n Cressona: The Schuylkill Unitarian Universalists, 45 S. Second St., will hold their first UU Worship Service beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. Sandra Fees, visiting from First UU Church of Berks County. It's titled, "My Neighbor's Shoes or Why I'm a Unitarian Universalist." Fees will conduct a celebratory worship service in which she'll explore the ways in which Unitarian Universalism helps one practice being human, according to a UU press release. Fees is minister at First UU, Reading, where she has served for eight years. She completed her theological studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity degree. She also holds a bachelor's and master's degree in English literature from Shippensburg and Syracuse universities, respectively. Prior to being called to the UU ministry, she worked in corporate marketing communications and fundraising in the nonprofit sector. For more information on Unitarian Universalism, a noncreedal faith that allows individual Unitarian Universalists the freedom to search for truth on many paths, visit www.uua.org.
n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art will hold its third annual Family Fun Day from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 13. The event, according to a release from Alexis Dow Campbell, director of creative programming, is "to increase awareness of the natural world with many activities for children and families, including live animal presentations." There will be face painting, a pumpkin patch, fall decorating at an art creation station, pumpkin bowling and children's train rides . There will also be a honeybee presentation by Carns Bee Farm in Millersburg. The center's galleries will also be open that day so attendees can visit the Olewine Gallery as well as the Ned Smith Gallery and the gift shop. Admission to the galleries will be free for attendees. For more information about overall admission fees or the center, call 717-692-3699 or visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.
n Pottsville: Schuylkill County Council for the Arts will sponsor its second annual autumn pottery classes from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 11, 18, 25 and Oct. 2 and 9 or Thursdays, Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4 and 11. The cost is $50 for five classes at the Art and Ethnic Center, 1440 Mahantongo St. For more information or to register, call 570-622-2788.
n Ringtown: A Prayers for Paws blessing of animals will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Aurand Memorial United Methodist Church, 217 W. Main St. Registration will be from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. All animals are welcome. Pets should be leashed or in carriers for everyone's safety. Attendees are asked to bring a donation to benefit the animals at the Hillside SPCA. Items most needed are canned dog and cat food, kitty litter, dog treats and blankets. Pet services providers will be one hand to explain their offerings.
n Shenandoah: Store windows throughout downtown Shenandoah have been decorated by the various ethnic groups that make up the Shenandoah mosaic in preparation for Shenandoah Heritage Day and the Parade of Nations on Saturday. The parade lineup will be on North Jardin Street and the march will begin at 10 a.m., heading south to Cherry Street, east to Main Street and north on Main Street the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial and Girard Park at Main and Washington streets. Events will continue throughout the day in the park, including daylong entertainment, myriad vendors and artists/crafters, face painting, pony rides, nature hikes and a wide range of homemade ethnic food ranging from eastern European to Italian and Latino as well as traditional American. The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society's history center at 201 S. Main St. will be open to visitors throughout the day and the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum at 105 S. Jardin St. will be open to visitors in the morning, according to society President Mike Kitsock.
n Shenandoah: The commemorative book honoring the 40th anniversary of Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian's ordination to the priesthood is available at the offices of parishes, 129 S. Jardin St. and 108 W. Cherry St. The cost is $45. Checks should be made payable to St. Stanislaus Church or Annunciation BVM Church. For more information, call the offices at 570-462-1968 or 570-462-1916.
n Shenandoah: CCD registration for the Catholic churches in Shenandoah will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 30, at Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, 233 W. Cherry St. the registration fee is $30 for one child, $55 for two or more children. The cost is $50 per child for families not participating in parish life. The seventh grade Confirmation class will pay an additional fee of $15 for the confirmation robes.