Church News

Dr. Yan Venter will be ministering at Peninsula Christian Center, 161 Farnsworth Boulevard (behind the Salvation Army), Soldotna today through Sunday. The meetings will be at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Dr. Venter remains on the Gospel mission to impact American towns and cities by stimulating revival in local churches; to bring about lasting change in the lives of the people of God; to help the local church member develop a fresh hunger for a real move of the Holy Spirit; and the reach the world with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, demonstrating his message with signs, wonders and miracles following the dynamic preaching of the Word of God.

A retirement celebration for Pastor Randy Parshall is planned for Sunday at Christ Lutheran Church, Mile 1/4 Kenai Spur Highway in Soldotna. Communion service is from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with a retirment celebration and lunch program from 12:30-2 p.m. Share lunch, enjoy entertainment and share stories. For more information, contact Sue Stein at 262-2841.

A Free in Christ Healing and Deliverance conference, presented by Christian Family Fellowship, will take place May 27-28 at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. Learn to bring about healing and deliverance to help those who are hurting, wounded, brokenhearted and oppressed. The conference begins at 7 p.m. May 27, and at 9 a.m. May 28. For more information, contact Mary West at 907-262-9808 or email marywest8888@yahoo.com. Event registration is $15 per person (for breaks and conference materials). Please bring a donation of canned goods for Christ Lutheran Church.

All Christians are invited to an ecumenical prayer meeting at 1 p.m. June 17 at the Ninilchik Fairgrounds. Those gathered and joined in once accord will pray for our families, our children, salvation, resotration, healing, and the boldness to speak in the name of Jesus, the Word of God.

A Place at the Table, a new outreach ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church, will offer a hot meal and fellowship, and blood pressure checks to anyone interested. The meal is every fourth Sunday of the month, from 4-6 p.m. at Fireweed Hall, located on campus at 222 west Redoubt Avenue, Soldotna. Our Lady of Perpetual Help would like to invite other churches who would like to join this ministry, to perhaps pick up one of the other Sunday evenings in the month. Please call for information: 262-5542.

The Soldotna Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents in the community who are experiencing food shortages. The Food Pantry is located at the Soldotna United Methodist Church at 158 South Binkley Street, and all are welcome. Non-perishable food items or monetary donations may be dropped off at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon. For more information or if you have questions, please call 262-4657.

First Baptist Church Soldotna, located at 159 S. Binkley Street, is re-opening its Clothes 4 U program. It is open on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All clothing and shoes are free to the public.

The Kenai United Methodist Church provides a food pantry for those in need every Monday from noon to 3 p.m. The Methodist Church is located on the Kenai Spur Highway next to the Boys and Girls Club. The entrance to the Food Pantry is through the side door. The Pantry closes for holidays. For more information contact the church office at 907-283-7868.

Clothes Quarters at Our Lady of the Angels Church is open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the first Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 907-283-4555.

Submit announcements to news@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in Life

Historic Elwell Lodge Guest Cabin is seen at its new spot near the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor Center. (USWS)
Around the peninsula

Local events and happenings coming soon.

Nián gāo is a traditional Lunar New Year treat enjoyed in China for over two thousand years. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
A Lunar New Year’s treat

This sweet, steamed rice cake is chewy, gooey and full of positivity.

This excerpt from a U.S. Geological Survey map shows the approximate location of Snug Harbor on lower Kenai Lake. It was in this area that William Weaver nearly drowned in 1910.
Ben Swesey: More to the story — Part 2

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Michigan’s hard-luck Swesey clan sprang into existence because of the… Continue reading

File
Minister’s Message: Rhythms and routines

Your habits are already forming you.

This dish is creamy, rich and comforting, and gets dinner time done fast. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Full of mother’s love

This one-pot dish is creamy, rich and comforting, and can be ready in 30 minutes.

This screenshot from David Paulides’s “Missing 411” YouTube podcast shows the host beginning his talk about the disappearance of Ben Swesey and William Weaver.
Ben Swesey: More to the story — Part 1

More than a hundred years after Ben Swesey and Bill Weaver steered… Continue reading

Photo by Clark Fair
This 2025 image of the former grounds of the agricultural experiment station in Kenai contains no buildings left over from the Kenai Station days. The oldest building now, completed in the late 1930s, is the tallest structure in this photograph.
The experiment: Kenai becomes an agricultural test site — Part 8

Over the past 50 years or more, the City of Kenai has… Continue reading

File
Minister’s Message: So your life story can be better

Last month the Christmas story was displayed in nativity scenes, read about… Continue reading

These gyros make a super delicious and satisfying tofu dish. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
A new addition to the menu

Tofu gyros with homemade lentil wraps are so surprisingly satisfying and add extra fiber and protein to a meal.

Death notice: Marvin “Ted” Dale Smith

Marvin “Ted” Dale Smith passed on Dec. 27, 2025 in his home.… Continue reading

Photo courtesy of the 
Arness Family Collection
L. Keith McCullagh, pictured here aboard a ship in about 1915, was a U.S. Forest Service ranger charged with establishing a ranger station in Kenai, a task that led him to the agricultural experiment station there and into conflict with “Frenchy” Vian and his friends.
The experiment: Kenai becomes an agricultural test site — Part 7

AUTHOR’S NOTE: After the agricultural experiment station in Kenai closed May 1,… Continue reading

These treats are full of fiber and protein and contain less sugar than a Nutri-grain bar, so you can feel good about spoiling yourself a little. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
A treat for a new start

These cosmic brownies are a healthier, homemade version of the usual cafeteria currency.