| Church honors police CHURCHTON Anne Arundel County police descended on Franklin UMC in early February. But it wasnt a crime scene. For a second year, the church hosted an appreciation dinner for the police officers, reserves and booking officers of the countys Southern District. Several members of the church were among the 28 honorees. The appreciation banquet was hosted by church members, Yvonne and Preston Matthews. Entertainment included instrumental and vocal music and liturgical dancing by church members. Certificates and appreciation gifts were presented to the honorees. Some of the police, several of whom go to Ground Zero each week to continue helping there, were in tears. They were grateful that the church recognized them, said the Rev. Adrienne Terry. Ebenezer UMC celebrates 164 years WASHINGTON, D.C. On March 17, while some churches observed St. Patricks Day, Ebenezer UMC celebrated its 164th Founders Day. The celebration featured the preaching of Bishop Felton Edwin May. Ebenezer, in southeast Washington, D.C., is a historical site in the city because it housed the first school for African-American children in the area. The community has changed from a largely African-American one to a neighborhood that now is largely white, said the Rev. Michael A. H. McKinney. Though Sunday morning attendance traditionally has been fewer than 100, the bishop praised and encouraged the double-sized crowd, telling them they were a congregation under redevelopment, McKinney said. A first step in that redevelopment was the reactivation of a dance ministry group that performed at the service. Christian comedy caf brings Gospel WASHINGTON, D.C. Christian comedians were living up to their mission to bring back integrity to the gift of laughter, said the Rev. Harold Lewis Sr., one of the three who performed at Lincoln Park UMC to a crowd of 250 in early February. Roxanne David, known as Ms. Clareese on stage, and Marilyn Franklin, also known as Platinum, joined with Lewis, known as Iceberg Flame (the only pastor with a hot and cold name), to form the Royal Comedians of the Gospel, which now performs throughout the conference area, in Virginia and recently in Puerto Rico, Lewis said. AIDS artist gives God credit for his life WASHINGTON, D.C. When W. Maxwell Lawton was diagnosed with AIDS he was given three months to live. Today, ten years later, as an artist and member at Foundry UMC, he epitomizes the Hope, Resolve, Progress, listed in the headline of a National Geographic article that includes him. The article, in the February issue, pictures Lawton injecting himself with a weekly testosterone shot. Lawton knows first-hand the power of art. In 1994, he received death threats for his painting, Man of Sorrows: Christ with AIDS when he painted it for Bishop Desmond Tutus AIDS ministry in South Africa. Since then he has held exhibitions all over the world. Lawton makes a spiritual ritual of taking his 20 pills a day. I have an altar and treat my meds like Holy Communion, he said. He tells churches to have a righteous response to AIDS by having a healing ministry. More of Lawtons work can be seen at www.episcopalchurch.org/Episcopal-life/Asmax.html. Young adults sought for saving station work Columbia The Baltimore-Washington Conference saving station ministry is seeking 10 young adults to live and work in community this summer while working as a part of the New Visions Summer Companies in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The job runs from June 4 to Aug. 12 and includes housing, a stipend and a small food allowance. Interviews will be held May 4. Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to contact the Rev. Vivian McCarthy at (800) 492-2525, Ext. 434, or
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