Jan. 8, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | |
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On the 60th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., receiving the Nobel Prize, the Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, a King scholar and pastor of Epworth Chapel UMC in Baltimore, shares his annual letter, reflecting on today's world through the voice of the esteemed civil rights leader. Read the letter.
Eastport UMC in Annapolis celebrated Christmas with innovation and joy as they took worship and caroling into the heart of the community at Oscar’s Coffee, a local coffee shop housed in a vintage RV. See the story from Rev. Chris Broadwell.
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As the Pentecost winds blow through the BWC, you're invited to reach out to support the hundreds of migrants being relocated to the D.C. region. The need is great. Read the story "Solidarity, not Charity," to learn more. Make a donation.
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District Superintendent Henry Chareka sends gratitude from our partners in Zimbabwe for the $60,000 grant sent from the people of the Baltimore-Washington Conference to rebuild the Mashambanhaka Mission, which was devastated in a storm. The money, reports Charlie Moore of Community UMC in Crofton, " ... is having an incredible impact on bringing water and electricity to the primary and secondary schools and as we continue the reconstruction of many of the classroom buildings that suffered major storm damage in November 2021." See a video.
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Your input is sought: Listening Sessions on Restructuring | |
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As the Baltimore-Washington Conference continues to discern how to best position itself for greater vitality and effectiveness, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and the Restructuring Task Force are hosting six listening sessions for all clergy and lay people who want to share their thoughts or learn more about the restructuring process. The sessions are being held across the conference to ensure everyone’s voice can be heard. See a video from Bishop Easterling on restructuring.
You are also invited to include the Baltimore-Washington Conference in your daily prayers during this season of deep listening, dialogue, and discernment.
The listening sessions will be held in person, from 7 to 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted, on:
- Jan. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mission Center in Fulton
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Jan. 27, a session specifically for young people, 1 to 3 p.m. at Emmanuel UMC, 10755 Scaggsville Road in Laurel
- Jan. 30 at Towson UMC, 509 Hampton Lane in Towson
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Jan. 31 at Epworth UMC, 9008 Rosemont Drive in Gaithersburg
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Feb. 6 at Otterbein UMC, 108 E. Franklin St. in Hagerstown
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Feb. 7 at St. Matthew's UMC, 14900 Annapolis Road in Bowie
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Cooperative Parish Summit: Churches considering joining in creative ways with other faith communities to do vital ministry are invited to join a Cooperative Parish Summit on Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton. The pastor, lay leader and SPRC chair (or their designee) of interested churches are encouraged to attend. A World Café featuring rapid conversations with five current Cooperative Parish leaders from the BWC will be held in the morning, and a strategy session will be held in the afternoon. Register before Jan. 19. Read a story on cooperative parishes. Learn more about the summit and register.
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Mission Share Giving: Churches throughout the BWC continue demonstrating extraordinary generosity as they give their mission shares to support the connectional system and ministry beyond their walls. For those who have not yet paid 100 percent of their Mission Shares, the deadline for receipt of 2023 payments is Tuesday, Jan. 9. Electronic payments must be received by 6 p.m., and checks must be received in person or by mail by 4:30 p.m. Churches that normally make electronic payments via our payment portal should use that method for last-minute payments. All churches can also make electronic payments using our BWC Online Payment Form for 2023 Mission Share. We praise God for each congregation and their faithfulness.
Annual BWC Scholarship application process is open: Once again, the BWC will award scholarships to qualified college students and high school seniors who plan to attend college in the fall of 2024. The application process is currently open and closes on March 13. Learn more and apply.
So You Want to Repurpose Church Property? Repurposing church property effectively is more than just a real estate transaction to make more money. There are several elements required to see a successful effort come to pass. Join the Rev. Joe Daniels and leaders from Emory UMC in Washington, D.C., as they share their story of going from a part-time appointment and a congregation that was presumed dead to a revitalized congregation that facilitated the construction of a $60 million multi-use building project with 99 units of affordable housing. Register for the Jan 20 event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Emory UMC.
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Ministry Opportunities Calendar
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Additional Disicpleship Opportunities | |
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The Black Clergymen Fellowship will gather for a time of fellowship on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. on ZOOM. All active and retired clergy brothers are invited to join us. The Meeting ID is 859 9047 9204, and the passcode is 104947. If you would like more information, please contact the Revs. Jason Jordan-Griffin or Michael Parker.
Glen Mar UMC in Ellicott City will host an MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 15. The church has crafted activities to bring the community closer, providing unique opportunities for grandparents, parents, young adults and children to display love and support for their neighbors. Additionally, students can earn service hours during this event. Learn more and register.
Kittamaqundi Community Church in Columbia will host a presentation by Marcus Sankfofa Nicks on MLK Day, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. He is a noted historian, teacher, and mentor who will present on healing personal, collective, and historical trauma through the lens of history and creating safe spaces for community care and social justice. 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia, Maryland, 21044. Free tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Looking for a mission opportunity for your youth? Consider CAMP JOY 2024. An information session about the camp will be held Jan. 24 and Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. via ZOOM. For more than 30 years, youth groups from the Baltimore-Washington and Pen-Del Conferences have served the Appalachian region by providing home repairs. When they’re not working, the youth tent camp at Camp Harmison in Berkley Springs, W.Va. The camp is scheduled for July 7 - 13 and 14 - 20. For more information, visit the Hancock UMC website or contact Pastor Becki Wessinger at 301-678-6440. Join the meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7749106935?omn=86576751993; Meeting ID: 774 910 6935.
Level Up is a video series that provides lessons in church leadership using best-selling secular writings by the Rev. Jack Shitama of the Center for Vital Leadership. Shitama has written and videotaped 28 clever and insightful summaries of some of the best writing on leadership. Take a look!
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Creation Care News:
Richard Gillum, part of the BWC Creation Care Advocacy and Action Ministry, recently published op-ed items on the climate crisis in the Horn of Africa on the United Methodist Insight website and in the Afro-American newspaper.
The Creation Care Team has created a 2024 calendar of tips and ideas to assist you and your congregation in your everyday choices so that you can express gratitude to God and care for creation. See this year's stepping stones of ideas on the Creation Care webpage. January’s suggestions include:
- Use LED lights.
- Reuse, repair, and recycle.
- Plant your potted Christmas tree.
- Serve tap water, not bottled water.
- Keep the car engine off while you wait.
- Freeze food before it needs to be trashed.
- On trips, use the train or bus instead of driving.
- Shop with reusable bags, not single-use plastic bags.
- Choose metal cans and glass jars over plastic bottles.
- Get 100% wind/solar electric power in just a few minutes at https://cleanchoiceenergy.com.
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Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.
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Submissions?
Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
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