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Hanukkah commemorates religious freedom

For eight days in either November or December, Jewish families around the world light a candelabra, called a menorah, in celebration of the festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates a miracle that took place in Jerusalem in the second century BCE. For Marvin Hurwitz, a member of Williamsport’s Temple Beth Ha Shalom congregation, Hanukkah really symbolizes a celebration of freedom from persecution. “It’s a festival commemorating religious freedom. To me, that’s what the holiday is all about,” he shared. This year, Hanukkah, which is also known as the Festival of Lights, ...

New pastor installed at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

An installation service was held recently at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 142 Market St., for new pastor Brian David Vasey. Vasey’s first Sunday was in early November and, after a few weeks, a service is held to be “technically installed” with the church. An interim pastor had served ...

A history of the bell ringers

When the sound of bells ringing can be heard at malls or outside stores, then you know the Christmas season is beginning. In this area of the country, there are two main non-profits that employ bell ringers to usher in the holiday season. The Salvation Army and the American Rescue Workers ...

Shelter resident rings bell for ARW

If you happen to go to the Dollar General in South Williamsport, you will be greeted with the familiar sound of a bell ringing and the smiling face of Clayton Witherite, who is manning that spot as a bell ringer for the American Rescue Workers. Witherite readily shares how he understands ...

Retiring pastor looks back at service

As the end of 2019 draws near, 73-year-old Pastor Louis Gatti has decided to retire as the pastor of Williamsport Church of the Nazarene. He had been contemplating it for a while when the question was brought up by representatives of the Church of the Nazarene district. It was time for ...

Community members ‘blessed’ to know pastor

Besides serving as the pastor of the Williamsport Church of the Nazarene, Louis Gatti has been involved with the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) and the United Churches of Lycoming County (UCLC). Gatti said he stepped away from the UCLC due to health reasons — but not before he left an impression. The Rev. Gwen Bernstine, executive director of the UCLC, said Gatti was “a member of our board of directors and also served as our president.” Bernstine said the UCLC still benefits from his presence. “We were and continue to be blessed by his ecumenical spirit and ...