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March 20, 2023 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"
Prayers for the People
Daniel Carl Tidcomb, 49, the son of the Rev. Andrea Titcomb and her husband, Dean, died March 6, at his home in Gallatin, Tenn. A memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, April 1, at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, at 1120 Spa Road in Annapolis, preceded by visitation at 11 a.m. A private inurnment will be held at a later date in the church’s Peace Garden. Condolences may be sent to Andy and Dean at 253 Lindenhall Ct., Riva, MD
21140-1518.

We give thanks for the new ministry of Neighbors' Choice Loaves and Fishes Pantry at Mount Olive UMC in Randallstown, which held its grand opening on March 18.

During the next few months, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and the Cabinet are making clergy appointments, which go into effect July 1. We pray for all those who will receive new appointments and the congregations they will serve. See the appointment list.
Bishop Johnson publishes memoir
Bishop Peggy Johnson, who is serving as the episcopal leader of the New England Conference, has published her memoir, The Ever-Expansive Spirit of God: For All Who Feel Left Out. The proceeds from the book will benefit Christ Deaf UMC in Baltimore, where she served for 20 years.
 
In the book, the bishop explores the “controversy around same-gender marriage, sexual orientation, gender identity and what it means to keep in a covenantal relationship with fellow United Methodists of differing opinions” by sharing her own story as a bishop of the church, wife of a transgender woman, and mother of a gay son.
 
See a story about the book. Get a copy through the publisher’s website. The book will be available from booksellers beginning in July 2023.
New and Featured

Scholarships available for YOUTH 2023: The denomination’s annual youth event will be held July 25 - 28 in Daytona, Florida. Details about the event, including the agenda and cost, can be found onlineThe BWC will pay $100 per student who attends. Scholarships are limited; email Cheryl Cook for more details.

The deadline to submit a Unified Funding Task Force Grant is approaching. All materials must be uploaded by April 1. Do you have an innovative and exciting idea for a new faith expression or new worship service? Do you have a plan for a new ministry that will help your congregation go to the “next level?" Are you developing a way to reach new people who are not yet a part of any church? If you answered yes to any of these, the BWC's Congregational Development Grants, offered through the Unified Funding Task Force, may be able to assist you with a grant to launch your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, leader development ministry and or to reach new people. Learn more and apply.

Holy Week observances:
  • Sanctuary: The combined choirs of Glenelg UMC and Mount Zion UMC will perform Joseph Martin’s “Sanctuary” on Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Glenelg UMC.
  • Seven Last Words of Christ: Glen Mar Church in Ellicott City will present the cantata “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Theodore Dubois during its Good Friday service on April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

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 $500. Register here.

Registration is now open for Camp Joy, which will be held July 9-15 and July 16-22Camp Joy is an opportunity for youth to serve in mission in the Appalachian region of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia by providing home repair to those who do not have the means to take on the repairs themselves. Beyond repairing homes, this mission ministry provides a transformative, immersive community experience amid God’s beautiful creation, demonstrating how our lives and faith intersect. Learn more and register.

Summer Camp staff and volunteer opportunities available: Spend time this summer changing the lives of young people at Camp Manidokan, near Harper's Ferry, and West River, near Annapolis, where staff and volunteers are sought. Contact the office or call 800-922-6795 for more information. Apply online today.

Legislative seminar: The Greater Washington District United Women in Faith will hold a virtual legislative seminar on Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The Legislative Advocacy Team will present and discuss the current United Methodist priorities for the state of Maryland and national legislation. Contact Tijuana Moore Irons at 301-821-0966 for registration and information.

Discipleship Calendar -- At a Glance
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.
April 29, online
Learn more about the resolutions and other business coming before the Annual Conference Session.
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
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 31Learn more and apply.

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.

Fundraising dinner: Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant UMC in Rockville will host an evangelism and outreach dinner fundraiser on March 31. The preorder deadline is March 24. Learn more.

Women's retreat: Hopkins UMC will host a women's retreat on April 22 at 9 a.m. at the Mission Center in Fulton. View the list of speakers and learn more.

Native American Ministries: The Pen-Del-BWC Native American Ministries are wondering how you celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday or Native American Heritage Month. Tell them about a missional activity or study related to Native Americans that you've had. Share your thoughts.

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 such as Cornel West and his friend Robert P. George, Atlantic staff writer and Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Senior, and actor Sean Astin.
Nominations are now being accepted for several Conference awards:
  • The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists in each annual conference for exceptional ministry in evangelism. We will recognize one clergy, one layperson, and one youth. 
  • The Moral Courage Award goes to those who pursue justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
  • The Youth Group Leader Award honors a BWC United Methodist who exemplifies inviting, inspiring and strengthening skilled youth servant workers.
  • The Advocacy & Action Award provides $1,000 to a faith community that exemplifies partnering with their communities to transform systems that disenfranchise, marginalize, and oppress.
  • The Wellness & Mission Award provides $1,000 to a faith community that exemplifies the fostering of spiritual, physical and mental health for all and promotes an understanding of the interconnectedness of all aspects of health.
Award winners will be recognized at the Annual Conference session. The deadline for award nominations is April 1. Learn more and see the application forms.

Reclaim, Revive, Renew: In a Mid-Term State of Church Address, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops, called 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.