Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

March 17, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

Members from the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area attended the New Faith Expressions conference in Georgia. See a story from the Rev. Chet Jechura. See photos from the gathering.

The Rev. Daryl Williams, chair of the BWC's Commission on Finance and Administration, reports on the conference's strength and generosity. In 2024, the conference achieved an 84.5 percent collection rate on our mission share giving, resulting in a total of $12,197,147 in giving to support the connectional work of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and The United Methodist Church. Read his commentary.

Connected in service: St. Paul’s Praise and Worship Center recently needed assistance in its efforts to host Howard University students on their Alternative Spring break. The Freshman Celebrative (A new clergy covenant group in the Baltimore Metropolitan District) funded the event, and Mt. Washington Aldersgate UMC provided the space for the students who worked with children in the Baltimore City schools.

Ebenezer UMC in Washington, D.C., is "a sacred space where faith, the arts and justice converge." See a story on their most recent work, A Refutation, a staged reading that awakens a quest for justice.

Last week, a large tour group from Chung-Cheong Annual Conference of the Korean Methodist Church went to Lovely Lane Museum. The visitors were celebrating the anniversary of Appenzeller's Korean Mission, which introduced Christianity to Korea.

We pray for Bishop Easterling and the Cabinet, along with pastors and churches experiencing changes in pastoral appointments. See the appointment and retiree list. See a list of Clear Opening church profiles.

Creating Vital Change: As the churches of the Baltimore-Washington Conference prepare for restructuring, Wave 2 resources will help focus on the values that assist churches in growing in vitality and outward-facing ministry. Learn more.

New and Featured Ministries

A Federal Legislative Advocacy Day will take place on March 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Capitol Hill UMC in Washington. The event is an opportunity for United Methodists to meet their representatives and advocate for United Methodist values. Registration closes on March 23.

A D.C. Legislative Advocacy Day will be held April 30 at Asbury UMC in Washington.

Applications for Congregational Development Grants are now available. All materials must be uploaded by April 1. Do you have an innovative idea or a plan for a new ministry that will help your congregation go to the “next level"? Are you developing a way to reach people who are not yet a part of any church? The BWC's Congregational Development Grants can assist you in launching your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, or leader development ministry. Learn more and apply.

Learn more about Critical Race Theory: The BWC’s United Women in Faith will host a Critical Race Theory Workshop on April 26 at 1 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton. Learn more and register.

The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists in each annual conference for exceptional evangelism ministry. The BWC recognizes one clergy member, layperson, and youth at the Annual Conference session in May. The deadline for nominations is April 1. Learn more and see the application forms.

A new Young People's Ministry Impact award will be given this year to honor how young people are making a difference in their churches, communities and the world. The $1,000 award will be presented at the Annual Conference session in May. The deadline to apply is April 1. See the nomination form.

You're invited to the third annual Grazing on Maryland dinner fundraiser at the West River Center on April 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. Proceeds from the dinner will go toward the camp scholarship fund. Come out to the beautiful West River Center, at 5100 Chalk Point Road in West River and enjoy an evening of local flavors, including a pig roast, live oyster bar, wonderful local salads/field greens and great desserts. There will be live music and a silent auction, too. Tickets must be purchased in advance at $85 per plate.

Climate Forum: On March 27, Camp Chapel UMC in Perry Hall will host an in-person live streaming of the 2025 National Faith + Climate Forum. See the inspiring keynotes and learn about practical resources that will equip you and your congregation integrate climate care into your faith practices. Select Camp Chapel when you RSVP.

Assistance for government workers: Bethesda UMC recently launched a Heart for Public Service program to create a supportive community where public service workers feel valued, appreciated, and connected. Learn more.

Washington Conference Pilgrimage Bus Trip: On June 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Conference’s annual Pilgrimage Bus Trip will explore the former racially segregated old Washington Conference as we wrestle with questions about race, justice, and equality. This year’s trip focuses on Baltimore sites. Free parking is available at Lovely Lane UMC at 2200 St. Paul St. in Baltimore, where the day will begin and end. The cost is $50 (scholarships are available), which includes the bus, lunch catered by a Black-owned catering company, admission to all sites, interpretation, and a lesson on pilgrimage theology. Full participants can earn 0.6 CEUs. Learn more and register.

Discipleship Opportunities

Clergy and lay members to the 2025 Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference session will be voting on nine resolutions that involve a broad spectrum of issues in our life together. See the resolutions, and also learn more about the constitutional amendment on regionalization, which members will vote on.

Urban Ministry Conference: Wesley Theological Seminary will host its inaugural two-day conference on urban ministry on March 27-28 at the Hyatt Place BWI Airport Hotel in Linthicum Heights. The theme is “Fostering Urban Vitality and a Heart for the City." The cost is $160. Register.

Disaster Relief Kits: In an effort to assist with disaster relief, local groups are offering opportunities to pack health and cleaning kits. Everyone is invited to a packing session at Frostburg UMC with students and pastors from the Cumberland-Hagerstown District on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship: J. Howard Kucher, an associate professor of social innovation at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, will hold an online seminar, “An Introduction to Social Enterprise for Faith Leaders” on April 8 at 8 p.m. The seminar, which is hosted by United Theological Seminary, will explore how church leaders can discover new ways to stabilize finances and enhance their mission. Visit unitedseminary.edu for more information.

Bridging Visions: Prophetic Voices, Pastoral Hearts, a national event honoring the ministry and legacy of Rev. Dr. William Bobby McClain, will be held April 10-12 at Colesville UMC in Silver Spring. The event will feature preaching, teaching, and fellowship that builds on McClain’s legacy as a theologian and civil rights leader. Learn more and register.

The BWC’s 2025 Immigration Border Immersion is a transformative experience open to clergy and lay people, especially young adults, seeking to learn more about migration. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to God through the voice of the immigrant and be part of the change as they implement and take action in their local communities. The trip to San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, is April 23-27. The cost, which includes airfare, is $1,480. To learn more about scholarships for young adults, contact Christine Taylor.

Suicide Prevention webinar: The BWC's Gun Violence Prevention ministry team will host a webinar, "Talk Saves Lives: an Introduction to Suicide Prevention," on May 5 at 7 p.m. It will cover the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide.

See a listing of more discipleship ministries and local church events

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

See church classified ads