News and Views

Theft fails to stop community ministry
Posted by Erik Alsgaard on

By Erik Alsgaard This is a story of making lemonade out of lemons. It’s a story about a church turning to its members and community for help so that it can continue a long-standing ministry of helping others. The story begins on June 5. That’s when staff members at Calvary UMC in...

Annual Conference Photo Contest Winners
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Here are the winners for the 2018 Annual Conference photo contest. The theme of the contest was Light. Nora Meeks – Silver Spring UMC Robert Maxwell – Van Buren UMC Rev. Adam Briddell – First UMC of Eugene, Oregon*on loan to Oregon Idaho...

Conference laity hear from national leaders
Posted by Linda Worthington on

By Linda WorthingtonUMConnection Staff Laity filled the Harborside Ballroom May 30 at the Annual Conference Session. Delores Martin, chair of the Conference Board of Laity, presided. The program featured presentations by two national church leaders: the Rev. Barbara Lemmel, a pastor in the New...

Rev. James Ray “Jim” Morgan
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The Rev. James Ray “Jim” Morgan, 91, a retired Elder, died June 2, 2018, after a brief illness.  A memorial service was held at Oakdale-Emory June 9. James Ray Morgan was born March 4, 1927, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Louis Benjamin Morgan and Margaret Gene (Gibson)...

Commission on a Way Forward Accountability Covenant
Posted by Guest Author on

What are the covenantal practices that are so essential to our work together that we must perform them with excellence in order to fulfill our mission? We covenant to pray for one another, for the Commission, for the United Methodist Church, for the mission of Christ, and for a way forward...

2018 Annual Conference Overview
Posted by Melissa Lauber on

While never discounting their many differences, the clergy and lay members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference gathered together “As One: Beneath the Cross,” May 30-June 1, at the Marriot Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore. Our Melissa Lauber has this overview story.

Rev. Vernon L. Thompson
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The Rev. Vernon L. Thompson, a retired Elder, died June 1, 2018, at the Willowbrook Medical Center at Indian River Estates retirement community in Vero Beach, Florida, where he and his wife lived. A memorial service was provided by the National Cremation Society in North Palm Beach July 14. He...

Rev. Lloyd Marcus
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Rev. Lloyd Marcus, 90, a retired associate member, died June 1, 2018. Funeral services were held June 7 at St. James UMC in Baltimore, officiated by the Rev. Curtis King, with participation by the Revs. Jason Jordan-Griffith, Bruce Foster and District Superintendent Rev. Wanda Duckett and...

Ordinand Protest Statement
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During the plenary session May 31, the Rev. Beth Hutton and seven other ordinands rose to speak on behalf of two of the candidates who were approved by the Board of Ordained Ministry, but were removed as candidates by a ruling of Bishop LaTrelle Easterling. This is a difficult moment for us in...