| Consecration of new addition CHARLOTTE HALL The Rev. Mary Jane Coleman, superintendent of the Washington East District, consecrated a new addition to Mt. Calvary UMC Oct. 26. The 25- by 19-foot expansion includes two new bathrooms, a choir room and enlargement of the sanctuary for the growing church, as well as a ramp to make the church accessible, said the Rev. Mabel Smith. The congregation held fundraisers, suppliers provided many materials at low or no cost and volunteers helped with construction, Smith said. We dont have to have a mortgage.  Church celebrates bicentennial ANNAPOLIS Asbury UMC, one of the older African-American congregations in the nation, just turned 200. According to the churchs history, the community gathered in the church following the famous Nat Turner rebellion prior to the end of the Civil War. In the 1960s, civil rights leaders met at Asbury to strategize ways to end racial segregation in Annapolis, said the Rev. Walter E. Middlebrooks. Even in the present, the church remains a significant place in the struggle for civil rights. In 1998, it was the official site for organizing the largest anti-Ku Klux Klan demonstration in Annapolis history, Middlebrooks said. The three-day celebration included a concert and open house Nov. 7, a banquet Nov. 8, and the unveiling of a historic plaque at the worship service Nov. 9. State representative Michael Busch was among the special guests who attended the service. Dual anniversaries celebrated LOTHIAN Not only did Mt. Zion UMC celebrate its 185th anniversary Oct. 12, but the congregation also celebrated  20 years with the Rev. Ramon McDonald II as its pastor. Following a custom of the church, lay people prayed with the preacher before each service, McDonald said. The Rev. Jeffrey Arthurs, former assistant pastor, preached at the 11 a.m. contemporary service. The Rev. Christopher Owens, who grew up in the church and is now pastor at Hollywood UMC, preached at the 9:30 a.m. contemporary service and at the 8 a.m. traditional service, the Rev. Winfield Hall, retired, a former member of the church, preached. During the luncheon following the services, two former assistant pastors, the Revs. Barbara Jody Jessup, and David Deans were given pulpit robes to remember their times at Mt. Zion, McDonald said. New church releases CD  BOWIE The choirs from Living Springs Christian Fellowship UMC, which was chartered during annual conference last June, released a compact disc during a concert Oct. 25.
The music of The Healing Project, was written by Oliver Myers, music director at the church, and performed by members of the congregation. About 100 people attended the concert, held in the church. But it wasnt just a concert, said Jacquie Myers, a member of the choir. It was also a healing service, with three pastors ministering to the people as they came forward. The Healing Project is an evangelism tool to bring others to know the love of Christ, Myers said. Copies of the CD are $8 and may be obtained by sending a check to Living Springs Christian Fellowship UMC, 4831 Telsa Drive, Suite J & K, Bowie, MD 20716. For more information, contact Oliver or Jacquie Myers at (301) 352-9040 or
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courtesy Debbie Scott
One hundred people, ages 2 to 77, helped unload the 1,200 pumpkins delivered to North Bethesda UMC in early October, to launch the churchs fourth annual Pumpkin Patch, said the Rev. Debbie Scott. The pumpkins were shipped from a Navaho reservation in Farmington, N.M. Sales were good, grossing more than $11,000, a portion of which goes to the churchs operating budget.
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