First Presbyterian Church

On January 1, 2004; DAVID CARROLL, retired BGE employee of 30 years, beloved husband of Gloria A. (nee Troutner); devoted father of Michael and Jeffery Hall, Susan Berger and Deena Clark; loving grandfather of eight. Also, survived by his sisters JoAnn Hooper, Frances Nordahl, and his brother Butch Hall. A Memorial Service will be held in the First Presbyterian Church of Bel Air, Main Street on January 3, 2004 at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care, 6601 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21204 or the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.

On December 20, 2003, BENTON HOPE GROSS, JR., of Bel Air, MD, beloved husband of Almeda Gross (nee Pennington), devoted father of Jeffrey Hope Gross and Judith G. Dettner. Also survived by five grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Bel Air on Sunday, December 28, 2003, at 3 P.M. Interment is private. Friends may call at the Church on Sunday from 1 to 3 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Thomas Run Foundation, 2418 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD, 21015.

On November 7, 2003, CHARLES L. CAIRNS, JR., of Kingsville, MD died at Union Memorial HospitalA Memorial Service will be held at 2PM Saturday, November 22, 2003 at First Presbyterian Church of Bel Air, MD with the Reverend Richard J. Link officiating. Friends will be received at the church from 12:30-2:00 PM on Saturday the 22nd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Legacy of Faith Building Fund at the First Presbyterian Church, 224 North Main St., Bel Air, MD 21014 or to the Friends of Jerusalem Mill, P.O. Box 480, Kingsville, MD 21087

On Sunday, November 2, 2003, JEAN KENNEDY, of Howard County, MD; survived by several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 14, at 2 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church, 9325 Presbyterian Circle, Columbia, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jean's memory may be made to the Salvation Army.

On March 4, 2003, ALICE B., of Sykesville, beloved wife of Dr. Victor A. Fazekas, dear aunt of Larry Comstock and Lillian Ahmed, sister-in-law of Violet Fazekas and Dr. Karl Fazekas. A funeral service will be held at 1 P.M, Friday at the First Presbyterian Church of Howard County. Interment will be in Parklawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends one half hour prior to services on Friday at the church. Those desiring may make contributions to the First Presbyterian Church of Howard County, Memorial Fund, 9325 Presbyterian Circle, Columbia, MD, 21045.

Student: Sarah Brown, 16 School: Howard High Special achievement: Sarah was chosen to participate in a Congressional Youth Leadership Conference during which students learn about how government works through a mock Congress and other exercises. Why she cares about government: "I thought it would be interesting to know exactly what they do in Congress and how they decide on laws," she said. Sarah said that she also thought the conference would help her learn "how to become a lead- er."

St. Andrew's offering outreach program at Clemens Crossing St. Andrew's Church in Glenwood conducts Journeys Community, an outreach program for those who would like to pursue a spiritual path but have not found it in traditional forms of worship. A weekly gathering is held at 10 a.m. Sundays at Clemens Crossing Elementary School in Columbia. The service includes music, movie clips, photographs and art, spiritual readings and meditations on a theme. The theme for Sunday's service is "Acknowledging Our Fears."

Church attendance is widespread for the spiritual benefits it offers. But at Howard County's churches with a parish nurse, members' bodies, as well as their souls, can benefit. "Parish nurses are registered nurses who work in a faith community ... helping them bridge the gaps between faith and health," said Kristine Holmes, a full-time parish nurse at Columbia's First Presbyterian Church. The parish nurse movement was founded in the 1970s by Granger Westberg, a Lutheran pastor and hospital chaplain from Illinois.

John Edward Starr was not a showy person -- except when he was singing.He had a rich, full, booming baritone that he displayed in choruses and choirs in the Annapolis area for about three decades.The Annapolis resident died Tuesday at Anne Arundel Medical Center of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 84.Mr. Starr sang for many years with the Annapolis Choral Society and was one of the original members of the Annapolis Chorale in 1974. He also sang with a barbershop quartet in the late 1950s and for his church choir.