February 20, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | |
The BWC United Methodist Men are issuing an urgent call for help. They need 10 to 20 strong people to help unload the tractor-trailer truck for their UMM Potato Drop scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24, at 9 a.m. at Glen Burnie UMC, at 5 Second Ave., S.E., in Glen Burnie. Volunteers are needed to unload 800 50-lb bags of potatoes for the churches that will take the potatoes back to their food ministry to feed the hungry. Additionally, they need anyone of all ages to help create 1000 5-10 lb bags of potatoes for giveaways to families. Contact Ricard Campbell at rcampbell@bwcumm.org or 443-517-3084. | |
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A few weeks ago, we announced that Elinor Thompson of Franklin UMC in Churchton was awarded the African American Methodist Heritage Center’s Forrest C. Stith grant for 2023. This week, we share more of the story and her fascinating ministry as we lift up Black History Month. Read the story.
The Rev. Caroll Dogget, the BWC’s oldest living clergyperson, will celebrate his 101st birthday on March 23. Cards and well wishes can be sent to 7401 Willow Road, AL #242, Frederick, MD 21702.
Building as a ministry: How can your building become an active agent for mission and evangelism? Read a commentary by the Rev. Curtis Ehrgot of Concord-St. Andrew's UMC in Bethesda.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily halted the Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy agreement, which would settle decades of sex-abuse claims for $2.46 billion. Church leaders stress that this is a procedural pause and not a ruling. Read the story.
We pray for Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, the BWC Cabinet and all the pastors and congregations receiving new leaders as the appointment process begins. See the appointment list.
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This week’s Lenten exercises in Living Like Christ focus on mindfulness and engaging in sensory-based practices that help Christians develop a deeper awareness of themselves and the world. In these practices, grounded in neurology, we also embrace our Wesleyan roots as we grow in love. Visit Living Like Christ: A Banquet of Spiritual Exercises and dive further into "Building Spiritual Muscles."
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Clergy and laity are encouraged to register now for the bishop's March 7 Next Level Speaker Series | |
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The March Next Level conversation will address trauma-informed leadership, one of the church's most vital topics today.
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will join Dr. Deborah Haskins to explore thriving in the midst of trauma. The conversation will occur online on March 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and in person at Westphalia UMC in Upper Marlboro, Md.
Since the pandemic, increasing numbers of people and churches have reported living through trauma. To better resource pastors and other church leaders, the bishop has invited Haskins, a renowned expert in this field, to provide tools to assist in helping people affected by trauma find health and wholeness and strengthen ministries in churches that may be experiencing trauma.
Read more about Dr. Haskins and her story. See a video of Dr. Haskins discussing the Next Level event.
Learn more and register.
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5 resolutions submitted for Annual Conference consideration | |
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This Saturday, Connectional Table members will review five resolutions and several budget and stewardship measures coming before this year's Annual Conference Session in May. The resolutions submitted by individuals and groups in the BWC are online.
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The BWC’s Peace with Justice committee has scheduled a series of Voter Registration Training webinars to help get as many people to vote as possible. The training is open to everyone. Two workshops remain: on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Register; and Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. Register. | |
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Brave Conversation Resourcers: The BWC and Pen-Del are now accepting applications for the next cohort of Brave Conversation Resourcers. Resourcers are people trained to help congregations have brave, contextual conversations that foster Beloved Community. Learn more and apply.
Explore the rich history of Methodism in Baltimore. The BWC will lead a pilgrimage to visit Lovely Lane UMC, Old Otterbein UMC, Sharp Street Memorial UMC, and Bishop’s Lot in Mt. Olivet Cemetery on March 2. On April 21, we will begin with worship and a tour of Old Otterbein UMC and travel to Lovely Lane UMC to see the church and museum. Full historical interpretation will be provided. Please note that there is no availability for May Confirmation Tours this year. Contact bonniemccubbin@bwcumc.org or archives-history@bwcumc.org for more details.
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Children of Faith: The Wesley Innovation Hub at Wesley Theological Seminary is a community of imaginative faith leaders built on developing transformative thinking and practices in Christianity. The Children of Faith project aspires to partner with DMV churches that have a call to support the spiritual lives of parents/caregivers and families, broadly defined. They are seeking your assistance before March 2 with a 15-minute survey. Paid ministers, pastors, or other church staff can complete the survey about how your church accompanies parents/caregivers. Parents and caregivers can complete the survey.
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Special Listening Session to be held for young people | |
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The BWC's Restructuring Task Force completed ten listening sessions throughout the conference, hearing bold and interesting ideas about creating a structure that builds discipleship opportunities, strengthens relationships and cultivates a spirit of connection.
They'll hold a special online session for young people on Feb. 25 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The session will be structured so that our young people can share their hopes, dreams and what they see as the biggest needs in their communities. They will be invited into a conversation that empowers them to think big, share without hesitation, and brainstorm the best way to achieve their hopes for their churches and communities. Register online.
During the coming weeks, as scenarios are created, the Task Force calls conference members to a time of prayer every Wednesday at 12:01 p.m.
A conference-wide online town hall to present scenarios created from ideas at the Listening Sessions will be held on March 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Register.
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Across the Connection Calendar
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Connectional Table Meeting
Feb. 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BWC Mission Center in Fulton.
UMCOR Sunday
March 10
This special Sunday offering supports the United Methodist Committee on Relief by providing funds for administrative resources for disaster response.
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Additional Disicpleship Opportunities | |
ASL Class - During the season of Lent, people in the BWC are invited to join a two-session introductory ASL class on 3/4 and 3/11 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Register here. Contact Rev. Leo Yates with questions. | |
Grants available to local churches: Do you have an innovative and exciting idea for a New Faith Expression or new worship service? Do you have a plan for a new ministry that will help your congregation go to the “next level”? Are you developing a way to reach new people who are not yet a part of any church? The Baltimore-Washington Conference Congregational Development Grants, offered through the Unified Funding Task Force, can assist you with a grant to launch your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, leader development ministry, or to reach new people. The application period opens Feb. 15 and closes April 1. Learn more.
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists in each annual conference for exceptional ministry in evangelism. The BWC recognizes one clergy, layperson, and youth at the Annual Conference session. The deadline for award nominations is April 1. Learn more and see the application forms.
Celebrate Camping Sunday: Congregations are encouraged to celebrate the Camping and Retreat Ministries of the Baltimore-Washingotn Conference on April 21 or whatever Sunday works best for their calendar. See liturgical resources for this special worship service.
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Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.
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Submissions?
Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
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