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BY CHRISTINE KUMAR

It was late in the evening and the African drum beat energized the entire ballroom and the halls of the Gaylord National Hotel.

More than 700 clergy and laity from various ethnic backgrounds gathered together as one voice as they celebrated their diversity in the Baltimore Washington Conference. The theme was "Passport to Cultural Understandings."

Edith Williams, coordinator of the event, introduced female dancers wearing colorful turbans, as they danced to native African music as their fellow Lutheran church members beat six different drums played by young children and adults.

Youth Liturgical dancers from Franklin UMC moved gracefully and swiftly to the beat of God's music. They received a standing ovation from participants. "It was very inspiring to see those young women dancing for the love of God," said Sherman Harris, president of the United Methodist Men of the Baltimore Washington Conference and member of Asbury UMC in Washington, D.C.

Joung Sook Park, member of the National Korean church in Rockville also evoked a spiritual awakening through dance and drums. As she danced with a fan in each hand, her native dress in orange and yellow swayed to the music. Attendees were impressed as she concluded by playing the drums.

Earlier in the evening, Rabbi Martin Siegel, the Baltimore Washington Conference rabbi, blessed the ethnic Mediterranean meal that was served.

Following dinner attendees listened to three panelists who spoke on the theme, "Many Voices Different Faces, One Church."

Joanna Choi, student at Wesley Seminary and member of the National Korean Church spoke of being an "in between generation." She expressed how being in dual cultures was not always easy since she came to the United States when she was six-years-old. Her church has three services, a traditional service for first generation Koreans, the second service for traditional and westernized members and a third service for the second generation.

"The greatest strength in the United Methodist Church is the inclusive approach," she said.

The Rev. David Rocha, pastor of Camino De Vida, spoke of running to save his life from the threat of guerillas in his native Columbia. While speaking of the existing immigration issues in the United States, Rocha urged everyone to reach out to the undocumented immigrants. "Today we sang, God Bless America, let's love America, but let's join forces so God can bless us," he said.

The final panelist, Moorosi Mokuena, member of Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg and member of the Multi-cultural Task force urged everyone to fight for justice of the oppressed.

The evening concluded with a fashion show of African embroidery clothing by designer Victoria Wiles of Grace UMC in Takoma Park.