Refuge Weekly Update 10/28/25

October 29th, 2025
by Michael Kleinschmidt

New Children's Ministry Newsletter

Our new Children's Ministry Newsletter, featuring a preview of our holiday activities, will be distributed this Sunday during parent pick-up.

Children’s Christmas Performance Practice

Our children have begun practicing for their Christmas performance this Sunday during regular class time. If you have children participating, please try to attend regularly over the next weeks. This special performance will be held on Sunday, December 14th at 11:00 AM.

Young Adult First Fridays

Our next First Friday event is Friday, November 7th beginning at 6:00 PM in the church basement. We are having a Friendsgiving and will be reading and discussing a passage of Scripture. This night is for ages ranging 20s to 40s. You are more than welcome to bring your kids! If you can attend, please text or call Andrea Milliron at 724-840-5263 and let her know what Thanksgiving side you are able to bring.

College & Military Care Packages

We will be sending Care packages out to those in college or the military again this year. If you would like someone to be included, please send their name and address to April Meyer at ameyer@churchrefuge.com by Sunday, November 2.

Bold Bunch

The next Bold Ladies lunch will be held on Thursday, November 6th at 12:00 p.m. at the Mad Mex restaurant located in Monroeville. Please join us for the Thanksgiving Gobblerito! Questions? Contact Patty Sanderson at 724-396-1809.

Boutique Volunteers

Our boutique has been growing and reaching more people. We also have been blessed with increasing donations. As a result, we need additional volunteers. There are lots of opportunities to serve in various capacities. We would especially appreciate volunteers on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. For additional information, please contact Katie Morgan at kmorgan@churchrefuge.com or Amber Hooke at 724-433-7004 .

Baby and Toddler Clothing Sorting

We need additional help sorting our donations of baby and toddler clothing. Please reach out to Patty Psioda at 412-897-5042 if you can help.

Boutique Outreach Event

We will host another Food & Clothing Giveaway on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in conjunction with boutique hours from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. We are looking for volunteers to help shop and volunteers to help attendees carry items to cars. If you can help shop for groceries, please reach out to Shannon Hach at 412-877-1552. Please contact Amber Hooke at amberhooke28@gmail.com if you can help the morning of the event.

Nursery Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers willing to serve once a month in the nursery during the 11:00 AM service. Please get in touch with Carrie Hertzler at carriehertzler@gmail.com if you can help.

Operation Christmas Child

We will be participating in Operation Christmas Child this year. Samaritan’s Purse sends gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to children in need around the world, together with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mary Michalowski is leading the effort. Shoeboxes will be available this Sunday and need to be returned before November 9th. Please note we will also support filling gift bags for the Father’s Heart Christmas Outreach. If you have any questions, please contact Mary at solidrock14@gmail.com

Christmas Decorating

We are looking for volunteers to decorate the church for Christmas on Tuesday, November 25, 10-noon? Please get in touch with Sue Kline at kline5@comcast.net or 724-433-7945 if you can help.

Father's Heart Thanksgiving Outreach

It’s the annual call for 1 volunteer to cook turkeys and 5 volunteers to serve at The Father’s Heart Thanksgiving Outreach on November 15. Turkeys will be provided. If you can help with the Thanksgiving outreach, please contact Corri Gross at corriagross@gmail.com.

Prepare Him Room - Save the Date

Prepare Him Room Virtual Women’s Event – Saturday, December 6 from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Registration is open! Register here. We will also have an optional Christmas decoration and Christmas plate exchange. Bring your gently used item and leave with a new treasure. Please reach out to women@churchrefuge.com if you have any questions.

New App

Check out our new app on the Apple Store or the Google Play Store.
In this app, you can:

- Get up to date News and Announcements
- Listen to past sermons
- Engage with your small group
- Follow a Bible reading plan
- Watch the Livestream when available
- Make a secure gift
- Listen to the Refuge Podcast
- Easily share media with your family and friends

Boutique Open Hours

Wednesday, October 22 from 7 pm - 8 pm
Saturday, October 25 from 9 am - 11 am (food giveaway)
Wednesday, October 29 from 7 pm – 8
Donations can be made Monday-Friday 9 am - 4 pm. Please call the church office at 724-578-5583 before coming to ensure someone will be available to receive your donation.

Ongoing Events

All Church Wednesday Nights

All Church Wednesday Nights at 7:00 PM. We have classes for Preschool through Adults and serve pizza in the school building at 6:45.

Men’s Group

Our Men’s Group meets on Tuesday nights at 7:00 PM in the church basement. The group is studying the book of Job. All men are welcome to join. If you have any questions or want additional information, please contact Mike Kleinschmidt at mkleinschmidt@churchrefuge.com.

Women’s Bible Study Tuesday Night

Our Zoom bible study meets on Tuesday nights via Zoom from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. The group is studying 1 Peter. Don't hesitate to get in touch with Sue Scimio at 724-216-2884 or Leslie House at 412-848-3647.

Women’s Group Thursday Morning

Our Thursday morning women’s group meets on Thursday mornings from 9:30 – 11:00 AM in the church basement. All women are welcome. Please contact Kim Hidalgo at 724-493-0628 if you plan to attend or have any questions.

Young Adult Women’s Bible Study

Our Young Adult Women’s bible study meets on Thursday nights from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sanderson’s home, 13500 Lincoln Way, N Huntingdon, PA 15642. The group is studying the "She Reads Truth" study on the book of Exodus. Who is invited? All young adult women in their 20's & 30's (single, married & young moms) Questions? Patty Sanderson 724-396-1809

Toddler Play Through the Bible

Toddlers (ages 2-4) and their parents/caregivers are invited to join us for a Play Through the Bible group. We meet monthly, from 12:30-1:30 pm, in the church school building. Play Through the Bible sessions include an age-appropriate Bible lesson, snack, and craft. Parents/caregivers are expected to stay with their toddler for the whole time. There will not be childcare available. For more information, join the Facebook group: Refuge Toddlers - Play Through the Bible or text/call Melissa Sanderson (412) 420-7686.

Moms Fellowship & Play Group

Our Moms Fellowship & Play group meets every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, from 10-12 in the school building gymnasium. The Moms will be walking through the book "In the Trenches" and fellowshipping together while their children play. Who is invited? All moms and their kids! We are also looking for volunteers to help with childcare. Questions? Kristen Schall 412-525-3433