Conference shares story of extravagant grace'
The 225th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference “drew the circle wide” when members from its 679 churches joined together in opening worship June 4.
More than 1,320 clergy and lay members sang along with Mark Miller and his band as they celebrated extravagant grace and shared their faith.
Bishop John R. Schol then introduced the guest speaker, the Rev. Robert Allan Hill, dean of Marsh Chapel and chaplain of Boston University. “He is a teacher, leader, preacher and an athlete,” the bishop said.
Hill urged everyone not to worry about tomorrow’s problems.
“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, let today’s trouble be sufficient for today,” he said, quoting Matthew 6:34.
“When you have trouble there are four things you must do,” he said. “Expect it, accept it, address it and forget it.”
Anxiety, Hill explained, is simply “worry seeking a cause.” “You can face the world free from the world,” Hill said, “but how are you going to do that?”
He urged people to apologize when they have hurt someone. “Help those who are marginalized,” he said. “And embrace the gifts that God gives you every day.”
After listening to Hill, Darvin Hebron, a member of St. Mark UMC in Hanover, said he does not worry about tomorrow, but enjoys being led by God in the moment. “God leads me where God wants me to be,” he said.
Vicki Cubbage, a member of Park Place UMC in La Vale, prays a lot when faced with problems, “If the Bible tells us not to worry, then why worry?” she asked.
The Rev. Barry Hidey, pastor of Bel Air UMC, agrees that Scripture affirms God’s presence. “In the anxious moments is when I realize how important my faith is,” he said. “I hand my troubles over to God.”
“If you are anxious, be busy” added the Rev. Cynthia Belt of
Centennial-Caroline UMC in Baltimore. “Minister to and help those who are poor or in need,” she said.
“Move to a place in your spiritual life and begin to brush it off,” said the Rev. Bryant Oskvig pastor of Linden-Linthicum UMC in Clarksville. Oskvig also connects with friends to stay grounded.
Bishops Forrest Stith, Susan Morrison and Peggy Johnson, elected bishops from the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and Bishop Young Tai Park, joined Bishop Schol in celebrating Communion.
Bishop Johnson, who was elected a bishop last July, offered the
following advice on sharing one’s faith.
“Share with people how faith in God nourishes your soul and life,” she said. “Tell people a personal story of how God has helped you or made a difference in your life recently.
“I have a spiritual director and she taught me a method of reflection that involves taking a few minutes at the end of the day to recall your consolation (something that went well) and your desolation (something that was a challenge or a difficulty) and how God has been present in both. This exercise is a way to have ready a fresh and
personal story of God’s activity in your life,” she said. “Don’t forget to share your faith by the way you live.”
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