Chaplain

SMITHSBURG - Smithsburg's Veterans Day Ceremony will be Nov. 11, at 2 p.m., according to information released by the Smithsburg Parks Commission. The Smithsburg High School band, members of two Girl Scout troops and members of several town organizations will participate, Parks Commission Chairman Carlo Belella said. Capt. Paul Ramsey, a chaplain at the U.S. Army's Fort Detrick base, is scheduled to be the guest speaker, Belella said.

If history is your cup of tea, you'll get to indulge in a potful of it this weekend, as two local groups put on events that will provide both education and celebration. On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17 and 18, the Sharpsburg Historical Society will offer "Sharpsburg History Days" in partnership with the Forest Glen Commonwealth, a nonprofit group that promotes historic preservation and the study of history. The event commences with a lecture at Christ Reformed Church in Sharspburg on Friday at 7:30 p.m. That's when the Rev. David C. Baker will speak on "Spiritual Ministries of the Civil War. " According to materials provided by the Forest Glen Commonwealth, the Rev. Baker, the chaplain at the Western Maryland Hospital Center, will speak about the role of chaplains during the Civil War. Not only did they counsel soldiers and comfort the wounded, but they often read letters from home to illiterate soldiers and wrote replies for them.

marlob@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - When it comes to dealing with a terminally ill person, Loyal Vanderveer said the key isn't just knowing what to say, but often what not to say. "I've learned there are times when it's better not to say anything at all," said the new chaplain for Hospice of Washington County. "Just being there is often what is needed most. " Fresh from 24 years as pastor of Manor Church of the Brethren south of Hagerstown, Vanderveer is no stranger to Hospice, having served as a volunteer for 15 years.

marlob@herald-mail.com While most chaplains find their calling inside the four walls of a building, Stephen Robison's pulpit often is found inside a Hagerstown City Police cruiser on patrol or at a crime scene. Working with the police department since 1985, Robison was just one of many area chaplains recognized last week during Pastoral Care Week across the country. No matter whether they work in a hospital, nursing home, prison, the military or at disaster scenes, chaplains often find themselves on the front lines during crises.

Rotary Club gives honors for artwork The Rotary Club of Long Meadows recently honored Washington County Public School students for their artwork. Ribbons of Excellence were presented to: Elementary school - Zachary Andrews, kindergarten at Hickory; Jason Hammond, grade 5 at Fountain Rock. Middle school - Maggie Stone, Western Heights; Zoya Kidd, Clear Spring. High school - Heidi Melin, Williamsport; Gwen Anderson, South Hagerstown. Photo - Jamie Poffenberger, Clear Spring High School.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The annual appreciation banquet for on-call chaplains and lay pastoral caregivers was held on Nov. 15, at Chambersburg Hospital, where 42 volunteer pastoral care providers were honored. The community clergy serve as chaplains-on-call, who respond to emergency calls at nights and on weekends. Assistant chaplains perform follow-up patient visitation. The lay people have completed 10 weeks of intensive training in pastoral care in a hospital setting and six months of practicum and supervision.

Prison complex The Rev. Wes Lamb has joined the staff of the state prison complex south of Hagerstown as chaplain. A native of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., Lamb was ordained a Trinitarian priest in 1981. Since then, he has served as a parish pastor and prison chaplain. In what he described as a "ministry of presence," Lamb celebrates Sunday Masses at the correctional institutions, oversees inmate study groups and visits with inmates. He will meet with families of inmates as well as with fellow staff members as needed.

Ex-St. James chaplain extradited to Washington County An Episcopal priest charged with molesting two boys at St. James School more than 15 years ago was back in Washington County Monday after being extradited from Illinois, Maryland State Police said. The Rev. Kenneth Behrel, 51, former pastor of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Grayslake, Ill., was being held on $30,000 bond on each for two counts of child abuse, police said. Behrel, the former chaplain at St. James, was arrested Feb. 6 on charges he molested two boys at the private boarding school near Hagerstown between 1981 and 1986.

Former St. James chaplain being held on $2 million bond From AP and staff reports An Episcopal priest charged with molesting two boys at the St. James School in Hagerstown more than 15 years ago was being held in an Illinois jail on $2 million bond Wednesday. Police arrested the Rev. Kenneth Behrel Monday in the Chicago suburb of Grayslake, where he is rector of St. Andrew's Church. He was lodged in the Lake County jail Tuesday after a bond hearing. Behrel, 51, was chaplain at the Episcopal prep school near Hagerstown from 1980 to 1985, when he left due to liturgical differences with the school's administration, according to John Rabb, acting bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.

Ministry a team effort at local hospital By MARLO BARNHART / Staff Writer At any hour of the day or night, the waiting rooms and nearby chapel at Washington County Hospital can be buzzing with activity. There are similar scenes at the ever-increasing satellite locations managed by the hospital around Washington County. One chaplain would throw up his or her hands in frustration without the help provided by a dedicated team of volunteer chaplains. The team's importance will become even more acute when longtime hospital chaplain and team organizer Don Evason retires Sept.