Community car wash

to support families in need

LOCK HAVEN — Holy Spirit Parish will host a fundraiser for One Gallon Challenge. Local residents are invited to roll up Saturday, Oct. 18, for a special Community Car Wash Benefit Event at St. Agnes Church, 3 E. Walnut St., in Lock Haven. The event, running from 4 – 6 p.m., will raise funds for the One Gallon Challenge, a local initiative run by the Clinton County Ministerium that provides emergency home heating assistance to families in need throughout the winter season.

The community is encouraged to participate in two ways: from 4 – 5 p.m., drivers can stop by for a convenient drive-thru car wash, with all donations going directly to support the cause or from 5 – 6 p.m., parishioners attending evening Mass may park in the rear lot and have their vehicles washed while they are inside. Organizers say the effort represents more than just a clean car. “Every wash helps ensure a neighbor stays warm this winter,” said volunteers. “It’s about coming together as a community, caring for one another, and living out our faith in action.”

The One Gallon Challenge has been a lifeline for families facing difficult choices between heat and other essential expenses. With winter approaching, organizers hope this event will rally support and raise awareness of the ongoing need.

“All it takes is one gallon at a time,” said a parish leader. “Together, we can make a difference!”

Last sale of the season

HOWARD — Bargains and Blessings Community Closet will be open on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Faith Chapel United Methodist Church, 551 Hunter Run Road, Howard. This will be the final sale of the season and will be open rain or shine. Gently used, good quality clothing, shoes and accessories for the entire family are available. Sizes range from infants to 3X and are priced at $5 per bag full. Bags will be provided.

Sales will resume in May 2026. Donations may be dropped off at Faith Chapel UMC most Tuesday mornings, but email jbumbarger@comcast.net to verify that the site will be open. Other drop-off locations are the Howard United Methodist Church, the Blanchard Church of Christ or the Beech Creek Wesleyan Church. For more information or if in urgent need of clothing assistance, contact us through the church’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/faithchapelumc, or email jbumbarger@comcast.net.

Bargains and Blessings Community Closet is an outreach ministry of Faith Chapel UMC that serves Beech Creek, Blanchard, Howard and surrounding areas. All proceeds go back into the community to help families in need or local charitable organizations

Turkey dinner

AVIS — Avis United Methodist Church, 215 Prospect Ave., is hosting its annual family-style turkey dinner on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 4-6 p.m. Meal prices are: adults $12, children $5 and kids aged 5 and under eat for free. Join us for good food and fellowship!

Homecoming celebration

BEECH CREEK — Laurel Run Church, 2899 Laurel Run Road, Beech Creek, invited the public to their regular Sunday church service at 9 a.m. to include a favorite hymn sing.

Following the service, delight in fellowship and enjoy a potluck style luncheon. Bring a favorite covered dish or dessert to share.

Benner’s Chapel

BELLEFONTE — The Benner families will be hosting a Fall Thanksgiving service at Benner’s Christ Chapel on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 4 p.m. The public is invited to worship with the family and give thanks for the many blessings we have.

The outdoor chapel service will feature story telling, music and a service by Pastor Doug Conway.

The chapel is just a 15 minute walk from the Benner homestead at 323 Nilson Road, Bellefonte. Arrive at the house early and transportation will be provided for those who cannot make the trek. Be sure to dress for the outdoor temperatures and bring an umbrella if necessary. For more info., call Darlene at 814-380-3932.

Addiction support

MILL HALL — Before the COVID pandemic, the Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church in Mill Hall offered A-Anon meetings at the church, but those resources were not continued afterward.

Pastor Susan Champion believes there are still those in our area who would benefit from having support and resources available to help them cope with the addiction their loved ones have.

If you would benefit from this support group and want to have a safe space to share experiences and be able to speak with a trained counselor, please call the church office at 570-726-4112 and leave a message with your name and phone number so the counselor can give you a call back. There is no charge for this service. All calls and conversations are kept confidential.

Food Drive

FLEMINGTON — St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Flemington will be having a food drive during the month of October. Each Sunday in October a different food item will be collected. The food collected will benefit The Salvation Army in the preparation of their Christmas baskets.

News from the Pathway pews

MCELHATTAN — Pathway to Christ Church is having a Pumpkin Patch at the church on Sunday, Oct. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. The Pumpkin Patch consists of pumpkin decorating kits, while supplies last! There will also be a fall hayride and free popcorn for everyone! The event is free and everyone is invited to come have fun at the church.

Pathway to Christ Church is currently collecting boxes of Cheerios that will be given to the Jersey Shore Care and Share food pantry at St. John Lutheran Church. The food pantry has a goal to get 900 boxes of Cheerios before the end of October. So far Pathway has collected 128 boxes, with the help of other churches contributing.

Come volunteer with us at the Food Bank in Williamsport! Carpooling is available from the church parking lot, leaving at 4:30 p.m. We help at the food bank on the third Thursday of each month. If you’re interested in learning more, just send an email to bpeters388@comcast.net.

Pathway to Christ Church has Bible Study every Tuesday night from 6:30-7:30 p.m., in the social hall at Pathway to Christ Church, 502 McElhattan Drive, McElhattan. Everyone is welcome to join us to study the word and share good fellowship together.

Thanks to everyone who came last Saturday and bought the chicken bbq meals. The meals were all sold out in less than 90 minutes! Thank you for supporting the church’s fundraising efforts.

The Kramers in concert

BEECH CREEK — Beech Creek Wesleyan Church will be hosting The Kramers in concert on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m.

The Kramers are a family well known for their Gospel singing. They have a variety of musical styles featuring beautiful family harmonies and skilled accompanying instrumentation.

There is no cost for the concert. A love offering will be taken for the group.

Yarnell Community Center

YARNELL — The Yarnell Church owns and rents out the Yarnell Community Center for small gatherings and parties. The former school building turned community center is very nicely renovated, has an open kitchen and floor plan and can seat about 100 people. The cost to rent the building is $75 per day. Jack Miller is the rental coordinator for the Yarnell Community Center. To contact Jack call 814-280-0524.

Bible Study

LOCK HAVEN — God’s Eternal Life Church, 30 Woodward Ave., Lock Haven, is holding weekly Bible studies each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The topic will be Thru the Bible Word for Word. Please feel free to join. Church services are held on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. All are welcome. Pastor Dean Williams can be reached at 570-748-3700.

Walk by Faith

LOCK HAVEN — The Walk by Faith walking program will be meeting, weather permitting, each Wednesday evening and you are invited to join the group, both for the exercise and for fellowship time together. The walks take about one hour where you can walk at your own pace or with a friend to get fresh air and exercise, all while enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

On Oct. 22, at 6 p.m., the walk will be at Riverview Park in Woodward Township. Meet at the park.

On Oct. 29, at 6 p.m., the walk will be at the Woodward Township Walkway. Meet at the church and we will walk across the Jay Street bridge together and on to the walkway.

Call Fran at 570-748-4302 for a schedule of each of the walks or for more info.

Light the Night

MINGOVILLE — The Nittany Valley Fellowship of Churches will hold its annual Light the Night event from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Walker Township Park. The free family event features games, treat bags for kids, hot dogs, hot chocolate, cider and more! Kids are invited to dress in costumes, but not scary ones. It is an evening to enjoy some time with family and community. For more information, contact stmarksnydertown@gmail.com.