Lenten services

“In the midst of panic, chaos, and frustration, we reach out to you assuring you the church is here,” said Heidi Ketzko, First United Methodist Church. “However, in light of decisions made this week, many events are being cancelled to help stem the spread of the Coronavirus. The noon Lenten Service will continue as scheduled at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 19. However, there will be no soup and pie luncheon following the service. We trust all of you will stay safe and healthy.”

The 2020 Warren Ministerial Lenten Services continue at noon Thursday, March 19, at the First United Methodist Church with Jeff Ewing (First Lutheran Church) as speaker, and Bill Beatty (Grace United Methodist Church) as liturgist.

Fundraiser postponed

The Soup Cook-Off fundraiser at Russell United Methodist Church, scheduled for March 21, has been postponed due to recent virus concerns.

Senior centers closed

Experience, Inc., the Warren/Forest Area Agency on Aging, will be closing all its senior centers for the next two weeks through March 27. This includes the Allegheny Community Center (ACC), Tidioute Senior Center, Marienville Senior Center, and the Endeavor Senior Center, as well as the independently-run Sheffield Hospitality Center.

If any center member previously ordered a senior center meal for the week of March 16 to 20, that meal will be prepared and available for takeout only on the dates for which you ordered a meal from the senior center. Call your local senior center with any questions, or you can reach the Area Agency on Aging at (814) 723-3763, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

County libraries closed

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced that all K-12 Pennsylvania schools will be closed for 10 business days effective Monday, March 16. The Wolf Administration will continue to monitor COVID-19 in the commonwealth, and at the end of 10 days will reevaluate and decide whether continued closure is needed.

Since many public libraries are open on weekends and to achieve the maximum in public safety, the Office of Commonwealth Libraries instructed libraries to close for routine public library services beginning on Saturday, March 14, and remain closed through Sunday, March 29, a period in alignment with school closures.