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VOL. 15, NO. 9

ACROSS THE CONFERENCE

Concert supports Russian language ministry

REM fellow visits BWC communications
COLUMBIA — Royya James spent the second week of April in the communications department of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. She is this year's Judith L. Weidman Racial Ethnic Minority Fellow, spending one year as an intern in the Wyoming Conference, located in Endicott, N.Y.

Each year United Methodist Communications based in Nashville chooses a United Methodist ethnic minority college graduate to study religious communications in one of the conferences. The Baltimore-Washington Conference hosted Ciona Rouse in 2001-2002, and employed Larry Hygh after his stint as the first REM fellow. Hygh is now the director of communications in the California-Pacific Conference, based in Los Angeles.

James is a native of Nashville, Tenn. She received her degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. She has a strong interest in public relations and hopes to work for an annual conference when her fellowship is completed.

Young pastor gains view of public policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Rev. Doug Tzan, pastor of Friendship UMC in Friendship, was recently selected to attend a gathering of 20 United Methodist Young Adult Clergy at the General Board of Church and Society in March.

One of the goals of the gathering was to 'equip young pastors to interpret the United Methodist Social Principles in local churches,' a press release said.

' It's wonderful that there are creative and committed young adult pastors under the age of 40 to lead our church and society today,' said Jim Winkler, the top executive of the board. 'We hope this will build a strong network of enthusiastic young pastors the board can relate to into the next generation.'

Youth find validation at church
ELLICOTT CITY — Glen Mar UMC doubled its membership twice in the last 15 years, due in part to its attraction for young people. The church draws more than 100 youth to its facility each Sunday.

A major feature story in the March 21 Washington Post told of the huge growth in Glen Mar’s program with youth, especially during the past six years.

The church hired a full-time youth director, D.C. Veale, who in turn brought in about 30 adult volunteers to lead a youth choir, handbell choir and rock band, a video tech team, plays and scavenger hunts, Bible study groups, community service projects and mission trips. Youth are also involved in traditional worship, teaching Sunday school and occasionally preaching sermons.

No place is off-limits to the young, the Rev. Anders Lunt instructed the congregation.

Glen Mar 'gives us the confidence that comes with being a part of the Christian community,' said Amy Katru, a member of Bible Thugz, a Sunday night discussion group.

Deaf ministry saw big strides in Zimbabwe
BALTIMORE — Three members of Christ UMC of the Deaf observed great advances in ministry with the deaf during their mission trip to Zimbabwe in February.

In 1999, when the church made its first mission trip to Zimbabwe, 'there was no worship for deaf adults of any denomination in the entire country,' said Carol Stevens. 'Now there is a weekly deaf worship for the 45 members of the Sanganai Deaf Club in Mutare.'

The Rev. Kirk Van Gilder, a deaf pastor, preached in ZimSign, the Zimbabwe Sign Language.

The Sanganai Deaf Club has also started an income-generating project, which employs 12 deaf people who make vibrant traditional prints, envelopes and carved chairs, Stevens said.

' My heart was really touched by members of the Sanganai community taking leadership in their own Christian discipleship,' said Gallaudet's chaplain, Jason Hays.