| Former Susanna Wesley director charged with theft BY MELISSA LAUBERUMCONNECTION STAFF  The Rev. Paul A. Murray, the former executive director of the Susanna Wesley House in Baltimore, pleaded guilty to charges of felony theft on May 5.
Murray, who was accused of stealing $44,508 from the United Methodist Womens shelter for women and children, is expected to be sentenced Aug. 20, said Irene Callbeck, a member of the Baltimore-Washington Conference United Methodist Women. A Baltimore grand jury indicted Murray, a pastor of the Apostolic Lighthouse Church who also worked as a chaplain for the Anne Arundel County Police Department, in December on charges that carried a prison term of up to 15 years. According to reports in the Baltimore Sun, Murray accepted a plea bargain agreement that calls for a sentence of three years with all but one year suspended. Murray would also be required to make full restitution, although the insurance company has reimbursed the Susanna Wesley House for much of their loss, said Joyce McCallister, a member of the houses board of directors. According to McCallister the worst part is that, because of the financial difficulties, the house had to close. As a result, our donations dropped off but we still have to pay heating, electric and insurance bills, she said. We really do need money. Murray worked at the shelter, at 609 and 607 Park Ave., from August 2000 to June 2001. The charges against him claim he misused the Susanna Wesley House credit card and took cash and checks without the knowledge of the board of directors. I am glad the Susanna Wesley House had what it took to stand up and see this through so that he is not able to do this to anyone else, Callbeck said. Because of the financial difficulties and concerns about lead paint, the Susanna Wesley House has been vacant since November 2001. McCallister is fearful that, if donations do not increase, the house may only have enough funds to get through another three months. The shelter recently entered into a partnership with the Womens Housing Coalition of Baltimore to renovate the 609 Park Ave. house and expand the ministries it offers. The United Methodist Women of the Baltimore-Washington Conference will continue to serve as landlords. The Susanna Wesley House is a conference Advance Special. Those interested in making a contribution can send checks, with the notation Susanna Wesley House, to the Conference Treasurer, 9720 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046. | 
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