Currently viewing the tag: "Thurmont Ministerium"

Church Spotlight

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

by Theresa Dardanell

Fellowship Sunday…a truly unique experience.  On the first Sunday of each month, the members of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church attend a service that combines worship and hospitality. One long table in the Fellowship Hall is lined with pastries, donuts, fruit, coffee, and other breakfast treats; members sit at round tables throughout the room and are invited to enjoy breakfast before and after the service. Worship begins with announcements and a prayer; “Sharing of the Peace” gives everyone a chance to walk around the room and greet one another; the service continues with hymns, prayers, scripture reading, a conversation about the scripture by Pastor Matthew Beers, and communion. Since breakfast continues after the service ends, nobody is in a hurry to leave.

A more formal traditional service is held on the last Sunday of every month in the church. Sunday services on the weeks between Fellowship Sunday and Traditional Service Sunday are also held in the church. Pastor Matt wants St. John’s to be a place where people can encounter God and find answers to the questions: “Why am I here, why do I do what I do, why do I live the way I live?”And they leave St. John’s knowing that “God loves me and cares about me so that I can go about caring about others and loving others.”

St. John’s history actually began in 1760 at Apple’s Church in Thurmont, when the Lutheran and Reformed congregations shared the building. In 1858, the Lutheran congregation built a new church and moved to the current location on Church Street in Thurmont (known at that time as Mechanicstown).  Over the years, the Mechanicstown Lutheran Church was remodeled and modernized extensively and also expanded to include an educational wing. In 1958, the name of the church was changed to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

As a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), members support various charitable causes. They participate in the ELCA Good Gifts Program, which supplies communities overseas with items like pigs, goats, seeds, and farming equipment to help lift people out of poverty with sustainable living. They work with the Thurmont Ministerium to help meet local community needs, collect canned goods for the Thurmont Food Bank, and make an annual Thanksgiving donation to the Seton Center in Emmitsburg. Pastor Matt said that although the congregation is small, they “try to make a meaningful impact with the funds that we have.” 

Proceeds from annual fundraising events help to support the church. If you find yourself at the Thurmont Plaza Shopping Center (between CVS and Dollar General) on the day before Easter, you will find delicious baked goods and lovely potted flowers for sale by the fundraising committee. Look for hidden treasures during their Colorfest yard sale at the church. In the fall, watch for the banner in front of the church advertising the “Party of Parties” that is held in October. Attendees enjoy a buffet lunch, while home party consultants demonstrate their products.

St. John’s Christian Preschool classes are held in the school rooms in the church building. Classes are open to everyone and are all inclusive. Classes for two-year-olds are held Monday and Friday mornings. Three- and four-year-old children attend classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings or afternoons.  The website describes the school’s mission as “providing a program developed and centered around God’s love of children. Our belief is that the total person must grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually in order to experience life to the fullest.” Classes for two- and three-year-old students have three teachers; classes for the four-year-olds have two teachers. Tammy Tigler, who is the administrative assistant and one of the teachers, said, “Every child is unique. We strive to meet their needs. We love our jobs; we love our kids.” Registration for the 2019-2020 school year is open now. Call the preschool at 301-271-4109 for more information or to schedule a visit.

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 15 N. Church Street in Thurmont. Sunday services begin at 9:00 a.m., and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, visit the website at www.saintjohnlutheran.org.

Pastor Matthew Beers (front row, on right) and members of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Church Spotlight-Thurmont United Methodist Church

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

 
by Theresa Dardanell

Photos by Theresa Dardanell

“Something for everyone” is a perfect way to describe the Clothes Closet, run by the Thurmont United Methodist Church (TUMC). It also describes the church, itself. When I arrived early for a 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at the church, I spent a few minutes reading the December newsletter. Along with information about the Clothes Closet and the traditional and contemporary Sunday worship services, there were details about the many weekly Bible studies and various small groups for all ages, as well as Christian education classes for adults and children, several committees, and plenty of family fellowship events.

Sunday morning at TUMC begins with the 9:00 a.m. traditional worship service, featuring beautiful organ music. At 10:30 a.m., the contemporary service begins with a group of singers and musicians leading the congregation in joyful upbeat music. After announcements by Pastor Bob Hunter, members of the congregation share messages of joy and requests for prayers. The service continues with a reading, prayers, a sermon, and communion.   Everyone is welcome to attend the “Sunday school for all ages,” from 9:00-10:00 a.m. A group of dedicated teachers makes it possible to provide seven separate classes each week: babies under two years old; toddlers, ages two to four; students in kindergarten through third grade; children in fourth and fifth grades; students in grades sixth through twelfth. Adults can choose from two sessions led by C.J Cordell and Tim Olsen. Coffee and conversation is the focus of fellowship time between the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.

Pastor Bob said that there are two things that the church does best. The first is that 10 percent of all gifts and tithes support Christian charities. Donations help to fund missions and missionaries, as well as local organizations, including the Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, the Catoctin Community Medical Fund, Thurmont Ministerium, the Marriage Resource Center of Frederick, and the Alan P. Linton, Jr. Emergency Shelter.  The second thing they do really well is the Clothes Closet, which has been in operation for over forty years. It began in one small room, but quickly outgrew the space and was moved to a larger area when the church moved to its current location on Long Road. As the need grew and donations increased, the church built the Community Clothes Closet building, which opened in 2012. Donations from the congregation, along with members of the community, fully stock the “free-to-shop” building that is open the first and fourth Monday of each month, from 6:00-7:30 p.m., and the third Tuesday of each month, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. There is a bin outside the building to drop off donations. The mission of the Clothes Closet is to “carry God’s love to the people in the Thurmont community and beyond through love, prayer, and free clothing.”

When I visited on December 2, 2018, the members were preparing for the annual Christmas Open House. One very large room in the church building was filled with donated toys, games, wrapping paper, and decorations to be given for free to families in need. During the open house, Christmas music played in the background and childcare and an interpreter were available.

The Christian education program does not end on Sundays. There are five small groups that meet weekly for fellowship, prayer, and education. Pastor Bob leads Bible study on Wednesdays, the youth group meets on Sunday evenings, and other groups meet at various locations. Tim Olsen said that the participants in the groups support and nurture and pray for one another.

There are also opportunities for members in the kids choir, the secret sisters, and the monthly retired and senior citizens luncheon. The church also supports the Good News Club, an after school activity at Thurmont Elementary School. Monthly family fellowship events provide another way for the members to spend time together. Some of the previous events include a beaded bracelet class and Christmas caroling. The first events in 2019 will be Game Night on January 11 and Movie Night on February 8.

The Thurmont United Methodist Church is located at 13880 Long Road in Thurmont. The church is beautiful; it is large, modern, and handicap accessible.  The site includes a pavilion, the impressive Clothes Closet building, and plenty of parking. Next time you have clothes to donate, remember that everything given to the clothes closet is free to anyone who needs it.

If you are looking for a church that offers “something for everyone,” visit the Thurmont United Methodist Church and see for yourself.

    Church Spotlight

    By On · Add Comment · In Columns

    St. John’s Lutheran Church of Creagerstown

    by Theresa Dardanell

    St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is on the left and the Union Church is on the right.

    If your summer plans include visiting locations on the National Register of Historic Places, make sure you add St. John’s Church at Creagerstown Historic District to your list. The complex consists of three buildings, all owned by the church. The Union Church building (originally called the Reformed Church) was built jointly in 1834 and shared by the Reformed Church and the Lutherans until 1908. A new church, St. John’s Lutheran, was built and dedicated in 1909. A third building, the Parish House, was built in 1880, originally used as a two-room schoolhouse and purchased by the Lutheran Church in 1926. The adjacent community cemetery is also included in the historic district.

    After the new church was built, the Union Church building fell into disrepair and was used only for storage. However, it is now in the process of being restored with help from the Maryland Historical Society. Completed renovations include a new roof and floor, the addition of heating and air-conditioning, and repairs to the basement. The beautiful chandelier and pews from the Union Church were moved to the Lutheran Church. Although the renovations to the Union Church building are not complete, services are held there, as well as in the new church. The Parish House is used for dinners and other community events.

    St. John’s is the oldest Lutheran congregation in Western Maryland.  Although it was established in 1732, members worshiped in various locations until they moved into their current buildings. They are proud of their continuous tradition of spirituality, community service, and God’s fellowship. Pastor Wayne Blaser said that members of the congregation care for one another and look out for one another. The small congregation generously supports local and worldwide organizations. Local outreach includes donations to the Thurmont Ministerium, Thurmont Food Bank, Clothes Closet Ministry in Thurmont, and the Religious Coalition in Frederick. They also participate in the summer enrichment camp for students. Global support is provided to Operation Christmas Child, which provides shoe boxes full of supplies for children around the world. Money donated during special collections is sent to areas affected by natural disasters; recent donations were sent to Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. One of the Lutheran Church Mission programs is the “noisy change” offering once a year. Members drop their loose change in a bucket (along with a check for an additional donation) that is taken to the Synod meeting in June, where it is used for the Lutheran Hunger Program.

    Everyone is invited to attend the fundraising dinners, which are held throughout the year. The February dinner, held from 12:00-5:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month, features turkey and fried oysters. On the Saturday before Mother’s Day in May, a dinner of fried chicken and country ham, along with chicken and ham slippery pot pies, is served from 12:00-5:00 p.m. Proceeds from the May dinner support the operation of the community cemetery and local street lighting. The menu for the June dinner varies from year to year; this year, it featured fried chicken and pork BBQ. Funds raised at this event help families who face financial hardship due to a major health crises. It is usually held on the second Saturday in June. Plan to spend some time from noon to 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday of Colorfest weekend at the October “Cafe,” where you can enjoy a variety of sandwiches, side dishes, and desserts. The Thanksgiving Day dinner, served from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., is a 125-year-old tradition in Creagerstown. At the Christmas Bazaar on the first Saturday in December, food and baked goods are available, along with the indoor yard sale from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The dedicated members of the “Faithful Workers” group organize and conduct these events for the benefit of the church and community.

    Special musical events are held at various times throughout the year at the church, and are open to the community; a free-will offering is gratefully accepted. The “Day Star” Southern Gospel group will be performing on October 7, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. The Blue Grass Chapel Band will be performing on November 11, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.

    Everyone is welcome to attend the weekly 9:30 a.m. Sunday service, which includes the exchange of peace among those in attendance, prayers and readings, the message given by Pastor Wayne, and holy communion. An enthusiastic choir and an organist lead the congregation in musical worship.

    St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 8619 Blacks Mill Road in Creagerstown.

    For more information see the church’s website at ​emmitsburg.net/sjlc/index.htm.

    Pastor Wayne Blaser (on right) and members of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

    Church Spotlight Catoctin Episcopal Parish – Harriet Chapel

    By On · Add Comment · In Community News

    by Theresa Dardanell

    I recently visited the Catoctin Episcopal Parish, more commonly known as Harriet Chapel. I asked some of the members to tell me what is special about their church. Their responses were: “a welcoming community…a most loving church…members who are very close…one big family…wonderful incredible hearts.”

    I’m sure that’s the reason that, along with people who live in the area, members travel from Gaithersburg, Mount Pleasant, Myersville, and Frederick in Maryland, as well as Waynesboro in Pennsylvania, to attend Sunday services.

    “We have an emphasis on scripture and prayer in our worship. To enhance our prayer lives, we make and give away Anglican prayer beads that have been requested by people all over the world, and we have a prayer team that prays for anyone in need. We have Bible study and there is a Bible challenge, where I challenge parishioners to read all of one of the Gospels during Advent. This year, everyone read the Gospel of Luke and The Book of Acts. Everyone who finished reading is invited to my house for a reception and discussion,” said Pastor Sally Joyner Giffen.

    Catoctin Episcopal Parish-Harriet Chapel is located in the village of Catoctin Furnace, which is three miles south of Thurmont. Catoctin Furnace Iron Works, originally known as Johnson furnace, began iron-making operations in 1776.  As the numbers of workers and their families in the area grew, the owner of Catoctin Furnace donated land for a meeting house, completed in 1828. Services were originally led by a Moravian Minister. After the furnace was torn down, the stones from the stacks were used in the construction of the beautiful arches in the church, as well as the walls of the office area. In 1833, the church became a mission church of the Frederick All Saints’ Episcopal Church until 1921, when it became a separate parish. Some of the interesting facts from the website are: Harriet Chapel is named after Harriet McPherson Brien, who was the wife of the owner of the furnace when the church was constructed; Harriet died in April 1827, prior to the construction being completed; Several presidents have worshiped at Harriet Chapel, including Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter; Catoctin Episcopal Parish – Harriet Chapel is the only Episcopal Church located in Northern Frederick County.

    The church maintains a beautiful memorial garden that provides a place for reflection, inspiration, and reassurance. A plaque inside the church lists the names of the church members interred in the garden.

    Parishioners are very involved in community outreach activities.  Pastor Sally, who is also the manager of the Thurmont Food Bank, a non-profit ministry of the Thurmont Ministerium, said that most of the members are involved in some way with this activity. They donate food, supplies, and funds; help with deliveries; and distribute food when the food bank is open.  In addition, the parishioners provide Christmas gifts for families and senior citizens who might otherwise go without; donate “back to school” supplies for students in the area; send Christmas cards to inmates at the Frederick detention center; and organize Bingo parties at Montevue Assisted Living.

    One of the favorite outreach activities is participation in the Thurmont Ministerium summer lunch program for students in the Catoctin feeder area. Each participating church provides lunch, along with games, arts, and crafts, for one week during the summer.   All of this community service is given by the approximately one hundred families in the parish.

    Special events are held throughout the year. “Peaceful Thursdays,” which began with the first Thursday in October, ends on February 1. Everyone in the community was invited to bring a lunch to eat while watching a video and relaxing with coloring books and markers.

    A Mutual Support Group for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one will be held the second Thursday of the month in February, March, April, and May, from noon-1:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to bring a lunch or something to share.

    Fundraisers held by the church not only provide needed funds, but also bring the community together.  In partnership with the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, they participate in the Spring in the Village and Christmas in the Village.  Sarah’s Garden Social is held during the Spring event. Flowers, plants, homemade baked goods, and food are sold. Christmas items along with baked goods and food are available during the Christmas event. Craft vendors are invited to participate in both events, as well as the extremely popular Yard Sale/Fall Fest event, which is held the weekend of Colorfest. Spring in the Village will be held May 5-6, 2018, and Christmas in the Village will be on December 1, 2018.

    Two services with communion are held each Sunday. The 8:00 a.m. traditional service uses the Rite 1 liturgy, and traditional hymns are sung with organ accompaniment. The music at the 10:30 a.m. contemporary service (Rite 2) is accompanied by organ and guitar.

    The choir sings on special occasions, but they practice every week and help lead the congregation in song during the weekly services.

    Sunday school for all ages is held during the 10:30 a.m. service, and children are brought to the sanctuary for Holy Communion.

    Newcomers are invited to participate in all the activities and services. The church is located at 12625 Catoctin Furnace Road in Thurmont. For more information, please call 301-271-4554 or visit the website at www.harrietchapel.com.

    Photo by Theresa Dardanell

    Pastor Sally Joyner Giffin and members of the Catoctin Episcopal Parish – Harriet Chapel.

    Thurmont Food Bank Opens its New Location

    By On · Add Comment · In Community News, Featured Articles, Recent News

    20150307_100136James Rada, Jr.

    The Thurmont Food Bank did what it does best at the grand opening of its new home on March 7…it fed people.

    Food trays of hot and cold foods were spread throughout the Thurmont’s former Town Office, as dozens of people crowded the building to see how it had changed now that it is home to the Thurmont Food Bank.

    The biggest change is in the office area that once held the cubicles of Thurmont Town staff. The room is now lined with freezers, refrigerators, and deep shelves. Pastor Sally Joyner-Giffin, who manages the food bank for the Thurmont Ministerium, estimated that there is now about fifty percent more storage space.

    “The nice thing with having more freezer space is that I can buy ahead when things go on sale, say turkeys, or when it’s hunting season and there’s deer meat offered,” said Joyner-Giffin.

    The new freezers were purchased with a grant that former Thurmont Chief Administrative Officer Bill Blakeslee helped the food bank staff obtain.

    The Thurmont Food Bank is currently serving about 310 families, comprised of about 1,200 people, in the Thurmont area.

    “This new location gives us the ability to serve more, should we have to,” Joyner-Giffin said.

    As the ribbon was cut, officially opening the new food bank, Joyner-Giffin gave Mayor John Kinnaird a dollar bill, representing the food bank’s first year’s rent to the Town of Thurmont. Carol Robertson, President of Colorfest, Inc., also gave Joyner-Giffin a check for $500 to help pay the utilities on the building for a couple months.

    Many of the people attending the grand opening were volunteers who help fill the orders and serve the food bank clients. Joe Bailey has been helping out at the Thurmont Food Bank for four years.

    “I’m passing it forward,” Bailey said. “I want to give back to the people in the community, because helping others is what God tells us we should be doing.”

    St. John’s Lutheran Church had been the previous home for the food bank, but after several years there, it outgrew the space. The new location for the Thurmont Food Bank is at 10 Frederick Road. Although the Thurmont Public Works Department still uses the back offices in the building, all of the front offices, including the commissioners’ former meeting room, is part of the food bank.

    Hours at the new location are now: Tuesday, 5:00-7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off any time; please place them in the shopping cart in the entryway of the food bank. Both perishable and non-perishable foods can be delivered during food bank hours or on Tuesday mornings from 11:00 a.m.-noon. Please check to be sure all items are not spoiled or expired before donating them.

    The food bank is always looking for volunteers to help out. If you would like to help, you can call the food bank at 240-288-1865 or visit www.thurmontfoodbank.com.

    Thurmont Food Bank is on the Move

    By On · Add Comment · In Community News, Featured Articles, Local Events

    The Thurmont Food Bank will be moving to 10 Frederick Street in Thurmont, across the street from the town park, in the building where the town offices used to be. The move will take place sometime in mid-to-late February, so watch for signs posted in front of the building. Everyone is invited to a grand opening celebration that will be held on March 7, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., with a snow date of March 14.  There will be refreshments, tours, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Please come and bring a food donation to place on the new shelves.

    After the move, Thurmont Food Bank hours will be changing. The new hours will be Tuesday, from 5:00-7:30 p.m.; and Friday, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Donations of non-perishable food can be dropped off any time; please place them in the shopping cart in the entryway of the food bank. Both perishable and non-perishable foods can be delivered during food bank hours or on Tuesday mornings from 11:00 a.m.-noon. Please check to be sure all items are not spoiled or expired before donating them.

    The Thurmont Ministerium—the organization that runs the Thurmont Food Bank—would like to thank St. John’s Lutheran Church for their generous hospitality in allowing the Food Bank to use their chapel and fellowship hall for the last several years. The Ministerium also wishes to thank all the loyal volunteers who work tirelessly, as well as the Town of Thurmont for providing a new home for this important community outreach. The Thurmont Food Bank’s motto “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is proven to be true again and again, because so many people contribute food, time, and financial assistance. Thank you to everyone who has helped to keep the food bank going and to all who are helping with this move.