The unbeautiful game

October 14, 2023

Let me be blunt: I do not particularly enjoy watching the sport of soccer as I simply find it difficult. Make no mistake, I am immensely impressed with many attributes that soccer players must display on the field of play. The athleticism, eye-foot coordination and endurance that they exude far exceed that of many other types of athletes. The “team” concept that soccer embodies is greater than most sports. And the dedication to training and preparation that goes into playing the game at an elite level is beyond impressive. But there is one aspect of the game that makes it ...

Mackeyville UMC to hold Homecoming today

October 14, 2023

PHOTO PROVIDED The Mackeyville United Methodist Church Homecoming celebration and dinner is this Saturday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. There will be lots of food, live entertainment, cake walks, Trivia games where you might just win a prize, a fire ring to roast marshmallows — weather permitting, ...

Local church briefs

October 14, 2023

Meatloaf dinner MCELHATTAN — McElhattan Pathway to Christ Church will host a Filled Meatloaf Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. The meal can be dine-in or takeout and will include meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and cake for dessert for $15. Outdoor Services MACKEYVILLE — Mackeyville United Methodist will be having an outdoor service with music at their pavilion on Oct. 14. The service will begin at 5 p.m. Contact 814-777-5510 for info. Soup and dessert sale LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven First Church of Christ’s Youth Group will be holding a soup and ...

In many Indigenous cultures, a solar eclipse is more than a spectacle. It’s for honoring tradition

October 14, 2023

PHOENIX (AP) — For a few hours, Krystal Curley and her Indigenous women’s work group took over a college auditorium to share traditional Navajo practices regarding this weekend’s highly anticipated solar eclipse. More than 50 people — young and old — showed up for the chance to ...

Local church briefs

October 7, 2023

Soup and dessert sale LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven First Church of Christ’s Youth Group will be holding a soup and dessert sale on Oct. 15. The cost is $7 for eat-in or take out. Choices of 16 ounce soup include creamy chicken tortellini, potato, stuffed pepper and cheeseburger. Proceeds benefit the youth group. Grief Support Group MACKEYVILLE — Grief Support Group, to help those in area communities that are dealing with a loss, will meet Wednesday, Oct. 11, and every second Wednesday of the month, at 7 p.m. at the Mackeyville United Methodist Church. Anyone who grieves the ...

America’s spiritual nonreligious are a growing, diverse phenomenon

October 7, 2023

Mike Dulak grew up Catholic in Southern California, but by his teen years, he began skipping Mass and driving straight to the shore to play guitar, watch the waves and enjoy “the beauty of the morning on the beach,” he recalled. “And it felt more spiritual than any time I set foot in a church.” Nothing has changed that view in the ensuing decades. “Most religions are there to control people and get money from them,” said Dulak, now 76, of Rocheport, Missouri. He also cited sex abuse scandals, harming “innocent human beings,” in Catholic and Southern Baptist churches. ...