lent

Christianity and Islam are the world's largest religions, and I'll bet most Christians don't know how many beliefs we have in common.

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.

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

Why can't The Sun ever write about the good things happening in Episcopal churches?

On Palm Sunday, Christian Choir of Howard County will perform at 4 p.m. in chapel of the Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours

Columnist calls for deepening relationships with Christ during Lent

Bullet, tavern ledger added to New Windsor museum collection, thanks to donations

Harford County settled into another deep freeze this week, joining the rest of the region in a new blast of frigid weather that arrived Wednesday evening.

Armed with two pairs of socks, woolen vestments, a glove worn on one hand and heat packs in the other, Father Rev. Ken Saunders, was ready to perform the Ash Wednesday ritual.

Some people weren't sure what to make of it; others were simply curious about the two young women standing with crosses on their foreheads in front of a big sign labeled "Ashes to Go" on the train platform of the Edgewood MARC station Wednesday morning.

The Rev. Christine Parker, of Edgewood's Lord of Life Lutheran Church, plans to kick off Christianity's holiest season by stepping out of her Willoughby Beach Road church building.

Come and celebrate the Lenten season with Melville Chapel United Methodist Church on March 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. The church will host its annual Pancake Supper.

Lent: A perfect time to try veganism.

Faith Lutheran Church, in Eldersburg, schedules evening services for Lent.

Calvary Lutheran Church announces plans for Ash Wednesday and for Tuesday evenings during Lent

St. Joseph Catholic Church in Taneytown to host 6 Fish Fry Fridays, a tradition for the parish, starting Feb. 20

Bethesda United Methodist Church, in Sykesville, plans Shrove Tuesday meal, Blessing of the Ashes

Deborah Castleman, reading specialist at Dayton Oaks Elementary School, wants to thank the teachers and the many parent volunteers for the hours they spent making their "Walk in the PARCC … With a Good Book" into a successful evening.

Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours, in Marriottsville, will host Ash Wednesday: Day of Contemplative Prayer Retreat from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 18.

Stone Chapel United Methodist Church, New Windsor, will offer an Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Feb.18.

Westminster Lions Club having dinner dance from 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 21 at VFW Post 467

Mother Nature could bring us a major winter storm that might last for several days or we could have freezing rain or sleet and very cold temperatures. We have all probably experienced a snowstorm that has kept us homebound, without utilities. Remember "Snowmageddon," the blizzard of 2010? My husband and I and our two dogs were without power, with no lights and no heat for five days. After three days, we couldn't take it anymore; boarded the dogs and went to stay at a local hotel where we could

Elaine L. Thorpe, a longtime church organist and choir director at the Dundalk United Methodist Church, died Oct. 16 at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson of Alzheimer's disease. She was 87.

St. Timothy's congregation keeps faith in Catonsville

A highlight of the 33rd festival, held this weekend, is the costumed parade known as 'Playing Mas'

Mark your calendar for the 19th annual Consignment Sale and Auction, which benefits the Howard County Antique Farm Machinery Club in West Friendship.

If you're looking for a community where Easter's trappings really reflect its message, look no further than St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and its tradition of dying eggs red.

John Ostrowski, a renowned Southeast Baltimore sausage maker who refused to sell his product to supermarkets for a wider distribution, died of Alzheimer's disease complications Wednesday at Somerford Place Assisted Living in Columbia. The Lutherville resident was 72.

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

About 30 years ago, the youth fellowship at St. James United Methodist Church fashioned a series of Advent "windows" — decorative inserts that nestle inside the building's glass windows — which the church displays every Christmas season. Last year, the Sunday school teachers and students crafted a similar display for Lent and Easter

After 50 years of quality service in West Friendship, Whittaker's Flowers is closing.

The controversy over prayers at Carroll County commissioners' meetings gives Christianity a bad name.

Last chance for a community garden. Yes, it's been a long, cold lonely winter. Yes, we were not thinking of spring or gardens or vegetables

This week, I want to congratulate the award-winning folks on the fire side and in the EMS unit.

Emily Ingalls, a junior at Marriotts Ridge High School, has parlayed her musical talent into a fitting Girl Scout Gold Award project.

Dublin News

Invitations to area churches' Lenten services and meals

Happy 50th birthday to the Water Witch EMS unit. This milestone was celebrated on March 22 at the annual awards banquet.

Tuesdays at Trinity Episcopal Church group sews quilts for homeless and prayer shawls for those who need prayer; Mardy Peters at Hiss United Methodist has served the church for decades.

Yoga classes are being held at Grace Church Parish Hall from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m

Daisy Troop 5962 participated at the Dublin United Methodist Church worship service on Girl Scout Sunday. A good job was done by all, parents along with their leaders should be proud

The March meeting of the Dublin-Darlington Community Council will be held at the Conowingo Visitor Center on Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be Morita Bruce, president of Friends of Harford.