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Earlier this month, Smith Island, Maryland, was hit by a tornado. We pray for the three United Methodist churches on the island and for the people who are recovering from the storm. See the story.

United Methodists are also supporting relief efforts for those affected by the flooding in Kentucky.

Journey to Beloved Community is an eight-session online course that focuses on six actions you and community partners can take to create inclusive spaces of belonging and becoming. An orientation will be held Thursday, Sept. 15. The classes run Thursday evenings from Sept. 22 to Oct. 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Registration closes Sept. 12.

Learn more. Register.

The Baltimore-Washington Conference is collecting funds to assist ministries to migrants who are being bussed to Washington, D.C., from Texas and Arizona.

Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg is on the front lines of feeding these migrants and helping them get basic needs. Epworth's kitchen and fellowship hall are used during the week to pack dinner to be delivered. Consider signing up to drop off “home” cooked meals for 60 people at Epworth UMC. Dinner drop-off is from 5 to 6 p.m. The meals are provided to migrant families temporarily housed in a nearby motel. The migrants are primarily from Latin America, and culturally familiar food is appreciated.

Deaf Awareness: The denomination’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee invites you to observe International Deaf Awareness Week, Sept. 19-25. The committee is offering $500 microgrants to churches to promote and celebrate Deaf awareness. Applications are due Aug. 25. Learn more.

It's Your Story to Tell: Storytelling for Advocacy Training is a special event led by SPACEs in Action. It takes place Saturday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center and online. Through storytelling, participants will be guided to articulate what they value and then connect their problems or issues into bold solutions and actions. See a promotional video. Learn more and register.

Accessibility Conversations: The BWC's Commission on Disability Concerns will hold three "Accessibility Conversations" this fall. The committee seeks to support churches and ministries to become accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities (differing abilities) in the church or ministry setting. The webinar meets on the first Friday of the month at 11 a.m. Topics include: in September, suicide prevention; in October, National Disability Awareness; and in November, best practices for disability. Register.

Justice for our Children: Healing for Our Communities: The BWC Committee on Native American Ministries invites United Methodists to observe a special time of prayer and action from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6 as they remember the atrocities perpetrated on tribal children when they were taken from their families and placed in boarding schools. Learn more.

Living Well: All clergy are strongly encouraged to enroll in the seven-month Living Well program that fulfills the clergy renewal and assessment requirements of Para. 349.3 of The United Methodist Book of Discipline. The program, which includes two retreats and monthly meetings, focuses on a holistic understanding of heart, soul, strength, and mind, and helps participants create ministry development plans. The sessions are, Aug 23-25 at Camp Pecometh; Sept. 27-29 at Camp Manidokan and Oct. 25-27 at West River Center Learn more and register.

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Project SPIRIT Sickle Cell, Inc., which receives support from the Baltimore-Washington Conference, offers congregations the opportunity to learn more about sickle cell traits and the spiritual implications of living with sickle cell disease. For more information, contact Rev. Lorraine Brown at 240-784-1351.

Calling all sight-reading singers: Lovely Lane UMC in Baltimore will hold a Choral Festival on Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. to celebrate its 250th Anniversary. They are seeking 200 choristers. There will be two rehearsals; the first at Colesville UMC on Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the second on Nov. 5 at Lovely Lane UMC. The cost for music is $30. Singers may register by sending the following information to the church (lovelylane.bcs@gmail.com) by Aug. 29: name, email, phone number, postal address and vocal part.

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See the church classified ads, now online.