Reverend Valerie A. Barnes
A native Washingtonian and life-long Methodist, The Reverend Valerie A. Barnes is the eldest of two daughters born to the late William I. and Adelaide V. Barnes.
Her education began at the Beauvoir Elementary School of the Washington Cathedral. After which she completed her primary education in the District of Columbia Public School system; receiving her diploma from McKinley Tech High School where she was enrolled in the laboratory Techniques program.
Rev. Barnes received her Associates Degree from the of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Howard University (Washington, DC).
Rev. Barnes worked as a Licensed, Registered Occupational Therapist for 20 years during which time she established a private practice (Occupational Therapy Services) providing contract in-home therapy treatment through several home health agencies in the DC and Maryland areas; as well as, treatment to children with special needs in the DC and Maryland school system.
Rev. Barnes was an active member of Lincoln Park UMC in Washington, DC where she served as Trustee Board Chair, Christian Education Chair and member of the Inspirational and Gospel Choirs. It was at Lincoln Park UMC that she heard the call to the ordained ministry.
Rev. Barnes graduated from Wesley Seminary in 1998 and was ordained a Probationary Deacon the same year. She was ordained a Full Elder of the Baltimore-Washington Conference in 2004.
Rev. Barnes' pastorate includes: Associate Pastor, Trinity UMC in Germantown, MD; Pastor in Charge, The (former) Chase Charge, Baltimore-Harford District; Pastor in Charge, Sharp Street UMC, Chase, MD.
Rev. Barnes was appointed to a Personal, Voluntary leave of Absence in 2010. Returning to her home church of Lincoln Park she remained active in ministry as leader of the Adult Sunday School, developer of the Health Ministry Team and assisting/leading in worship as needed.
At the 2013 Annual Conference of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, Rev. Barnes was appointed Pastor in Charge of the Beechfield UMC in Baltimore, MD.
At Beechfield UMC she has led 3 on-going adult bible study groups, directed the choir, given leadership in organizing the church's administrative procedures (membership care, management of church finances, cemetery, etc.), given leadership to the pre-school which has resulted in a 30% increase in enrollment for the 2016-17 year, reorganized the Food Pantry (including establishing partnerships with the MD Food Bank and other community organizations with a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry). She has also engaged in writing small grant applications receiving awards from the Maryland Emergency food Program and MECU for the outreach ministry work of the church. She has most recently introduced the use of visual projection in Sunday worship.
Rev. Barnes has also served beyond the local church at the Community, Conference and Jurisdictional levels. She has been a member of the BWC Commission on Religion and Race and member of the leadership team of the Order of Elders. She is a life member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc. (BMCR) at the Conference and General (National) levels and currently serves as the Constitution and Bylaws Chair for the Northeastern Jurisdiction BMCR. Rev. Barnes is a member and clergy delegate of BRIDGE MD, Inc., an ecumenical social justice organization that seeks to train clergy and others in community organizing and leadership. She also serves as a volunteer Chaplain for the Baltimore City Police Department.
Rev. Barnes enjoys cooking, singing, crafts (especially knitting and crocheting), movies, event planning and travel.
Rev. Barnes believes that with God all things are possible; her guiding scripture is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
A native Washingtonian and life-long Methodist, The Reverend Valerie A. Barnes is the eldest of two daughters born to the late William I. and Adelaide V. Barnes.
Her education began at the Beauvoir Elementary School of the Washington Cathedral. After which she completed her primary education in the District of Columbia Public School system; receiving her diploma from McKinley Tech High School where she was enrolled in the laboratory Techniques program.
Rev. Barnes received her Associates Degree from the of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Howard University (Washington, DC).
Rev. Barnes worked as a Licensed, Registered Occupational Therapist for 20 years during which time she established a private practice (Occupational Therapy Services) providing contract in-home therapy treatment through several home health agencies in the DC and Maryland areas; as well as, treatment to children with special needs in the DC and Maryland school system.
Rev. Barnes was an active member of Lincoln Park UMC in Washington, DC where she served as Trustee Board Chair, Christian Education Chair and member of the Inspirational and Gospel Choirs. It was at Lincoln Park UMC that she heard the call to the ordained ministry.
Rev. Barnes graduated from Wesley Seminary in 1998 and was ordained a Probationary Deacon the same year. She was ordained a Full Elder of the Baltimore-Washington Conference in 2004.
Rev. Barnes' pastorate includes: Associate Pastor, Trinity UMC in Germantown, MD; Pastor in Charge, The (former) Chase Charge, Baltimore-Harford District; Pastor in Charge, Sharp Street UMC, Chase, MD.
Rev. Barnes was appointed to a Personal, Voluntary leave of Absence in 2010. Returning to her home church of Lincoln Park she remained active in ministry as leader of the Adult Sunday School, developer of the Health Ministry Team and assisting/leading in worship as needed.
At the 2013 Annual Conference of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, Rev. Barnes was appointed Pastor in Charge of the Beechfield UMC in Baltimore, MD.
At Beechfield UMC she has led 3 on-going adult bible study groups, directed the choir, given leadership in organizing the church's administrative procedures (membership care, management of church finances, cemetery, etc.), given leadership to the pre-school which has resulted in a 30% increase in enrollment for the 2016-17 year, reorganized the Food Pantry (including establishing partnerships with the MD Food Bank and other community organizations with a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry). She has also engaged in writing small grant applications receiving awards from the Maryland Emergency food Program and MECU for the outreach ministry work of the church. She has most recently introduced the use of visual projection in Sunday worship.
Rev. Barnes has also served beyond the local church at the Community, Conference and Jurisdictional levels. She has been a member of the BWC Commission on Religion and Race and member of the leadership team of the Order of Elders. She is a life member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc. (BMCR) at the Conference and General (National) levels and currently serves as the Constitution and Bylaws Chair for the Northeastern Jurisdiction BMCR. Rev. Barnes is a member and clergy delegate of BRIDGE MD, Inc., an ecumenical social justice organization that seeks to train clergy and others in community organizing and leadership. She also serves as a volunteer Chaplain for the Baltimore City Police Department.
Rev. Barnes enjoys cooking, singing, crafts (especially knitting and crocheting), movies, event planning and travel.
Rev. Barnes believes that with God all things are possible; her guiding scripture is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."