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BY WAYNE RHODES
EDITOR, FAITH IN ACTION (GBCS)

A "Chrismon" tree stands in the lobby of the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill.

Taken from the Latin phrase "Christi Monogramma," or "monogram of Christ," Chrismons represent the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and of the Christian church.

In 2010, a call went out to United Methodists to supply Chrismons for the Christmas tree that stands in the building’s rotunda. The response was gratifying enabling decorating the tree. Significant to accomplishing this was the effort by the West Ohio Conference United Methodist Women.

This year, Joanne McIntire of Philo, Ohio, donated an additional set of 30 Chrismons.

McIntire said she considers Chrismons a personal ministry. She has provided more than 200 for her own congregation, Central Trinity United Methodist Church in Zanesville. Its tree is 20-ft. tall.

The United Methodist Building was not the only beneficiary of McIntire’s ministry this year. She also made 30 for a small United Methodist church in Akron.

McIntire said it took about nine months to make the 60 Chrismons, all of which she made herself. She hand stitches beads on each ornament and attaches small labels that can be discreetly positioned out of sight on the tree, but can be looked at to explain the symbolism.

When the contractor who supplies the tree for the United Methodist Building saw the collection of Chrismons, she was so excited that she offered to help with the decorating, according to Wesley Paulson, chief financial officer for the General Board of Church & Society, which is headquartered in the building. He said she also promised to deliver a taller tree next year.

United Methodist tenants in the building include the Board of Church & Society, General Commission on Religion & Race, and offices for the Council on Bishops, United Methodist Committee on Relief, United Methodist Women, Just Peace and the Baltimore-Washington Conference's bishop.