Theology With a Twist to meet in Kutztown on Tuesday [Religion Digest] (2025)

Theology With a Twist will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Kutztown Tavern, 272 W. Main St., Kutztown. The topic is “Faith and the Upcoming Elections Revisited,” presented by Dr. Lee Barrett

The passions generated by the presidential elections are intense and notoriously polarizing. The strength of such passions is fueled by deep-rooted convictions about nothing less than the meaning of life. We will explore the religious sources of these seemingly political commitments, tracing the ways that they manifest themselves in specific policy proposals and electoral strategies. Join Barrett for what will certainly be an engaging presentation and lively discussion.

Barrett is the Mary B. and Henry P. Stager Chair in theology and professor of systematic theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

The event is free; food and drink can be purchased in the restaurant downstairs and brought up to our event space. Parking is available in the community lot behind the tavern or on Main Street.

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• North Heidelberg United Church of Christ, 211 Sheidy Road, North Heidelberg Township, will celebrate its annual Polka Mass on Oct. 6, which is Worldwide Communion Sunday. The Heidelberg Polka Band will be supplying the music, and the whole worship service will be set to familiar polka tunes. The Rev. Ron Rice will be the pastor for this service. Following the service, a light luncheon will be served in the social hall.

• Schwarzwald United Church of Christ, 75 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, is selling
apple dumplings, $5; AP cakes, $5; and pumpkin pies, $12. Place orders by
Friday by calling the office at 610-779-0850. A neighbor in need offering will be received during the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday..

• There will be a buckwheat pancake and sausage supper next Saturday from 3-6:30 p.m. at the Hill Church Picnic Grove Dining Hall, 620 Hill Church Road, Pike Township. Dine in or take out. Cost: Adults, $11, children 3-10, $6. Dinner includes sausage, buckwheat pancakes, home fries, dessert and beverage.

• Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Douglass Township, Montgomery County, will celebrate Harvest Home during the 9 a.m. worship service on Sunday. Bring non-perishable food items to donate to a local food pantry as well as monetary donations for the food pantry and flowers, fruits and vegetables to decorate and celebrate the harvest. Coffee and Conversation will be held at 8 and 10 in the Welcome Center.

• St. John’s Gernant’s Church (A Federated Congregation) 13 Gernant’s Church Road, Ontelanuee Township, will worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Fern Kulp will perform a piano solo called “As the Morning Sunlight Appears.” After the service, there will be a Soup and Crusty Bread Social.

• The Rev. Sara Hertzog, retired pastor of Maidencreek United Church of Christ, will be the guest speaker during the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 170 Tuckerton Road, Muhlenberg Township. Adult Faith Formation will be held at 9.

• St. John’s Lutheran Church, 45 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown, will hold a free drive-through take-out meal today from 4:30-5:30 p.m., no registration required.

• Calvary United Church of Christ, 640 Centre Ave., Reading, welcomes Rev. Kim Adamson as guest preacher on Sunday at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services.

• Epler’s Church United Church of Christ, 1151 W. Leesport Road, Bern Township, will have a Food and Faith Night on Friday beginning at 6 p.m. with a meal and then at 7 p.m. there will be a relaxed worship service. Music will be provided by Linda Michael. The Great Apple Bake-off hosted by the youth group will take place next Saturday from 1-4:30 pm. Donations will be accepted to taste and judge baked goods. There will also be a basket raffle. More information can be found at eplerschurch.org.

• Finely Fluted will provide music for the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Friedens United Church of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley. Finely Fluted is a chamber ensemble from the Boyertown area and is composed of Nancy Mest, Marta Johnson, Joanne Nagle, Rashell Williams and Kimberly Batchelder. There will be a special congregational meeting after the service.

• A healing service will be included during the 10:15 a.m. worship time on Sunday at United Church of Christ of Robesonia, 301 W. Penn Ave. Zoom Bible study is offered on Tuesday from 9-9:45 a.m. Use mestme@aol.com to receive the link. At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the video series “The Chosen” is being shown and discussed. Call 610-741-8815 with questions. The Walking Group will meet next Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the walking paths on the campus of Wernersville State Hospital, Route 422 and Sportsman’s Road, South Heidelberg Township. Call 484-332-4345 to stay in contact.

• A Family Fall Fest will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4201 Stoudt’s Ferry Bridge Road, Muhlenberg Township, today at 9 a.m. Food, crafts, vendors and fun activities for children including hay rides and pumpkin painting.

• The Rev. Barry Spatz will be the guest pastor at Salem Lutheran Church, 8410 Lancaster Ave., Bethel Township, during the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday. A social hour in the all-purpose room will follow the service.

• Schwarzwald United Church of Christ, 75 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, will be
holding a Fall Festival next Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be apple dumplings and other baked items for sale. Hamburgers, hot dogs, barbeque and soups will be available for lunch. Crafts for children and some vendors will be available. World Wide
Communion will be celebrated on Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m.

• NorthStar United Methodist Church will celebrate its 13th anniversary as a church and its new home at 4350 Perkiomen Ave. (former Fox Theater) in Exeter Township with its 10th annual day of service on Sunday from 9-11 a.m. Members of the congregation will participate in various acts of service throughout the Exeter/Reading community.

In order to have an event listed in the religion digest, it must be something that is not just a regular worship service. This includes things such as guest musicians or vocalists who are not members of the church choir; guest speakers; flea markets and other sales; meals, etc. Send information to life@readingeagle.com.