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We celebrate the five recipients of this year’s BWC Young People's Ministry Missional Innovation Grants, which total $25,000. Learn more about the recipients and their ministries.

We pray for Joyce King, who rejoins the BWC as the interim District Administrator for the Washington East District, through June 30.

Sign up to join Bishop LaTrelle Easterling on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Jan. 29 - Feb. 7, 2024. This sacred journey to Israel and the West Bank will be hosted by the Society for Biblical Studies and costs $3,439. The theme of the trip is, "The Land of Jesus: Then and Now."

Learn more and register.

Following the pandemic, your church may wish to form a new mission team interested in serving locally. The BWC Volunteers in Mission (VIM) invite you to join Second Saturday Serve. Teams formed in local churches from across the BWC will gather each month to work on short-term mission projects in the conference.

You are also invited to recommend a project that teams can work on either at your church or a location in your community. Submit your project ideas no later than Feb. 1 to VIM@bwcumc.org.

Questions? Contact tbecton@bwcumc.org.

Every moment, we make decisions to create either more or less inclusion, diversity, equity and antiracism (IDEA). This eight-session course will focus on six actions that you and your community partners can take to build beloved community and create spaces of belonging and becoming. You will learn how to have contextual, brave conversations that matter, learn evidence-based strategies for bias reduction, and become rooted in the theological and Wesleyan principles that undergird this work. The spring iteration of Journey to Beloved Community begins on Feb. 2, 2023. The course's facilitated Zoom sessions occur Thursday nights, 7 to 8:30 p.m. If you are unable to attend at that time, contact Fathima Rifkey for alternatives. Learn More & Register.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starts today, Jan. 18. The Central Maryland Ecumenical Council (CMEC) is hosting members of various denominations each night this week from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to explore their response to the theme “Do good; seek justice.” Learn more. Get resources for this week. Download artwork.

The BWC’s Gun Violence Prevention Team and the Maryland Chapter of Moms Demand Action will gather for a rally and meet with legislators at Legislative Advocacy Days in Annapolis on Jan. 31. The day begins at 9 a.m. with a rally followed by legislative meetings at 11 a.m. The legislative priorities this year include strengthening Maryland’s concealed carry permitting laws, ending gun manufacturer immunity, repealing qualified immunity for police officers, and improving safe storage laws. United Methodists can gather as a group at the Thurgood Marshall statue on Lawyers’ Mall at 

9:20 a.m. that day. For more information, contact Susan Bender at susanbender@comcast.net or 301-379-4561. RSVP.

Mental Health First Aid: The Wellness & Missions Board invites you to attend a virtual Mental Health First Aid class. Upon completion, participants will be certified for three years. CEUs are available for clergy. There are three opportunities of 1 or 2 days. Review the choices below and follow the registration link next to your selection. Registration deadlines are not flexible; this ensures participants have adequate time to complete the pre-class work.

For more information, contact abundanthealth@bwcumc.org.

Bishop Easterling will host a Next Level Leader conversation on March 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Severna Park UMC. Her guest will be Jacqui Lewis, author of “Fierce Love: a Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness that Can Heal the World.” Registration for in-person attendance closes Feb. 22.

MidAtlantic Foundation offers stewardship resourcing: Hit the ground running in 2023. Learn from our Financial Leadership Academy coaches. Get month-by-month action steps that can be acted on immediately and receive ready-to-use templated materials. Four different time slots are available. Learn more and register for one of the sessions online.

Disability Awareness Sunday: Churches of the BWC are called to observe Disability Sunday on Feb. 5 by celebrating the gifts and graces of people with disabilities and calling the Church and society to full inclusion of persons with disabilities. Learn more.

The BWC Creation Care Advocacy and Action Team is one of the faith partners supporting the online legislative briefing hosted by Interfaith Power & Light and Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake on Jan. 29, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Learn how your community can advocate for legislation that promotes clean air, clean water, and environmental justice. RSVP, and a webinar link will be sent to you.

Earthkeepers training: Global Ministries seeks United Methodists to lead grassroots environmental projects that are action-oriented, anti-racist, bold and entrepreneurial. Learn more about EarthKeepers online training.

Living Our Principles: A Look at The United Methodist Church's Social Principles will be the topic of the online Lay Servant Discipleship Academy class, Mondays, Feb. 6 - March 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. The Rev. Neal Christie will be the instructor. Register.

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