Faith, Israel and Epworth UMC to host unity service Nov. 8
Faith, Israel, and Epworth United Methodist churches invite everyone to We Are One in the Spirit, We Are One in the Lord, a unity service set for 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach.
The guest preacher will be the Rev. Antoine Carlton Love, an ordained elder and assistant to the bishop of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. Prior to his current position, he served as conference director of vibrant communities where he assisted new and existing congregations in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Love, a son of Christ United Methodist Church in Aquasco, Md., received his calling under the pastorate of the Rev. Conrad D. Parker. In 1992, with the support of the Christ Church family, he stepped out in faith to serve the Corkran Memorial United Methodist Church in Temple Hills, Md., as the assistant minister.
Love was appointed to Zion United Methodist Church in Lexington Park, Md., in 1994. During his leadership, the mission and ministry of Zion Church were revitalized, and in August 2001, he guided this congregation in a capital improvement renovation project of its sanctuary.
He was appointed as pastor for the new faith community of Covenant Point United Methodist Church in Waldorf, Md., Jan. 1, 2004. There, he ushered God's people into their passions for praise and worship, witness, the word and godly service. In July 2010, he was appointed lead pastor of the Covenant Point - Lakeside Cooperative Parish, a multicultural faith community that he moved toward merger. In January 2012, The Journey of Faith Church ... A United Methodist Congregation was established. The Journey, under Love's guidance, emerged with a 21st century focus: Real People. Real Lives. Real Journey.
A native of Prince George's County, Md., Love received his education from Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Md., before graduating from the University of Maryland College Park with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature and language. He holds a master of divinity degree from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C., and he is a member of the 1999 World Methodist Council's Order of Faithful Leaders as Mission Evangelists. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Prince George's Class of 2004.
Within the Baltimore-Washington Conference, Love has served on the Board of Congregational Life, the Loans and Grants Committee, and the Conference Trustees Board, which he has chaired. A graduate of the Academy for Initiative Leaders, he has supported Mission U as an instructor, youth school dean, music leader and dean. In the Washington East District, he has mentored candidates for the ordained ministry and has provided instruction at leadership days across the conference.
Beyond the conference, Love serves as executive director of the Northeast Jurisdiction Multiethnic Center for Ministry and vice chair of Black Methodists for Church Renewal Inc., one of the five ethnic caucuses of the United Methodist Church. He is a member of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Vision Table and chairs the 2020 NEJ Program and Arrangements Committee.
Love holds dear to his heart the words from Lamentations 3:22-23, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; Great is thy faithfulness, O Lord, unto me."
Attendees will enjoy beautiful music, scripture reading, storytelling and dance from the many faith expressions. Everyone is welcome. For more
information, contact the Rev. Marjorie Belmont-Burns at 443-298-0076 or bellbird59@gmail.com.
Epworth UMC is at 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach.
