Community news

Friday, Aug. 22, 2008

The congregation of Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church, located on Route 6 in Charlotte Hall, has welcomed the Rev. Sandra Greene as its new pastor. Greene resides in Baltimore and makes the hour-and-a-half journey each Sunday and some evenings to Mt. Calvary.

Greene has more than 15 years of ministerial service in the United Methodist Church and began ministering at Mt. Calvary on July 6.

Greene has served previously under appointment by the Baltimore-Washington United Methodist Conference at Congress Heights UMC; A.P. Shaw UMC; and Cedar Lane⁄McKendree-Simms-Brookland Cooperative Parish in Washington, D.C. and Mt. Zion UMC in Baltimore. She has also served on several conference organizations such as Strengthening the Black Church, District Superintendency Committee and District Committee on Ordained Ministry.

Greene is a graduate of Howard University School of Divinity, where she earned a master of divinity degree in 1991 and was ordained as elder in 1999.

Mt. Calvary runs a prayer blanket ministry. Over the past three years, more than 65 blankets have been made and presented to members of the church and individuals in the surrounding community seeking help. On the second Sunday of July, Greene blessed and commissioned the prayer blanket team — Denice White, Lisa Whalen and Clarice Spears — to continue praying and making blankets as a symbol of God’s love for those who are sick, despaired or bereaved. Upon completion, the blanket is presented to the entire church where the ‘‘laying of hands” ceremony is performed. Through the anointment with oil by Greene and each member of the congregation touching and praying over the blanket, it is presented to the requester for delivery to the recipient.

Mt. Calvary UMC is more than 128 years old. All are welcome to share in its traditional-contemporary worship style services each Sunday at 10 a.m.

Chalkathon winners announced

Annmarie Garden has announced the winners of this month’s Sidewalk Chalkathon.

In the 5 and younger category, Jason Stone of Ridge won for his depiction of a figure in a rainbow-infused landscape. Brett Stockman of Mechanicsville won the 6 to 9 category for his realistic portrayal of a speeding race car. The winner of the 10 to 14 category was Tim Conner of Leonardtown for his underwater scene of sharks on the prowl. Lisa Brown of Great Mills won the adult category for her portrait of a bulldog. Teamwork category winners were 11-year-old Eleanor Mallinson and 12-year-old Sarah Mazur of Lusby for their tribute to the 2008 Olympics.

To learn about activities at Annmarie Garden, visit www.annmariegarden.org or call 410-326-4640.

Salsa instruction offered

The College of Southern Maryland will sponsor Salsa Dance Level 1 on Mondays, from Sept. 8 to Oct. 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. at the House of Dance, located at 25741-C Three Notch Road in Hollywood. This class is designed for those who have never danced salsa or danced with a partner. All levels are welcome.

There is a fee. Call 240-725-5499, ext. 7652, or e-mail vickieg@csmd.edu.

Church prepares forall-you-can-eat dinner

Holy Angels Catholic Church will hold its fall seafood dinner on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Served buffet style, all-you-can-eat, the menu includes crab balls, fried oysters, steamed shrimp, fried chicken, parsley potatoes, green beans and more.

Cost is $23 for adults; $21 for carryouts; $8 for children 6 to 12; and those 5 and younger may eat for free. The dinner will also feature a bake table, craft table and raffle.

Holy Angels Church is located at 21340 Colton Point Road in Avenue. For information call 301-769-3332.