Shoe Drive

MARSH CREEK — Marsh Creek Brethren in Christ Church has been collecting shoes for the Gospel Tide’s “Your Soles for Their Souls” collection campaign. The Shoe Drive continues until March 1. This is the fifth year the Marsh Creek BIC Church has collected shoes to support Gospel Tide. Other church congregations and individuals are encouraged to search their closets and shoe racks and donate to this annual campaign. Our church coordinator is Bonnie Young, who is willing to pick up shoes locally or arrange for convenient pick-up in the community. We also have congregation members living in Bellefonte, Julian, Milesburg, Blanchard, Howard, Lamar and Lock Haven who would be able to help with collection efforts. Folks can call Bonnie at 570-962-2665 for pick-up or to schedule drop offs at her home in Beech Creek.

Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Jacksonville is also collecting shoes to help the Gospel Tide. All sizes of shoes, sneakers, boots and sandals need to be new or only gently worn. Shoe strings need to be included, and it’s best to tie the pair together using the shoe strings so they don’t get separated in shipment.

Blood Drives

Local churches will be hosting blood drives over the next several weeks. Blood donors of all types are invited to participate. To find a blood drive being held near you visit the American Red Cross website.

Blood drives will be held on the following dates:

Feb. 24, from 12-5:30 p.m., at Watermarke Church, Zion Road, Bellefonte.

March 5, from 12:30-6 p.m., at Centre Church in Pleasant Gap.

Lenten Fish Fries

LOCK HAVEN — Holy Spirit Parish in Lock Haven will continue to offer their annual “Drive-thru” Lenten Fish Fries every Friday during Lent except Good Friday, from 4-6 p.m., on the grounds of the Parish Center at St. Agnes Church. The menu features Haddock (Yuengling beer battered or baked), mac and cheese, stewed tomatoes, coleslaw, bread and dessert. Meals are $17, and individual sides of fish or mac and cheese will be available. The church invites you to their “Ez Drive Thru” for a delicious meal prepared by its parish family, and thanks you for your continued support. Call the parish office at 570-748-4594 for info.

Pot pie dinner

MILL HALL — Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church in Mill Hall will be having a homemade pot pie sale today, Feb. 21, from 1-3 p.m. The ham pot pie is $10 a quart. To guarantee you get, it’s best to pre-order by calling the church office at 570-726-4112. Walk-in sales will be accommodated until the pot pie is all gone. Pot pie comes in freezable containers, so you can get a few extra quarts to have on hand.

Meal and fellowship time

WINGATE — Wingate Faith Church will have a meal and fellowship time at the church on Friday, Feb. 27, from 4-6:30 p.m. Take a break from cooking and come enjoy a chicken and waffles meal with mashed potatoes, desserts and drinks. The cost will be $12 for adults and $6 for those ages 6-12 years. Younger kiddos get to eat free!

Wingate Faith Church is located at 111 Runville Road, Bellefonte, which is directly behind the Sheetz store in Wingate, and next to Wingate Elementary. Everyone is invited! Call Janette at 814-883-0893 for more info.

Sweetheart Dance

BELLEFONTE — Freedom Life Church is inviting fathers and father-figures to step into a meaningful evening of celebration and connection at the Father-Daughter Sweetheart Ball, happening Friday, Feb. 27, from 7-8 p.m., at the church’s Centre County Campus, 113 Sunset Acres, Bellefonte.

The Sweetheart Ball is a special event designed to honor and affirm young girls by creating intentional, joy-filled moments with the men who love and support them. Fathers are encouraged to bring their “sweetheart” –whether a daughter, granddaughter, niece or another special young lady in their life — for an unforgettable night that reminds each girl she is deeply loved, beautifully made and truly cherished.

The event will also feature a photography booth, a craft station and a special card-writing station where fathers and father-figures can write a personal note of encouragement for their sweetheart to keep as a lasting reminder of her worth.

The evening will conclude with dessert upon dismissal, sending families home with full hearts.

The Sweetheart Ball is hosted by the FL Kids Ministry of Freedom Life Church and is free to attend, though registration is required. Individuals may register online at freedom.life/upcoming-events or by calling 814-355-4947.

Soup Sale

FLEMINGTON — St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Flemington will be holding a soup sale Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. Soups being offered are chicken corn, vegetable beef and ham and bean. The soup is $8 a quart and may be picked up at the church on March 7. Orders may be placed by calling the church office, on or before March 1st, at 570-748-5741 and leave a message on the message machine.

Cookbook Sale

BEECH CREEK — Laurel Run Church, 2899 Laurel Run Road, Beech Creek, has created a beautiful family cookbook with many shared and loved recipes. Please contact Tammy Evelhair at gracesrosey@gmail.com or Paula Smith at 814-574-0199 to purchase. They are selling each copy for $12 and all proceeds benefit Laurel Run Church.

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.

News from the Pathway pews

MCELHATTAN — 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.

Pathway to Christ Church invites you to be a volunteer with their congregation members 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. Some months they are short staffed at the food bank so if you’d like to volunteer, please reach out to BJ Peters and she and other church members will be glad to have you come along!

The church is planning to make sticky buns and sell them again in March, and you will certainly want to preorder yours.