March 4, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | |
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This Sunday, the church celebrates UMCOR -- the United Methodist Committee on Relief -- with a special offering. Watch Thea Becton, the BWC's Wellness and Missions Coordinator, who is featured in a video sharing her thoughts about the partnerships and possibilities that UMCOR brings to conferences and local churches. See the video.
The Rev. Joseph Archie, superintendent of the Delaware District, has been endorsed by the Peninsula-Delaware Conference delegation to be a candidate for the episcopacy. See the story.
A memorial service for the Rev. Lillian Geib, a retired Elder, will be held March 6 at 11 a.m. at First UMC, Martinsville in southern Virginia. For those who want to watch it, a link is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt11vEiczOw.
We celebrate the ministry of the Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, pastor of Epworth Chapel UMC in Baltimore, who will be inducted into the Morehouse College MLK Collegium of Scholars on April 11. The induction will be live-streamed on the Morehouse YouTube channel.
A new list of Clear Opening churches was posted on Thursday. We continue to pray for Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, the Cabinet and all those pastors and congregations who are receiving new appointments this year. See the appointment list.
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The Rev. Rod Miller is the author of the BWC's “Living Like Christ,” a 40-day online banquet of spiritual exercises.
“I think the wisdom of this resource is the possibility of transformation, of change, of growth, of not growing out of ourselves, but growing into ourselves – becoming more who we are," he said. "I really think that’s the purpose of the church, to become more who we are.” Read his story.
In this week’s Lenten exercises, participants explore how to honor their pain as they discover the presence of God. Visit Living Like Christ: A Banquet of Spiritual Exercises.
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Retreat set for youth and children ministry leaders | |
Necessary Ingredients, a training and retreat for youth, children, and family ministry leaders, will be held on April 5 and 6 at Westminster UMC. Leaders working in youth, children, and family ministries are invited to attend. Attendees will spend two days with other youth, children, and family ministry leaders to focus on the necessary ingredients for a thriving ministry. Learn from experts Chris Sasser and Chania Dillard as they teach mental health, intergenerational ministry practices, and recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers. Early bird registration is $50 through March 18. Regular registration is $75. Register online. | |
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An online town hall to share a Restructuring Scenario for the BWC will be held on March 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The plan, designed by a Restructuring Task Force and reviewed by the Connectional Table, was designed specifically to focus on the BWC’s mission to cultivate world-changing disciples. Register for the Restructuring Town Hall.
Training Tuesday: Faithfully Managing Church Finances, led by the Rev. Cary James, Jr., will be the focus of the Training Tuesday webinar on March 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Learn more and register.
Global Ambassador shares faith: On Sunday, March 17, David Worthington, Global Ambassador at John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol, England, will speak at Lovely Lane UMC in Baltimore at 11 a.m. The New Room was the first structure built specifically for Methodist meetings by John Wesley. Worthington will speak about using our heritage as a means of connection and mission. All are welcome.
Join BWARM, Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling Methodists, on March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at North Bethesda UMC for a meeting with special guest Jan Lawrence, executive director of Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), about the upcoming General Conference. You can also attend via Zoom, The link is: https://zoom.us/j/94532105593?pwd=N3ExRG90elNHTVoxSDM0Y3pBZ0Qydz09; Meeting ID: 945 3210 5593, Passcode: 699170.
On Good Friday, March 29, at 3:30 p.m., Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and a collection of other preachers will share the “7 Last Cries of Mothers of Murdered Sons,” at Northwood Appold UMC in Baltimore.
Action Alert from GBCS: Tell the U.S. Senate to Act to Reduce Child Poverty -- If passed by the Senate, this bill will lift as many as 400,000 children out of poverty in the first year, rising to 500,000 in 2025. We must advocate that this bill is passed in the Senate. Learn More & Take Action.
Christ United Methodist Church of the Deaf in Baltimore is In search of a larger van (or bus) to help with transportation needs to and from the worship services and ministry/mission events. If you can help or know someone who can, contact Rev. Lisa Holder at 240-291-1683 (text only) or deafumcpastor@gmail.com.
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New Certified Lay Minister applications being accepted | |
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Applications for the next class of Certified Lay Ministers of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, Class of 2024-2026, are being accepted. Learn more.
Prospective CLM students must be current Certified Lay Servants or Certified Lay Speakers and must consult with their pastors before beginning the process. The website contains an application and information to be shared with your pastor, along with the steps that must be taken before you can register. Registration closes July 1. The next class will start in September and is a two-year commitment. Questions can be directed to Linda Flanagan, Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries.
Note: Those interested in taking the CLM modules online through Beadisciple.com must also complete the application process before registering for the online modules, and meet the BWC requirements during the training.
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Across the Connection Calendar
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Additional Disicpleship Opportunities | |
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ASL Class - During the season of Lent, people in the BWC are invited to join a two-session introductory ASL class on March 4 and March 11 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Register here. Contact Rev. Leo Yates with questions.
Day of Well-Being: The BWC Staff Wellness Committee is sponsoring a day of well-being that will delve into various practices, from mindfulness to fitness and nutrition to financial support on March 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participating in the event will be guests from the Howard County Library, Howard County General Hospital, Shift Yoga, Greek on the Street food truck, and more.
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Grants available to local churches: 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? The Baltimore-Washington Conference Congregational Development Grants, offered through the Unified Funding Task Force, can assist you with a grant to launch your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, leader development ministry, or to reach new people. The application period opens Feb. 15 and closes April 1. Learn more.
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists in each annual conference for exceptional ministry in evangelism. The BWC recognizes one clergy, layperson, and youth at the Annual Conference session. The deadline for nominations is April 1. Learn more and see the application forms.
Registration for Wesley Theological Seminary’s online 22-hour, 10-module Summer 2024 Health Minister Certificate is now open until April 16. The Certificate allows participants to understand the basic foundations of health minis try – a ministry that integrates body, mind, and spirit. See the flyer for details and registration information.
Explore the rich history of Methodism in Baltimore. The BWC will lead a pilgrimage in Baltimore on April 21. We will begin with worship and a tour of Old Otterbein UMC and travel to Lovely Lane UMC to see the church and museum. Full historical interpretation will be provided. Please note that there is no availability for May Confirmation Tours this year. Contact bonniemccubbin@bwcumc.org or archives-history@bwcumc.org for more details.
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