Church

When news of vandalism at a nearby church spread at River Hill High School, students sprang into volunteer mode. More than 35 students spent the last two Saturdays in October at Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church in Clarksville, where a garden, pathway and a fence were vandalized in mid-October. "People were linking [the vandalism] to our school," said Principal William Ryan. "The kids thought that this shouldn't be a reflection on our school." Sean Kirby, a 16-year-old junior, went to the church on both occasions to help clean up. Before the vandalism, he and many of the volunteers parked at the church during the school day. After the destruction of property, the church prohibited students from using the parking lot. "We felt that [the vandalism]

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- During the Christmas season, thousands of people take a pilgrimage to a 52-acre site on the grounds of the Savannah Christian Church to experience the birth of Jesus in a make-believe Holy Land. They take a boat ride across a lake into Bethlehem, where they mingle with townspeople who greet them with water, fruit and cheeses. Roman soldiers on white horses lead them along a lighted path, where they encounter three wise men with a live camel. They look on as the archangel Gabriel appears at Mary's home and tells her that she is carrying a child.

Hiring practices allow new chances Sunday's column by Dan Rodricks unfairly criticizes the Archdiocese of Baltimore's actions and responses on the termination of a parish employee with a criminal record ("Church's `scandal' is others' kindness," Nov. 18). Mr. Rodricks paints a picture of inconsistent responses by the archdiocese to media questions about this employee. But he fails to mention that he named the employee in question when asking about his offenses. Because of privacy concerns, the church, like other employers, generally does not disclose such information about specific employees.

A contract involving a land swap totaling 51 acres is expected to be signed immediately, clearing the way for construction of a church in Long Reach village and most likely a middle school to serve the burgeoning western section of the county. The deal barely survived a critical test when the Planning Board approved an amendment increasing modestly the amount of land the church could consume, and leaving the door open for another adjustment if it can be justified. The increase, to 15 percent from 10 percent, was a far cry from what St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church had hoped for. But Joyce Henderson, chairman of the church construction executive committee, declared it sufficient.

LOS ANGELES -- Negotiators completed a historic deal yesterday that settles the legal claims of more than 500 victims of alleged sexual abuse by clergy in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Victims will receive a total of $660 million, by far the largest of any settlements arising nationwide from the five-year-old clergy abuse scandal, representatives of both the church and the plaintiffs confirmed last night. The average payout will be in excess of $1.3 million. "The settlement is complete," announced Raymond Boucher, the lead attorney for victims.

There are African-American children in the Baltimore foster-care system waiting for a loving family. Nearly 1,000, as a matter of fact. So finding the right match is critical. That's why an alliance of local churches is strengthening its recruitment and support of prospective families as part of One Church, One Child, a nonprofit national organization that serves as a liaison to connect potential adoptive parents with the Department of Social Services. More than 248 children have found permanent homes through One Church, One Child since the organization opened offices in Maryland in 1988, and more than 50 percent of that number are from Baltimore.

Now we're talking. "Our city has been in crisis for decades," Baltimore's new archbishop, Edwin O'Brien, said shortly after his installation yesterday. From using "our" in reference to his new city, to bluntly noting the drugs, violence and poverty that beset it, O'Brien sent off signals as loud and clear as the pealing church bells that ended his official induction as Baltimore's 15th Roman Catholic archbishop: This was a church leader who would not retreat behind the cathedral doors but would emerge to mix it up a bit. Good for him. If it's not too sacrilegious, let me say to his Excellency, "Welcome to Baltimore, hon."

Frostburg-- --The steel skeleton is more visionary art than ark. Still, a visitor can make out the arklike bowed front of Pastor Richard Greene's roadside attraction off Interstate 68. Three stories high and set in concrete, the steel structure shares a foothill with its loyal billboard: "Noah's Ark Being Rebuilt Here." Nothing, however, has been built in seven years. "I feel terrible about it. I've asked God, `Why are you taking so long to build this ark?' " says Greene, a genial, coat-and-tie preacher who appeared for a time with Jim Bakker and Pat Robertson on the TV circuit in the 1980s.

Maryland's Court of Special Appeals has ended a lengthy effort by former parishioners of a Fells Point church to spare their old sanctuary from redevelopment and turn it into a Slavic heritage museum. Early last year, a grass-roots group - members of the closed St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church - sued the Franciscan friars who own the South Ann Street building. The group claimed that the friars reneged on a deal to sell the building to them, giving it instead to developers with plans to expand a nearby parochial school and build townhouses.

Some leaned on their canes. Others leaned on each other. One by one, the parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle hobbled up the concrete steps of the graceful Grecian-style church to bid goodbye to 165 years of history. Yesterday's was the last Christmas Mass at the church at Hollins and Poppleton streets in West Baltimore. By February, the parish will merge with two others in the area. Though the building will still be used for the occasional wedding and funeral, it will no longer hold regular worship services.

On October 28, 2009 ALLEN GARY HARVEY. Friends may visit the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue on Tuesday after 8:30 a.m. The family will receive friends on Wednesday at the Community Church Outreach Center, 3803 Forest Park Avenue at 11 a.m. followed by funeral service at 11:30.

On October 24, 2009, JOHN DANIEL SNOWDEN. Friends may visit the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue, on Sunday after 10 AM, where the family will receive friends 3 to 5 PM. The family will also receive friends on Monday at 10:30 AM at New Psalmist Baptist Church, 4501 1/2

On October 27, 2009, TE-VERIA V. (BUTLER) LEE, age 57, passed away suddenly at Howard County General Hospital. Te-Veria was born on February 19, 1952 to Larrie and Eartha Butler in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Western High School and Morgan State University with a BA and Masters in Education. She was an educator in the Baltimore City Public School System and Baltimore County Public School serving as Teacher, Principal and Staff Administrator for over 30 years. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother and serving as an Associate Minister on the ministerial staff of New Psalmist Baptist Church.

On October 25, 2009 BERTHA. Visitation 2140 N. Fulton Avenue Sunday 12 to 6 P.M. Family will receive friends at First Emmanuel Baptist Church. 2209 Park Avenue on Monday 6:30 P.M. Funeral to follow at 7:00 P.M.

On October 23, 2009, HOWARD JONES. Visitation at 2140 N. Fulton Avenue on Thursday 4 to 7 P.M. Family will receive friends Friday at Hall United Methodist Church, 7780 Solley Road, Glen Burnie, 11 A.M., with funeral to follow at 11:30 A.M.

On October 20, 2009. On Monday, friends may call Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services (EAST), 4905 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 4 to 8 P.M. On Tuesday, services will be held at New David Baptist Church, 1401 Milton Avenue, where the family will receive friends from 10 to 10:30 A.M., with services to follow. Inquiries to 410-433-7500.

On October 21, 2009, ROBERT. Visitation 2140 N. Fulton Ave. Wednesday 3 to 8 PM. Family will receive friends Thursday at New Shiloh Baptist Church, 2100 N. Monroe St. 10:30 AM, funeral to follow at 11 AM.

On October 16, 2009, CARRIE E.; devoted wife of Joseph. She is also survived by one daughter, one son, one daughter-in-law, four grandchildren, one brother, two sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the Carlton C. Douglass Funeral Service, P.A., 1701 McCulloh Street, on Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Family will receive friends Monday, 11-11:30 a.m. at the St. James U.M. Church, 1901 W. Lexington Street, with services following. Interment Loudon Park Cemetery.

On October 21, 2009, EDWARD LEROY, devoted husband of Margaret Thomas. Friends may visit the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue, on Sunday after 10 A.M. The family will receive friends on Monday at the Heritage United Church of Christ, 3106 Liberty Heights Avenue at 10:30 A.M. follow by funeral service at 11 A.M.

Raymond S. Tompkins, Jr., A Memorial Service, with military honors will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 with Reverend Max Wolfe, Reverend Jeffery Ross and Reverend Christopher Moore officiating. A Memorial Service and Entombment will be held on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at Church of the Redeemer, 5603 East Charles Street in Baltimore, Maryland 21210, Sandra Etemad officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Enterprises, Inc., 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. Kindly omit flowers.