Bishop Matthews calls for prayer for the people of Northwood-Appold UMC
A four-alarm fire drew more than 100 firefighters and 30 pieces of equipment to Northwood-Appold United Methodist Church in Baltimore around 4 a.m. Dec. 27. No one was injured, but the church sustained heavy damage, including the destruction of its roof and steeple.
I hope you’ll join me in praying for the Rev. Dr. Cecil Gray and the congregation of Northwood-Appold as they begin to assess the extent of the damage. We pray that God will grant them comfort and courage in the face of this adversity.
Northwood-Appold is a unique church in that it also hosts and operates a public charter school, the Northwood Appold Community Academy with 332 students in grades K through 5. Initial reports indicate the school facility was not damaged. While we lament the destruction caused by the fire, we also praise God that this vital educational ministry of the church can continue and we offer thanks for the firefighters who responded on the scene.
Rev. Gray reports to us that the Congregation will meet for worship on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the church’s Education Building. As he so aptly puts it, “With God’s help, mercy and grace, with all of us praying and giving our best – the physical edifice known at Northwood-Appold United Methodist Church will be rebuilt. NAUMC will be stronger than before. Resurrection is occurring even now.”
I echo his words and am certain that under his leadership and with the resounding faith of the members of Northwood-Appold, the congregation will rebuild a new and enhanced ministry on that site. God will transform the tragedy brought about by this blaze and bring a new day to the church.
During this Christmas season, we join together to welcome the coming of Christ and celebrate anew God’s dwelling in our lives and hearts. As an Annual Conference, we also join together now to offer prayers for strength, comfort and renewed purpose for the people of Northwood-Appold UMC, that they may be able to face the days ahead with courage, wisdom, and grace. May it be so.
Bishop Marcus Matthews
Bishop, Baltimore-Washington Conference
United Methodist Church
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