From the Pastor's Keyboard
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
   

Our Board of Directors met this week and confirmed my desire to explore joint ministry activities with the United Church of Christ of Annapolis (UCCA).  Many of our members have met the Rev. Ryan Sirmons who was ordained and installed last Saturday as the new pastor of UCCA and his wife, Irish.  I was proud to be a participant in that service and to be among the clergy who gathered around Ryan to lay hands on him in the rite of ordination.  Ryan and Irish attended our sacred gathering on December 1 which recognized World AIDS Day.  They also attended our Christmas Open House.

During the ordination service, Rev. David Henry, former pastor of UCCA stood next to me and recognized me as the pastor who had performed the first same sex union at that church.  On November 14, 1998 we celebrated the holy union of two of our members, Ron Joos and Rick Parkinson, in that building.  That was less than two months after our first worship service at Centenary United Methodist Church.

What our joint ministry might look like is still under discussion and in its very early stages.  Ryan and I hope to hold some joint study groups together, probably the first one in Lent, joint worship services, and community service projects.  We believe that the two communities have much in common and can be strengthened through cooperation and service.  Their commitment to GLBT equality is clear. 

Our cooperation is filled with possibilities.  We have friends in Ryan and Irish and I welcome them to our community as we seek to share in ministry.

Peace and Blessings, Wayne