good friday

As students streamed out of Harford County's public schools Friday, they could look forward to not having to return to classes for another 11 days, on Monday, Nov. 30.

A leading Jewish advocacy group is planning a ceremonial dinner this week to salute a man they say reflects some of the highest ideals of their faith: the leader of the area's half-million Catholics.

Thanks to tradition and the disparity between two calendars, Orthodox Christians mark the holiest day of the year this weekend, seven days later than other Christians around the world.

We're not sure exactly what it was that got Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller so worked up last week that he hijacked a bill hearing to demand that lawmakers find a "solution" — with less than two weeks left to the legislative session — to a requirement that the state provide public defenders for poor people at their initial bail hearings. We are, however, certain that a proposed fix is not only a bad idea, but likely unconstitutional.

The idea came to me like a dare. I was in Jerusalem, with a couple of hours to spare on Orthodox Good Friday. I had arrived in Israel a week earlier, but not yet seen the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, said to be on the site of both Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. People lose themselves here. And, I was here.

Gray skies and rain didn't prevent Westminster, Md., church goers from holding their annual Good Friday tradition of walking a wooden cross through the downtown area from one church to another.

The next three days may prove a boon to the growing number of Americans who live with one foot on either side of the Judeo-Christian divide, as believers have a chance to recognize both Passover and Easter.

Woodcarving on display through raffle of hand-carved Noah's Ark, April festival

Brandenburg United Methodist Church, Sykesville, announces services for Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Westminster United Methodist Church announces services for Holy Week, Easter

Joint worship service featuring the combined choirs of Westminster United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Westminster set for 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday at First Presbyterian

Mount Zion United Methodist Church, in Finksburg, schedules services for Holy Week

Jerusalem Lutheran Church, in Westminster, announces plans for Holy Week, Easter

Kirkridge Presbyterian Church, in Manchester, announces services and activities for Holy Week

St. Benjamin's Lutheran Church, in Westminster, announces services for Holy Week

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Taneytown, announces Holy Week services

Those looking for the Scenes of Easter performed outside the Super Grand grocery on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday last year can find the production back at home in the rear parking lot of the Tabernacle Church on South Laurel Drive. The Easter drive-through has become an annual tradition at the multi-cultural church since performances began in 1994.

The National Parent Teacher Association sponsors a nationwide art contest called Reflections in Arts in Education.Many students from Glenelg High School submitted creations to the Howard County level.

Congratulations to Caroline Lovelace on placing second in the middle school category of the Maryland State PTA Reflections program.

Many of our local churches invite our neighbors to spend part of spring break and the Easter season celebrating with them.

Deer Park UMC, in Smallwood, announces services for Holy Week, Easter

St. Mary's Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Silver Run, plans services for Holy Week, Easter

Mount Union Lutheran Church, at 5000 Middleburg Road, Taneytown, announces Good Friday and Easter services

Ebenezer United Methodist Church, at 4901 Woodbine Road, Winfield, plans services and activities for Holy Week and Easter

Faith Lutheran Church, at 1700 St. Andrews Way, Eldersburg, plans services for Holy Week and Easter

Public schools in Harford County have been closed nine times for inclement weather so far this year, so many that the number of makeup days required is now eating into spring break.

Harford County Public Schools classes were canceled for the eighth time this year because of weather on Monday, and it hasn't been looking so good for the rest of this week.

Progressive Clovers 4-H Club has meeting Feb. 9 at Baust Parish House in Tyrone.

Nonprofit Caring & Sharing Ministries of Northwest Carroll County helping those in need

Carroll County students may have a shorter four day spring break next school year.

The county Board of Education has approved changes in the 2014-2015 school year to help address the handling of inclement weather closings.

St. Leo the Great Church continued its unique tradition of holding its Good Friday Way of the Cross celebration throughout the Little Italy neighborhood.

Film clips of legendary contralto Marian Anderson singing the spiritual 'Crucifixion.'

Happy Easter dear readers

Spring season heralds Easter holiday.

No need for prayers, just do your job

Upcoming events in Perryville