The Rev. Donald L. Bellamy Sr. has been named the new pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, 330 W. Windsor St., Reading. Bellamy’s appointment was made on June 14 by Bishop Samuel L. Green Sr. at the denomination’s Episcopal Planning Meeting in Philadelphia.
Bellamy served as the pastor of Campbell AME Church, Woodbury, N.J., since April 2023. Prior to that, he served as the pastor of churches in Egg Harbor City, Glassboro, Swedesboro and Wildwood, all in New Jersey. Bellamy’s ministry has spanned 30 years.
He said his vision is “to be a beacon of hope, transforming lives through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.”
Bellamy has a background in rural development and economics and has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, N.C., and has written several published articles on income distribution and rural poverty.
He earned his master of divinity degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Jersey.
His wife, Carolyn Bellamy, is an evangelist in the AME Church. She works as a mental health therapist for the New Jersey Department of Mental Health.
The couple has two adult children, and Donald Jr. and Danielle Bellamy.
The Rev. Alberta Jones had served as the pastor of Bethel since June 2015. She requested a status of superannuation, which is a request within the denomination to stay in the ministry but not be assigned to pastor a church.
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• Immanuel United Church of Christ, 99 S. Waverly St., Shillington, will welcome The Snack Club for a special jazz-infused worship service on Sunday at 9 a.m. Formed by retired music educators Mike Eben and Ken Kemmerer, The Snack Club brings a dynamic blend of musical styles and eras — from timeless hymns and the Great American Songbook to classic rock and pop favorites. Eben performs on saxophones while Kemmerer anchors the sound on tuba. They are joined by fellow retired music teachers Carl Zeplin on guitar and Tim Gross on both keyboard and saxophone. John Fundyga completes the ensemble on drums. Adding to the morning’s musical richness will be several students from the Jazz Camp held at Immanuel. The camp is part of getJazzed, the official music education initiative of Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest, supported by Berks Arts.
• Bern Reformed United Church of Christ, 3196 Bernville Road, Bern Township, will hold a peach festival next Saturday from 4-8 p.m. in the church grove. Music by Jenifer Kinder. Food, drinks, ice cream, games, fire trucks.
• Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Douglass Township, Montgomery County, will have Coffee and Conversation on Sunday at 8:30 and 10 a.m. in the Welcome Center.
• Steven Inners will be the guest organist for the 10:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday at United Church of Christ of Robesonia, 301 W. Penn Ave. School supplies are being collected through Aug. 10. Peanut butter and jelly and money are being collected for the Conrad Weiser Summer Food Pantry.
• Salem United Church of Christ Women’s Guild, 307 Covered Bridge Road, Oley, will have a Power Point presentation by Brian Englehardt on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. titled “Stop It! — Mr. Mayor” describing the construction of the Lake Ontelaunee dam in the late 1920s as a water source for the city of Reading.
• St. John’s Gernant’s Church (A Federated Congregation), 13 Gernant’s Church Road, Ontelaunee Township, will worship at 9:30 a.m. in the Memorial Hall. Daniel Beal will perform a piano solo called “O Holy Night.” It will be Jingle Sunday, with the collecting of loose coins. All of the jingle money will be donated to Family Promise of Berks County. Sunday also is the final week of Christmas in July with a blessing of all items donated to help families get a jump start on a new life after abuse. Items will be donated to Blessed Beginnings in Hamburg. Next Saturday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (rain or shine) the church will have a Flea Market in the Grove. Cost is $10 for a 10 feet by 10 feet space. Refreshments will be available. Call the 610 926-2384 or 610 562-5086 for more information.
• Frieden’s United Church of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley, will continue with Summer Sundays Music themes with Gospel Music Sunday at 10:15 a.m.. Walter Singletary will be the guest musician along with the Zion Baptist Choir, who will offer special music.
• Rosedale Camp Grove, 1616 Vine St., Laureldale, has scheduled the following events: today, breakfast, 7-11 a.m., $9 for adults (includes coffee), children under 12 free; Wednesday, one night vacation Bible school, 6-8 p.m. for ages 6-12, games, skits, Bible lessons, songs, snacks.
• The Rev. Kenneth Gould will be the guest pastor at the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Salem Lutheran Church, 8410 Lancaster Ave., Bethel Township. The worship service is followed by a social time in the church’s all-purpose room.
• Huff’s Church, 540 Conrad Road, Hereford Township, will hold a community picnic today, with food available from 4-8 p.m. Rain or shine. Music by the Majestics from 5-8 p.m., weather permitting. Free activities and games for children 10 and under from 5-6 p.m. No animals other than service animals.
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.
Source: Berkshire mont
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