Twenty-five years ago, Southwestern Baptist Seminary, in Fort Worth, Texas, recruited seminarians to visit the state of Maryland in hopes of establishing new churches. The Rev. Mark Massey, now a senior pastor, answered the call and soon founded Sykesville Baptist Church, which met at locations as varied as local schools, the Sykesville Hardware Store and Springfield Hospital Center.

In 1990, the church settled into its current location at 1391 Sykesville Road (Route 32) and changed its name to Friendship Baptist Church. The congregation has grown from 25 members to more than 550 and has become a fixture in the community. In addition, Associate Pastor John Hevey, Discipleship Pastor David Miller, Worship Pastor Phil Respass and Youth Pastor T. J. Johnson now serve the ever-growing flock.

Although perhaps most widely recognized greeting visitors to the Howard County Fair, FBC also coordinates a community yard sale each May and supports county organizations such as God's Trucking Ministry in Jessup, Young Life of Patapsco Valley, the Christian Jail Ministry, and the new Crosslife Community Church, in Elkridge.

The church also aids those in need statewide through a Food Pantry Mission, Lunch for the Hungry, and the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore. At the nationwide level, FBC has performed disaster relief after Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, and internationally, it partners twice annually with Hananeel Baptist Church in Puebla, Mexico, to assist with construction, medical clinics, and vacation Bible school. The church has also sent members to Rwanda, Vietnam, China, Scotland, the Philippines, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Burundi, Nicaragua and Moldova.

The congregation of Friendship Baptist plans to celebrate its 25th anniversary June 5 with a banquet and special program.

For more information about the church, call 410-442-5506 or go to www.fbcmd.org.

Beginning June 7 and extending through Oct. 4, the Historic Town of Sykesville again hosts its Apple Butter Market from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. the first Sunday of every month. This event features vendors selling produce, plants, arts and crafts, antiques, and food - including, of course, apple butter.

Additionally, visitors can listen to live music at 1 p.m. or take a stroll down quaint Main Street to do a little shopping. Train aficionados may enjoy viewing the Sykesville & Patapsco Model Railway Train displays from 1-5 p.m., free of charge (donations accepted).

The Apple Butter Market takes place at South Branch Park, located at the end of Main Street. Proceeds help restore the Historic Apple Butter Warehouse. For more information, e-mail ivy@sykesville.net, call 410-795-8959, or go to www.sykesville.net/main.html.

St. James United Methodist Church offers its very own stimulus package in the form of a yard sale June 6, with free spaces for those selling yard sale items or crafts. Food will be available for purchase.

The event takes place, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., at 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Marriottsville. Call the church office at 410-442-2020 to reserve a space.

On June 5, the Marriotts Ridge High School Dance Program proudly sponsors two master hip-hop workshops featuring Honey Rockwell, renowned choreographer and pioneer in the B-Girling style of street dance. The middle school session (beginner to intermediate hip-hop) runs from 4:30-6 p.m., while the high school session (hip hop with breakdancing) runs from 7-8:30 p.m. Registration costs $25; e-mail mrhsdance@yahoo.com to reserve a space.

Finally, congratulations to the Marriotts Ridge High School Class of 2009 on their upcoming graduation! The ceremony takes place at Merriweather Post Pavilion Friday, May 29, at 11:30 a.m. Best wishes to these young men and women as they commemorate an important milestone in their lives.

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