Thanksgiving dinner served

Calvary United Methodist Church, 167 Blue Ball Road, West Decatur, will hold its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Take outs will be available from 12:30 to 1 p.m. while supplies last. Also on Nov. 23 in West Decatur, Rock United Methodist Church, 2707 Old Erie Pike, will host a bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free Thanksgiving meal to be served

A free community Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Altoona Heritage Discovery Center. Hosted by Center City Church, the event includes food, fellowship and gratitude, organizers said.

“We love to serve the city and help those in need, but this dinner is so much more than that,” said Pastor Mark Mielnik. “This is a time for fellowship within this great city — where everyone is welcome, both those who may need support this holiday season and those who simply love this community.”

The meal will include traditional Thanksgiving favorites, but the gathering is about more than the food.

“It’s an opportunity to sit down with someone you don’t know, to bless others through the gift of time and to be blessed in return,” Mielnik said.

No reservations are necessary and the meal is open to everyone. For more information or for information on how to get involved with the Altoona Thanksgiving Community Dinner, contact Center City Church at 814-201-2454.

Thanksgiving service to be held

A Hollidaysburg community Thanksgiving service, sponsored by the Hollidaysburg Area Ministerium, will be held at 7 p.m. Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 27, at St. John’s Reformed Church, Maple Avenue and North Montgomery Street. The Hollidaysburg Community Chorus will sing. The offering will go to the American Rescue Workers. Area pastors will participate and refreshments will follow the service.

Meal, clothing offered

Bethany Lutheran Church, 200 Third Ave., Altoona, will serve a free meal and offer a clothing giveaway from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. All are welcome.

Advent of Christmas party set

Holy Spirit Ministry will host an Advent of Christmas party at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at St. Michael Church, Hollidaysburg. The evening will feature favorite Christmas music, fellowship and tasty treats. Those attending should bring a dessert to share with the group.

Christmas hymn sing is Dec. 7

A Christmas hymn sing will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at Hollidaysburg Alliance Church, 183 Jefferson St., Hollidaysburg. Special music will be provided by Aunt Janet and the Lone Rambler, Don Wray and Isaac Godby. The song leader will be Tim Long. Keyboards by Elaine Haupt. There will be Christmas cookies in the social hall after the hymn sing.

Food pantry distribution set

The food pantry distribution at Twenty-eighth Street Church of the Brethren will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22. The pantry is free to all Blair County residents. The church is at 28th Street and Union Avenue. To make an appointment, call Deb at 814-207-8293.

Newry Lutheran to distribute bags of food

Newry Lutheran Church, 1030 Shamrock Lane, will distribute bags of food from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in the church social hall. Bags will be distributed while supplies last at no charge; no income guidelines exist to receive the bag of nonperishable food items. Bags are distributed monthly; future distribution dates will be held on Dec. 21.

The Meal in a Bag program is a social ministry initiative of Newry Lutheran Church, made possible through grant funding by the Allegheny Synod, ELCA and donations by members and area businesses. For more information, contact the church office at 814-317-5287.

Stuffed cabbage dinner offered

A Halupki Harvest stuffed cabbage dinner will be available for take out only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 335 Locust St., downtown Johnstown. The meal is $10 and includes one halupki, two pierogies, a serving of halushki and two cookies. To order, call 814-535-6797 or email stmarks@atlanticbbn.net. Proceeds benefit St. Mark’s Digital Ministries.

Free concert offered

A free concert featuring the Encore String Trio of Altoona, Harpist Rachel Wachter, and advanced piano and vocal students of Cynthia Finnegan will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 408 N. Sixth St., Altoona.

Homemade Christmas at The Well

Children in preschool to 6th grade are invited to The Well for a fun day creating Christmas crafts to keep or give as a gift. The free event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Parents must sign up children for this event.

In addition to crafts, cookies and drinks will be provided. Children must be potty trained to stay without a guardian. Nursery care is available for little ones too young to participate. To sign up for this event, go to signupgenius.com. On that site, search for this email address: bcburget217@yahoo.com by clicking on the search icon (magnifying glass) at the top of the page. Then enter the email address when prompted at “Search for a signup.” Go to the search page directly at: signupgenius.com/findasignup. The Well Ministry Center is at

605 Burns Ave., Altoona.

Splash Nights continue

The Well Ministry Center will host Splash Nights the second Monday of each month. There will be a meal, games, crafts, songs and a message of hope.

A family meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. From 6 to 7 p.m., children 3 years old to fifth grade will take part in fun activities. Parents can relax in the church’s cafe or return to pick up children at 7 p.m. The Well is at 605 Burns Ave., Altoona. For more information, contact Brandi at bcburget217@yahoo.com.

Quilting ministry offered

Zion Lutheran Church invites women of all ages to attend Stitch and Sew in Zion’s Fellowship Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. No experience is required to help create quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Bring a bagged lunch, if you’d like. For more information, call the church office at 814-695-0091.

Pro-Life Rosary to be recited

Christian Mothers will recite the pro-life rosary Thursdays after the noon mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona. The group meets in front of the Blessed Mother Chapel.

Deadline

Religious organizations are invited to submit upcoming events, special speakers and other items to be published free of charge in Spiritual Notes. Items can be emailed to religion@altoonamirror.com or call Holly at 814-946-7451. Items may also be submitted online through the Mirror’s virtual newsroom at vnr.altoonamirror.com. Deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. Mondays.