Our outreach ministry to Morningside House of Ellicott City, Md., serves members of this senior living community with visits, prayer, and music. Our relationship with Morningside House began with Deaconess Bessie Banks, who moved there after her husband, Deacon Napoleon Banks, died and she was no longer able to live alone. Her daughter Patricia Thomas selected Morningside House because it was near her home in Columbia, Md. In the spring of 2001, Rev. James A. Crosson Jr. and Deacon Leon Pierce began visiting to minister to Deaconess Banks and saw an opportunity to reach out to others. After the death of Deaconess Banks, they continued to visit the residents.

Rev. Crosson and Deacon Pierce formed a team that includes Deacon Jessie McCrae and Deaconess Dena Bowen. They go to Morningside House on the first and third Thursdays of each month, except during vacations in July and August. They minister to over 12 residents each visit. When people they’ve served go to the hospital, they have been able to visit them.

This outreach has been a great joy to each member of the team. If you are interested in joining them, contact any of the members by calling the church office at 202-829-2773 or sending an email to office@19thstreetbc.org with Morningside House in the subject line.