BY SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Union Lutheran Church, Schnecksville, welcomes everyone to join its virtual gathering and meditation Wednesday evenings during Lent.

Worship will be based on the Holden Evening Prayer Service which was very much appreciated by participants in past years.

Bulletins will be digital and may be found at ulclv.org 7 p.m. each Wednesday.

As traditional fellowship and soup will not take place due to COVID-19 precautions, the website will include recipe cards for a soup and bread of the week to prepare at home.

Assistant to the pastor, Cathy Shaffer, reports Union Lutheran is working hard to adapt to the COVID-19 situation.

“We have to,” Shaffer said, adding the virtual services are open to everyone and are accessible on the church’s Facebook page.

Pastor Gordon Camp explains Lent is a 40-day season (not including Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection and ultimately celebration.

“Lent asks believers to set aside time each year for fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice and resurrection,” Camp said.

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Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, is continuing support of Family Promise by offering grocery cards to families housed in a local hotel.

Before the pandemic, Union UCC and 12 other area congregations provided meals and shelter to families lacking a home.

Each church would host the families for a week several times throughout the year.

At Union UCC, volunteers prepared meals, shared fellowship time, and set up sleeping accommodations for the families which often included young children.

In addition to the gift cards, Union UCC will deliver baked goods to the families in the program.

“We look forward to one day having guests in our church again,” Church representatives said.

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The Auxiliary of Northern Valley EMS, NOVA, is planning a shoofly pie fundraiser March 7 and 8.

Call Julie at 610-262-7749 to place orders by March 1.