The Rev. Melissa McDade at Norrisville UMC is involved in a beauty-filled ministry in the midst of fields of sunflowers in Jarrettsville. See more about this creative ministry in a news report at https://youtu.be/_Ntx3VWFNFM.

We pray for Angelic Williams who has been appointed to be the part-time pastor of St. Luke UMC in Baltimore.

MissionShapedChurch.com, a new blog from the Revs. Bill Brown, the BWC’s Director of Innovative Evangelism and Lauren Harris, Congregational Development Coordinator, explores helping churches shift from maintenance to mission. You won't want to miss it!

Orientation will take place on Monday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Learn more and register.

Chevy Chase UMC will host a series of events Oct. 7-9 with Ryan Taylor, a spiritual activist, pastor of Urban Mercy Church in Denver and author of “Awkward Spirituality: The Divinity of Ordinary Life.”

The events are designed for clergy and laypeople to gain practical skills as contemplative activists. On Friday, Oct. 7, area pastors and leaders are invited to meet at Old Otterbein UMC in Baltimore from 1 to 3 p.m. for a Poverty Walk and discussion on Seeing Beyond the Empire. On Sunday, Oct. 9, Taylor will present his message on spiritual renewal at the Chevy Chase UMC at the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. Following a brief time of fellowship, participants will experience a Poverty Walk together in the D.C. area. For more information, contact the Rev. John Nupp.

Christians Engaged in Faith Formation (CEF), a gathering of clergy and lay Christian educators, will gather Thursday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. at Looney's restaurant near the BWC Mission Center in Fulton to talk about current realities for churches, goals, and ministry ideas.

A clergy pre-retirement planning session will be held Sept. 22 and 27. The first session, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., is about Wespath benefits. Register. The second session, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will address financial planning. Register.

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. online via Zoom. 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.

Talk it Out: Locust UMC in Columbia received a grant from The Horizon Foundation to deliver, Talk it Out, a program to engage youth and young adults in mental wellness. The program has been expanded to those ages 26-45. The registration deadline is Sept. 28. Learn more and register.

The Frederick District Lay Servant Committee will offer a course on “Living our Principles: A Look at The United Methodist Church’s Social Principles” online and at Trinity UMC in Frederick over five Saturdays, Oct. 1-20, 10 a.m. to noon. Register by Sept. 22.

The BWC’s United Men's Ministries will hold their annual gathering and business session on Oct. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. Learn more.

The ninth annual Rev. Callie Matthews Scholarship Walk will be Oct. 22 at 9 a.m., at 1 Dock Street in Annapolis. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Learn more, register and donate.

Introducing the Brave Conversation Resourcers: The Baltimore-Washington Conference and The People's Supper are excited to introduce Brave Conversation Resourcers, a group of people trained to help congregations across the conference have brave conversations that contextually advance inclusion, diversity, equity and antiracism. These individuals have facilitation experience, are culturally aware, emotionally intelligent, have a non-anxious presence in times of trouble, and are good listeners. Resourcers are now available to walk alongside congregations who need their support. Click here to learn more about the Brave Conversations Resourcers and request their facilitation services in your congregation.

The application period for the BWC’s congregational development grants is now open. The grants, offered through the Unified Funding Task Force, assist congregations in launching new ministry initiatives, new or renewed congregational development, leader development and reaching new people. The deadline is Oct. 10. Learn more and apply.

The annual mission innovation grant applications for advocacy and action, wellness and missions, and young people’s ministry are now open. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to faith communities that have a proven ministry idea in one of these ministry areas. The deadline to apply is Nov. 1. Learn more and apply.

We are the Church Resource: Ask the UMC recently issued a resource that provides good information on What should United Methodist congregations know about disaffiliation?

The denomination also offers a new "We are the church together" resource that helps congregations dig into shared beliefs, history, mission and ministry to stand firm and face the future — together. This Google slide presentation aids leaders in walking their church through what it means to be United Methodist and answering questions that members are asking.

MLK Day of Service: Glen Mar Church is looking for another church or two to partner with them on a service project called Day of Service scheduled for Monday, January 16, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See last year's events. If your church is interested, send an email to dayofservice@glenmarumc.org. 

Hedgesville UMC in Hedgesville, W.Va., will hold its Heritage Day on Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with music of the Holbrook Family, carnival games and activities, special food, vendors and more.

The Strawbridge Shrine Association will hold its annual meeting Saturday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. at New Hope UMC/Bethel Church in New Windsor. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, Director of Pilgrimage & Museums for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Learn more.

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 - 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.

See a story on this important resource. Learn more about the Pillars of Vitality. The gatherings this fall include:

Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.

See the church classified ads, now online.