Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

There’s lots going on at Christ United Methodist Church in the upcoming months including the Bear Ministry.
According to the church newsletter, a bear ministry is a way to reach out to those who are sick, those who recently lost a loved one or those who just need to know that someone cares.
The ministry works when people donated stuffed animals which are then tagged and placed throughout the pews. Church goers are then encouraged to take one of the animals to someone who needs to know that he or she is not alone.
Everyone can help by donating a stuffed animal. A collection box has been placed under the table in the large Sunday school room.
Also, the church picnic has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 15 at Reservoir Park.
The group will be meeting at 5 p.m. at pavilion No. 1. The meal will be served at 6 p.m.
Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish to go with the corn-on-the-cob, hot dogs and beverages which the church will provide. Participants are asked to bring their own table service also.
There are also a variety of summer projects of the Altoona District Mission Central HUB.
Christ United Methodist Church will continue to work on school kits at the HUB. Items especially needed for this collection include: blunt scissors for children; boxes of 24 crayons; school bags (15×19 inches with handles – directions are available) and heavy-duty fabric to use to sew the bags.
The church also continues to work on flood buckets. Items needed include: 25 or 50 oz. laundry detergent; 12-16 oz. household cleaner; 50 clothespins; 50 or 100 ft. of clothesline and non-aerosol air freshener (solids are okay).
And, don’t forget, during the summer months the church will be working on layette kits, another fun project to provide for those in need of infant supplies.
Each layette kits contains: six cloth diapers; two undershirts (or one-piece body suits); two baby washcloths; two infant sleepers with feet or infant gowns; two diaper pins; three receiving blankets and one infant sweater open in the front.
Those wishing to donate infant items can bring them to the church and they will be taken to the HUB to be assembled.
The HUB is located at 4200 Broad Avenue, Altoona. Hours for donation drop-offs are Monday from 1 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Christ United Methodist Church is located at 1359 Pennsylvania Avenue. Worship services are held every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. with church school at 10:30 a.m. Classes are available for all ages. To contact the church, call 684-3561.

By Rick