Reading Eagle, Pa., Local Religion Digest Column: City Church Gets a New Name

By Reading Eagle, Pa.

Nov. 3–New Journey, or Nueva Jornada, United Methodist Church has been chosen as the new name for two congregations that are in the process of merging — Central Park and Emanuel Olivet, both at 138 S. Sixth St.

The name was selected from a choice of three names in a congregational vote in October. The new name received 32 votes. Thirty-one congregation members voted for the name New Hope and 31 voted for Central-Emanuel, according to the Rev. Nicolas Camacho, pastor.

Camacho said the name change and merger still must be approved at a United Methodist Church conference meeting in July.

The congregation holds services in English on Sundays at 9 a.m. and offers a bilingual service in Spanish and English at 11:30. Bilingual Sunday school classes are held at 10:30.

A free kickoff celebration of the Living Singles ministry for Christians ages 21 and older will be held today at 3 p.m. at Zion Baptist Church, 224 Washington St.

Christ Episcopal Church, Fifth and Court streets, will hold an unveiling and dedication of a memorial honoring the late Betty Lou McLean on Sunday at 10:15 a.m.

The memorial, consisting of two sculpted images of angels, is the first major addition to the interior of the church sanctuary in more than 100 years.

McLean, a longtime parishioner, taught theater, acting and the arts at Penn State Berks for more than 25 years.

Other Sunday morning programs:

Reformation Lutheran Church, 2670 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township: A dedication ceremony for the newly renovated and refurbished Daniel L. Wegman Memorial Library will be held during services at 8. The Rev. Isack Mwanjala , pastor of the congregation’s partner congregation in Tanzania, will be a guest at the service at 10:45, along with three members of his congregation. A welcome luncheon will be held afterward.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 527 Washington St.: The Rev. Robert Robinson , professor of Old Testament at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, will preach at 8:30 and 11. He will also lead adult forums at 9:45 for the next two weeks on “Stewardship of Creation — Caring for God’s Earth.”

Atonement Lutheran Church, Penn Avenue and Wyomissing Boulevard, Wyomissing: Bishop David R. Strobel of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will preach at 8:30 and 11. Strobel also will install the Rev. Jason Lee as associate pastor of Atonement at 11. Between services, the bishop will host a “Conversation with the Bishop.” A reception to honor Lee and his wife, Dana, will take place following the service at 11. At 7 p.m., the church will host its first coffeehouse, hosted by Danny Hafer , with a variety of music by members and friends of the congregation. Admission and coffee are free. Snacks will be available for purchase.

The Calvary Quartet will perform today at 7 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church, 1059 Victory Circle. The Greenville, S.C.-based gospel group has been performing since 1994.

Other Sunday afternoon and evening events:

St. Thomas United Church of Christ, 11th and Windsor streets: A reunion of past and present choir members, musicians and directors will be held at 2.

A health fair will be held on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Robeson Lutheran Church, 3520 Plow Road, Robeson Township. The event will feature exhibits, forums for teens and adults and an area for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Kidz Blitz, a family event with games and music, will be held on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the E.G. Smith auditorium at Spring Valley Church of God, 2727 Old Pricetown Road, Muhlenberg Township. The cost is $10 per person.

The Rev. Dr. Amy Schifrin will present a Lay School of Theology on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, Second and Chestnut streets, Lebanon.

Register by calling Betty Birch at 717-867-2376.

Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom, 555 Warwick Dr., Wyomissing, will hold a Jewish Food and Cultural Festival Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and music by the Chopped Liver River Band. Food available for purchase will include brisket of beef and chicken platters and New York-style deli platters or Israeli platters, $10 each. Other items also will be available.

Other activities will include tours of the sanctuary, a shofar blowing demonstration by Dr. Scott Bram and an organ concert by Ina Grapenthin.

Other fundraisers:

St. Mark’s United Church of Christ, 211 W. Greenwich St.: Turkey dinner today, 4 to 6 p.m. The cost is $8 or $4 for children ages 6 to 12; free for those under 6.

St. John Hill United Church of Christ, 620 Hill Church Road, Pike Township: Turkey dinner today from 3 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $8.50 or $4.50 for children ages 3 to 10. Takeout orders are $1 extra. Tickets will be sold until 7.

Olivet Reformed Church, Centre Avenue and Exeter Street: Turkey dinner today, 4 to 7 p.m.. Cost is $8 or $4 for children ages 6 to 12.

Christ (Mertz) Lutheran Church, Dryville: Seafood supper Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m.

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 133 Church St., Bowmansville, Lancaster County: Corn pie supper today starting at 3 p.m. Cost is $9 or $5 for children 6 to 12; free for those under 6.

Altalaha Lutheran Church, Rehrersburg: Try It Before You Buy It pie sale will be held Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m. Ten varieties will be available to taste and orders will be taken for holiday pies. Coffee and tea will be served. Pies can be picked up Nov. 21 between 3 and 6 p.m. To order, call 610-488-7173 by Nov. 17.

St. Luke’s Evangelical Congregational Church, 315 W. Broad St., Shillington: Soup and bake sale will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, starting at 8 a.m.. Soup will be sold for $2.50 a pint or $5 per quart.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4125 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring: Pancake and sausage breakfast will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Donation of $5 or $3 for children is requested.

Digest items must be written and reach the editor by noon Wednesday prior to publication. They may be mailed to PO Box 582, Reading 19603; faxed to 610-371-5098 or sent to cbalinski@readingeagle.com.

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