Doing Good: Building Community

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

For the past year, members of the United Methodist Church—from Prince Frederick south—have worked to form a Hub. The collective of nine churches has participated in various ways. Clearly, the energy for the Hub concept is among the Laity. Some Pastors have been lukewarm to the concept, but members are engaged and active.

Much of our time this year has been spent getting to know one another and inviting others into this shared journey. We’ve learned together, inspired by Sister Lauretta Grier, who introduced us to the New Social Principles of the Church and led us through two insightful sessions. I’m grateful for the dozens who joined in, eager to discover new ways to do good as a community. As we approach our first official year of collective work, two focus areas have emerged: addressing food insecurity and engaging youth and young adults.

HeartFelt Ministries has been a key connector for many of us. We’ve decided to use our Food Drops as an opportunity to expand the Hub’s collective impact. Churches are compiling lists of families who can benefit from food deliveries—as well as volunteers willing to help distribute them. This effort could grow from serving 150 families to nearly 600, a testament to what’s possible when we work together.

All churches expressed an interest in expanding the role of youth and young adults in their settings. The Lusby Charge has an active group, and we will begin our listening and learning sessions in September 2026. The Lusby churches found that their work was born not from planning “youth things” but from listening to and engaging youth and young adults in planning and creating space. Other examples, such as “Youth Night” at Metropolitan UMC in Pomfret, show the power of school partnerships to expand family engagement with the Church. As we study these, we will seek ways that work best for our individual Churches.

We’ve also agreed to share worship experiences as a Hub. Ash Wednesday at Mt. Olive and Thanksgiving Eve at Trinity will now be community-wide gatherings, while Carroll Western and The Lusby Charge are exploring other opportunities to host joint services. These shared moments strengthen our bonds and remind us of our shared purpose.

Of course, this journey hasn’t been without challenges. Three of our nine churches have faced significant hurdles: Waters has been involved in a lengthy lawsuit with the Conference, while St. Paul and Olivet have both spent time without an appointed pastor. These struggles have affected everyone’s ability to participate and plan, but we continue to move forward together.

Some churches have chosen not to participate, and we respect those decisions. But our focus remains: bringing new life and hope to our communities and our Churches. We live in the same county, shop at the same stores, and see each other regularly. We are a part of the United Methodist Church; we know what it means to be connected. The call to be a Hub is simply a call to do good together.

With that in mind, I turn to the Pauline writer in Galatians. I find it very interesting that after the “Fruit of the Spirit” is laid out in Scripture, the writer immediately calls the Church to work together. He realizes that working and growing together has its challenges, but that we should not grow weary in doing Good! Rather, the word of God says that if we are persistent, don’t give up, there is a harvest.

I trust God. I enter this new life in the Church, not sure what the “harvest” will be. It may result in more active Churches. It may cause new partnerships. It may help heal some old wounds. I don’t know. Only God knows. But I know this: I’m going to work to see what God has in store for His Church. I will walk in faith.

Rev Dr. Dana M. Jones, Pastor
Mt. Olive UMC
Connecting Clergy - Calvert South Hub