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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 ...

Season of joy, rebirth continues

Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! These or similar words are what we often hear in church in this Easter season, tomorrow being the fourth Sunday of Easter in many churches. The Easter Season is roughly 1/7th of the year, so some look at it as the “sabbath” of the year. Even if you come from a tradition that does not practice Lent, Holy Week, and then the season of Easter, most churches celebrate Easter Sunday when words like the above are said hopefully and with some gusto! This season is a celebratory time when you will see more desserts in the ...

Love thy family, save worship for God

A little while ago, I attended a wedding at a Roman Catholic church, and I witnessed a beautiful religious gesture in the middle of the service: offering a bouquet of flowers to the Holy Family and asking for a blessing for the couple’s marriage. Being United Methodist, I am generally unfamiliar with the veneration of the Virgin Mary, yet I could appreciate the value in recognizing the sacrifice and authority of the Mother of God. I hope we all so recognize the Virgin Mother this Mother’s Day! However, upon reflecting on stories of the Holy Family in Holy Scripture, I think the ...