News and Views

Normally, a reporter such as myself is required to be objective, impartial, as unbiased as possible and simply report the facts of the story.

Ancient church mothers and fathers often greeted one another with the phrase, “Give me a word.” This greeting led to the sharing of insights and wisdom. Today we continue this tradition with this monthly column. EXHALE By Rev. Mandy SayersPastor, Covenant UMC, Gaithersburg Happy...

With the push of a button on Dec. 13, Sharon Shaw, the Accounts Payable manager for the Baltimore-Washington Conference, sent the conference’s final General Church apportionment payment for 2017. And with that same motion, a streak that began years ago reached a milestone: for 20 consecutive...

The cascading list of some very public figures being held accountable during this “Season of Reckoning” calls the rest of us men to account for a double standard we have allowed to exist for far too long, rooted in untethered, privileged male conduct.

New book weaves threads of hope

Posted by Melissa Lauber on Jan 07, 2018

I love the metaphor of the red thread. It’s that thought or theme that runs through lives, events, relationships and history. It can be anything — love, greed, thirst, darkness, a passion for winning, homecomings. Mundane or profound, unexpected or rote, the red thread weaves its way through...

Early last month, I officiated at an evening funeral of a 33-year old man, unknown to me, who died of a drug overdose. A phone call came to me from a friend who said the family was seeking a pastor for the funeral. Apparently, four pastors had already said that they were unavailable.

Elaine Crowe, 97, the wife of the late Rev. Raymond Crowe, died Jan. 2, 2018, in Bel Air. A service was held Jan. 8 at Bel Air UMC.  Elaine Walker Crowe, the daughter of the late Milton Raymond Walker and Frances Eleanor (Daughton) Walker, was born Sept. 10, 1920, in Wilna, Md.  She...

Two Oklahoma churches -- one white, one black -- offer a unique model for shared ministry.

Myrtle H. Brooks, 93, the wife of the late Rev. Thomas H. Brooks, died Jan. 1, 2018. A Memorial Service was held Jan. 10 at Cecil Memorial UMC in Annapolis, pastored by the Rev. Patricia A. Turnage. A Delta Omega Service preceded the funeral. The Rev. Kirkland Frazier officiated and gave the...

The Rev. Harry A. Ledgard, a retired Elder, died Dec. 27, 2017. A service to celebrate his life was held Jan. 5, at Glen Mar UMC with the Rev. Rod Miller officiating. District Superintendent Conrad Link participated. Harry A. Ledgard was born Nov. 17, 1935, to the late Clarence and Margaret...