| Church celebrates 145 years of ministry TOWSON In 1858 Euriah and Elizabeth Carter deeded 20 square perches of land to the Providence Methodist Episcopal Church for the construction of a house of worship. On June 8, more than 100 members and friends gathered to celebrate the 145th anniversary of what is known as The Little White Church in the Trees. The Rev. Eric Preacher who served the church 40 years ago included anecdotes of Providences life in his morning sermon. A reminiscing and remembering program began over lunch. Church helps preserve a dying culture NEWBURG Something new is happening at Shiloh Community UMC, a small mostly black church deep in Charles County in southern Maryland. Outsiders are paying attention. Three choirs from the church performed in concert in St. Marys City in a gospel extravaganza produced by Carrie and Michael Kline, folklorists who are preserving the oral histories and music of the regions vanishing tobacco culture, according to the Washington Post. They work like missionaries, determined to give voice to extraordinary ordinary people, the Post stated. The Klines, supported by art grants, are determined to preserve voices that have survived the growth and onslaught of suburbanization. If you dont interrupt, present yourself listening openly and fully, youll hear masterpieces, incredible things, Carrie Kline said. While photographing country churches a couple years ago, the Klines came upon the small church. They were welcomed by the Rev. James W. Diggs who also was pleased to have their audio equipment. (The music) makes you feel good when you sing it, said Michael Kline, who is now one of three white members in the church. His wife is Jewish. Preachers Hall of Fame opens WASHINGTON, D.C. Eleven retired preachers and eight deceased clergy were inducted into the Preachers Hall of Fame at Simpson-Hamline UMC. The Rev. Douglas B. Sands Sr. officiated at the induction ceremony in late May, and the Rev. Walter B. Cox Sr., a retired inductee, preached the sermon to inaugurate the hall which is located in the chapel of the church. The purpose of the Preachers Hall of Fame is to honor and preserve the legacy of retired and deceased United Methodist preachers whose careers have affected Simpson-Hamline and its predecessor churches, according to Yvette Carter, chairwoman of the church council. Articles (sermons) from each contemporary inductee will be in the permanent display. They were presented with inaugural stoles and a Simpson-Hamline Bible signed by each member of the board of directors. Twelve years in the making INDIAN HEAD Former pastors, community leaders, and Bishop Felton Edwin May helped Metropolitan UMC consecrate a new multipurpose center June 29. The Metropolitan combined choir and Ebenezer AME Church liturgical dancers from Ft. Washington added to the celebration. The congregation worked for 12 years to bring about the new building, under the co-leadership of Anna P. White and Joseph H. Morton, for whom the administrative offices are named. The center includes a commercial kitchen, pastors study and offices, as well as the large commons area. Following Holy Communion celebrated by Bishop May, members of the congregation were instructed to save the cup as a remembrance of the occasion, reported Ava Morton, a member of the communications ministry. Bishop May also encouraged church members to rethink the N.O.W. acronym and turn the Nurture, Outreach, Witness into a New Order Witness, she said. | 
Login/Register to leave comment