Frederick Church Hosts Q&A with Police Chief on First Responder Sabbath

The Frederick (Md.) church continued its tradition of honoring first responders, holding a Q&A with Frederick City Police Chief Jason Lando on Sept. 9 as part of its annual First Responder Sabbath, an event the congregation has marked since 2016.

Each year, the church alternates between inviting members from the city’s police and fire departments for this special worship service. The goal: foster better understanding and collaboration between first responders and the community.

The partnership between the church and the Frederick City Police Department has deepened over the past year, highlighted by several joint community initiatives. Last October, the two entities co-hosted a “Faith and Blue” event aimed at providing an opportunity for community members to get to know their first responders. Additionally, associate pastor Alareece Collie recently joined Chief Lando’s Community Advisory Board. 

Church leaders say the recent partnerships reflect the church’s commitment to bridging divides, building positive community relationships, and ensuring that policies and programs align with community needs.