Church speaks out against hate crimes
Bishop John R. Schol addresses a crowd at a candlelight vigil in front of the Charles County Court House in Southern Maryland Sept. 30, accomp-anied by District Superintendent the Rev. Ianther Mills, left and the Rev. George DeFord, right, pastor of Metropolitan UMC in Indian Head.
The audience included church leaders and members, community leaders and residents who came to a vigil organized by Sandra Washington, a member of LaPlata UMC, in response to acts of hate crimes in the county. Since mid-August, a Baptist Church, homes and personal property of African Americans have been spray painted with racial intimidation slogans.
The bishop told the crowd that the United Methodist churches of the Baltimore-Washington Conference offer their support to Zion Baptist Church and the families that have been victimized and that The United Methodist Church does not tolerate such hatred and stands with the community to fight racism so that all people can live, worship and prosper in the communities in which they reside.
The other United Methodist pastors who participated in the vigil include the Revs. Ed Voorhaar, La Plata UMC; Tony Love, Covenant Point UMC; Ken McDonald, Lakeside UMC; Conrad Parker, Grace UMC; Diana Parker, Grace UMC; and Lucius Ross, Pisgah Charge.
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