Stephen M. Anderson

Former pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Wheaton, MD, Rev. Stephen M. Anderson died September 8, 2024. He was 82 years old. A native of Nacogdoches, Texas, he attended Oberlin College and Drew University where he nurtured a love of history, finance, politics, and issues of social justice. At Oberlin he met his wife Jane with whom he just celebrated 60 years of marriage. Their family included two children-- Luke Anderson of Milton, GA and Marian Anderson of Elkridge, MD--and five grandchildren.

Feeling called to ministry at a young age, Steve served churches in Ft. Bolivar, Texas; Short Hills, New Jersey; Baltimore, Cambridge, and Wheaton, Maryland. For nine years he also served as Associate Director of Hoffman Homes for Youth in Gettysburg, PA. In Baltimore, MD he was instrumental in the founding of Harford Senior Center and in organizing Baltimore's first Habitat for Humanity project. Steve also found deep fulfillment in supporting the tuition-free mission of Berea College in Kentucky and offering his time as a companion through Caring Matters, a non-medical hospice serving individuals in Montgomery County.

He is particularly remembered for his firm handshake, hearty laugh, challenging sermons with stories from Texas, and his love of rustic camping, country music, and Airedales. He loved and was very proud of his family. He loved and maintained contact with his friends. He loved the people in the churches he served and deeply valued the work they did together to create a more compassionate, just world. He treasured opportunities to grow in understanding with persons of different life styles, faith traditions, and ways of finding purpose and joy in living. He lived fully and well. He touched many lives and will be missed by many.

Visitation with the family will take place Friday, October 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Pilgrim Church, 2206 Briggs Road, Silver Spring, MD 20906. A Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 12 at Christ Congregational Church, 9525 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901. Participation via Zoom is available upon request.

Suggestions for memorial gifts include Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2206 Briggs Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20906; Berea College, 101 Chestnut St., Berea, Kentucky 40404 (Anderson Scholarship); and Caring Matters, 518 Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877.