| People need a visit from their pastor Sometimes a voice from another generation can be helpful, so I ask my colleagues to take the time to read this. Alarmed by the steady shrinking of the ranks of United Methodism, I am even more alarmed by the drop in church attendance. Pastors are saying that on account of peoples jobs and tremendously busy schedules, pastoral calling is now impossible. Baloney. Years ago, I was able to make 30 completed pastoral calls each week, plus I left my calling card at another 20 doors where there was no one at home. Almost without exception, both those whom I had visited and those who found my card showed up at worship the next Sunday or a week later. Going to their homes acknowledged their existence. After my retirement, while serving an interim appointment, I called on every family in the church in the first three months. One parishioner said to me, Ive been a member for 31 years, and you re the first clergy person who ever came to see me. Does it work? In my first appointment, I received 300 members in five years. In my second pastoral appointment I received 1,879 members in 10 years. In one post-retirement interim, I received 27 new members in three months. People need to be recognized as being worthy of the time and energies of their spiritual shepherd. Rev. Kenneth S. Jones
Retired clergy Conference must be prepared After reading the Rev. Laurie Gates-Wards commentary and Bishop Mays response in the Jan. 21 UMConnection, I believe the Baltimore-Washington Conference does not have a satisfactory disaster plan in place. Thats bad news. Bishop May indicated an effort was going on to strengthen our disaster response. With that as a given, as we approach the 2004 hurricane season, could you keep us informed about the evolving disaster plan? How do local churches and communities identify their emergency needs? Which organization is first to respond and, most importantly, who is the communicator within the conference to coordinate actions and provide status information? Lets not forget or overlook any of our churches that may face a future disaster. We must be prepared. Alexander Lavish
St. Paul UMC, Lusby Halftime show deplorable The ministerial staff of Damascus UMC would like to register its disgust with the CBS Super Bowl halftime show. It was alarming to us that children were exposed to such behavior. We also found the commercials during the game to be morally distasteful and an insult to our intelligence. Our concern goes far beyond Janet Jackson baring her breast; her performance was degrading and exploitive of women. We hope the FCC and elected government representatives will do everything in their power to guarantee that this type of obscene programming does not occur in the future. Revs. Walter G. Edmonds, Stephen R. Ricketts,Frances W. Stewart, Clarence A. Kaylor
Pastors, Damascus UMC, Damascus | 
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