Jefferson Ecumenical Ministries has been a part of the combined ecumenical ministry of three churches in Jefferson since the early 1970's.

Originally the ecumenical group was known as the Joint Planning Committee, and By-Laws were drawn up to guide the group in 1972. The three churches of Jefferson, Jefferson United Church of Christ, St. Paul Lutheran Church, and Jefferson United Methodist Church, started an ecumenical ministry based on joining together for worship during the Lenten season. It started with the three pastors getting together once a month to talk and share what they could do together. Each pastor, throughout the years since about 1970, has been available if needed to assist another pastor when they would be on vacation or during their day off if they were away from the parish.

The pastors most responsible for the early development of this ecumenical ministry were the Reverend Guy Wenck, pastor of Jefferson United Church of Christ, the Reverend George Fitch, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and the Reverend David Kolda, pastor of the Jefferson United Methodist Church. In a later appointment to the Jefferson UMC, the Reverend Domingo Co carried forth the development of the Joint Planning Committee in the period after 1971. Reverend Wenck was to leave Jefferson UCC around 1973, but came back as interim pastor in 1991 and then was elected pastor in 1996 and continued with the development of the Jefferson Ecumenical Ministry.

At first during the early years of Kolda, Fitch and Wenck, it was just the Wednesday's in Lent which were celebrated with unique and creative worship services held in all three of the churches. Then it grew into adding an Ash Wednesday Service and a Thanksgiving Service to be celebrated on a rotating basis in each church. This began between 1969-1970 by Reverend Fitch, Reverend Kolda and Reverend Wenck. Lenten programs in more recent years have included guest speakers, environmental themes, food and fellowship, drama presentations and meditations.

Later the churches started to band together to hold a joint Vacation Bible School. Prior to this joint venture, each church held its own program at different times. This venture continues today with a coordinating committee composed of representatives from each church with one church being designated the coordinator for the year.

JEM has been responsible for a variety of community Bible studies. These continue today. In addition to the joint Bible studies, JEM offers through the space provided by St. Paul church, a monthly healing service. Reverend Ginny Price was the guiding force behind the healing service.

The Joint Planning Committee and JEM have sponsored several community musical experiences over the years. These events utilized the choir members from each church as well as extending invitations to those in the community who just simply liked to sing. One of the first works was "Behold Your King" in 1973 with Ramona Remsberg, director and Calvin Rice, organist. "Exalted" was shared in 1996 at Easter. James Moler, Ramona Remsberg and Eleanor Lee Biser were instrumental in developing this ministry. Ramona Remsberg and James Moler were the guiding forces behind many of these community music events. Ramona Remsberg was the director and James Moler was the organist for the programs. In 1999 for Jefferson's 225th anniversary, James Moler put together a special program, played and directed one piece while Ramona Remsberg directed the remaining works.

JEM has been on the cutting edge of ecumenical worship in Frederick County and in the state of Maryland long before it was the "correct" thing to do. These three churches and their members have developed a Christian witness which has been supported by the church members in each parish.

Among the unique joint services JEM has sponsored have been the progressive ADVENT JOURNEY where the worshipers start out at Jefferson UCC with brief worship, then move down the center of Jefferson Pike, which is closed off for the event, to St. Paul, and a second worship event, and then on to Jefferson UMC for the final worship event. Then everyone journeys to the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree, which began around 1991, and on to the Ruritan Community Center for a time of food and fellowship. This annual program is coordinated with the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company #20. Originally, it was directed by the Ladies Auxiliary of the JVFC#20 until they were disbanded.

JEM became the organizing group to help assist setting up and serving for the Food & Friends Program in the Jefferson area. Each church had a coordinator who staffed their designated weeks and served the foods. This rotated throughout the year. During 1990, the Food Bank was initiated and developed. The program has grown into a significant ministry and is housed in the Parish House of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Each church regularly donates money and food items to replenish the shelves of the Food Bank. But the Food Bank was set up as a separate committee and seeks funds from various sources in Frederick County. It has the support of the Jefferson Ruritan Club and the local Boy and Girl Scout troops who assist with food drives during the course of each year.

JEM has sought to branch out on numerous occasions to the newer churches on the outskirts of Jefferson, but has found resistance due to the fact that two of the churches are staffed by female pastors and these newer churches and their pastoral leadership do not recognize women as pastors in ministry.

Currently JEM is served by the following pastors: the Reverend Katrina Holland, St. Paul Lutheran; the Reverend Sarah Andrews, Jefferson United Methodist Church; and the Reverend Guy Wenck, Jefferson United Church of Christ.