Sept. 18, 2023 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Discipleship Ministries has $40,000 to award to faith communities pursuing creative and innovative ministries. Applications for Missional Innovation grants are being accepted through Nov. 1. Grants will be awarded in the areas of Advocacy and Action, Wellness and Missions, and Young People's Ministries. Read a story about some of last year's winners.

Congregational Development grants are now being accepted through Oct. 1. These grants assist churches in launching new ministry initiatives, congregational renewal projects, or leader development ministries. Learn more and apply.

Repurposing church property effectively is more than just a real estate transaction. Join the Rev. Joe Daniels and leaders from Emory UMC in Washington as they share their story of going from a part-time appointment and a congregation that was presumed dead to a revitalized congregation that facilitated the construction of a $60 million multi-use building project with 99 units of affordable housing. Even though God’s dream for your community and the resulting project may have a different missional focus, the process of preparing for development is the same.

Join in this half-day experience on Oct. 21, Jan. 20, or May 18. Learn more.

The next Training Tuesday Webinar on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. will focus on opportunities for congregational development and charting a course for vitality. Learn more and register.

Album debut: Dan Eschilman, the director of worship at Wesley Freedom UMC, has released an album called "Welcome," a collection of 12 original songs expressing hopeful faith and progressive, Wesleyan theology. The album is on all of the digital platforms. Eischelman will hold a "release concert" at Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Listen on Apple Music, listen on Spotify, listen on YouTube.

Duke Divinity School is offering study leaves for clergy and lay ministry professionals from Jan. 22 - 26, Feb. 12 - 16, March 4 - 8, March 18 - 22 and April 8 - 12. Find time to read, reflect, research, or just relax with Study Leave for Ministry Professionals. Over the span of five to seven days, participants can immerse themselves in learning and renewal through self-directed study, worship, and prayer on the Duke University campus. Learn more and register.

All HealthFlex participants are invited to virtually attend the 2024 HealthFlex Changes and Upgrades session, presented by Wespath, on Sept. 28 from 10 to 11 a.m. A link to this virtual session will be emailed to all HealthFlex participants on Sept. 27.

A Diverse Church by Design: Cross-Racial And Cross-Cultural Leadership Program

is a biblically-based experimental approach to diversity and inclusion. The program aims to increase churches' diversity and inclusion and develop ways to create God's Beloved Community where justice, equal opportunity, and love can embrace all. Learn more and register by Oct. 1.

The Frederick District will host a workshop on How the Faith-Science Relationship Impacts Faith Formation on Oct. 28. It will be led by author Jennifer Secki Shields from Discovery & Faith. Perceptions of conflict between faith and science have long been known to contribute to the loss of 60% of our youth from both the church and the Christian faith. This workshop will discuss how those perceptions of conflict impair faith formation in children and youth. Learn more and register.

Register now for a day of fun and fellowship at United Methodist's Got Talent: Beginning at 11 a.m. on Sept 30, youth and youth leaders of BWC and Pen-Del will spend the day at Camp Pecometh enjoying games, inspirational talks, music, and a talent show as they begin a new school year. Performing is not required. The cost is $5 per person for lunch, snacks, games and more. Transportation reimbursement is available for churches that need to rent a van or bus to bring a group. Contact ccook@bwcumc.org for more details. Register.

The Gender, Race, and Ministry study, a two-year effort by the BWC’s Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM), explores how race and gender impact people's experience of ministry. Read a story about the findings. BOOM will host an online conversation about the study, which will include time for questions and discussion, on Oct. 5 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Register now.

Congregational Pathways are initiatives that help churches discover their next faithful step in becoming more vital. Churches can submit their Intent to Apply forms before Oct. 18. Learn more at www.pdcbwc.org/vitality-pathways.html.

Applications for Congregational Development Grants are now being accepted. All materials must be uploaded by Oct. 1. Do you have an innovative and exciting idea for a new faith expression or new worship service? A plan for a new ministry that will help your congregation go to the “next level?" Or are you developing a way to reach new people who are not yet a part of any church? The BWC's Congregational Development Grants can assist you in launching your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, or leader development ministry. Learn more and apply.

Local Church Events:

National UMC in Washington, D.C., is hosting its eighth annual Silence the Violence concert to support the TraRon Center on Oct. 14 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Learn more.

A Special Opportunity to Meet Bro. Emile of the Taizé Community and participate in an experience of Taizé-style prayer at Foundry UMC in Washington will be offered on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.

The Why Worship Conference for pastors and worship leaders will be held Oct. 21 at Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg; 1 CEU will be awarded through the BWC. Learn more and register.

National UMC and WesleyNexus present the second annual Weaver lecture on science and religion on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. at National UMC in Washington, D.C. The lecture will feature Dr. Catherine Keller, on “Earth Matters: Generation, Motivation, Eco-civilization."

Lessons in Leadership

Level Up is a video series that provides lessons in church leadership using best-selling secular writings by the Rev. Jack Shitama of the Center of Vital Leadership. This week, Shitama explores how "The first shall be last is a leadership principle."

See church classified ads now online.