By Bill Brown Evangelism is a word that often elicits mixed emotions, especially for those of us who are United Methodists. For many, it conjures memories of encounters with judgmental zealots, overly aggressive preachers, and individuals who seem more focused on converting others than on...
By Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. -- Luke 1:78-79 (Song of Zechariah) For many months leading up to this...
By Rev. Curtis Ehrgott A football team has eleven players, but having a home-field advantage is like having a twelfth man. The stadium gives support to the home team and loudly shouts at critical moments to throw off the opponents. In ministry, we tend to our community by supporting the...
Beloved, I was recently in a meeting where the following beautiful prayer was offered. It resonated deeply. It simultaneously captured and spoke to the depth of exhaustion, pain, trauma and lament so prevalent among us today. It also answered a question we didn’t realize our souls were...
By Calleigh Hoffman One of my most distinct childhood memories is of wandering the church after service. I would sneak away while my parents stood and talked to the congregation members. If I was lucky, the lights would've been shut off by then. I remember opening the...
By Rev. Dr. Lillian C. SmithPastor, Cheverly UMC in Cheverly, Maryland What if our current efforts for church revitalization are missing something? What if some of what we have focused our attention on to effect congregational revitalization and vitality needs to be preceded and...
A statement from the United Methodist Council of Bishops condemning violence in the Middle East and calling for prayer and action They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war...
By Susan Baguette If the walls could talk about the hundreds of hands that have chopped, mashed, and kneaded ingredients to make cheeseballs for Calvary United Methodist Church’s Holiday Bazaar in the past, they would be chattering right now. This Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m,. they would...
From the Seeds of Security Intimate Partner Violence Network of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences Join us across the affiliation, as we mourn lives lost to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), connect with others working to provide essential resources, celebrate the...
Rev. Neal Christie Village life is at the heart of Wadi Foquin a community of about 1,300 people living only five miles from the bustling Palestinian city of Bethlehem in the Occupied West Bank. Adam Manasra’s family has lived and farmed here for generations. Sponsored by Friends of Wadi...
