News and Views

On June 8, vandals broke a glass window with a brick at Fowler UMC in Annapolis and came through the basement. “You would think they were coming to steal, but they just came to destroy,” said the Rev. Jerome Jones. “They destroyed all the computers, threw down the big Methodist cross from the wall, and ripped -- page by page -- every page from every hymnal and Bible.”

“It was truly a hate crime. … They destroyed five televisions, damaged the mixing board, all the mic cords. They did not want us to be able to communicate at all, to talk about Jesus Christ,” Jones said.

The church’s Board of Trustees and many in the congregation went to work on the clean-up effort. Individuals, District Superintendent Sarah Schlieckert and other United Methodist pastors prayed, offered support and sent items for Sunday worship. Everyone seemed to perform the clean-up with the thought on their minds that “we are living in a hurting world. We said a prayer for them in worship,” Jones said.

Sunday worship was hard. Some members felt vulnerable and expressed fear about going to church, but they attended anyway. Jones “asked the Lord that the act of vandalism bring a greater display of God’s glory.” He prayed that “the restoration process would touch hearts and lives,” and he gave thanks that “even in the darkest of times, God’s light cannot be extinguished.”

The police forensics team was on site after the break-in and found several fingerprints. They believe the same people may have been responsible for other incidents in the area.

Although his heart is heavy, Jones wants those who tried to destroy the church to know that they are forgiven and that God loves them. We would like to be a light in their dark situation so that they know God is able to heal and deliver them.”

He said he and the congregation are “just so glad for the love that comes with being United Methodist. “When one hurts, all hurt, when one rejoices, we all rejoice.”

He finds himself reflecting on the theme of love that was so prevalent at the recent Annual Conference session. “Even though it’s over, it’s still not over,” he said. “The love lingers; love conquers all. Sometimes you have to endure, but as you endure, it refines your faith and helps you to produce a greater hope.”