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Bringing the cross to the city

CUMBERLAND – Carrying a large wooden cross, eight United Methodist clergy led laity in Cumberland to walk the streets on Good Friday, stopping to pray for the needs and people of the city. Stops included the City Hall, Court House, Rescue Mission, Times-News building, Trinity Church, Shopping Center and the Center of the City.

At each stop the walkers recounted Jesus' last seven words from the cross, prayed, read the Holy Week story from Matthew and sang "The Old Rugged Cross." They also spoke along the way with police officers, residents of the Rescue Mission, homeless people and those they met.

About 150 people joined the community service at Centre Street UMC at the conclusion of the walk.

UMC choir sings at Mass

BALTIMORE - The Sanctuary Choir of New Covenant Worship Center UMC made history the morning of March 19, as they became the first Protestant choir to provide service music for the Oblate Sisters of Providence. They sang during the St. Joseph Feast Celebration Mass.

The order was founded in 1829, and is the first congregation of women religious of African descent.

Following the Mass, the Oblate Sisters invited the choir members for breakfast. One nun commented, "Today is my birthday and this was the best birthday present that I could have ever received – the music."

Russians share ministry, touch of grace

FULTON – The Rev. Lev and Nadya Mikhailov's recent visit to Bel Air UMC and Trinity UMC in Charles County, was "unforgettable."

"Let God's amazing intention be realized," said the pair from Millenium UMC in Orel, Russia. "You became more than partners for us. You are our friends."

In the United States for a conference, the pair stopped by the BWC and shared with their partner congregations a bit about the success of their church, which ministers to many young adults and has recently aquired land for a new facility.

The BWC's Russian Partnership delivers a touch of grace to all involved, said the Rev. Charles Harrell, chair of the Russia Partnership.

MidWinter Break 3 a success

WILLIAMSPORT – More than 250 youth from the Western Region gathered at Williamsport UMC Feb. 20 for MidWinter Break. They and their leaders and pastors offered a concert of prayer for youth, leaders, schools, communities and the world.

Evangelist David Burke encouraged the youth to seek God's call in their lives and to pray for each other. They heard personal testimony from members of Ground Zero Master's Commission, and listened to music from the Prevenient Grace Band from Washington Square and St. Matthews UMCs.

BRIEFS

NEW YORK – Bonnie Scott, who grew up in Ellicott City, and is a senior at Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C., has been selected from 30 candidates as the 2011 winner of the $20,000 David H.C. Read Preacher/Scholar Award, created by the congregation of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. She will be ordained a Provisional Elder at annual conference.

NEW YORK – Gertrude Grace Oden Daily, in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, along with nine others, was commissioned a Deaconess April 7 at ceremonies at the General Board of Global Ministries. She works as a YWCA therapist. The Book of Discipline defines deaconesses (laywomen) and home missioners (laymen) as "professionally trained persons who have been led by the Holy Spirit to devote their lives to Christlike service under the authority of the Church."