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January 13, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"
Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. is the deadline for local churches to receive credit for payment of their 2024 mission shares.
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The Rev. Jeff Odom, a retired elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died Jan 6. A memorial service will be held at Catonsville UMC on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m. Condolences may be sent to Marge Odom, 715 Maiden Choice Lane, CR 503, Catonsville, MD 21228.
Dean Titcomb, the husband of the Rev. Andrea Titcomb, a retired Deacon, died Jan. 6. Memorial service details will be determined and shared in the future. Condolences may be sent to Rev. Titcomb at 253 Lindenhall Court, Riva, MD 21140.
Mary Lou Blake, mother of Rev. Tina Blake, superintendent of the Lower Shore District in Maryland, died Dec. 29. A Celebration of Life will be held on Jan. 22 at noon at the Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road in Bowie. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Rev. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., director of The Lewis Center for Church Leadership and the James C. Logan Chair in Evangelism at Wesley Seminary, has been named president of Phillips Theological Seminary, a school affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Tulsa, Okla.
Jan. 20 marks the 96th anniversary of the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In his annual letter in the voice of Dr. King, the Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, pastor of Epworth Chapel UMC in Baltimore and author of Out of Mountains of Despair: A Black Theology of Hope, shares his thoughts on “being an extremist for love.” Read the letter.
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Members of the BWC along with friends and loved ones are among the hundreds of thousands affected by the devastating wildfires in southern California. Many United Methodists are grieving the loss of their homes and at least two church buildings. See the UMNS story.
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Exploring 'The Point of Appointments' | |
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With the start of another appointment season, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and the Cabinet are sharing the updated "Point of Appointments" document for your review. The document explains the background and practice of pastoral appointments.
Please pray for the churches, pastors, superintendents, and the bishop as pastoral changes are made.
All pastors changing appointments should set aside June 7 for a required workshop that includes their new church's SPRC members. Locations for this workshop will be throughout the Area and will be announced soon. If you have any questions, please contact your district superintendent.
See "The Point of Appointments." Also, see the updated listing of Clear Opening Church Proiles.
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Joy and excitement await: Register this week for IGNITE | |
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Registration prices increase this week. Lock in the best deal for the IGNITE by registering before Jan. 16. The cost to register for this Area youth conference, to be held March 7-9 at the Convention Center in Ocean City, is $75, if you sign up by Wednesday. Learn more about IGNITE. See a story featuring two of the keynote speakers. Register.
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New and Featured Local Church Ministries | |
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A Word from the Wise: The Revs. Kevin Slayton of Northwood Appold UMC and DV Yost of Arnolia UMC will come together with senior members of their congregations for a panel discussion on Jan. 18 at 3:30 p.m. to share lessons learned during the Civil Rights Movement. The event, to be held at Arnolia UMC, at 1776 E. Joppa Road in Parkville, will be hosted by Tom Hall of WYPR Radio.
Glen Mar UMC in Ellicott City will hold its 11th annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This event offers service opportunities for all ages packaging 60,000 meals, sewing pillowcases, decorating cookies, making ‘no-sew’ fleece hats and blankets, writing letters to seniors and veterans, and collecting non-perishable food and gently used clothing. Learn more and register.
Members of Eastport UMC will gather to Remember and Renew as they honor Dr. Martin Luther King on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon with a time of fellowship, prayer, and learning. During the event, participants will also assemble much needed cold weather care kits for the homeless. Learn more.
Open Chapel: Capitol Hill UMC, at 5th St. and Steward Square, SE in Washington, D.C., is opening its doors for the People’s March on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for those who wish to use the bathrooms, have snacks and coffee, or find a place for prayer and rest. The church will also be open on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Earth and Heaven Sing! On Feb. 22, Silver Spring UMC, in partnership with GIA Publications, Inc., will host an informance for musicians and church music lovers of every age and experience. The featured music, "Earth and Heaven Sing!," includes spirituals and gospel music that focuses on shared liberation. Registration, which is $25, includes the excitement of singing in a large group of enthusiastic people, a hymnal and six octavos, and the shared choral expertise of James Abbington and Uzee Brown, Jr. Learn more and register.
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Ensuring Health Care for All | |
The Baltimore-Washington Conference and Health Care for All is working with the state of Maryland to ensure that all Marylanders have health care coverage, insurance and affordable prescription medications. Learn more about the resources referenced by Rev. Cole Wilson in the video. | |
Vital Discipleship Opportunities | |
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The Strawbridge Shrine Association will hold its annual meeting on Jan. 18 at Wards Chapel UMC in Randallstown at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, the BWC Director of Museums and Pilgrimage, will be the guest speaker. The Shrine's vice president, the Rev. Bob Kells, will give a presentation on Jacob Toogood, believed to be the first licensed black preacher in Methodism. RSVP by Wednesday, Jan. 15.
The BWC’s 2025 Maryland Legislative Advocacy Day will be Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Asbury UMC in Annapolis. The event is an opportunity for United Methodists to meet their representatives and advocate for United Methodist values. Learn more and register.
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The Courage to Lead Retreat for Young Leaders & Activists will be held Feb. 27 - March 1, at Wellspring Retreat Center in Germantown. Young leaders and activists (ages 20-40) are invited to an intentionally established space to slow down and do their own inner work in the company of peers and kindred spirits. The retreat is led by the Rev. Kara Scroggins and Tara Reynolds, with support from the BWC Missional Innovation Grants, which allows for the reduced fee of $150 for lodging and all meals, with a limited number of full scholarships available if needed. Learn more and register before Jan. 31.
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"Rejoice in the Lord: Dwell in Joy!" Is the theme of the 2025 Baltimore-Washington Conference session, which will be held Tuesday-Thursday, May 13-15, at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore. An online PreConference Session will be held May 10 at 9 a.m. Resolutions to be considered at this session are due Feb. 14 and should by submitted to Kevin Silberzahn, the BWC Secretary. Learn more.
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The 119th U.S. Congress has marginally fewer Christians than the 118th, continuing a gradual, decade-long decline. Twenty-six lawmakers identify as members of a Methodist denomination. Read the story.
The state of Maryland has awarded 31 African American Heritage Preservation Program grants totaling $5,000,000 to numerous recipients, including several United Methodist churches. Learn more. The churches include:
- Asbury UMC in Annapolis - $193,717
- Mt. Zion UMC in Laurel - $180,000
- Asbury UMC in White Marsh, - $186,000
- Brooks UMC in St. Leonard - $77,000
- Fairview UMC in New Windsor - $74,783
- Asbury UMC in Frederick - $36,000
- Mt. Gregory UMC in Cooksville - $236,500
For the second consecutive year, Isla Henderson has surpassed her goal of collecting items for the Royal Oak Community UMC’s food pantry. Isla, 8, broke her goal of collecting 4,000 items in 2023 and did so once again this holiday season, even with the goal upped to 5,000 items. Read her story.
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Submissions?
Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
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