By Virginia (Ginny) Lapham Member of Dumbarton UMC and a devoted advocate for the rights of Palestinians. Her connection to this part of the world began in 1956. My first glimpse of Jerusalem 70 years ago (January 1956) was from a small plane circling a makeshift airport just outside the...
Yolanda Perry, or “Madam Perry” as her students called her, is a retired French teacher and lay minister at Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis. During her time in the school system, she was always concerned when students showed up in the middle of winter, but not dressed...
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 Beloved, It seems surreal that we are nearing the end of November. We’ve already fallen back, raked our leaves and begun to pull the sweaters and overcoats...
Dear Beloved of God, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Today, my heart is both heavy and full as I share the news of the passing of our beloved Sister in Christ, Bishop Violet L. Fisher. We grieve because love has been shared; we mourn because her...
By Alison Burdett When giving depends on who makes it to church on Sunday, the offering can fluctuate with the weather, vacation schedules, or even a bad cold. Checks stay on kitchen counters, plans get delayed, and budgets feel the strain. But for churches with electronic giving, generosity...
A reflection by Greta Merrill From October 9 to 13, I had the opportunity to visit San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico with the United Methodist Church and the Immigration Law and Justice Network. This trip included a lot of “firsts“ for me: my first time west of...
This week, the Directors of Connectional Ministry (DCMs) from across the Northeastern Jurisdiction gathered in Philadelphia to learn, reflect, and discern how our shared history can guide our ministries today. Our time together invited us to remember who we are as United Methodists, a people...
By Alison Burdett On the brisk Wednesday morning of November 5, more than 150 people gathered in a parking lot in Silver Spring, Maryland, that became holy ground again. The Georgia Avenue traffic faded beneath the tolling of a bell and the calling of 38 names, some known, some “only to...
Dear Pastor and Congregational Leader, The Council of Bishops, supported by the Connectional Table and the General Council on Finance and Administration, invites all congregations worldwide to join a God-led, Holy Spirit-empowered six-week emphasis: Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead...
Rev. Matthew Tate, pastor at Hollywood United Methodist Church in southern Maryland, was approached by a child and his dad, who attended the church’s weekly youth group, with a problem. They belonged to a board game group that held weekly meetings to play board games at a local store, but...
