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BY CHRISTINE KUMAR
UMCONNECTION STAFF

With more than 765 years of experience in the ministry, 33 pastors will be retiring from the Baltimore-Washington Conference at this year?s 222nd session of annual conference.

Since becoming ordained ministers, the group has witnessed many changes in the local church.

'I began my ministry in 1962 and the church has become much more inclusive: racially, sexually, and ethnically. These changes are all positives,' said the Rev. Russell McClatchey, pastor of Mt. Harmony/Lower Marlboro Unity UMC in Owings.

The Rev. Dave Stum, former pastor of Good Shepherd UMC in Silver Spring, has been in Nepal for the past two-and-half years with his wife, who is in the Foreign Service.

He writes in an e-mail, 'In my three-and-a-half decades of ministry, the church has indeed changed. In a positive sense, the laity has been more greatly empowered to do the work in ministry. In a negative sense, divisions over theological and social differences have drained off precious energy for the doing of that work.'

'There are many more women in the ministry,' said the Rev. Ruth Ann Ward, pastor of Weller UMC in Thurmont. She is thankful for the latest technology, such as the use of computers in the local church.

The pastors, many of whom have been in ministry for more than 40 years, say they look back fondly on their ministries.

For the Rev. Tom Brunkow, pastor of Woodside UMC in Silver Spring, the highlight has been 'the privilege of pastoring to people during all the milestones of life: birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, divorce, illness and death.' It?s humbling to be 'admitted into the homes and lives of parishioners at deep levels during such times in lives,' he said.

The Rev. Andrea Titcomb, minister of evangelism at Severna Park UMC, is proud that the new programs that she started in evangelism have been successful. 'The highlight of my ministry has been working with coordinators of each area, encouraging them to ?own? the ministries they coordinate, and watching them grow in their faith in Christ,' she said.

The Rev. Carl Synan, pastor of West Baltimore and Wesley Memorial UMC, took Penn State University students on a mission trip to Belfast, Ireland. The students were exposed to two men from opposing paramilitary groups. The men, who had murdered so many people, made peace with one another.

'I do not think the students will ever forget experiencing this peacemaking journey,' he said.

A memorable event for McClatchey was when he officiated at a wedding of a couple who were in their 80s. They were college sweethearts, but went their separate ways and lost contact with each other. 'Their joy was contagious as they reunited, and eventually got married.' he said.

As they prepare to leave the pastorate, the retirees have one common word of advice to give to their colleagues: 'Love others with the compassion of Christ.'

'Be a pastor-teacher-preacher and know that sharing the Word of God revealed in Jesus Christ will reap its own success,' said the Rev. Jarrett Wicklein, pastor of Mount Vernon UMC in Baltimore. 'Spirituality cannot be quantified.'

The Rev. Victor Johnson, pastor of Nottingham-Myers in Upper Marlboro, encourages new clergy to be optimistic, treat everyone equally and not have any favorites. 'Try to use the Golden Rule all the time,' he said.

Many plan to continue serving God even after retirement. Some will work part-time and others plan to enjoy time with family, travel, read for pleasure, take mission trips, and pursue new hobbies and opportunities. The Rev. Richard Davis of Emmanuel UMC in Beltsville wants to re-discover what weekends are all about. 'To sleep as late as I want, and not go to any evening meetings for at least a year,' he said.

To which many of his fellow retirees replied, 'Amen.'

The retirees were honored at a luncheon at Riderwood Village, May 16. At the annual confererence session on May 26, many of them will participate in a yoking celebration with people new to the ordained ministry.