Sylvan Learning Center helps give kids the extra boost they need to succeed in school. From math to reading to writing, Sylvan has tutors who can offer customize tutoring programs depending on students' needs. The Crofton center has grown tremendously since being founded in 2008. IBM Thinkpads are used for instruction, and one of the highlights for students is that they can collect the highly popular 'praise tokens' for achieving their goals and trade them in to shop at the Sylvan store that is always stocked with goodies.
Though it's located along busy River Road, the greenery surrounding the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation lends a sense of calm and reflection. The congregation seeks to promote social justice, spirituality and religious education for youth and adults. The tranquil space is a popular place for community gatherings and a meditation group draws hundreds there each Wednesday. Built in 1965, River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation is also a "green" sanctuary, which means congregants there seek to promote sustainability.
Oseh Shalom celebrates and honors Jewish faith through prayer and activities. It believes in Reconstruction Judaism, a practice that enhances the spirit while keeping the mind open. Oseh Shalom has a wealth of support groups such as sisterhood, men's club, social action, education and more.
This large church is located in the heart of town. They offer informal, contemporary and traditional services. International missions include those in Cambodia and the Heifer Project International, as well as local programs such as FISH, Martha's Meal and the Harford Fuel Fund. All are welcome.
The Meeting House, also referred to as the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, embraces and hosts many community events. Six religious groups meet there as well as a small Montessori school. The Meeting House rents out rooms for weddings, parties and other celebratory events.
This private non-profit works to promote local business interests and encourage investment in Towson. The Chamber also sponsors high profile local events like the Feet on the Street block party, the Towson Farmers Market and the Towsontown Spring Festival.
One would never guess from the plain exterior of the building how bright, vibrant and welcoming the Grace Fellowship Church really is. This non-denominational house of worship boasts a congregation of more than 2,000 in its state-of-the-art auditorium. Nearly every category of small worship ministries has a place at the Grace Fellowship Church.
Started in 1990 by Tammy Fesche, the Ecuadent Foundation provides volunteer mission work in the form of surgeries, such as corrective lip and palate surgeries to children in under-developed countries. The Cockeysville location serves as a headquarters to the dentists and medical professionals. Contact or visit the website to donate to their cause.
The First Lutheran Church of Bowie reached a milestone in May of 2010, celebrating 100 years of service to its congregation and the community of Laurel. The church's youth ministry partners with Church World Services and Lutheran World Relief to collect health kits to send to Haiti.
Pleasant Hill Nursery is a part time nursery school attached to Pleasant Hill Church. The child care facility is affiliated with the United Methodist Religion. This nursery focus is attending to children between 3 and 4 years old. Pleasant Hill Nursery is located within the Church facilities and offers ample play equipment outside.
The Greenbelt Library is a community resource that offers children, adults and seniors a wide variety of educational materials, programs, events and more, including story time, crafts, games and more. For additional information, call the number or visit the website provided.
Right off of York Road, the Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church offers a chapel-style place of worship for its weekly services. In addition to services on the Lutheran faith, the church offers several study groups and youth programs. It also has a choir program and child care during worship services.
Cathedral of Mary Our Queen is an enormous, ornate cathedral with soaring ceilings and stained glass windows. The church has programs for all ages, a school, a library and is very active in the surrounding community. If you are interested in joining the congregation, registration is available online, and meet-and-greets are held regularly at rotating church members' homes to encourage a sense of community and support.
As the only Catholic church in Colesville, St. John the Baptist serves as the community's focal point. St. John the Baptist seeks to develop a spirit of Christian community and ministerial outreach in the Catholic tradition. St. John the Baptist has several ministries, including youth and athletic, social justice concerns, and a Parish School, which has courses for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Abundant Life Church is a Christian church with a very contemporary outlook and mission. All are welcome at its "celebrations" (services), which include modern christian "rocking" music as well as a free coffee bar. Lead Pastor Dan Mucci creates hip "teachings" that make Christian morality, studies, and sermons more accessible.
The church offers extensive opportunities for further involvement for both children and adults. Its website is very informative and updated weekly.
People of all backgrounds are welcome, and an atmosphere of acceptance is the church's primary goal. From the many young people sipping coffee at the outdoor tables, it seems to be a popular Sunday destination for the contemporary Christian set.
Emmanuel United Methodist Church has a medium-sized congregation, led by the Reverend Stephanie Vader. The two Sunday morning worship services are delivered differently but the message is the same -- Emmanuel offers a traditional and contemporary worship service. Some of the outreach ministries include emergency assistance to individuals and families in crisis, the food bank and transitional housing.
St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church has celebrated mass in a gymnasium, a cinema, residences and a converted garage; it was the first church in the Washington Archdiocese permitted to have mass in a residence.
Since 1969, the church has been housed in a beautiful structure on Contee Road, where parishioners come to gather, worship and celebrate their faith. The senior pastor is the Rev. James S. Betz.
