Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, will observe blanket Sundays Feb. 9, 16 and 23.

Donations from the Neffs congregation and others throughout the United States are forwarded to Church World Service which supplies blankets to families affected by severe weather events, homelessness and poverty.

Recipients can use the blanket to keep warm or as a soft padding to sleep on hard surfaces.

Sometimes, they hang the blankets as room dividers for privacy in emergency shelters.

Other individuals use the blankets to carry items as they move from place to place.

Church World Service offers heavyweight woolen blankets to people in cold areas and lightweight fleece blankets to people in warmer climates.

The blankets are important not only for bodily warmth, but they are the warmth of the church reaching out to people in need.

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In another example of mission activity, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Laurys Station, is collecting funds for Puerto Rico which was struck recently by a major earthquake and is still trying to recover from Hurricane Maria which destroyed much of the island in 2017.

St. John’s will send contributions to the national UCC office which is working with partners in Puerto Rico to provide relief.

Many people on the island are sleeping outside, fearing harm from damage inside their homes or actual collapse of the structures.

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On Feb. 9, Union Lutheran Church, Schnecksville, welcomes people to Holy Chocolate Sunday.

A variety of chocolate treats will be available between the services at 9:15 a.m.

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The Auxiliary of Northern Valley EMS, NOVA, is taking orders for the cherry pie and soup fundraiser.

Call Julie at 610-262-7749 by Feb. 10 for pick-up on Feb. 16 and 17.