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PARKTON/ST. LEONARD ? Parke Memorial UMC was packed on a Sunday in June when the Rev. Helen Armiger held a 'Blessing of the Bikes.' About 70 motorcyclists came to this second annual event to receive the blessing and enjoy the special bluegrass music. Many of the bikers were police officers.

The blessing wasn?t only for motorcyclists, but for 'anyone who rides anything,' from dirt-bikers and bicyclists to mopeds and scooters. One young tricyclist was part of the crowd.

'It really was a blessing for all who travel on roads,' Armiger told the North County News.

About the same time, across the state in Calvert County, the Rev. Kay Albury-Pierce also held a blessing service for bikers at Brooks UMC in St. Leonard. Members of three clubs attended the service, which Albury-Pierce held in the parking lot. She used a small pine branch, dipped in a bucket of holy water, and sprinkled the bikers, many of whom were part of the congregation, with the blessings, according to the Calvert Independent.

Albury-Pierce offered prayers for the safety of all motorcyclists as they traversed the roads. Noting the T-shirts, leather and blue jeans, she said, 'You?re welcome in our church anytime. We don?t care how you?re dressed.'

                                                                  -Across the Conference is compiled 
and written by Linda Worthington