October 9, 2023 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

We pray, heart and soul, for the people of the Holy Land. May peace prevail.

Today, members of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences celebrate Indigenous People's Day. We honor and pray for the indigenous people in our midst and commit ourselves to work on justice and wholeness for all people.

The BWC's Gun Violence Prevention Team encourages United Methodists to take action following the shooting at Morgan State University last week. Read their statement.

October is Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. The BWC's committee doing ministry in this area offers information and resources for churches that wish to observe this month in meaningful ways.

BWC leaders are learning how to be a non-anxious presence in an exciting online course with the Rev. Jack Shitama. Read the story.

A vibrant church history, the spirit of ministry, magic of Christmas and delicious cheeseballs will all merge on Nov. 11 at Calvary UMC's holiday bazaar in Frederick. Read the story.

"When we aim for love, innovation follows."

Bishop LaTrelle Easterling invites all clergy and lay leaders to a vibrant, life-giving conversation on leadership, creativity, curiosity and growth at the upcoming Next Level Speaker Series.

The Rev. Kenda Dean will be her featured guest at Next Level on Thursday, Oct. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wyoming UMC in Dover, Delaware and online.

God-fueled imagination is required for the church to connect with its neighbors and thrive into the future. Operating from this space is essential to combat ministry fatigue. Dean is an expert in the field and has extensive experience in new ministry development, grant writing, and nonprofit ministry, especially -- but not exclusively -- with young people.

You can register for the in-person experience, attend virtually, or purchase a copy of the event to enjoy at your convenience. 

Exciting training offered for Young People's Ministry

Young People's Ministry Training: Join other youth, children and family ministry staff and volunteers for a day of training and reflection on Nov. 4 at the West River Center. We will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end by 4 p.m. Workshops will be led by Chris Sasser, author, podcast host, and pastor of Family Ministries for Port City Community Church in Wilmington, N.C. The morning workshop will be on recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers. The afternoon workshop will focus on Intergenerational worship and ministry practices – creating ways to bring generations together for shared ministry. In addition to workshops, there will be worship, small group work, lunch, and time for reflection. Registration, which closes Friday, Oct. 27, is $30 for church staff and $20 for volunteers.

The October podcast of Thursdays at the Table, Practicing Resurrection, is now online. This month, Bishop Easterling talks with author and public theologian Janet Wolf. "The vocation for each and every human being is to join God in the repair of the world,” Wolf says. “Every day we have to practice amazement because the world seeks to numb us, to catch us in amnesia so we don't remember. We need to practice awe, very concrete awe, spiderweb-holding-raindrops awe.” Hear their conversation.

Registration Extended: Diverse Church by Design, a cross-racial and cross-cultural leadership program that offers a biblically-based approach to diversity and inclusion, will help churches create God's Beloved Community where justice, equity and love prevails. Learn more and register by Oct. 25.

A Table Church: Wards Chapel UMC in Randallstown will hold a community fellowship event on Oct. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. The church has created a Table Church pilot project with food, music, a silent auction of quilts and a car show.

Training Tuesday on Oct. 10 will focus on conflict resolution and serving on the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. On Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., the webinar will cover "New Possibilities: Creating a Leadership Pathway for Your Church," led by Ken Willard. Learn more and register.

Deacon Information Session: An online exploration session for those wishing to learn what it means to be a United Methodist deacon, learn about its history and the current role that deacons play in the church will be held Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. To learn more about the session, contact the Rev. Leo Yates. Register.

Innovators Internship: The Wesley Innovation Hub at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington is participating in a pilot cohort of young adults by offering Ministry Innovator (paid) Internships. College graduates under the age of 29 can serve as ministry innovators who learn fresh ways to meet other adults, research how to best build community, lead change and facilitate community. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31. Apply for the internship. Watch this video to learn more.

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, join the BWC for a vibrant celebration at Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg on Oct. 15 at 3 p.m.

A BWC Ministries Grants & Awards Information Session will be held Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Join the Baltimore-Washington Conference's Advocacy and Action Board to learn about BWC Ministries grants and awards. This interactive workshop will allow participants to learn what funding is available, who offers funding, what qualifies for funding, how to apply for funding and answers to any other grant-related questions. Register.

Churches are encouraged to submit their Congregational Pathways Intent to Apply forms before the Oct. 18 deadline. The Pathways are initiatives that help churches discover their next faithful step in becoming more vital. The form is available in Arena. Learn more at www.pdcbwc.org/vitality-pathways.html.

The BWC’s first children’s retreat will be held Friday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 12, at West River Camp in Churchton. The retreat is aimed at 1st through 5th graders. Churches may bring a group with chaperones, and families can attend as a unit. There will be crafts, games, fellowship, camp activities, and worship. The cost is $120/child and $130/adult. Learn more and register.

A Legislative Advocacy Training Day will be held Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mission Center in Fulton and online via Zoom. Register.

National UMC in Washington, D.C., is hosting its eighth annual Silence the Violence concert to support the TraRon Center on Oct. 14 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Learn more.

Lessons in Leadership

Level Up is a video series that provides lessons in church leadership using best-selling secular writings by the Rev. Jack Shitama of the Center for Vital Leadership. This week, Shitama explores how "The Church Needs Adaptive Leadership Now More Than Ever."

See church classified ads now online.