the second Saturday of the month and is open to anyone who would like to come. For more information call 570-992-0158.

Distribution day

Effort UMC’s food pantry, the SFRC, will have its next distribution day from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday.

Patriot Day

The American Legion, Gilbert, will hold a remembrance ceremony, on Patriot Day, open to the community, at 11 a.m. Saturday. A light lunch will be provided. It is an open community event.

Community Day

Ross Township Park, at 248 Anchorage Road, Saylorsburg, will be the site of a Community Day taking place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The community is invited to come and meet their neighbors.

It is a great way to find out about different organizations too and a fantastic opportunity to become involved. Crafters and direct sellers will be there. Entertainment, demonstrations, local businesses, artifacts, tradesmen, food & drink, and more, are slated to be there.

Historic QV tours

Tours at the historic farm Quiet Valley living, historical farm in September will be held this Saturday and Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

For admission costs contact Quiet Valley at 570-992-6161.

PA birds book

Monroe Countians Darryl and Jackie Speicher have been studying the birds of Pennsylvania for over 20 years and have recently published their first book: “50 Things to Know About Birds in Pennsylvania.”

That book is now available for sale in the Kettle Creek gift shop.

The authors will be speaking about all things avian at the Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The program is free and copies of the book will be available for purchase, with cash or check.

Preregistration is required and limited.

To register, call the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center at 570-629-3061, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Family Rosary

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church has set 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday for the Family Rosary. It will take place at the fire pit by the pavilion and include s’mores.

If joining, bring a chair and/or blanket.

Fellowship breakfast

The breakfast hosted by the Trustees at Effort UMC is resuming Sunday. It will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Church families are to bring their appetite, parents and grandparents as it is Grandparents Day, and other family members to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

A freewill offering is appreciated.

All are asked to remember the COVID-19 church guidelines.

Those guidelines are: mask wearing will be optional, except for children between the ages of 3 and 11, as the CDC is still recommending those children who are unvaccinated wear a mask.

Those more comfortable wearing a mask, please do so. (No judgments are to be made).

And social distancing will still be encouraged.

Video service

Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kresgeville, has a video service on the calendar for this Sunday.

Grove service

St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, will be continuing its worship service at the grove at 9 a.m. until Oct. 10. Worshippers are asked to continue to bring their own elements for Communion Sundays.

Riders meeting

Members of the Riders at the American Legion, Post 927, will meet at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Rally Day held

At St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, Rally Day will be celebrated on Sunday, with Sunday school beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the social hall.

There will be cupcakes and juice, an ice breaker introduction game, craft, and Bible bingo to kick off the new school year, shares Staci Gower, coordinator of Christian formation.

There will be three classes: ages 5-9, ages 10-13, and youth who have been confirmed. Masks are recommended.

A class for children under 5 will be offered during nursery time, which is 9:15 to 10 a.m., beginning Oct. 17.

Church classes set

The Sunday school/Body Building classes for all age groups children at Effort UMC will resume on Sunday during the 11 a.m. service time.

Classes are set up as follows: Body Building - children who will be age 4 on or before Sept. 1; Pre-teens -children who will be age 9 on or before Sept. 1; and Teens - children who will be age 12 on or before Sept. 1.

The adult Sunday school will also resume on Sunday. It meets at 10 a.m. in the former day care kitchen. And, at 12:30 p.m., a new membership class will begin.

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