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‘We need help too’: Stresses multiply for many US clergy

Greg Laurie is among America’s most successful clergymen — senior pastor at a California megachurch, prolific author, host of a global radio program. Yet after a youthful colleague’s suicide, his view of his vocation is unsparing. “Pastors are people, just like everyone else,” ...

Various denominations share their take on Ash Wednesday

For many worshipers in the Christian faith, Ash Wednesday is a day of significance that means Easter is coming soon. Many Christian denominations celebrate the day with a service, some churches choose not to mark the day. Either way, the houses of worship that choose to mark the day invite all to attend. According to Rev. Canon Ken Wagner-Pizza, the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, 844 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, Ash Wednesday falls 40 days before Easter (minus the Sundays). This year, Easter will be celebrated on April 12 — slating Ash Wednesday for this week. ...

St. Mark’s celebrates 60 years at current sanctuary

Founded in 1852, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 142 Market St., Williamsport, is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the dedication of its current sanctuary located at the foot of the Market Street bridge. It is only the congregation’s third church building in its 168 year history. A ...

Montoursville woman reports on recent mission trip

It was late 2019 that Christina Boughton, a Montoursville wife and mother of three, discussed her desire to spend the early part of 2020 in Mole-Saint-Nicolas, Haiti, where she would work with missionaries and teachers at a local orphanage associated with the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. ...

‘For we have this hope as an anchor’

Many people collect items that bring them joy or remind them of a time in life or a moment of strength. The symbol I enjoy is the anchor. I latched on to a scripture a few years ago that helps me hold on when the “storms of life” try to “blow me out to sea.” Hebrews 6:19 says this: “For we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…” (NIV). I think of the anchor symbol in five ways. What is the symbol in your life? For me, hope is a person. Hope is Jesus and all the promises that he brings into my life when I trust him. Acts 27 is a great example ...

Minnesota church one of many hitting restart

HUTCHINSON, Minn. — Two years ago, Vineyard United Methodist Church was in trouble. Attendance had been dropping steadily for years, and the handful of members keeping things running was growing exhausted. While the church was still making its budget, the writing was on the wall for the ...