News and Views

Twenty-four retirees were honored today at a luncheon for the 617 years they have given in ministry. Over the course of their ministry, they, among a myriad of things, served as trustees of colleges and nonprofits; helped lead the national celebration of the United Methodist hymnal, served as director of Camp Manidokan, taught college students and seminarians, led deaf ministries, been honored for preaching, oversaw the restoration of the historic Evans House, changed hearts with stories of Jesus, baptized a 16-year old boy in the Voronezh River in Russia, and played a Celtic harp to patients in the hospital.

Approaching retirement, they plan to write books, paint, sit by the sea, spend precious time with family, discern new ministries, and continue playing bluegrass music, “a joyous way of celebrating life.”

This group of 24 pastors is a varied one. But, said the Rev. Bill Herche, “our differences are what make us one body who can accomplish great things.”

The Baltimore-Washington Conference has been blessed by their service.

 

Retiree	Years Served	Retiree	Years Served
Patricia Berry	8	Brenda Joyce Mack	11
John M. Brooks	11	Jacqueline R.L. McLellan	24.5
Richard Lee Buckingham	20	Roderick Joseph Miller	35
Cynthia Horn Burkert	16	L. Katherine Moore (5.1.17)	39
Diane Dixon-Proctor	26	Marilyn Newhouse	17
Iris W. Farabee-Lewis	28	Lawrence Patrick Ricker	46
Charles Wayne Frum	26	Mabel E. Smith	15
Edward Hall	7.5	LaReesa Smith-Horn	31
William Allen Herche, Jr.	36	Arthur Dicken Thomas, Jr.	23
Barry Ellsworth Hidey	38	Rebecca Jane Vardiman	34
Kathleen Harriet Kohl	29	Clifford C. Webner	28
Ernest D. Lyles, Sr.	33	John Richard Yost	35
TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 617