Christ

On April 20, 2006, WILLIAM A. CHRIST, formerly of Baltimore, devoted husband of Madeline Mary (nee Krauer) Christ, father of William Charles Christ and his wife Juanita, John Joseph Christ and his wife Charlene, Raymond Francis Christ and his wife Janis and Mary Kathryne Henneman. Also survived by 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church and a former member of St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, Bradshaw, MD and St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church, Fullerton, MD. He was a former Boy Scout Master of Troup #746 at St. Josephs.

The Christ Child Society of Baltimore was formed just a few months ago, but this organization, a chapter of the National Christ Child Society, has hit the ground running. Already, the group has donated books and volunteer hours at many organizations, and established a partnership with Armistead Gardens Elementary and Middle School. On March 21, Maryland first lady Katie O'Malley will visit the Baltimore public school for a program on bullying arranged by the organization. The school already has programs to combat bullying, said Cathleen White, who revived the Baltimore branch of the Christ Child Society and planned O'Malley's visit.

The rock opera opened on Broadway on Oct. 12, 1971, and ran for 711 performances.It was not the first Bible-based collaboration by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. They earlier had success with "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," a musical that is also currently on a national revival tour, starring Donnie Osmond.A cast recording album of "Superstar" came out shortly before the play opened. And even earlier, in December 1969, a 45-rpm single recording of the title song had been released to help promote the forthcoming show.

The challenge to keep Christ in Christmas began several years ago. Since then we have seen efforts across our nation to remove Christ from the public arena. The local pastors of the Susquehanna Ministerium made the appeal to remember the reason for the season yet again this year, and a number of Havre de Grace residents, businesses and churches have been very gracious in honoring this challenge by displaying a nativity scene during the Christmas holidays. Even more families have joined the effort.

The first-graders sat mesmerized by the story unfolding before them in the gym at St. John Catholic School."I saw the soldiers carrying the hammers and I felt sorry for Jesus," said John Sebeck, 7. "We learned in religion class that he died when they nailed him on the cross."At the school Friday, seventh- and eighth-grade students performed "Living Stations," a portrayal of the Stations of the Cross, which depict the story of Christ's passion, death and resurrection."Everyone is a part of the story, even the audience," said Devon Bourexis, 13.All 64 seventh- and eighth-grade students participate in theplay, including some who acted out the same role last year.

Even if I didn't know the title of the exhibition -- "Jesus 2000" -- I would have known the minute I entered the small gallery: I was surrounded by images of Christ. One painting depicts Jesus standing against a royal blue sky amid shafts of sunlit clouds. His coat, made of colorful flags from many nations, billows behind him as he beckons with his right arm. In another image, Jesus, bare-chested and wearing blue jeans and baseball cap, is a carpenter. And from still another work, a collage comprising digital images of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a somber Jesus seems to gaze directly into my eyes.

The movie may be stirring controversy elsewhere, but members of an evangelical congregation from Timonium who saw it yesterday called Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ a moving experience -- one that provides a rare opportunity to introduce millions to the teachings and message of Jesus. In a sober, hourlong discussion after a screening at the Senator Theatre, about a dozen staffers from Grace Fellowship Church said the film had lifted their spirits and given them a new appreciation for the sacrifice of their lord and savior.

The Word is not quite made flesh in Edward Knippers' powerful religious paintings. But the biblical figures in them are very fleshy, very big and very nude.In Knippers' painted Scriptural narratives, the protagonists are muscular, writhing, struggling nude figures, many emphatically male, some Rubensesquely female. They wrestle with each other, with evil, with demons, doubters, angels and, perhaps, the Lord.Even in the spacious Mill River Gallery, on Oella Avenue in Ellicott City, the paintings seem to demand more room.

At dawn, the heavy front doors are unlocked. Soon the familiar rhythm comes to life in the administration building at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Voices on the security guard's radio echo in the quiet corridors. A woman's heels clack against the marble floor. Students cut through on their way to classes. Physicians hurry to surgery. It is here, at the intersection of six major hallways, underneath Hopkins' historic dome, that even the busiest people take a moment to pause in the presence of a towering statue of Christ.

On January 7, 2004, SPENCER VAVAS, beloved husband of Irene M. Vavas (nee Karpouzie), loving son of Stella Vavas and the late Nicholas Vavas. Devoted father of Stella Sabracos and her husband Michael, Nicholas Vavas, and Christine Antola and her husband Paul. Dear brother of Daniel and Ursula Vavas. Proud grandfather of Eleni and Luke Sabracos. Uncle of James, Vicky and John Vavas. Stepfather of Stephen Christ and his wife Stephanie, Nicholas Christ and his wife Nicoll and James Christ.

OMG! Jesus had a wife? A highly regarded Harvard theological historian has introduced a tiny scrap of papyrus from the fourth century - judged to be authentic - on which are written the words, "Jesus said to them, 'My wife….'" Also written there is: "she will be able to be my disciple. " Karen L. King presented her findings in Rome last week, and some of the underpinnings of the Roman Catholic Church are swaying a bit: that Jesus was celibate as a demonstration of his commitment to God and had no female disciples.

The Rev. Edward Meeks and his flock attended to a "million and one details" last week in the run-up to a momentous day for their church. People to talk to. Flowers to arrange. Food to cook. And, of course, the new sign. On Sunday, Christ the King Church - Anglican - became Christ the King Catholic Church. The Towson congregation of about 140 is one of the first groups in the United States to join a new "ordinariate" established for those who want to be Catholic but hold on to Anglican traditions.

It's shocking that the letter writer supporting same-sex marriage ("Catholics should know better than to oppose gay marriage," April 18) is Catholic. Was he asleep when his religion teacher said that the purpose of marriage is the procreation of children and that Christ made marriage a sacrament at the Wedding Feast of Cana? This is why the church opposes same-sex marriage. It has nothing to do with denying anyone their civil rights. It has everything to do with saving an institution which dates back to the beginning of the human race.

About 200 gift boxes, plus school supplies with backpacks, at least 40 little girl's dresses sewn by the ladies of the congregation, and medical supplies are being shipped from the Church of Christ, 90 Mount Royal Avenue in Aberdeen, to Panama. These gifts and supplies will be added to shipping containers that will have additional gifts from other Churches of Christ to enable the children of Panama to enjoy Christmas. Panama Mission is associated with the Churches of Christ, and overseen by the Childersburg, Ala., congregation.

Rick Adist shares the pain felt by Baltimoreans still without power days after Hurricane Irene left the area. Tonight, he's throwing a party to help alleviate it, maybe just a little. Adist, minister at the University Parkway Church of Christ , will be hosting a "Tired of the Dark" party at the Baltimore church Wednesday evening. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers, salads and drinks, topped off with cake. And because the church itself has power, the evening will include a free movie screening in the auditorium, probably of the 2010 animated film "Megamind," which features the voices of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Brad Pitt.

When Joshua Grannell, 36, was growing up in Annapolis, he didn't realize how supportive his parents were when he was being "a little creative dictator. " Most wouldn't have encouraged his creation of extravagant haunted houses, much less dress up in costume and sell tickets (as his mother did) or pursue a little-girl actor with a chainsaw (as his father did, after removing the chain). Now they have the satisfaction of seeing Grannell's drag alter-ego, Peaches Christ, become a cultural hero in San Francisco and beyond.

On Thursday, January 22, 2004, EARL RAYMOND PARROTT JR., husband of the late Betty Parrott, father of Mary E. Iwancio, Michelle L. Christ, E. Robert Parrott, III, Therese C. Hankey and the late Cathleen A. Parrott, grandfather of Stephanie and James Iwancio, Brian and Rebecca Christ, Megan Rowe, Raven Taylor, Mariah Parrott and Collin Christ. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, February 7 at 11 A.M., at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 2612 Wilkens Ave., Baltimore, MD., 21223. Arrangements entrusted to Going Home Cremation Service, Beverly L. Heckrotte, P.A.

Rochelle Denise Ford, Service will be held on Tuesday, December 8 at New David Church of Christ, 1401-15 Milton Avenue at 6 P.M.

Donald A. Mason A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 17, at 1 p.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ, 1000 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21228

Rochelle Denise Ford, Service will be held on Tuesday, December 8 at New David Church of Christ, 1401-15 Milton Avenue at 6 P.M.