Harvester Baptist Church in Dorsey Search, Ellicott City, i holding an Open House for the holiday season from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Open House will showcase church programs, giving different church groups an opportunity to display their ministries. The music ministry, children's ministry, teen ministry and Bible study group will present their programs.
The church offers seven different Bible study classes, as well as a Bible correspondence course and the Bible Institute, a more in-depth survey course which goes well beyond Sunday School.
There also will be an exhibit of the Rev. Ed Simpson's Miniature Carnival and H.O. scale trains.
Although Rev. Simpson began his hobby by collecting trains, his interest enlarged to include miniature carnival rides. Now, he has more carnival material than trains and has even located a source for calliope music, which he plays to accompany the set-up.
"Now," he laughs, "all I need is the smell of freshly popped popcorn." Because of the expense of transporting it, the church is requesting a donation of $1.
Members of Emory Methodist Church on Church Lane in Historic Ellicott City have been active in aiding a variety of our community members, reports Roberta Davis, a 30-year member of the church.
For example, the church allows the county to hold a nutrition site in the church basement, thus taking advantage of a well-equipped kitchen and an aging Ellicott City population.
The active group of seniors has worked well with the county, led by the "gung-ho" Carla Buehler, who is a "real live wire with old people," and hopes that the county sees the nutrition site as an intermediate step toward an Ellicott City Senior Center.
On the other end of the age spectrum, the music ministry has recently formed the Emory Chords, a choir for young people, and the Sunday School has more than 40 children -- quite a few, considering the size of the church.
A Parent Support group also has started for younger adults who may find themselves far from family support. Roberta notes that the population of the church, like that of the county, is changing ++ from local people with deep family roots to a more diverse congregation who may have moved here from elsewhere.
I'm hoping to learn more about older churches in Ellicott City and Elkridge which, like Emory, have long and interesting histories integral to our county's past. Please give me a call if you'd like your church highlighted.
The Rev. David Berg told me that Epiphany Lutheran Church in Columbia Hills is sponsoring its popular Sour Beef/Roast Beef and Potato Dumplings Dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Carryouts also are available as are a wide variety of desserts. Tickets cost $7.50 for adults and $3.50 for children under 12 and may be purchased at the door. Children younger than 5 are admitted free.
The church is near Routes 29 and 108. Signs posted near the Bendix plant on Route 108 will help you find the way.
For more information, call the church at 730-6626.
There's no shortage of exciting news coming out of Centennial High School this week.
Joan Gaither, chair of the Art Department, is one of 15 teachers nationwide chosen to attend a five-day workshop at the Boston Museum of Fine Art.
Lynn Broderick of the Drama Department has been chosen to write the script for "Labels" in conjunction with area high school students.
Mary Jo Messenger, chair of the Math Department, who won the Christa McCauliff Award, is now implementing her pilot program in math and science with Kathleen Thompson of the Science Department.
Centennial High's Speech Team is also a great success. In a hTC tournament on Saturday, Oct. 24, Jenny Lee won Certificates of Superiority in both extemporaneous speaking and Lincoln-Douglas debate. Teammate Carolyn Arney won a Certificate of Excellence in Oral Interpretation.
And the Athletic Department is abounding with championships. Last weekend, the girls' soccer team and girls' volleyball team both won state championships for the second year in a row, which "represents hard work on the part of the coaches and athletes," states Jim Welsh, athletic coach at Centennial.
The boys' soccer team won a state championship on the same weekend. Other prize-winning teams this fall have been the golf team, which won the county championship, and the boys' and girls' cross country teams, which each won the county and regional championship.
Congratulations to all high-performers!
On Nov. 20, the Deep Run Elementary School Parent Teacher Association sponsored a Reflections Gala Art Reception, which culminated in a student art exhibition "Imagine That. . ." displaying students' original art work in the fields of literature, music, photography, and visual arts.
As each student artist arrived, he or she was greeted with a corsage or boutonniere and also received a neon-colored certificate of participation in the event.
All 35 participants attended with members of their families. During the event, which resembled an formal art opening, pianist Denise Rocco played classical music and refreshments were served.
Country Executive Dr. Charles Ecker, and Council Member Shane Pendergrass were in attendance.
Many contributed their expertise to making this event a success. The Gala Art Reception committee was headed by Pauline Sieberdin, who thanks area businesses for providing the flowers and food.
She is grateful to Principal Dr. Jim Pope and the school's staff for their cooperation, and also wants to recognize judges Jim Adkins and Jan Starr and faculty at Howard Community College's Art Department.