BY JANICE RAINEY

JRAINEY@TRIBDEM.COM

The Rev. Horace “Butch” Derr has been named interim pastor at Conemaugh Church of the Brethren, 1256 William Penn Ave., Johnstown.

Derr received a bachelor’s degree from the International Bible College; master’s degree in pastoral counseling from the International Seminary; certification in biblical studies from Bethany Theological Seminar; doctorate from Breyer State University; certification in grief counseling from American Academy of Grief Counselors; and fellow status in thanatology from Association of Death Educators and Counselors.

He is the spiritual coordinator and bereavement coordinator for Family Hospice and Palliative Care of Indiana County.

He and his wife, Amelia, reside in Nanty Glo.

Parish is holding pj party for women

Bright Hope Parish of the United Methodist Church – made up of Belsano, Belsano Faith, Nanty Glo, Strongstown and Mount Union churches – will hold a Pajama Party for women from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Belsano (Red Brick) Church.

The party will feature snacks, fellowship and music by Mary Leib, harpist.

Admission is a new pair of children’s or adults light- to medium-weight pajamas to be donated to the Women’s Help Center, or a washcloth, soap, hand towel or nail clippers for health kits.

Camp executive to speak at Christ UM

Dennis Tawney, director of Camp Allegheny in Somerset County, will speak during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service at Christ United Methodist Church, Ohio Street and Cypress Avenue in the Moxham section of Johnstown.

The Rev. Arnie McFarland is pastor of the church.

Dorothy Rager will be the greeter. The acolyte will be Meghan Rand.

Francis Ruhe is the worship leader, and Harriett Miller, organist.

Fellowship will follow the service.

Sunday school will begin at 10:45 a.m.

Maple Spring pastor will speak on Sunday

The Rev. Guy Myers will speak during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service at Maple Spring Church of the Brethren, 106 Spring Road, Hollsopple.

The sermon is titled “Attitudes to Live By – Blessed Are the Peacemakers.”

Scripture will be taken from Matthew 5:8 and James 3:13-18.

Johnstown Area Church of the Brethren will hold a Lenten service at 6:45 p.m.

The Rev. Ruby Mader will speak on “Mother of a Man Born Blind,” with Scripture from John 9:1-12.

Information: www.maplespringcob.org.

Church schedules holy hour on Sunday

St. Agnes and St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic churches will hold a Lenten holy hour celebrating “The Year of the Priest” at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Bartholomew church, 185 Church Hill Road, Wilmore.

The holy hour will include Scripture readings, homily, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, intercessions and benediction.

Gospel Fest set for Sunday at Holiday Inn

Abundant Life Ministry House of Prayer will celebrate its third annual Gospel Fest at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Holiday Inn, 250 Market St., downtown Johnstown.

There will be worship and praise groups from area churches in a Shake the Foundation with Praise Service.

Stevens Memorial Holy Church, Praise Center Ministries and Heavenly Sent Ministry will be guests.

Information: 539-4659 or (412) 901-4160.

Missionaries to speak at Windber church

Greg and Linda Beale and Tom and Beverly Pomroy will share pictures and a video on their recent mission trips to the Middle East at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Berkey Church of the Brethren, 1038 Church Drive, Windber.

Linda Beale spent two weeks with a Christian Peacemakers Team Delegation, which met with Israeli and Palestinian peace and human rights workers to gain their perspective on the political and social situation.

Information: 467-8505.

Belmont UM to host sacred concert

Belmont United Methodist Church will host a sacred concert by the Western Pennsylvania Conference United Methodist Ministers’ Chorus at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church, 107 Coldren St., Johnstown.

There is no charge for admission. However, an offering will be accepted.

Information: 266-3964.

Shiloh Baptist plans anniversary events

Members of Shiloh Baptist Church, 639 Menoher Blvd., Johnstown, will celebrate their pastor’s 13th anniversary on March 21.

The Rev. Theodore Tisinger is pastor.

The church will hold pre-anniversary services at 7 nightly.

Bishop David March of the Undenominational House of God Church of Johnstown will speak on Tuesday.

The Rev. Andrew W. Tilly of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Johnstown, will preach on Wednesday.

Elder Stanford Webb of Faith Temple Church of God Church in Christ, Indiana, is the guest for Thursday.

Salt and Light schedules programs

Salt and Light: An Inclusive Community of Friends in Faith has scheduled two programs during the Lent and Easter season to be held at 6:30 p.m. at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 337 Elknud Lane, Westmont.

The Execution of Christ, produced by the History Channel, will be held Monday.

The first in a series of discussions on “The Prodigal God” will be led by Timothy Keller on March 22.

An offering will be accepted.

Salt and Light will resume its programs on Uppity Women of the Bible in mid-spring with discussions on the books of Esther, Judith and Song of Songs.

Cresson church will hold peace vigil

A vigil for peace, sponsored by Pax Christi of the Alleghenies, to commemorate the beginning of the war in Iraq seven years ago, will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, 211 Powell Ave., Cresson.

Stations of the Cross will be recited at 6:30.