June 24, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

tPrayers of the People

"A Prayer for All" is the inscription on the new memorial bench in front of the BWC Mission Center, dedicated June 21 to the memory of Tony Martucci, the Mission Center assistant, who died last year.

A celebration of Priscilla "Lee" DeLong, the wife of the Rev. Ed DeLong, will be held Sunday, Aug. 25, at 1 p.m. at Catonsville UMC. DeLong died on June 9. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Alzheimer's Association of Maryland, Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center in Baltimore, or the Charlestown Benevolent Care Fund. Condolences may be sent to Rev. DeLong, a retired Elder in the BWC, at 719 Maiden Choice Lane, Apt. HR 135, Catonsville, MD 21228.

We pray for the pastors and congregations that will experience changes in appointments on July 1. See a listing of the new appointments.

Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference meets July 10-12

The Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference will meet July 10-12 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Penn. The theme, based on Romans 15:13, is "Overflowing with Hope.”

Because of the General Conference's action, no episcopal elections are expected during this session. The assignments of bishops for the next quadrennium will be announced on Friday, July 12, at 8:30 a.m.

Discipleship Opportunities

West River Camp in Churchton is setting records for the number of young people attending camp this summer. However, their success has led to a need for volunteers to serve as camp counselors for a week at a time. Pastors are reminded that serving at the camp does not count against their vacation time. Guidance will be provided for anyone who is interested. For more information, contact the Rev. Jenna Johnson, assistant director at West River Center.

Vitality Pilot: Does your church want to improve its planning for vitality? Does it want to help pilot a new process that will shape what all churches use in 2025? If so, please let us know by completing this Church Mission and Vitality Progress Report Pilot interest form. This progress report is designed to: 1) keep us focused on developing disciples for the transformation of the world; 2) record progress and set intentions; and 3) support local church annual goal setting to improve vitality. Learn more by watching the Discipleship Council report.

Mission u: The Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences United Women in Faith and the BWC's Wellness and Missions ministries will host Mission u at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum on July 20. Registration is $90 for adults, $45 for youth and $35 on Zoom. Learn more. Register.

The BWC has openings for Campus Ministry Interns at the United Methodist ministry HUBs on the campuses of Towson, Morgan State, and University of Maryland College Park. HUB stands for Here U Belong. The interns will help shape and create ministry with support from invested and gifted adults. The time commitment is six to eight hours a week during the school year. The pay is $16 an hour. Complete this form to apply for this position at Morgan State, Towson, or University of Maryland College Park.

An India Christian Day will be celebrated in the DMV area at the Southern Asian Seventh Day Adventist Church in Silver Spring on Saturday, June 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorial First India UMC in Silver Spring will lead the singing and the Revs. Christine Kumar and Neal Christie will offer remarks. A free Indian dinner will be served at this ecumenical event. All are welcome.

Foundry UMC in Washington D.C. invites United Methodists to participate in the Mass Poor People's & Low-Wage Workers' Assembly & Moral March on Washington, D.C., & to the Polls on June 29 at 10 a.m. at 3rd St. and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Learn more.

Restorative Justice: Today, people are turning to restorative justice, practices to strengthen community, create dialogue across divisions, and prevent and respond to conflict and harm. These practices are consistent with Christian teachings and values, and churches are using them to build the beloved community. Learn more. Register.

Reignite Your Leadership Journey: The School of Congregational Development is returning to Chicago this summer as See//Create//Disciple (SCD). See: Shifting the focus to seeing and reaching out to all the people Christ has called us to reach. Create: Fostering a new United Methodist movement that loves and serves the present age and beyond. Disciple: Inspiring and equipping participants to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The event will be Aug 4-7, at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Ill. Register. Contact Rev. Bill Brown, the Director of Innovative Evangelism, if you have questions. Scholarships are available.

The Fresh Expressions Academy launches in November. To help facilitate the cultivation of Fresh Expressions, the academy will combine presentations, regular coaching, peer-to-peer discussions, immersion experiences, and an online group. The opening training day is Nov. 2, 2024 and the closing gathering is Nov. 1, 2025. Learn more and register.

Accessibility Coordinators: Participants from United Methodist churches and ministries in the Baltimore-Washington Conference are invited to attend a free two-hour class to learn some of the fundamentals of being an accessibility coordinator. This training offers a pathway for churches to be more welcoming to persons with disabilities and differing abilities. Volunteers, staff, and/or members of the board of trustees are welcome to attend this informative training, led by the Rev. Leo Yates and held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.

• July 13 - Baltimore - Christ Church of the Deaf
• July 20 - Annapolis - Arnold UMC
• Aug. 27 - Frederick - Trinity UMC
• Aug. 3 - Washington, D.C. - Silver Spring UMC
• Aug. 10 - Virtual training (open to participants from the BWC and Pen-Del)
• Sept. 7 - West Virginia - Likely Shepherdstown UMC
• Sept. 14 - Cumberland - Location TBD

See a listing of local church events.

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