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We pray for Bishop Peggy Johnson and for her spouse, the Rev. Mary Johnson, an Elder in the BWC whose mother, Eleanor, died April 22. We also continue to pray for Rev. Johnson's full recovery from her open-heart surgery. She is progressing well but was unable to travel to be with her mother and family. Condolences and good wishes can be mailed to 74 Durso Ave.

Rev. Shannon Sullivan, her spouse Aaron and son Zeke (and grandmother Rev. Melissa McDade), welcomed baby Jeremiah Michael Sullivan-Harrington into the world on April 19. 

We pray for Bishop Easterling, the BWC Cabinet, and all of the clergy and churches who will be experiencing a change of appointment this year. See the appointment list.

"All About Love" is the theme of the 239th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, to be held May 31 - June 1 at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore. This time of holy conferencing will feature opportunities for worship, learning, fellowship and serving in mission.

The deadline for standard registration is Wednesday, April 26, at midnight. Those who register before the deadline will save $50 off the late registration cost of $199, and receive their "Express Check-In" registration packet before the conference. Online registration closes on May 17. There will be no on-site registration. Register for the Annual Conference.

On Saturday, June 3, the annual conference will celebrate the lives and ministries of young people. Youth and young adults from throughout the conference are invited. There will also be opportunities for individuals or youth groups to showcase their gifts and talents. If you are a young person (or work with young people) who would like to share/lead on Saturday, fill out this form.

A PreConference briefing to inform clergy and lay members about matters coming before the session will be held online on May 6 from 9 am. to noon.

If you are attending the annual conference for the first time or would like to learn more, check out the Annual Conference Primer, which is brimming with important information.

'Here I Am': The BWC seeks to discover people whom God might be calling to use their gifts to serve and lead in district and conference ministries so that "more transformed lives, transform lives." Learn more about opportunities to live out your discipleship. The deadline for submitting a Leadership Interest Form is May 10.

Embark on a Local Pilgrimage: You’re invited to take a sacred journey of discovery and faith as part of the BWC’s Pilgrimage Week, May 1 - 6. To culminate the week, a Social Justice Pilgrimage will kick off on May 6 at 8:30 a.m. It will start at the Mission Center in Fulton and explore five historical sites in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. The featured sites include The Methodist Building, Mt. Zion UMC and the Mt. Zion/Female Union Band Cemetery in Georgetown, Sharp Street Memorial UMC, and Old Otterbein UMC in Baltimore. The tour costs $75 and includes lessons on pilgrimage, informative tours of each site, opportunities for spiritual reflection and lunch. Learn more and register. For more information, contact the Rev. Bonnie McCubbin.

Church security: The US Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers a Houses of Worship Security Self-Assessment. The security-focused assessment helps people at houses of worship discover vulnerabilities and identify options for mitigating those vulnerabilities. This self-assessment is the first step in building an effective church security program. Learn more.

Prayer Breakfast: The Greater Washington District United Women in Faith will hold a Prayer Breakfast on May 6 at 9:30 a.m. The fee is $15 per person and includes a donation to a related UWFaith Mission. To register, send a message to UMWGWD2022@gmail.com.

Level Up, is new video series that provides lessons in church leadership from the Rev. Jack Shitama of the Center of Vital Leadership. This week, Shitama explores how vision is crucial to leadership. A new video premieres each Monday.

Mission-Shaped Church is a weekly blog that helps leaders grow in this discipleship. Written by the Revs. Bill Brown and Lauren Harris, who lead the BWC's innovative evangelism ministries, the blog is an important resource for those seeking to grow in their understanding of faith.

Assisting migrants with personal needs: As migrants continue to arrive in Washington, DC, we ask you to support our new neighbors. Donate now to help purchase much-needed undergarments for children and adults.

Donate Now:

Seminary Scholarship: Trinity UMC is offering a scholarship that honors the Rev. Lynn Arthur Brown to benefit a candidate for the ordained ministry from the Washington East District. The scholarship is based on neither financial need nor merit. The selection will be by random drawing. If there are no applicants from Washington East, the scholarship may be awarded to any qualifying candidate from the Baltimore-Washington Conference. The scholarship is designed to assist with costs for tuition, housing, or books for the Master of Divinity degree.

Celebrating History: Strawbridge Shrine, near New Windsor, celebrates its annual Colonial Days on June 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. This free, family-friendly event features skill demonstrations, music and tours of the shrine where Methodism began in America in 1760.

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

See the church classified ads, now online.