July 29, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

We mourn with the Rev. Ken McDonald, pastor of Glen Burnie UMC, and his family as he mourns the loss of his adult son, Jordan Allen McDonald, who died Friday. Services are expected to be held later this week in Cumberland.

Putting hope in the 'harder thing': During the coming year, United Methodists will be learning more about regionalization, the proposed initiative to allow the worldwide church to remain United Methodist in a new connectional way. Following the recent General Conference, the Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli, senior pastor of Foundry UMC who has been a leader in the move toward regionalization, is hopeful. Read her commentary from the United Methodist News Service. Learn more about regionalization from Ask the UMC.

Mt. Vernon Place UMC, the historic landmark building on Charles Street in Baltimore, is on the market again for $1.32 million following the death of an intended buyer. See the story in The Baltimore Banner.

EarthKeepers training coming to Baltimore in October

The next EarthKeepers training event will be held Oct. 3-6 at the Maritime Center in Linthicum. This ministry from Global Ministries enables people to live out their passion for the natural world, God’s creation and environmental justice.

Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training and incubator program that provides a collaborative space for United Methodists to develop and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing, and project planning. During the training, all participants will plan a bold and action-oriented project. The trainers include the BWC’s own, the Rev. Cary James and Thea Becton. Youth, ages 13-18 may participate with an adult. Learn more and apply.

Discipleship Opportunities

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Memorial Service: The BWC Creation Care and Peace with Justice Advocacy and Action Ministries will hold a special worship service to acknowledge the increasing threat to humanity of nuclear war and advocate the negotiated, phased and verifiable abolition of nuclear weapons. The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Memorial Service will be held at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton on Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to noon. Learn more and register.

Lay servant ministry classes: The Washington Region will host four lay servant ministry classes on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug.4, from 2 to 5 p.m. in person at First UMC at 6201 Belcrest Road in Hyattsville. Learn more. Space is limited; there are 10 slots per class.

ASL Lay Servant Course: An Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries, the Basic Course, will be offered in ASL for deaf laity on Sept. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Magothy UMC, 3703 Mountain Road in Pasadena, Md. Karen Miller, a Certified Lay Minister, will teach the class, which is open to people from the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences. The cost is $40; scholarships are available. Register.

Women of Faith Fundraiser: The  BWC’s United Women in Faith's Legacy Endowment Fund Team will hold a "fun" Fundraiser at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will focus on “Build Your Body, Build Your Legacy.” The cost is $18.69, commemorating the year the group started. The event is open to all. For more information, contact Terri Booth or Daisy Farmer.

The BWC has openings for Campus Ministry Interns at United Methodist ministry HUBs on the campuses of Towson, Morgan State, and University of Maryland College Park. HUB stands for Here U Belong. The interns will help shape and create ministry with support from invested and gifted adults. The time commitment is six to eight hours a week during the school year. The pay is $16 an hour. Complete this form to apply for this position at Morgan State, Towson, or University of Maryland College Park.

Disability service video: The Baltimore-Washington Conference Commission on Disability Concerns has created its first Awareness Worship Service, which is now available to view on YouTube. See the video.

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