Central Maryland Ecumenical Council
Letter from the President
The Rev. Fred Weimert
It is a deep privilege for me to have the opportunity to write this first article as the President of the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council. I don’t know many of you who will read these words, which makes the writing more difficult. As I have served the same congregation for almost 35 years now, I am used to communicating with people I know. They know me, and I know them—so communicating for us is more practiced.
I guess part of my awe in attempting this article relates to the fact that one of my favorite uncles, the Rev. Robert Kincheloe, once worked for this organization in the 1940’s when it was the Maryland/Delaware Council of Churches. At Christmas one of his sons, my cousin, sent me an interview his father had given some years ago, and in that interview Uncle Bob spoke of the ministry of the Council: “Councils of Churches in any community serve as a sort of ‘Chamber of Commerce’ for the religious institutions of the area, performing tasks that might be too difficult for individual congregations to handle, and in general, bringing the
churches together so that certain necessary functions can be performed more easily.”
When I first came to serve in Baltimore, The Rev. Leland Higginbotham, with whom I served, brought me to a Tuesday morning meeting with eight or 10 ministers from other Christian traditions. In a way that group served as a council of Churches for me. In our informal weekly meetings I learned how these other pastors did ministry. I watched them form an Assistance Center at the Chapel of the Holy Comforter, which would later become the Assistance Center of Towson Churches.
One of the reasons I was willing to take on this position with CMEC was the fact that it would give me the chance to work with The Rev. Jack Sharp. I have long been impressed with Jack’s ministry at Govans Presbyterian Church, and his vision in forming the Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation. Jack’s courage and tireless work has always been a challenge for me.
Years ago four Polish young people came to my congregation seeking help. Some business had brought them here with the promise of a job and housing. When they arrived there was neither a job nor housing. They found work at a local hotel, and were being allowed to stay there temporarily. I had no idea where to turn for housing help, but someone suggested calling Jack down at Govans. Jack said the parsonage was empty and we could put them there until October. Nothing is impossible for Jack.
I do look forward to working with you in the coming years through this Ecumenical Council. I believe that our work is crucial because I believe the world needs the ‘whole Body of Christ.’ While I am following Jack Sharp in leadership in this organization—I will continue to follow Jack and not really replace him. I am not the ‘techie’ that Jack is, and I will continue to slowly learn that from him. So if I don’t respond to email as quickly as you might like, just give me a call - my office number is 410-825-3360, and Jack knows my cell number.
Fred Weimert
Central Maryland Ecumenical Council News
The Rev. Fred Weimert, President
Frederick K. Weimert entered Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating with an Masters of Divinity in 1977. He then received a call to Calvary Baptist Church in Towson, Maryland, where he served first as Minister to Youth and Young Adults and later, from 1981- present, as Pastor. Mr. Weimert received a Master’s of Sacred Theology from the Ecumenical Institute at St. Mary’s Seminary.
During his years in Baltimore Mr. Weimert has been president of the American Baptist Churches of the South 1994-95, and presently is president of the American Baptist Missions Center. He has been an active member of Towson Area Ministerial Association and the Jewish, Muslim, Christian Dialogue conducted by the Baltimore Jewish Council. He has worked with those concerned with homelessness in Baltimore County most notably as a member of the Boards of the Community Assistance Network, the Assistance Center of Towson Churches, and Baltimore County Communities for the Homeless.
Rev. Fred Weimert
