Morgantown/Honey Brook JANUARY 9, 2019
IN THIS ISSUE: SOFTBALL LEAGUE SEEKS MORE TEAMS page 5
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXVI • NO 51
WINTER SPORTS
A Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing will be offered on Sunday, Jan. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bingaman Nature Center, 2843 Hill Road, Reading. Following an introductory talk, attendees will put their newly learned skills to use by going on a hike. Snowshoes will be available in various sizes. Cross-county ski kits can be rented from Buchman’s Ski Shop in Muhlenberg Township. To register one week before the program date, call 610-374-2944, ext. 2611. SIMPLE GIFTS
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5 Brooke Manor, Birdsboro, will present a lecture and concert by Simple Gifts, an award-winning folk music duo that performs folk music from around the world. The program will take place on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. There is no cost for admission, but a freewill donation will be accepted. For details, call the church at 610-582-8167. STORY TIME
Honey Brook Community Library, 687 Compass Road, Honey Brook, will offer Story Time With Miss Jennifer at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 9 through Feb. 28. The program will feature songs, stories, and crafts. Story time is suited for children ages 2 to 5, but children of all ages may attend. For more information, contact the library at 610-273-3303 or email jspade@ccls.org.
David’s Drive Wraps Gifts For Veterans pg 4
Valentine’s Banquet Set pg 10
Hopewell UMC Serves Free Christmas Meal By Francine Fulton
More than 80 people from the community gathered to enjoy a Christmas Day dinner at Hopewell United Methodist Church (UMC) in Downingtown on Dec. 25. This was the sixth year that the free meal has been offered by church volunteers. Those who attended the event were treated to a complete holiday dinner that included turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, baked macaroni and cheese, stuffing, corn, green beans and mashed potatoes with gravy. There was also an appetizer table that offered green salad, coleslaw, crackers and cheese and other snacks. For dessert, attendees enjoyed cookies and an assortment of pies, including pumpkin, apple, peach and blueberry, which were donated by a local business. The dinner was held in the church’s Family Life Center, which was decorated
for the occasion and filled with the sounds of Christmas music played on a stereo. Attendees took home cards made in advance by students from Hopewell Christian Preschool and the church’s Sunday school class. The Rev. Amy Banka, the new lead pastor at Hopewell UMC, provided a prayer before the meal. According to church administrator Becky Bennington, event organizer, about 30 church volunteers helped out at the event, including those who visited the church early in the morning for setup. Volunteer Karl Findeison, who was in charge of cooking the meal, also arrived early to place all of the turkeys in the oven. Bennington said that each year people of all ages and backgrounds attend the dinner and some make it a yearly tradition. “It’s open to anyone. It’s a place where people can share a meal together,” she stated. See Hopewell UMC pg 7
By Francine Fulton
COMMUNITY LUNCHEON
Nantmeal United Methodist Church, 359 Nantmeal Road, Glenmoore, will hold its monthly community luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 12, from noon to 2 p.m. The menu will include homemade vegetable soup, hot dogs, dessert, and beverages. The meal is free. In the case of inclement weather, the luncheon will be canceled.
While people in recovery from a mental illness are treated by professionals and various therapies, they may lack the support of personal friends. Helping to fill that gap is Compeer Chester County, a nonprofit organization that pairs people living with mental health conditions with volunteer friends from the community. “ We want to add friendship therapy to a person’s life,” said Donna Kueny, who was named the new Compeer Chester County program director on Dec. 17. “Both people benefit from that. The volunteers truly make a difference in someone’s life, and for the person in recovery their self-esteem level goes up and See Compeer pg 6
By Francine Fulton
Donna Kueny was recently appointed the new program director of Compeer Chester County, a nonprofit organization that pairs volunteer friends with people living with mental health conditions.
Conner Haines, an 18-year-old homeschool graduate from Honey Brook, has set a major goal - to share the Gospel in every country of the world within the next five years by working with ministries, missionary groups and Christians in each country. He also offers the groups his videography and photography services to help them document their work. Conner began his adventure six months ago and has visited 59 countries so far, including Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador. He has had the opportunity visit with orphans and refugees, take part in building projects, volunteer at vacation Bible schools and help the homeless. “I really love traveling and doing See Missionary pg 3
Chester County resident Conner Haines, 18, has a goal to visit every country in the world to share the Gospel and volunteer with local missionaries. He also offers the groups help in documenting their work through his video and photography services.
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will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Honey Brook Presbyterian Church, 4331 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook. All women are invited to attend.
Congregation members at Hopewell United Methodist Church served a free Christmas Day dinner on Dec. 25. Volunteers at the event included (from left) Becky Bennington, Gina Gill, Greg Schroder, Karl Findeison, Annette Kappenhauer and Megan Bennington. Attendees were also able to take home extra food in takeout containers.
Young Missionary Hopes To Visit Compeer Chester County Names New Program Director Every Country In The World
UPCOMING MEETING
The Honey Brook Women’s Club
Congregation Collects Food Donations pg 5