May 27, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

The Rev. Jacqulyn Thorpe, a retired deacon, died on May 16. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, at 11 a.m. at North Bethesda UMC, 10100 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, preceded by a viewing at 10 a.m. Clergy are welcome to vest, wearing red stoles. The interment will be held in the near future at the Quantico Marine Base where Rev. Thorpe will be laid to rest beside her husband, Marvin Thorpe.

The Rev. Brenda Lewis, a BWC retired clergyperson, lost her husband, Harry, on Sunday, May 19. The wake is scheduled for Friday, May 24, from 5-8 p.m. at Wylie Funeral Home in Randallstown, MD. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m. at John Wesley UMC in Baltimore.

Dr. Emma Escobar, the BWC’s Coordinator of Hispanic-Latino Ministries and Community Organizing, has accepted a position as Director of the Hispanic-Latinx Center and Assistant Professor of Faith-based Organizing at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Illinois. While at the Conference, Emma implemented a conference-wide strategy for Hispanic-Latino Ministries and recently began equipping faith-based community organizing for our Missional Action Planning work. Her last day will be June 28.

Bishop LaTrelle Easterling was a featured guest last week on the NPR broadcast On Point, hosted by Meghna Chakrabarti. She was joined on the program by Archives and History General Secretary Dr. Ashley Boggan and the Rev. Beth Stroud. Their conversation focused on the recent General Conference actions surrounding the removal of restrictive language about LGBTQ people from church law. Hear the broadcast.

We celebrate Ferndale UMC in Glen Burnie, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on June 9.

Annual Conference is May 29-31. We invite you to begin praying for the upcoming Session as we focus together on Romans 12:1, 9-12.

More than 1,100 United Methodists will gather at the Hilton Hotel this Wednesday through Friday for a session of holy conferencing at the 240th Annual Conference.

Check out the Annual Conference Booklet: See a PDF or the Fliipbook.

Among the highlights, members will gather for fellowship and fun at Camden Yards on Wednesday evening when the Baltimore Orioles play the Boston Red Sox. A memorial service to honor the saints of the church will be held Thursday afternoon, with the Rev. C. Anthony Hunt preaching; and Dr. Carla Works will preach at the Service of Ordination on Friday afternoon. A new restructuring plan for the BWC will be discussed on Thursday evening.

Conference packets were mailed to all registered attendees on May 15. Please remember to bring them with you to the Annual Conference. Voting codes were emailed to all members on Thursday, May 23. If you have not received yours, contact AC2024@bwcumc.org. 

All Hilton guests are encouraged to download the Hilton app so that they can check in on the app and avoid the front desk check-in lines. Learn how.

Voting members to Annual Conference will want to familiarize themselves with the information being presented, including:

• A plan for restructuring the conference. Learn more.
• The proposed 2025 budget and other stewardship recommendations.
• Resolutions on reproductive rights, raising awareness of Sickle Cell Disease, celebrating 40 years of the Reconciling Ministries Network, and observing a Camping Sunday in local churches.
• The Discipleship Council Report.

Be sure to check out the many resources and opportunities for fun at the Discipleship Ministries exhibit.

As part of this year's mission project, the BWC is collecting items and funds for Adullum Community Healthcare Center at New Waverly UMC in Baltimore. Using an Amazon wish list, individuals and congregations are asked to purchase much-needed supplies that will be used by Adullum’s medical staff to provide care to their patients. You are also invited to contribute funds, which will go to salaries and other needs. IMPORTANT NOTE: The items should be sent to Dr. Irancé Reddix-McCray at 3317 Kenjac Rd, Windsor Mill, MD 21244.

Churches planning to bring a bus to ordination on May 31 should notify Debbie Albrecht at dalbrecht@bwcumc.org. Parking has been arranged on Eutaw Street. You would come around Pratt Street past the front of the hotel and turn onto Eutaw Street, which may be blocked with cones.

Those traveling to Annual Conference should be aware that traffic around Baltimore has become more congested since the collapse of the Key Bridge. Please allow extra time for the commute, especially during rush hours.

Learn more about how God is calling you

Are you wondering if God has huge plans in store for your life? Are you sensing that God might have a career for you in ministry? Are you ready to Step Out and see where God is calling you? Then join us for our Step Out event on June 22 at Wesley Freedom UMC in Sykesville. You will hear from leaders in our church and have the opportunity to ask questions about all the ways you could serve God! Learn more and register.

Discipleship Opportunities

See the video created by the BWC’s youth at the Journey2Well event.

Strawbridge Shrine Ornaments On Sale at Annual Conference: The Strawbridge Shrine Association is selling ornaments to commemorate the life and work of Robert Strawbridge, the first Methodist circuit rider. The first ornament in the series depicts the Robert Strawbridge House. These brass ornaments come with a card with information about the Strawbridge House. The cost is $20.

A.I.M. (Administrators in Ministry) is excited to announce, Walking by Faith, an in-person meeting on Thursday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All administrators in the UMC connectional structure are invited to participate. The event, which will take place at the Conference Mission Center in Fulton, will include sessions on various topics in support of administrators taking their administry to the next level. The plenary speaker is Rev. Denise Norfleet-Walker, pastor of St. Paul Praise and Worship Center and Elderslie-St. Andrews UMCs in Baltimore. The cost is $35 for A.I.M. members and $60 for non-A.I.M. members. Learn more and register.

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