The United Churches of Lycoming County (UCLC), headquartered in Williamsport, continues to bring congregations and neighbors together through faith, service, conversation, and community care. With more than 125 member congregations, UCLC describes its shared mission as “Connected Through Faith and United in Service.” The organization is led by Executive Director Tammey Edkin, whose ministry experience includes service as a youth pastor and senior pastor at First Church of Christ (Disciples) on Almond Street in Williamsport, as well as campus ministry work at Penn College through UCLC.
UCLC’s ministries reach people across Lycoming County in many practical ways. Its work includes Shepherd of the Streets Ministry, a food pantry, campus ministry, worship services for area nursing homes and prisons, editorials and daily devotions, newsletters, and podcasts. The ministry also holds lunches, educational services, and an Interfaith Dialogue commission that encourages people of different backgrounds to better understand one another.
This fall, UCLC will continue that mission through public events including a speaker series focused on difficult, but necessary conversation, and the 48th annual CROP Walk, which raises awareness and support for hunger relief locally and around the world.
Faithful Listening: A Speaker Series Presented by United Churches of Lycoming County
The first event will be an evening of thoughtful conversation and community engagement with Don Gaffney, author of Common Ground: Talking About Gun Violence in America. The program, titled Faithful Listening, invites the public to consider how people with different views can listen carefully, speak honestly, and search for common ground on one of the nation’s most difficult topics. The event is free and open to the public, and all are welcome to participate in careful listening and critical conversation.
Date: October 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: New Covenant UCC, 202 East Third Street, Williamsport, PA
For more information, call 570-322-1110 or visit http://www.uclc.org.
Gaffney, a Newtown, Connecticut native and Disciples of Christ minister, brings a calm and compassionate voice to questions that often divide communities. His book explores the place of guns in personal and national history, violence in Scripture, legal issues surrounding gun rights, and ways moral, life-valuing people can bridge divides while seeking solutions to gun violence. Rather than beginning with arguments, Gaffney encourages reflection, self-examination, and discussion that can help people move beyond talking points toward deeper understanding.
The Greater Lycoming County CROP Hunger Walk is more than a local gathering. It is part of a nationwide movement sponsored by Church World Service to raise funds to help end hunger and poverty in the United States and across the world. Each year, religious groups, businesses, schools, families, and individuals organize or join CROP Walk events to support neighbors in need and to strengthen programs that create greater food security.
UCLC invites community members to take part in the 2026 Greater Lycoming County CROP Hunger Walk. Participants will come together to take steps toward ending hunger both close to home and far beyond Lycoming County. The walk will follow the scenic River Walk path, offering an afternoon of fellowship, movement, and shared purpose.
Date: Sunday, October 11
Time: Registration and walk begin at 1:00 p.m.
Place: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Williamsport
Whether walking as an individual, with family, or as part of a team, every participant helps make a difference. The steps taken and the funds raised will support hunger relief efforts, including Church World Service, Jersey Shore Care and Share, Footsteps of Montgomery, the Salvation Army, United Churches of Lycoming County, and the Lycoming County Food Pantry.
Those who would like to walk, form a team, or donate may contact the United Churches of Lycoming County office at 570-322-1110 for promotional materials. More information is also available at Crophungerwalk.org/williamsportpa.
