Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, begins the holy season of Lent for Christian churches. Here are some of the services that area churches have scheduled to mark the day.
The Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church, 200 School Lane, will begin Ash Wednesday services with Holy Communion in Holly Run Chapel at 10 a.m.
The poetry of T.S. Eliot will be featured in a service at 7:30 p.m.
Eliot's dramatic poem Choruses from "The Rock" will be presented in a reader's theater format that will include music and interpretive movement.
Choruses from "The Rock" adapts Biblical images to 20th-century London and, by extension, to modern Western society. The presentation features Beth Ream as The Sojourner and George Wentz as The Rock; Sara Whitmore plays the non-speaking role of the Child. An ensemble of six readers, largely drawn from the Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, represents various personages and ideas. Interpretive movement is provided by Christian De La Rosa, Donna Petrysak, Beth Ream, and Robin Sterling.
Music is provided by Linda Kelly, organist; lighting effects are designed by Linda Crites. The program has been produced by Alton Thompson, music director, in coordination with De La Rosa, associate pastor of the church. Ream is the director and choreographer. James Ream, a professional actor familiar to Baltimore-Washington area theater-goers, served as consultantto the production.
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St. Christopher's Episcopal Church beginsthe Lenten season with Ash Wednesday liturgies at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday services are at 8 and 10 a.m., with Sunday school and adult classes at 11.
The church is located off West Maple Road betweenCamp Meade and Hammonds Ferry Roads.
For more information, pleasecall the parish office at 859-5633.
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St. Philip Neri Parish, 6405 Orchard Road, will observe Ash Wednesday. Ashes will be blessed and imposed during the 6:15 and 9 a.m. and at the 12:15 and 7 p.m. Masses.
The schedule of weekly Lenten Masses also has been announced: 6:30 and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 6:30 and 9 a.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays.
Representatives from all area congregations will be participating in a World Day of Prayer at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church, 300 W. Maple Road.
The theme this year is "Living Wisely With Creation," with an emphasis on the ecological crisis. Meditation will be given by the Rev. Dr. William Gilroy, pastor of St. John's.
Participants are asked to bring a covered dish of their choice for the noon luncheon following the prayer service. Also, canned goods and boxed items will be collected to help the Foods for the Homeless Project. Contributions will gothe Salvation Army Pantry in Glen Burnie.
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The Woman's Club of Linthicum Heights will conduct its 15th annual prayer breakfast at 9:30 a.m. March 10 at the Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church, 200 School Lane.
The guest speaker will be Jeannie Blocher, founder and director of "Body & Soul Ministries," an international, non-profit Christian fitness program. "Run the Race with Endurance" is the title of her talk.
Blocher has a bachelor's degree in education andextensive training in dance routines. She is a frequent speaker at various Christian women's groups and at international fitness conventions.
Cindy Miller will be soloist for the morning program. Cindy teaches music in Annapolis and sings with a contemporary Christian band. She has traveled throughout Europe with a Christian music ensembleand has sung at various churches along the East Coast.
Clergy from churches in the community are invited. The program is open to the community at $5 per person. Reservations must be made by Friday. Call 859-3308 or 859-0197. Proceeds from the breakfast will be donated to Sarah's House.
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Thinking of taking the family out to eat Saturday evening? Then consider supporting the spaghetti dinner sponsored by the Women's Fellowship Commission of the Friendship Church of the Brethren, 217 Mansion Road.
Dinner served from 4 to 7 p.m. will consist of spaghetti, salad, roll and butter, choice of drinks and homemade desserts. The youth of the parish will do the serving. The cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children, $2 under 4 years old.
Proceeds will be used to buy new dishes for the kitchen.
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The Andover Apaches Girls lacrosse program has openings for girls, ages 8-15, on three teams that play in the Anne Arundel County Recreation league. Girls can register at the Apache Fieldhouse on Andover Roadin Linthicum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. any Monday or Tuesday and from 7 to8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Registration for the program is $25. There are a limited number of lacrosse sticks that can be borrowed for the season.
Call George Sauble at 859-1632 for information.
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The local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees is having a luncheon and meeting at Holy Trinity Church Hall March 10.
A catered soup and sandwich lunch will start at noon, with the meeting at 1 p.m. The cost for lunch is $6.
Ray Greene, volunteer coordinator for the Maryland NARFE, will be guest speaker. Greene will speak on volunteerism.
During the program, 17 certificatesof merit will be awarded to members of the chapter who volunteer. These members volunteered 6,000 hours in 1991, many of those hours at North Arundel Hospital and Meals on Wheels.
NARFE is an organization for retired civil service employees, their spouses, widows and widowers of federal employees. The organization keeps abreast of issues that are important to the retiree and spouse. A service officer in thechapter is available to answer questions on benefits, annuity, life insurance, etc.
Anyone interested in learning more about the organization can call Edward Thomas, 761-1054.
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It's not your ordinary St. Patrick's Day celebration March 15. If you attend the parade in Baltimore and want to continue with festivities, attend the dinner-dance at St. Philip Neri immediately afterward, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. This is something the whole family can do together. Admission for adults is $10, children 16 and under are $5.
A dinner of fried chicken, vegetables, dessert and beverage will be served from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Afterward, everyone can enjoy Irish musical instruments played by the five-member The Reel Time Ceili Band and participate in an Irish dance demonstration by champion dancers from the area.
For reservations, call 859-5206 between 4 and 9 p.m.
If you want to be a little more prepared, attend the special dance lesson offered from 8 to9 p.m. on Monday at the hall. The cost is $1 per person, $5 maximum per family. Open to children 6 and over.
The church hall is at 6401 Orchard Road, Linthicum.
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The North County High School Band is sponsoring an Easter flower and fruit Sale.
The full-bloom potted plants include lilies, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, geraniums anda hanging fern. Prices range from $3 to $20.
The 40-pound cases of Florida fruit for sale are: grapefruit, $16; Valencia oranges, $17;and a case with half of each, $16.50.
Parents of band students will prepare the fruit and flowers for delivery by the students. Everything will be delivered to your home the week before Easter.
The North County High School Band is preparing for a April 29-May 4th trip to Disney World, where they will participate in a band competition. Proceeds from the flower and fruit sale will help with the expenses.
To place your order, please contact the school office at 859-5400, or give it to any band student.
The Jazz Ensemble of the NCHS Bandparticipated in a state festival at Montgomery County Community College last month. Glenn Mohr, band director, is proud to announce that they received a superior rating for their performance.
At 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, two band members from NCHS will be participating in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Concert at the Meyerhoff, called "Side by Side."
Flutist Melissa Howard and percussionist Jonathan Menikheim will join symphony members in performing for music students from Anne Arundel County.