Category: News
Interim Director of Music Ministries Announcement
Welcoming our new Interim Director of Music Ministries, Leona Lowery Fitzhugh!
Several months ago, our Staff Parish Committee announced that Mary Ann Willow, our Music Director and Organist for the past 43 years, would retire, effective November 20th. While the completion of Mary Ann’s service in our Music Ministry will be difficult for us, we will celebrate with her a well-deserved retirement and a legacy of excellence in music ministry at Silver Spring United Methodist Church. More information about celebrations of Mary Ann’s ministry will be shared with our congregation next week.
Today, our Staff-Parish Committee is delighted to share that we have hired Mrs. Leona Lowery Fitzhugh as our Interim Director of Music Ministries. The Search Team was impressed by conversations with Mrs. Fitzhugh and with her technical, interpersonal and leadership skills. We believe that she understands and will fulfill the needs of our congregation as the interim Director of our Music Ministry.
Leona Lowery Fitzhugh has music degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Catholic University, and is candidate for the Master of Sacred Music at Westminster Choir College. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Japan. She has a distinguished background as a music educator and choral director with Prince George’s Public Schools and Catholic University. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Washington Women’s Chorale. For 22 years, Mrs. Fitzhugh currently serves Director of Music at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Leona is excited about Music Ministry and looking forward to her retirement from education to devote her work in glorifying God in song and music. One of her favorite Bible verses is Psalm 33:3 “Sing to Him a new song, play skillfully with a shout of joy”. She will begin her duties on November 21st, 2022.
BSA Troop 209 Pumpkin Patch! October 15-27
Find all your Halloween and fall festival needs – jumbo, large, medium, and small pumpkins, beautiful mums, some specialty pumpkins – local apples, too!
Payment: Credit Card, Paypal, check to “Friends of Troop 209”, or cash.
NEW THIS YEAR…pay for pumpkins ahead of time ONLINE: https://secure.givelively.org/event/friends-of-troop-209-incorporated/troop-209-pumpkin-patch
Children’s Sabbath October, 30
Join us on Sunday, October 30 for our annual Children’s Sabbath service. Our children lead the worship services and the grown-ups will sit down! Bibles will be presented to our 3rd grade students and our children’s choir will bless us with special music. The children will also trick-or-treat the congregation for UNICEF during the children’s message dressed in their Halloween costumes. Children AND adults are welcome to wear costumes to worship. Please no scary masks or weapons.
Trunk or Treat 2022 October, 29
Join us for some fun, fun, fun at our annual Trunk-or-Treat. It is that time of year. Halloween is just around the corner. With Halloween approaching that also means that Trunk-or-Treat is coming! Our Annual Trunk-or-Treat will be held on Saturday, October 29th from 12 noon – 2:00 pm in the back parking lot of the church. There will be tons of candy, games, a cake walk, pumpkin decorating, face painting, a moon bounce and more! Yes. You heard it right. We are having a moon bounce! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. You don’t want to miss the fun!
Worship Ministry Teams Forming Now
Have you ever wondered about how worship planning happens at SSUMC? Interested in learning more about how you can participate in supporting ministries like our Altar Guild, Scripture Readers, and more? Curious about lending your creativity as we think about our worship series? Join Pastor Will and Mary Ann Willow for an interest meeting for our newly forming Worship Ministries Team on Sunday, August 28th at 12:45PM in the Parlor. For more information, email wgreen@silverspringumcp.org.
Staff Changes FAQ
Learn about staff changes ahead for SSUMC!