Registration is now open for the 239th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, May 31 through June 3, at the Hilton Hotel, 401 West Pratt St. in Baltimore. The theme of the conference is “All About Love.”
Registration closes May 15. Early bird registration is $149; regular registration is $159; late registration is $199. There will be no on-site registration.
Meals, which may be ordered during registration, are $30 for breakfast, $40 for lunch and $50 for dinner. Members who wish to stay overnight at the hotel can make reservations through the Hilton at https://book.passkey.com/e/50361542. The cost is $149 a night; parking is $15 per day.
A Pre-Conference Briefing will be held online Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to noon.
This conference will be the first time members have come together in person since 2019. It is expected to be a time of meaningful worship, learning, discipleship and fellowship. Conference leaders have heard the concerns expressed by local church leaders about the costs of attending an in-person session. Previously agreed-upon contractual obligations, make these costs unavoidable, but they are investigating ways of addressing these concerns in the future. One advantage of gathering this year in person is that it provides an opportunity for hands-on mission. In addition, the in-person gathering has created the chance for an intentional and special focus on young people’s ministries on the morning of Saturday, June 3. Young people from throughout the conference are invited to attend.
Annual Conference begins with the clergy session from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on May 31, and a laity session from 2 to 4 p.m. Opening worship is at 7 p.m. On Thursday the day begins with Bible study, followed by an opportunity for holy conferencing in Circles of Love and a plenary session. A Service of the Saints to celebrate the lives and ministry of those who have died this year will be held at 7 p.m. On Friday the day will feature Bible study, a hands-on mission project at the hotel and an off-site mission project in the community, plenary sessions and an evening of fun led by young people's ministries.
Saturday begins with a Confirmation Rally open to all youth of the conference, followed by a special speaker on young people’s ministries and learning labs. Ordination will be held at 2 p.m. Bishop Peter Weaver will be the guest preacher.
Members this year will need to bring their cell phone, tablet, or laptop computer to vote.
Several groups will host special meals. They include:
Wednesday, 5/31/23 Retirement Lunch (by invitation only)
Wednesday, 5/31/23 Appointments Beyond the Local Church Dinner
Thursday, 6/1/23 UMM/UWF Lunch
Thursday, 6/1/23 Local Pastors & Associates Lunch
Thursday, 6/1/23 Wesley Alumni Lunch
Thursday, 6/1/23 Order of Deacons Lunch
Thursday, 6/1/23 Duke Divinity Alumni Lunch
Thursday, 6/1/23 Boston University Lunch
Thursday, 6/1/23 BWARM Dinner
Thursday, 6/1/23 Memorial Dinner (by invitation only)
Friday, 6/2/23 Wesley/Nexus Buffet Breakfast
Friday, 6/2/23 BMCR Dinner
A number of training workshops will be offered Wednesday morning, May 31 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Register for the workshop when you register for the Annual Conference session. The workshops include:
- Cultivating Generosity through Community Connections, with Frank Robert and the MidAtlantic United Methodist Foundation
-
Daring Adventures: Helping Gender Diverse Kids and Their Families Thrive, with Rev. Rachel A. Cornwell
- An Introduction to Creating A Legacy-Giving Program, with Rev. Marlon Tilghman
- Sustaining While Disrupting: The Challenge of Congregational Innovation, with Rev. Doug Powe
- Hope For The City: Transformational Leadership Development for Urban Ministries, with Rev. C. Anthony Hunt
- Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Refresher Course, with Thea Becton and Ray Yarnall
- The Church at the Intersections, with leaders from the General Commission on Religion and Race
For information or questions about registration, contact Darlene Washington at AC2023@bwcumc.org.
