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Cultures join to create a church

ANNAPOLIS – Trinity UMC added 10 new members of at least three ethnicities and two different languages Feb. 13 in a bilingual service of membership.

In a creative service led by the Rev. David Wentz and Alexander Urvina, Trinity's Director of Hispanic ministries, the congregation sang in Spanish and English, and the membership questions were asked in both languages. Half of the group was English, half Hispanic.

All of this happened after only a year of Spanish language ministry at the church., Wentz said. When the Hispanic congregation that used the building had a change of leadership, the new pastor was open to joining the ministries together to work as one.

In the past year, the Trinity congregation has grown to average 20-30 Hispanics in attendance Sunday mornings, the same again on Sunday evenings, and again on Friday evenings. In January they hosted an all-night prayer meeting that drew more than 320 people.

The Spanish-speaking congregation, which handles its finances separately from the English-speaking ministries, supports two missionaries and recently purchased a 15-passenger van. In appreciation for Trinity's support, they maintain the floors in the Trinity building.

"If all this could happen in one year, imagine what God has planned," Wentz said.

Jackson Chapel rededicated to serve community

FREDERICK – In a "blessed evening" Feb. 26, Jackson Chapel was dedicated anew to serve God. Sixteen years ago, the church had 12-15 members, said the Rev. William Chaney, the Guide for the region. Today, attendance for two services is around 200.

At that time the African-American congregation met in a small chapel, holding about 50 people. But Pastor Rex R. Bowens Sr. had a dream and a vision. When Christ-Ballenger Creek UMC closed last December, Jackson Chapel bought the property, using the old building as collateral and sacrificing to save over $300,000 for the purchase. "Thank you, Pastor, for never wavering or second guessing what God put in your heart, mind and soul," it said on the church's website.

District Superintendent Terri Rae Chattin preached at the service on "He is Going Before You," and asking the congregation, "Jackson, what will you do? Will you continue to run the race or stand still?" (Ephesians 12:1-2)

One answer comes from the new Jackson Chapel's location. The population in the area is very diverse and the pastor hopes to grow the congregation as a multi-cultural one, in keeping with the church's mission statement: "Where Everybody Is Somebody and Jesus Christ is Lord."

Youth enjoy ‘Mid-Winter Break'

WILLIAMSPORT – Approximately 120 youth and leaders flocked to Williamsport UMC for "Mid-Winter Break" Feb. 13, for an evening of praise, worship and fellowship. They came from more than a dozen churches in the Cumberland-Hagerstown District, reported Marie Ebersole, the district's director of youth ministries.

Prevenient Grace Band from Washington Square/St. Matthew's UMC, started the evening with old favorites and some of their own compositions.

Young adults shared their testimony of how their faith and Jesus' love helped to fill the empty spaces in their lives. Janessa Lowans in her testimony in a keynote talk told of how she lost her way and was involved in drugs and cutting as she tried to cope with losing her family at a young age. She shared how God's love has helped heal those wounds.

Unchained, a youth drama team from Lavale UMC, transitioned the group to Communion with a black light video to "Untitled Hymn."

BRIEFS

LISBON – Mitch Feaga, a 12-year-old confirmand from Lisbon UMC, won a chili cookoff sponsored by several Howard County churches for the benefit of Bridges to Housing Stability. And in the process, by himself, he raised more than $1,323 for the ministry, 22 percent of the total raised by the event.

SILVER SPRING - The Rev. William A. Holmes, retired, has recently published a new book, "The God Mask," as a companion volume to his first book, "Mature Christianity." The book explores what it means to encounter God in down-to-earth, real life and often controversial situations. To order, contact the Rev. E. Maynard Moore at or 443-812-2699.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The General Board of Church and Society has organized a national team to build local United Methodist networks to address social justice ministries. The 9-member team includes three from the Baltimore-Washington Conference. They are Pat Callbeck Harper, Laura Markle Downton, and Rev. Julie Wilson.