In The News
Sometimes the local media runs an article or story on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Links to some of these stories can be found below. Please be aware that these are all external links, and Good Shepherd UMC does not have any responsibility for content displayed on these sites.
Police Chaplain
The Baltimore Sun did a profile of Pastor Bonnie in June 2016 that appeared in the paper on the 4th of July. This profile followed her in her role as a Community Police Chaplain and how she straddles the line of speaking truth to power while providing spiritual guidance to officers.
Check out the link and the photo album at the top of the article. Click here. Photos: Caitlin Faw/The Baltimore Sun.
Check out the link and the photo album at the top of the article. Click here. Photos: Caitlin Faw/The Baltimore Sun.
Ashes To Go 2016
Our annual tradition of taking ashes to the street corners continued on February 10, 2016. WBAL-TV came out, and we have this screenshot to prove it! A big thanks to Rev. Jessica Hayden and the Hampden UMC/Old Otterbein UMC parish for joining us in this powerful witness to our community. Will you join us next year?
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Baltimore Riots 2015
United Methodist Clergy gather to pray the Tuesday after the riots. Photo courtesy of Rev. Jason Jordan Griffin.
When riots broke out in April 2015 less than 2 miles from our church, we began praying and seeking God's guidance in how to help. Pastor Bonnie spent many days in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood praying with residents, distributing food, toiletries, and clothing. The UMW packed toiletries into bags to send with her too. Our prayers, sermons, and many photos can be found on our blog in April and May 2015.
In addition, GCORR, The United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race, put together a list of resources on Baltimore. One of those resources was a profile story of Pastor Bonnie and her work in the neighborhoods.
As the violence continues and the murder rate continues to rise, Pastor Bonnie was interviewed again. This time, it was about her dual role as a Pastor and Baltimore City Police Chaplain. The United Methodist News Service (UMNS) wrote an article using quotes from several pastors in Baltimore and in other cities that have dealt with violence and protests. The interview impressed the editor so much, that she asked Pastor Bonnie to write a commentary.
Click the links in the paragraphs above to take you to the stories.
In addition, GCORR, The United Methodist General Commission on Religion and Race, put together a list of resources on Baltimore. One of those resources was a profile story of Pastor Bonnie and her work in the neighborhoods.
As the violence continues and the murder rate continues to rise, Pastor Bonnie was interviewed again. This time, it was about her dual role as a Pastor and Baltimore City Police Chaplain. The United Methodist News Service (UMNS) wrote an article using quotes from several pastors in Baltimore and in other cities that have dealt with violence and protests. The interview impressed the editor so much, that she asked Pastor Bonnie to write a commentary.
Click the links in the paragraphs above to take you to the stories.
Ashes to Go 2015
Christina Spikloser (Hampden UMC Lay Leader), Rev. Amy Sens (six:eight UCC), and Rev. Bonnie McCubbin (Good Shepherd UMC) outside of Cafe Hon in the cold weather! Thanks to our friendly neighbors for taking photos! Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
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Rev. Amy Sens (six:eight UCC) "ashing" a woman outside of Common Ground. Photos courtesy of Christina Spikloser. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
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Ashes to Go this year was a great success, even with the weather battles we dealt with! This year, we had quite an adventure. There were water main breaks, cutting off water to 36th Street/The Avenue where we were outside of Common Ground Coffee Shop. They even ran out of coffee! Foot traffic was very light because of the cold too. Later in the day, we had to cancel services and even one location because of the weather. But God was praised, and people were served--that's what matters!
We had folks seeking us out this year! Several returned from last year, and several more folks heard about us on the news (or worked at the stations, and came by on lunch breaks, on their way home, or day off!). We saw lots of neighborhood folks and congregants too.
This year, 99.1 WNEW did several excellent stories on us (not posted online). FOX-45 also did a great piece (working on getting a copy to post). ABC-2 was planning on coming to evening worship, which was cancelled. But WBAL-TV 11 spent about an hour with us during the coldest part of the day, and that story is below. Also, check out the press release and brochure we handed out.
We had folks seeking us out this year! Several returned from last year, and several more folks heard about us on the news (or worked at the stations, and came by on lunch breaks, on their way home, or day off!). We saw lots of neighborhood folks and congregants too.
This year, 99.1 WNEW did several excellent stories on us (not posted online). FOX-45 also did a great piece (working on getting a copy to post). ABC-2 was planning on coming to evening worship, which was cancelled. But WBAL-TV 11 spent about an hour with us during the coldest part of the day, and that story is below. Also, check out the press release and brochure we handed out.
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A big thank you goes to our partners for the day: six:eight United Church of Christ and Hampden United Methodist Church. Rev. Amy Sens and Christina Spikloser were troopers all day!
Another big thank you goes to Common Ground Coffee Shop, Cafe Hon, and Roland View Towers for hosting us throughout the day. Hope to see you out next year! Until then, enjoy the pictures and videos!
Another big thank you goes to Common Ground Coffee Shop, Cafe Hon, and Roland View Towers for hosting us throughout the day. Hope to see you out next year! Until then, enjoy the pictures and videos!
Thanks, WBAL-TV 11 for a great story! Read the accompanying article, here, on their website.
Baltimore City Council
On Monday, June 23, 2014, Pastor Bonnie gave the invocation prayer at the City Council Meeting at the invitation of Councilmember MaryPat Clarke. She was very well received, being told by multiple people that it was the "best prayer I've heard here!" among other things. The full text of the prayer is below:
Good evening. I am honored to be here tonight, representing the congregation of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church and the Hampden neighborhood. I appreciate the invitation of Councilmember Mary Pat Clarke.
At this time, I invite all who wish to participate in prayer to join me in these words addressed to God:
God of many names: Almighty Creator; Allah; Lord; Abba; Mother; Father; God:
We come before you this evening representing a variety of faiths, neighborhoods, districts, and interests; but united as women and men dedicated to making our city a better place for all who live, work, worship, and play here.
As we do the business that is before us tonight; as we look back at our storied and memorable past through our historic landmarks; as we focus on the present needs of financing local schools, parks and recreation centers, museums and cultural attractions; as we think ahead towards what this city is becoming with food trucks and economic development; we are humbled to serve as a voice for our communities.
And once again, tonight, we are faced with the perennial issue of parking in our great city. There are no easy answers. No one seems to be happy with any solution, and so, many times, nothing changes. Lord, part the sea of discontent, and make a way where there seems to be no way.
We lift up to you by name our Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and our City Council: Jack, James, Brandon, Robert, Bill, Rikki, Sharon, Nick, Helen, Pete, Edward, William, Carl, Warren, and Mary Pat. Guide each one of them by principles and morals greater than any one of us, so that the City Council can make decisions for the good of all Baltimoreans. Where we are divided, grace us with a unity of spirit to strive for good so that your will may be done.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. Amen.
Good evening. I am honored to be here tonight, representing the congregation of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church and the Hampden neighborhood. I appreciate the invitation of Councilmember Mary Pat Clarke.
At this time, I invite all who wish to participate in prayer to join me in these words addressed to God:
God of many names: Almighty Creator; Allah; Lord; Abba; Mother; Father; God:
We come before you this evening representing a variety of faiths, neighborhoods, districts, and interests; but united as women and men dedicated to making our city a better place for all who live, work, worship, and play here.
As we do the business that is before us tonight; as we look back at our storied and memorable past through our historic landmarks; as we focus on the present needs of financing local schools, parks and recreation centers, museums and cultural attractions; as we think ahead towards what this city is becoming with food trucks and economic development; we are humbled to serve as a voice for our communities.
And once again, tonight, we are faced with the perennial issue of parking in our great city. There are no easy answers. No one seems to be happy with any solution, and so, many times, nothing changes. Lord, part the sea of discontent, and make a way where there seems to be no way.
We lift up to you by name our Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and our City Council: Jack, James, Brandon, Robert, Bill, Rikki, Sharon, Nick, Helen, Pete, Edward, William, Carl, Warren, and Mary Pat. Guide each one of them by principles and morals greater than any one of us, so that the City Council can make decisions for the good of all Baltimoreans. Where we are divided, grace us with a unity of spirit to strive for good so that your will may be done.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe. Amen.
Ashes to Go 2014
Every major news media outlet in Baltimore came out to interview us on Wednesday, March 5, as we took the church to the streets. We had a live radio interview on WBAL Radio (1090AM) Morning Show, two interviews for CBS Radio (99.1FM), interviews with The Baltimore Messenger Newspaper (owned by The Baltimore Sun), and 4 TV stations--the local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates! Not all of the outlets posted their stories online, but a few are below. Here are two pictures to get you started, along with our press release!
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Rev. Amy Sens of six:eight United Church of Christ & Rev. Bonnie McCubbin of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church talking to walkers on The Avenue outside of Cafe Hon. A big thanks to Denise for allowing us to use her sidewalk area, and to Rev. Sandy Boone for taking the picture!
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"Ashing" and praying with a local resident while the media looks on. It was an honor and privilege to share God's love on the streets of our neighborhood!
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ABC-2 News in Baltimore did a phenomenal piece on our community involvement. Click here to go to the article, or watch the video below.
WJZ-13, the local CBS affiliate, also did a nice piece. Click here for the article, or watch the video below.
Ashes to Go was spreading throughout the community and region! We weren't the only ones involved. WBAL-TV11, the local NBC affiliate, did a story on another United Methodist Church taking ashes to the street, and we got a "cameo" at the end of it. Check out the article here.
Church Leadership Changing in Hampden Area
The Messenger (which is owned by The Baltimore Sun) did a feature story on the changing religious landscape in Hampden, and profiled our pastor, Rev. Bonnie McCubbin. Unfortunately, the web edition doesn't include all the photos that were in the print edition. Feel free to stop by the church and see the actual article! Click the title, picture, or here to read the online edition.
Photo by Brian Krista, The Messenger
Photo by Brian Krista, The Messenger