Current Happenings

Singles are invited to a Mardi Gras Celebration in Ellicott City. It will be hosted by Carolyn Laurenzo. RSVP to singles@glenmarumc.org. Details will follow after we know how many will participate.

The State of the Church will be the sermon focus. There will also be some forward-looking visioning. The services will be celebratory and include testimonies and sharing about things that have happened over the past year. Services will be held Sat., Feb. 22, 5 p.m. and Sun. Feb. 23, 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

One of 50 churches supporting this Grassroots outreach, Glen Mar provides lunch the 4th Saturday of every month. To contribute to the potluck menu or help serve on site, RSVP here.

During this six-week session that began Feb. 9 we will explore our identity as United Methodists shaped in the Wesleyan spirit. While first and foremost our identity is rooted in our understanding of God and in seeking to follow Jesus, there are uniquely Wesleyan ways of experiencing and expressing our identity. Please join us in the Youth Lounge (lower level) on Sundays after 9:30 and 11 a.m. services for this conversation-based study opportunity. No homework. No need to sign up. Just come as you are.

This group began meeting on Feb. 16 and will continue to meet on Sundays 10:45 - noon for four weeks in Room 121. It is for seekers, starters, returners. Beginners are encouraged to attend. It features a a video by Andy Stanley and small group discussion that explores the basics of Christianity. No homework is required. Please contact Jeff Wetstone.

The Mission Board oversees Glen Mar’s mission trips and activities. Everyone is invited to Glen Mar’s Mission Board meeting, but only members can vote. It will be held in Room 121. The Board meets the third Monday of each month.

Pancakes, sausage and applesauce will be served in the Spirit Center for a free-will offering. Sign up after services in the Gathering Place Feb. 22 and 23 so the George Dohner knows how much to prepare. This is a Mission Board event that will benefit local community outreach.

Join us for Ash Wednesday Service. The noon service will be in our Chapel and will be under an hour. Childcare will be provided at both services. Click here for more information.

The numbers this year are unusually low and may jeopardize this event scheduled for Sat., Mar. 7, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., at River Hill High School in Clarksville. Click here to register for this event arenaweb.bwcumc.org/default.aspx?page=3452&event=5599. Cost is $40 and is due by Sat., Feb. 29, 4:30 p.m..

Daniel Im, author of “No Silver Bullets,” will help participants lead, thrive, and create a culture of discipleship in their churches. Participants can also immerse themselves in one of six learning tracks or explore two topics relevant to their interests and ministry in expert-led workshops.

Vacation Bible School will be held July 13 - 17, 9 a.m. - noon, with an Extended Day option, noon -4 p.m. for students in Summer Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School is for students in 1st through 8th grades in fall 2020. Click here for more information and to register. Spring Break Vacation Bible School (Apr. 6, 7 and 8) is full. Email margaret.lang@glenmarumc.org to be on the wait list.

Serve a hot breakfast to a homeless population at Manna House in Baltimore. Glen Mar’s team works on the second Sunday of the month. Leave the church at 7:15 a.m. and carpool to the site. Adults and youth 14 and older can participate. Contact Ellen Burns, mannahouse@glenmarumc.org if interested.

Baptism class is for adults seeking baptism or for parents who wish to have their infants and children baptized at Glen Mar. It will be held in room 144. RSVP by emailing Jen.Eschliman@glenmarumc.org.

Glen Mar will offer this opportunity to receive Safe Sanctuaries training in Room 121. Anyone who works with or comes into contact with children, youth or vulnerable adults in Glen Mar's ministry settings is required to complete Safe Sanctuaries training prior to serving. Training takes about one hour. Participants in this training are asked to provide references and information for a background check. Click here for more information.

Come build dreams with us! This ministry is normally held the second Saturday of every month. Meet at Glen Mar in the morning to carpool. Times vary, and will be announced right before the workday. Forms and sign up are due the Sunday prior to the work day. Contact Adrienne Taylor, habitat@glenmarumc.org to sign up. Ages 16 and up. Learn more.

TGIW is a time to share men's topics together. The topic this evening is "Brand-New Agreement." The group meets in Glen Mar's Youth Lounge. George Dohner will prepare dinner. So George knows how many dinners to prepare, RSVP here or email that you will attend TGIW@glenmarumc.org.

People Acting Together in Howard County (PATH) will hold spring training sessions on Wed., Mar. 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; Tue., Apr. 21, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.; and Thu., May 14, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Each session will be different, so you can attend one or all as you are available and willing. The sessions will describe PATH's approach to grassroots organizing and its history of working with religious communities for social action and public engagement. Contact path@glenmarumc.org.

The Soup'r Sundae and Silent Auction will be held at Wilde Lake High School. Glen Mar and Bethany United Methodist Churches are joint sponsors for this fundraiser for Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center of Howard County. This is a family-friendly event with all-you-can-eat soups and ice cream as well as a silent auction.

Click here for more information about tickets and the event.

People Acting Together in Howard County (PATH) and the Howard County Education Association will cosponsor a discussion on Restorative Justice in Public Education: A Conversation with Kathy Evans and Dr. Kevin Gilbert at St John Baptist Church, 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia.

Bridges to Housing Stability will hold its 10th annual Chili Cookoff at Dar Al-Taqwa Islamic Center, 10740 Route 108, Ellicott City. Glen Mar is proud to be a sponsor of this event. Bring money for the "tip jar" to enjoy great food, crown a new chili champ and help with housing support for our neighbors. For more information, contact Mandy.Sayers@glenmarumc.org.

Registration for camps Manidokan and West River is now open for students entering grades 2 - 12. Go to www.bwccampsandretreats.com for more information.

Glen Mar hosts the Cold Weather Shelter Mar. 2-9. This is an excellent opportunity to welcome, serve and be present for our homeless guests. Volunteer online signups have begun via SignupGenius. For more information visit the Cold Weather Shelter website page or email cws@glenmarumc.org if interested.

Volunteers are needed to assemble packages to send to college students in Room 147 and to donate candy/snack items for college students. This is an opportunity to meet parents of college students. For more information or to provide the name of a college student away at school or living at home whom you would like to receive goodie bags, please email the student's name and school address to youvegotmail@glenmarumc.org.

Do you have a warm home and furnishings to make it comfortable? Some individuals and families do not. Our vision is to help those transitioning from homelessness, making their new residences warm and healthy. Our mission is to provide a centralized storage and distribution center to support all programs/agencies aimed at ending homelessness in Howard County.

Do you know of available warehouse space or would you like to be part of the Home of Our Own team? The team seeks individuals, churches, agencies, organizations and businesses to help empower the neediest in our community to become independent, contributing members of society. Please contact us HomeofOurOwnHoward@gmail.com.

Meet at Glen Mar and travel to Manna House in Baltimore to help clean out spaces to expand its ministry. Bring gloves and water. To sign up, contact Amy Barnes.

You are invited to join the choir for the special Easter Cantata to sing the truly great news of Jesus Christ, demonstrating his love for us by conquering death. David T. Clydesdale's "How Great Thou Art" is an inspiring work telling the story of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection from Palm Sunday to Easter. All are welcome, youth to adult. No experience is necessary.

Rehearsals are held Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Choir Room and will continue until the Cantata is sung on Sun., Apr. 19 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

The cantata also needs advanced string and brass instrumentalists.

Childcare is available during rehearsals. Contact sophie.hong@glenmarumc.org to make arrangements.

Three to five people are needed to serve food, make coffee, cut and serve dessert and keep a headcount for a homeless population at Manna House in Baltimore. Leave the church at 7:15 a.m. and carpool to the site. Adults and youth 14 and older can participate. This is a good opportunity for families to work together. You can make it back to Glen Mar for the 11 a.m. service. Contact Ellen Burns, mannahouse@glenmarumc.org if interested.

Vacation Bible School will be held July 13-17, 9 a.m. - noon, and an extended day session will be offered noon - 4 p.m. New this year is an afternoon extended day middle school session. It will be an on- and off-site adventure for students currently in 5th, 6th and 7th grades.

Adult volunteers who are returning this summer should email margaret.lang@glenmarumc.org about their job preference.

Youth currently in 7th grade through high school are invited to volunteer for the Vacation Bible School team that will work 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Before jobs are assigned all youth must participate in the Vacation Bible School interview process. Currently interview times are available on Mar. 8, 15 and 22. Email Margaret Lang to get the google sheet to schedule an interview.

Youth who are currently in 8th grade through high school are eligible to volunteer at the extended day session. That work time will be noon - 4:30 p.m. If interested, contact Margaret Lang directly.

Are you or someone you know looking for a job? We ave a few openings. To apply, visit our website page.

Youth will participate in a 30-Hour Famine for World Vision. After services Feb. 29 and Mar. 1 they will be collecting money to help starving children around the world. This year's event is "Imagine a World of Abundance, Where There's Enough For All."

Boy Scout Troop 874 is selling mulch. Bag size is 2 cubic feet. Free delivery to your house is offered if you buy a minimum of 10 bags. Orders stop after Mon., Mar. 16 or when quotas have been met. Delivery is Sat., Mar. 28. Visit www.troop874.com for more information or to order.

Contribute a donation, gift card from your favorite service provider, vacation home, tickets to events, or make a completed theme basket for the Silent Auction. Suggested basket values are $25 to $75. Auction items are due by Feb. 23 and may be dropped off in the Gathering Place after services.

The Soup'r Sundae and Silent Auction will be held Mar. 15, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., at Wilde Lake High School. Glen Mar and Bethany United Methodist Churches are joint sponsors for this fundraiser for Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center of Howard County. Click here for more information about the event.

Contact souprsundae@gmail.com for more information or mail donation to Soup’r Sundae Silent Auction, 4982 Threshfield Court, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043

Part of Glen Mar’s Habitat For Humanity crew that helps families build and improve places to call home performed an extracurricular activity in January and February for the Family Survivor Network, a non-profit organization that supports the mental, emotional and physical health of surviving individuals, families, victims and communities impacted by violence in Baltimore.

FSN is located in the Fulton Avenue Family House (also called Mt. Pisgah Annex) in the Sandtown area of Baltimore. Its building needed multiple improvements. Glen Mar’s crew installed lights in the basement, framed a safety wall, made the basement stairs safer, improved the fire exit from the basement, replaced a broken window and entry step, secured a banister on the ground floor, made the rear fire escape usable, covered many outlet boxes and corrected some safety hazards.

Over 1,800 people gracefully served to meet the needs of our community at Glen Mar's Day of Service on Jan. 20. As they worked, they got to know one another, laughed and smiled together. Most of the activities were held at Glen Mar, but a few were off-site. Some preliminary stats for activities are as follows:

* 114,400 meals packaged
* 177 pillowcases sewn
* 278 jump ropes braided
* Over 500 fishing kits assembled
* Over 50 dozen cookies decorated
* 22 bunk beds constructed
* 35 blood donations collected
* 288 health kits assembled
* 45 no-sew blankets made
* Over 100 people received CPR training
* Over 1,000 articles of clothing collected
* 300 pencil kits were assembled
* Many teddy bears, hygiene kits, Tic-Tac-Toe kits were made
* Numerous meal kits for the homeless were assembled
* A large number of bracelets were braided
* House keys were made for Bridges to Housing Stability
* Letters of encouragement were written to those in the military, shut-ins, and college students.
* Off-site groups worked at Manna House in Baltimore and the Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Ellicott City.

The volunteers worked up a hunger and ate over 55 gallons of chili and 800 grilled cheese sandwiches. By the end of the day, 19 people shared written testimonies, eight people gave verbal witnesses, and one person read a poem she had written. It was a very transformative day for all backgrounds and ages.

This event won the 2019-2020 “Living the Dream Award” sponsored by the Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission. It recognizes individuals and organizations that promote the teachings and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through community involvement. Organizations must demonstrate adherence to the teachings, work ethic, and legacy of Dr. King by promoting community involvement among all ethnic groups, regardless of social, economic or religious background and be committed to non-violence and humanitarian service in Howard County.

Glen Mar is pleased to announce that our church has given five schools in the Howard County Public School System $1,000 each from our Christmas Eve collection. Four elementary schools - Guilford, Phelps Luck, Stevens Forest and Swansfield - will benefit along with Oakland Mills Middle School. The donations will be used as the schools choose.

School representatives have stated that they will use the money to cancel school lunch debt, enable children who couldn’t afford the fees to go on field trips, buy recreational equipment and to support a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) program.

Another $1,000 beneficiary of Glen Mar’s Christmas Eve collection is Glen Mar’s College and Career Prep Program that helps Baltimore city youth with career networking, tutoring, preparation for college, vocational or trade school and military careers. Our College and Career Prep Program has many partners: Ames Memorial United Methodist Church, Little Flowers Early Childhood Development Center, Emmanuel United Methodist Church and volunteers from around the Howard County and Baltimore areas.

Glen Mar is also donated $7,000 from our Christmas Eve collection to its Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 20. A variety of other service activities for ages 5 to 105 were available at this event, including packaging more than 100,000 meals.