Jimmie Schwartz

Pastor Jimmie and Meredith became active members of Salem Lutheran Church after having lived in Ellicott City since 1982. Pastor Jimmie, a graduate of Susquehanna University, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now ULS), and Loyola University has just celebrated 46 years in ordained ministry. He has previously served on the staff of First Lutheran Church, Ellicott City (1982-1987), the Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Centers of Greater Baltimore (1988-1991) and has rather recently been named Chaplain Emeritus of Carroll Lutheran Village having served there from 1992 to 2019.

In 2019 a tragic accident occurred where Jimmie, while sitting still at a traffic light, was rear-ended by a woman driving while under the influence of drugs. This life-altering accident spared his life but physically rendered him a paraplegic with an incomplete T8-T9 spinal cord injury forcing his disability retirement that same year. Jimmie continues to improve miraculously by remaining an active patient with the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins). He serves as a Peer Mentor with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. He continues a counseling practice out of his home office as he serves on the Candidacy Committee of the Delaware-Maryland Synod under Bishop William Gohl’s appointment. Jimmie and Meredith celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 5, 2026, at a dinner hosted by their two adult sons and wives and their four granddaughters.

Jimmie considers it a true and humble blessing to serve Salem in this time of Bridge Interim transition as well as the opportunity to serve alongside Pastor Ed, a treasured friend and colleague since 1982.