October 10, 2022 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" |
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Disaster Response officials in Florida have invited Early Response Teams from the Baltimore-Washington Conference to participate in recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian. We pray for all those affected by recent hurricanes and the workers helping people rebuild.
The BWC's Korean Caucus met recently to discuss ways to address and end Asian hate. See the story.
Several pastors in the Affiliation recently met with Bishop LaTrelle Easterling. As part of their conversation, they shared some of their insights on leadership. See the story.
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As it grows in vitality, Patapsco UMC of Finksburg recently forged deeper relationships with the community when they remembered Sept. 11 and the contributions of first-responder volunteers at HallReese Fire Hall in Westminster. They also celebrated new life with the baptism of six children in a special worship service.
St. Luke’s UMC in Reisterstown was recently awarded a $130,500 Protection From Hate Crimes grant from the State of Maryland. The grant will be used to upgrade security equipment. Earlier this year, the church was awarded $125,000 in the form of a State Bond for its second affordable housing project, which involves the restoration of its parsonage.
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Seeking vitality? 'Tempered Resilience' is your answer |
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Registration for the in-person session of the Next Level Speaker's Series has been extended to Wednesday, Oct. 12. You are invited to join Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and Tod Bolsinger, the author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience, in a conversation on leadership, Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s UMC in Easton. An online session is also available.
“I believe each congregation has a ‘charism,’ a gift that they offer to their community, Bolsinger said. “If the charism were to go away the community would be at a deficit,” he explained. “What churches need to do in this time of deep disruption is to recover the confidence and clarity about their charism and claim that sense of purpose or uniqueness – the gift – they offer to the community around them.”
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Express your interest in the next set of Pathways |
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The three Congregational Vitality Pathways for churches in the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences are designed to help congregations engage in missional action planning and doing.
Learn more about the Readiness, Catalyst and Launch initiatives. Churches must submit their intent to apply to one of these Pathways by Nov. 1 to be eligible to apply by Feb. 15. Learn more and submit your intent to apply.
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Today is Indigenous People’s Day. You are invited to observe the day in a special way at a barbeque sponsored by the Terp HUB at the University of Maryland, in the garden outside of Memorial Chapel at 5 p.m.
Rebuilding after a disaster: In the wake of the tragedies in Puerto Rico and the southeast, United Methodists interested in helping rebuild communities following disasters are encouraged to enroll in early response team training. The training is on October 15 at Benevola UMC and November 12 at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton.
Registration for the Diverse Church by Design: Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Leadership Certificate Program has been extended to Oct. 22. The CRCC program is a biblically-based experimental approach to diversity and inclusion. It has been informed by the survey the BWC conducted this year with pastors and lay leaders in 80 CRCC congregations, and best practices learned, to date. It is designed to provide tools for fostering a culture of appreciation, respect, and inclusion, and for making evangelism culturally effective in a diverse world. Learn more and register.
United Women in Faith will hold their annual celebration, “Acting Boldly,” online, Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Deaconness Joy Prim, a missionary to Hong Kong. Register.
After much prayer and discernment and due to many factors, there will not be an annual youth retreat, like WAVE or ROCK, this winter. The conferences will continue to explore and support meaningful ministry for young people.
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BWC Events at a Glance Calendar
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Oct. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
See all the People, community prayer and how to conduct relational 1:1s
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Oct. 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
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Early Response Team (ERT) Training
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Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
St. Marks UMC in Easton and online
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Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Oct. 25, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Deepening Discipleship, creating an intentional discipleship pathway
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Nov. 12, 1 to 3 p.m.
Online and at Calvary UMC in Annapolis
A conversation on the future of youth ministry
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First and third Wednesdays, noon to 12:30 p.m.
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Discipleship Opportunities |
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The deadline to apply for mission innovation grants for advocacy and action, wellness and missions, and young people’s ministry is Nov. 1. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to faith communities that have a proven ministry idea in one of these ministry areas. Learn more and apply.
The BWC’s United Men's Ministries will hold their annual gathering and business session on Oct. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. Learn more.
The ninth annual Rev. Callie Matthews Scholarship Walk will commence at 9 a.m. on Oct. 22 at 1 Dock Street in Annapolis. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Learn more, register and donate.
Across the Connection:
Jennings Chapel UMC in Woodbine will hold a vaccine clinic and yard sale on
Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic is in partnership with Giant Pharmacy. Available vaccinations include the new Pfizer Covid booster, flu, shingles, and Tdap. Bring your insurance card.
Pleasant Hill UMC in Owings Mills will host a free community flu clinic on Oct. 15 from
9 to 11:30 a.m. The church is also partnering with Owings Mills High School at their Owings Mills High School Health and Trade Fair on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church will provide free clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, jackets, coats and more.
Dumbarton UMC in Georgetown is celebrating its 250th anniversary on Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. with a homecoming celebration, featuring the preaching of the Rev. Thomas Brunkow.
Emmanuel UMC in Beltsville will hold its monthly food drive and distribution on Oct. 22 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. for seniors and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for the general public. Anyone who needs food is welcome. Food distribution will also be held on the third Saturday of November and December.
Dunning Lecture: St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore will host the Rev. Edgardo Colón-Emeric, Dean of Duke Divinity School, for its annual Dunning Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. at the school and online. Colón-Emeric, who has served on the United Methodist Committee on Faith and Order, will speak on the topic, "Romero and the Preferential Option for the Poor: An Ecumenical Praxis.” His latest book is The People Called Metodistas: Renewing Doctrine, Worship, and Mission from the Margins. Register.
Save the Date -- Rooted, Renew and Restore, a youth and children’s ministry conference, will be held March 24 - 25, 2023, at Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg. Registration opens soon.
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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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