Christ

Pastor Stephanie Steele of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hagerstown and Church Council President Carol Gregg thought the church was too quiet during the week. It was just what they were looking for when two preschool teachers approached Gregg and asked if she would consider the use of the church for a new preschool. As a result, Spread Your Wings Learning Center will open Wednesday, Jan. 2.  Steele said she strongly believes in the importance of education and outreach the preschool will provide in the Tri-State area.

Thanks to dinner attendees for their patience To the editor: St. Paul's United Church of Christ of Lemasters would like to thank everyone who came to our election day turkey dinner for helping to make it a success. We also want to apologize to those who had to wait to be served. Some of our help had some unexpected last-minute health issues and it left us a little short-handed in the kitchen. God bless all of you. Martha Shelly and friends Lemasters, Pa.

The Rev. Robert J. Allen, 78, of Gwynedd, Pa., passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 1, at Abington Memorial Hospital with his family at his bedside. Bob was born July 6, 1934, in Hagerstown, to the late Arvella and Arthur Allen. He graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1952 and was a graduate of both Franklin and Marshall College and Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa. He was ordained a minister of the United Church of Christ in 1959 at Christ Reformed Church in Hagerstown.

Gayle G. Swaim, 56, formerly of Hagerstown, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Antelope Valley, Calif. A memorial service is being held Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at Victor Valley Church of Christ in Victorville, Calif.

Authorities are investigating 13 soda bottle bombs that were found Saturday afternoon in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints parking lot at 1253 Mount Aetna Road, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal's Office. The fire marshal's office described the bombs as “chemical reaction devices,” according to a news release. The bombs were made by mixing hydrochloric acid with aluminum foil, Maryland Fire Marshal's Office spokesman Bruce Bouch said Sunday night. Heat builds up in the bottle until it explodes, he said.

William F. Messner, 84, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012. Visitation will be today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Hunter-Anderson Funeral Home, Berkeley Springs. The service will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Springs Church of Christ.

Gary Leo Duckwall Sr., age 70, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at Morgan County War Memorial Hospital. Born Aug. 17, 1942, in Berkeley Springs, he was the son of the late Emerson Leo and Violet Fern Michael Duckwall. He was a member of Berkeley Springs Church of Christ. He was a 1960 graduate of Berkeley Springs High School. Gary served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He had worked as an aviation mechanic with Fairchild-Hiller Aircraft in Hagerstown, Md., and retired in 2004 as an electrician with Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pa. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4433 and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1483 in Berkeley Springs.

"Back to Church Sunday," part of a national movement of churches across America, will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at The Church of Christ in the Great Valley, 7306 Wheeler Road in Boonsboro.  For more information, call 301-799-9174.

Paul Wayne Ott, 66, of Charles Town, W.Va., died Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, at his home while under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle. Viewing will be Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home in Ranson, W.Va. The service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Bolivar International Pentecostal Church of Christ with Pastor B.G. Turner officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Memory Gardens, Martinsburg, W.Va. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church after the graveside service for fellowship and a meal.

Christ Lutheran Church, 216 N. Cleveland Ave. in Hagerstown, will hold its annual yard, bake and food sale Aug. 17 and 18 on the church's front lawn. An array of yard sale items, along with soups and sandwiches, cold drinks and baked goods will be available for purchase. The event will be held each day beginning at 8 a.m. The sale will close late in the afternoon on Saturday. Parking is available on the lot in back of the church. For more information, call Ron Busey at 301-739-7925.