The Rev. Daryl Williams is chair of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Council on Finance and Administration. At the beginning of every year, I look back at the year that was in order to assess the year that was. As I look back at 2024, I am overwhelmed by what a tremendous year 2024 was for...
By Rev. Dr. C. Anthony HuntSenior Pastor, Epworth Chapel UMC in Baltimore This year marks the 96th anniversary of the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of America’s greatest advocates for peace with justice. Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Ga., amidst the persistent...
From Rev. Doggett's Family The Rev. Carroll A. Doggett died Nov. 1, on All Saint’s Day, after 101 years of a well-lived life. He left with luggage filled with good works; ministering to the congregants of the United Methodist churches he served, officiating at marriage ceremonies, and...
Offered by the Rev. Chet Jechura on May 30 Bishop, I rise in the company of the Baltimore-Washington Conference Queer Clergy Caucus – beloved friends and faithful colleagues in ministry with whom I’m blessed to serve. Some of us, including myself, once banned from ordained ministry...
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...
