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The Rev. Karin Walker came home to Arbutus UMC recently to be installed as the new superintendent of the Baltimore North District.

This homecoming to her childhood church held many symbols and rituals that were incorporated into the Sept. 30 worship to illustrate Walker's theology and ministry.

'We give thanks to God for the people of Arbutus UMC who sustained Karin on her journey. God did a marvelous thing through you,' Bishop John Schol told the congregation.
 
Walker's commitment to honoring all people as children of God was noted in the diversity of those who participated in the liturgy ? people of different races, genders, ages and worship styles, all from the Baltimore North District.

During the processional, laity from local churches marched in with the clergy, one of the few occasions this has happened in such services. 'Karin honors the role of both the laity and the clergy,' the bishop said.

Walker was presented with a number of gifts as signs of the district superintendency. Among them, representatives from four feeding ministries in the district presented her with bread, wine, a chalice and paten to reflect her passion for social justice. Walker's mother, the Rev. Diane Crider, gave her a hymnal and Book of Worship. The pair embraced at the altar.

She was also given a 'piece of the sky,' from a mural that once hung on the ceiling of Lovely Lane UMC, the mother church of Methodism, located in the Baltimore North District, along with a hand-crafted stole and other gifts.

Members of the extended Cabinet also came forward, laid hands on and prayed for Walker.

Their collective prayers symbolized the conference's new 'team' approach to leadership ministries, in which superintendents and program staff serve as Adventure Gbwc_superuseres, assisting local churches to grow in discipleship.

During the service, Bishop Schol introduced two new gbwc_superuseres to the Baltimore region ? the Revs. Bruce Haskins and Edgardo Rivera ? who will be serving with Walker.

The Baltimore-Washington Conference, the bishop explained, is now divided into four regions: Baltimore, Western, Annapolis-Southern and Washington.

In these regions, Adventure Gbwc_superuseres work as teams, instead of in 'silos' as they tended to do in the past, said the bishop.

Each gbwc_superusere has 25 to 30 churches that they serve, leading workshops, preaching, conducting charge conferences and meeting monthly with the pastors in Discipler Groups and on coaching calls.

'We are seeking to be like Christ as we call, equip, send and support spiritual leaders to make disciples and grow 600 Acts 2 congregations by 2012,' the bishop said.
The bishop said he is confident that Walker will contribute significantly to this goal.

'She is a runner who runs the race set before her,' he said, explaining that Walker has completed eight marathons and is a person 'who is determined to complete, not just the race, but all that she takes on.'

Walker is a person who goes 'deep and wide,' said the bishop, recalling the old Sunday school song.

'She is willing to go deep; she does not stay on the surface,' he said. 'She also goes wide, extending her arms as far as they can go, inviting and welcoming all to the table.'

This talent to go 'deep and wide' lends itself to Walker's conflict resolution ministry. 'She has ability to help people engage each other and work through conflict. Karin is a healer,' the bishop said. 'She is a great gift to us.'

When it was her turn to speak, Walker admitted that she almost skipped the service, feeling uncomfortable with 'being the center of attention.' But she prayed about it, she said, and God soon answered, reminding her, 'You're not the center of attention, I am.'

In a sermon, Walker explored the story of Elijah, who fresh from victory at Mt. Carmel, found himself discouraged, despondent and despairing under a broom tree.
'What are you doing here,' God asked Elijah.

It is a question, Walker said, that has profound implications for the leaders of today's church.

The answer, she said, is clear: 'Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly; love your neighbor as yourself; go, make disciples.

'That's not always easy. But we do what we can do where we are placed. God will provide directions,' she said. 'What God requires, God also gives.'