January 27, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | |
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“O God, whom we cannot love unless we love our neighbor, let us pray for the most vulnerable in our community and lead us to be present with them in their suffering. ... Lead us to be present with all your people that we may faithfully minister in your name and witness to your love and grace to all the world.” -- Bishop LaTrelle Easterling at the Service of Prayer for the Nation
(Photo by Justin Tsucalas/Washington National Cathedral)
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We pray for the nation: At the Service of Prayer for the Nation last week, Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde called on President Trump to show mercy to immigrants and others and was met with criticism from the president and others. Bishop Easterling and others responded to this criticism. See her comments.
Donte Cross, the oldest son of the Rev. Brenda Lewis of West Liberty UMC in Marriottsville, died on Jan. 18. Condolences can be sent to 3714 Collier Rd., Randallstown, MD 21133-3402.
Research indicates that 80 percent of clergywomen will be victims of sexual harassment or assault at some point in their ministry. The Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton of Chevy Chase UMC has received a grant from the Louisville Institute to study and develop “sexual ethics education that addresses the needs of church leaders who may also be survivors – or future victims – of sexual harassment and assault in their professional contexts."
We pray for Bishop Easterling, the Cabinet, and pastors and churches experiencing changes in pastoral appointments. See the appointment list. See a list of Clear Opening church profiles.
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Town Hall on revitalization and restructuring on Feb. 11 | |
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As the churches of the BWC prepare for restructuring, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling invites everyone to an online Town Hall on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. Register.
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'&Go': Youth called to live with courage and imagination | |
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IGNITE, a youth conference in Ocean City will be held March 7-9 and feature powerful messages from speakers Pastor YaNi Davis, Rev. Mike Whang, and our own Bishop LaTrelle Easterling. There will also be remarkable worship with music from North Point Worship, Dove-Award-winning artist Angie Rose, and D.J. El Vow, and opportunities for fun, fellowship, growth, and spiritual adventures. Learn more. Registration closes Feb. 21.
All are invited to engage in IGNITE 2025: Engage. Learn. Ask. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. This online info session and Q&A will feature Eric Drew, who will share the vision and purpose behind this catalytic conference for young people's ministry. YPM Organizers Meghan Humbert and Chania Dillard will cover everything you need to ensure a safe, seamless, and spiritually impactful weekend. Plus, discover how young adults can lead and serve as part of the IGNITE Squad. Whether you’ve registered or are still deciding, bring your questions and get ready to leave inspired and prepared to make IGNITE unforgettable! Register for the info session.
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New and Featured Ministries | |
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Annual Statistical Reports are due on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at midnight. We are grateful for all the work that you have done to assemble this information and input it into the ACStats system. If you are concerned that you may not be able to submit by the deadline, please reach out to your district office as soon as possible. For a recording of the training webinar, detailed instructions, and additional resources, please visit the Statistical Reports page at www.bwcumc.org/stats.
Addressing Data Breach: The Baltimore-Washington Conference experienced a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to our systems. To assist affected individuals, we have partnered with IDX, a leading provider of data breach notification and identity theft protection services. On Jan. 17, IDX mailed letters to impacted individuals. If you have received a notification letter and have questions, IDX has established a dedicated, toll-free hotline at 1-877-741-1129. Learn more.
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Feb. 2 is Disability Awareness Sunday in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Churches are encouraged to center their worship around disabilities awareness and invite people with disabilities to help lead worship. The Conference Disability Commission offers additional information. See a list of resources for Disability Awareness Sunday.
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Camping Sunday is Feb. 9: Last summer, more than 1,300 campers participated in the BWC's summer camp programs led by nearly 200 volunteers and 75 part-time/seasonal staff. Get your family and your church ready to join the fun this summer:
- Celebrate Camping Sunday on Feb. 9. See a worship liturgy for your church.
- Keep your eye out for summer camp brochures in the mail right now.
- Mark your calendar for the start of camp registration:
- Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. for overnight camps
- Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. for day camps
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World Day of Prayer: A worship service for the World Day of Prayer will be held at Calvary UMC in Frederick on March 7 at 2 p.m. and at St. Matthews UMC in Bowie at noon. The service was been written by the women of the Cook Islands. The 'I Made You Wonderful' program is based on Psalms 139. "Kia orana" which is more than a hello. It means: "May you live long and may you live well, May you shine like the sun. May you dance with the waves."
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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. Registration will begin in mid-February. Resolutions to be considered at this session are due Feb. 14 and should be submitted to Kevin Silberzahn, the BWC Secretary. Learn more.
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Ministries of Advocacy and Witness
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.
The BWC’s Strengthening The Black Church in the 21st Century ministry and Wesley Theological Seminary will hold a forum, “Strengthening Our Prophetic Witness in This Present Age,” on Feb. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kresge Building at Wesley Seminary. The event is for black pastors, congregations, advocates, and faith leaders to explore the prophetic power and witness of the Black Church today. Register.
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Asbury UMC in Arnold is hosting a conversation with the LGBTQ Caucus regarding upcoming state legislation. Maryland House members, Delegate Kris Fair and Delegate Anne R. Kaiser, will speak, offering a presentation on LGBTQ+ legislation in Maryland, on Feb. 23 at 12:15 p.m. Learn more about Anne Arundel Affirms.
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 to 27. The cost, which includes airfare, is $1,480. To learn more about scholarships for young adults, contact Christine Taylor. Register.
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Mustard Seed Grants: United Methodist churches in the U.S. can help immigrants, migrants and refugees living in their local communities. UMCOR’s Mustard Seed Migration Grant program provides congregations with up to $2,000 for a one-time, community-based service project. The application process is open and up to 100 churches will be awarded a grant. Learn more.
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Discipleship Opportunities | |
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MissionInsite is launching a new version on Feb. 3. As a result, MissionInsite will not be available Feb. 1-2. Every user will have to reset their password when logging into the new version. To familiarize yourself with the new version, watch the MissionInsite’s tutorial. Church leaders will be provided with training materials specific to their needs, but in the meantime, contact Lauren Jones if you have any questions.
College scholarships available: The denomination's Higher Education and Ministry scholarship application portal is open for United Methodist students seeking scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study. Scholarships range from $500 to $1,200. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 31. Learn more and apply. The Baltimore-Washington Conference is also offering college scholarships. Learn more about the requirements and application process.
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Confirmation Pilgrimages available for local churches Feb. 15 and 23 | |
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This Spring, the BWC will offer opportunities for Confirmation Pilgrimages to learn about our United Methodist history and heritage. The first will be on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 9 a.m. at Lovely Lane UMC in Baltimore for a tour of the Mother Church of American Methodism and a tour of the Lovely Lane Museum. Participants will then proceed to the historic Old Otterbein UMC, the Mother Church of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, to learn about our German roots. The bag lunch you will bring may be eaten in the Fellowship Hall before proceeding on to Sharp Street UMC, the Mother Church of Black Methodism. The guided part of the day should conclude about 2 p.m. On your way out of town, you can add a self-guided stop at the Bishops' Lot, where Bishop Asbury, Robert Strawbridge, and other historic Methodist leaders are buried.
Another confirmation pilgrimage opportunity is available on Sunday, Feb. 23. Worship at Old Otterbein (a congregation that has been continuously worshiping since 1771!) at 10:30 am. Eat your bagged lunch after worship in the Fellowship Hall before taking a tour of the historic grounds. Proceed to Lovely Lane UMC for a tour of the church and museum. The guided portion of the day should conclude about 3:30 p.m. On this tour, you can also add a self-guided tour of burial sites of prominent Methodists.
RSVP to Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, Director of Museums & Pilgrimage, with a headcount and approximate number of vehicles, no later than Friday, Feb. 7, at noon. Your group will be combined with other groups, up to 40 persons total for each event.
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Vow Renewal: BWARM, Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists, will hold a vow renewal and blessing for couples who want the church to bless their marriage, commitment or union on Feb 15 at 11 a.m. at North Bethesda UMC. If you plan to participate, contact the Revs. Deb Scott or Mary Jo Sims. The service will include an opportunity to remember those partners who have been lost to death.
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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 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. Learn more and register before Jan. 31.
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Submissions?
Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
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