The Rev. Charlene Monk, pastor of Douglas Memorial UMC in Washington, D.C., for the past 19 years, has resigned as the church?s pastor. Monk has also withdrawn from the denomination and informed church leaders that many from the congregation are no longer United Methodists but will join a new congregation that she will lead.
The new congregation will meet in a building purchased by Monk and some key leaders of the new congregation.
Bishop John R. Schol preached at Douglas Memorial Sept. 25.
'We deeply regret this development,' he said. 'Rev. Monk has served faithfully and reached a number of new members from the community that hungered for a closer relationship with God.'
Bishop Schol invited those that wanted to continue as the Douglas Memorial UMC to worship at the church building, located in the 800 block of H Street NE in the heart of Washington. Ninety people attended worship Sept. 25, which included visitors Beverly Schol, Bishop Forrest and Josephine Stith, and the Director of Connectional Ministry, the Rev. Rod and Carol Miller.
Bishop Schol met with many of the worshipers following the service to listen and talk about next steps. There was great appreciation for Monk?s ministry voiced and the worshipers, while wanting to continue as members of the Douglas Memorial UMC, wanted a smooth transition, to refrain from disparaging Monk or the new congregation, and they were ready to move forward as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Douglas Memorial has a long and storied history in the conference. Formed in the 1870s, the church has had at least two bishops counted among its clergy. From 1958 to 1967, the then Rev. Forrest Stith served the congregation. He was elected a bishop in 1984. Bishop Marcus Matthew's, now serving the Philadelphia Area, served the church as a student pastor in the 1970s. He was elected a bishop in 2004.
After learning of Monk?s intention, Bishop Schol had personally extended an invitation for her to continue in The United Methodist Church and to try to work through her concerns. She indicated that she needed to pursue the things on her heart.
The bishop said, 'While we regret this most unfortunate development we will work to insure the name of Jesus Christ is praised through the transition and that we will stay focused on discipleship.'
That focus on discipleship was the centerpiece of an e-mail the bishop sent out Sept. 20 to all clergy in the conference. 'When something like this occurs, it is easy to get side tracked by blaming, or trying to tighten standards, or questioning ourselves,' the bishop wrote. 'The Cabinet and leadership team will evaluate this situation and learn from it, but we will stay focused on discipleship. I believe our new vision, our new Discipleship Adventure strategy, and our efforts to resource congregations will strengthen our ministry and be a catalyst for people.'
Washington-Columbia District Superintendent, the Rev. David Argo, and a small group of clergy gathered for prayer in the church?s sanctuary at noon on Sept. 22 in preparation of the Sept. 25 worship. The bishop had also sent an e-mail encouraging people to pray for the church at that hour.
'Douglas Memorial UMC has been salt, yeast, and light for God?s Kingdom for 129 years,' said Argo. 'The events of the past few weeks don?t change God?s ability to heal, redeem and empower God?s people to make disciples for Jesus Christ. We look to God?s unfolding future as those who wait for morning, as those who yearn for a new day, as those who trust in God?s faithfulness.'
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