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March 6, 2023 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"
Prayers of the People
The Rev. Tony Love, the assistant to Bishop Easterling and president of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, shares a prayer through the United Methodists for Social Action, as we journey together for Lent. He writes:

"This season is not my preferred plan, nor my cup of tea. Yet, I must admit I’m grateful. Grateful for this clarifying moment ... it’s helping me to redefine what’s important, what’s necessary, and what’s not; what I can live with and what I can live without. ... I pray that this season of disease and dis-ease will bring us, people of faith and those on the faith journey, to new places of purpose, understanding, and allowances. That we be stretched to work for your Kin-dom like never before and may we find space at the table for all of your beloved." Amen!
Lamar W. Kopp, 97, the oldest clergyperson in the BWC, died, March 1. Visitation will be held March 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home. The funeral will be March 8 at 11 a.m. at Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore. See his obituary.

Tom Flinn, Sr., a former Lay Leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died Feb. 15. A memorial service will be held March 24 at 11 a.m. at Catonsville UMC in Catonsville.  

Bishop LaTrelle Easterling has been selected to serve as chaplain for the opening session of the Chautauqua Institution in New York, June 24 - July 1. That week, which will focus on friendship, includes six preaching engagements. The week will include several entertainers, like Bonnie Raitt; and special lectures by people like Cornel West and his friend Robert P. George, Atlantic staff writer and Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Senior, and actor Sean Astin.
Rev. Trey Daniel is creating a unique student ministry at Frostburg State University. See the story.
BWC leaders welcomed Moscow Theological Seminary president to the Mission Center. See the story.
As Rev. Gerry Green retires, the Greater Washington District is undergoing changes. See the story.
In a Mid-term State of Church Address, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops, called on United Methodists to “be the architects of a renewed, revived and reclaimed United Methodist Church.”

Hear the address and join United Methodists as they embrace a hope-filled beloved community. Read a transcript. Dive into Scripture readings and converse with other United Methodists on crucial points from the address using the Reclaim. Revive. Renew. discussion guide.
Golf tournament aids victims of domestic violence
The Seeds of Security Annual Golf Tournament, which raises funds to assist victims of domestic violence, will be held Monday, April 24, at 9 a.m. at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Course in Columbia.

You can register one player or a team of four: single players pay $150, and foursomes can register for $500. Register here.

Seeds of Security, an entity of The Baltimore-Washington Conference, is a collaboration of networks and persons committed to educating, advocating, resourcing, and providing a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner violence. By attending the Seeds of Security Golf Tournament, you will help us be a source of healing for persons experiencing the practical, relational, and spiritual impact of intimate partner violence.
New and Featured
Peace Osuji, an eighth-grader from Shiloh UMC in Hagerstown, serves Communion to her mother at Bishop LaTrelle Easterling's conversation with rural pastors last Saturday. On March 25, at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton, Bishop Easterling will meet with local pastors at 10 a.m., Deacons at 1 p.m., and clergy serving beyond the local church at 3 p.m.
Summer Camp staff opportunities available: Both Manidokan, near Harper's Ferry, and West River, near Annapolis, are looking for staff to fill various roles this summer. Contact the office or call 800-922-6795 for more information. Apply online today.

VIM Coordinator meeting: Join an important discussion about the BWC’s Conference Volunteers in Mission Ministry on March 9 at 6 p.m. The conversation will include Northeast Jurisdiction UMVIM Coordinator, Ray Yarnall. Registration is required for this virtual gathering. If you have questions, email VIM@bwcumc.org.

'Thriving Churches: Connecting for Change': Christie Latona, the BWC’s Director of Connectional Ministries, and the Rev. Joe Daniels, pastor of Emory Fellowship UMC in Washington, D.C., will be guests on Vincent Howell’s podcast Critical Conversations Series on March 9 at 7 p.m. The focus will be “Thriving Churches, Connecting for Change.” Howell, of Hood Theological Seminary, is director of the seminary’s Congregational Faith and Learning Center.

Project Transformation DC will hold its Flipping Flapjacks Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at Emory Fellowship UMC in Washington, D.C. The breakfast, which will raise funds for 2023 summer camps, is free, but generous donations are accepted. Project Transformation DC transforms communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relations and literacy. RSVP.

March is Disability Awareness Month. See weekly bulletin inserts that your church can use to promote inclusion. See the Sunday School lesson, “Jesus Loves Me,” in ASL with Rev. Leo Yates.

Evangelism award: Nominations are now being accepted for the Harry Denman Evangelism Award. This award honors United Methodists in each annual conference for exceptional ministry in evangelism. We will recognize one clergy, one layperson, and one youth. Nominations are due April 1. See the nomination form.

2023 GBGM Missionary Draft: The Missionary Connection Event allows Conferences to select ("draft") new and under-supported missionaries for ministry partnership. In April, the BWC’s Conference Secretary on Global Ministry will choose missionaries that align with conference priorities. You are invited into a time of discernment. Which missionary do you believe best represents the priorities of the Baltimore-Washington Conference?  Learn more about each missionary and cast your vote.

Discipleship Calendar -- At a Glance
March 8, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Online from Severna Park UMC with author Jacqui Lewis
March 9, 6 p.m.
March 16
Maryland State House
March 19
Support the United Methodist Committee on Relief with a special offering
Conversations with the Bishop
March 25, BWC Mission Center in Fulton
Local pastors at 10 a.m., Deacons at 1 p.m. and clergy serving beyond the local church at 3 p.m.
May 31 - June 3, Hilton Hotel, Baltimore
Registration opens March 8
An online PreConference Briefing will be held April 29
Mission u
July 22
Community UMC in Crofton
The theme is "Living the Kin-dom: Exploring the Lord’s Prayer as Spiritual Practice for Social Transformation"
Discipleship Opportunities
Faith in Action: Join BWC and Pen-Del members for the 2023 Legislative Advocacy Days in Annapolis on March 16, and Washington D.C. on March 29, to advocate for United Methodist legislative priorities. Learn more.

Rooted, Renew and Restore, a retreat for youth and children's ministry leaders, will be held March 24 - 25 at Wesley Freedom UMC in Sykesville. Early bird registration is open through March 10 for $100. If you want to stay overnight on Friday, there is a guaranteed room rate of $104 at the Hampton Inn in Owings Mills; the code is YWC. Learn more and register. Scholarships are available.

Discipleship Pathway: A Mastermind group is forming to help you create your church's Discipleship Pathway. The 12-month, cohort-based course is designed for churches ready to develop and implement an intentional discipleship pathway. If accepted, the pastor and a person in lay leadership will work together to learn Discipleship Pathway concepts and principles and discern the best way to apply them to their ministry context. The application deadline is March 24, and the program will begin the week of April 24. There is no cost to participate in this program. Space is limited to five pastor/layperson pairs. Learn more and apply now.

Unified Funding Grant application process: Baltimore-Washington Conference Congregational Development Grants help local faith communities by providing funding to launch new ministry initiatives, congregational renewal projects, leader development ministries and opportunities to reach new people. The application period closes on April 1. Learn more.

Food Pantry opens: Mt. Olive UMC in Randallstown will hold the grand opening of its Neighbor-Choice Loaves and Fishes Pantry on March 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. RVSP.

IDEA Internships: The Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences offer summer internships to college students seeking to work in inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. Interns can engage in direct social justice action, learn from social justice experts, and connect with United Methodist advocates. These internships run from June 5 - July 28. The stipend is $2,500. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from Feb. 20 to March 31. Learn more and apply.

Join the Baltimore County Christian Workcamp for its 40th Workcamp: July 16-21. Volunteers of all ages will provide home repair and assistance for the needy in Baltimore County at this commuter camp. Learn more.
Submissions?
Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
 410.309.3455  |  mlauber@bwcumc.org