Breaking News

Religion

‘Something I learned from my grandparents’: God blesses faithfulness

Did you know that Grandparents Day was on Sept. 8 this year? I admit that I didn't do anything special to commemorate it, and neither did my church. Shame on us! However, the month of September has long been a time to honor my grandparents because both of my grandfathers’ birthdays are this month. I've had the wonderful blessing of strong relationships with all four of my grandparents, two of whom are still alive well into their 90s. May we never take such cross-generational relationships for granted! One way that I honor my grandparents and others of their generation is to ...

‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be’

What is success? We all want to be successful, but when you look at how you spend your time, talents, and treasure, do you feel satisfied that you have spent them well; that the outcome will be worth it? Will you look back and say that you have been successful in life? I ask this because it has been on my mind quite a bit. I have felt a little weary and a little discouraged. Some of the jobs planned for this summer are still not done and are unlikely to find a place in my schedule any time soon. This is also true of many of the activities I love to do in the early autumn. Things ...

Retired minister shares memories of being a ground zero chaplain

Like most of the nation on Sept. 11, 2001, the Rev. Robert Wallace lived through the horror of terrorists weaponizing airplanes to launch four attacks on the United States. “The day of 9/11, like most of us, I went through all sorts of feelings — despair, disgust, anger, and it actually got to the point of hatred, and that was stuff I hadn’t felt,” Wallace, a retired United Methodist minister, shared recently. Seeking to work through those feelings, Wallace said that he participated in local prayer vigils and an ecumenical program in Brandon Park. “One of the things I ...

Area group aims to prevent trafficking through child education

Human trafficking is happening — possibly closer to home than some might think. But there are ways for children to be more self-aware and help keep themselves safe without tarnishing their innocent world view, according to Dawn Blanchard and Ann Judd. The two head up a local group of Born ...

First Church assists community with home improvement projects

For the past week, it was not uncommon to see a simple red sign that said “God’s Servants At Work” stuck into the lawns of certain homes throughout the city and in other parts of Lycoming County. These signs signified that volunteers associated with the First United Methodist Church of ...

Cavalry Baptist Church celebrates 150 years

Nearly 150 years ago to the day, a group of German Baptists, from the Dunkard Church at Blooming Grove, founded what is now Calvary Baptist Church at 42 Washington Boulevard. Originally founded June 13, 1869, the small church remains strong in its mission and will celebrate its 150th anniversary with special meals and a service over its anniversary weekend. “This was a German speaking area of Williamsport. They called it ‘Dutch Hill,’ ” said the Rev. Janice Green, who grew up attending Calvary. The founders built a wood-framed building that faced Washington Boulevard, then ...