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October 14, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

Members of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area gathered at Severna Park UMC on Oct. 13 to celebrate the creation of the new Area and look forward with "Clean Hearts, Renewed Minds, and a Fresh Vision."

Capitol Hill UMC took a dramatic step toward justice and restorative healing with the rededication of its stained glass window, formerly dedicated to J. Edgar Hoover. Read the story.

We celebrate the installation of the Rev. Tom Pasmore as superintendent of the Delaware District in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. Read the story.

Today, the church observes Indigenous People's Day. Learn more about how to affirm the sacredness of Native American people, their languages, cultures, and gifts to the church and the world.

We also celebrate with Ames Shalom Community, Inc., a nonprofit community development organization affiliated with the Ames Memorial UMC, as they take the next steps in the predevelopment phase of the Resurrection Sandtown project. This project is developing a property that will feature the first Dwyer Scholar Healthcare Village and more.

How your church can respond to hurricane relief

Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Milton in Florida last week, United Methodists are increasing their disaster relief efforts. Here's how you can help:

• Give to The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) UMCOR
• Build UMCOR Kits – View this short video on how to assemble a kit
• Assemble Hygiene Kits – Assembly video

It is very important that your collection efforts be accounted for with the BWC and UMCOR. Please take a moment to complete this form.

Buckets and supplies can be dropped off at:

Bentley Springs UMC

421 Bentley Road in Parkton, MD 21120

HUB Coordinator: Fred Sipes 

St. Matthews UMC

14900 Annapolis Road in Bowie

HUB Coordinator: Bob Fuller

Individuals are asked to call the church at 301-262-1408 and leave a message. A member of the team will call back to schedule a time to receive your donation.

Calvary UMC

403 S Main St, in Mt Airy, MD 21771

Hub Coordinator: Megan McCulley

Kits and buckets are welcome Monday-Friday, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Individuals should call the church office at 301-829-0358 before coming.

Interested in volunteering with disaster relief efforts? Sign up to learn more.

Emergency Response Team training will be held Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Benevola UMC in Boonsboro. Register.

This is also a time to support UMCOR Sager Brown, a disaster relief supply depot located in Baldwin, Louisiana. Each year, more than 2,000 volunteers prepare approximately $4 million in relief supplies for shipment from the Sager Brown depot in response to disasters in the United States. Currently, supplies are depleted. You can donate to Sager Brown through the Advance: #901440 (Supplies and Materials) OR #901515 (General). Learn more and donate.

For more information, contact Thea Becton at disasterresponse@bwcumc.org. Learn more about the BWC's disaster response ministries.

Register today for Oct. 19 UMM annual meeting

The Conference United Methodist Men will gather for their annual meeting at the Mission Center in Fulton on Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. The theme of the meeting is “Lifting Jesus: I will bring all men unto me.” Participants will enjoy a continental breakfast, learn about impactful campus ministries and see a presentation to three John Wesley Fellow Awards to men exemplifying the spirit of service and dedication. Early-bird registration, which ends Oct. 16, is $20. Register and pay.

On Oct. 26, from 9 to 11 a.m., the UMM will sponsor a Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event at Glen Burnie UMC in Glen Burnie. Register to participate in this movement to end hunger, or offer a financial contribution.

New and Featured Ministries

The BWC will hold a blood drive on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mission Center in Fulton. The blood drive is part of the Conference’s partnership with Project SPIRIT Sickle Cell. Each donor will receive a $20 gift card from Amazon. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter: "Spirit BWC."

The Training Tuesday webinar on Oct. 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. will feature the Revs. Chelsea Spyres and Lucinda Kent, who will focus on "Reimagining Outreach & Stewardship." They will share information on how you can start to build community partnerships, begin to get to know your neighbors and move towards creative modes for worship and building use. Register. 

Registration for the second Fresh Expressions Academy closes on Oct. 26. The year-long Academy will combine presentations, regular coaching, peer-to-peer discussions, immersion experiences, and an online group to help facilitate the cultivation of Fresh Expressions. It is designed to equip clergy and laity to innovate and take risks to engage people who are not yet part of a faith community. The opening training day will be on Nov. 2 at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton. An immersion trip to the FXUMC National Gathering will be held Feb. 27-March 1. Learn more and register.

Each year, the Baltimore-Washington Conference offers Missional Innovation Grants to individuals, groups and churches that are making a vital difference in their communities and the world. Learn about how, for example, a grant awarded last year enlivened Mt. Nebo UMC's youth group.

Receive up to $5,000 to support your best ideas in the fields of Advocacy and Action, Wellness and Missions, or Young Peoples Ministries. The deadline is Nov. 1. Learn more and apply.

Giveaways: Charlie Moore of Community UMC in Crofton received many clergy robes and stoles from the late Rev. Alfreda Wiggins. He will be taking several of them to Zimbabwe but would also like to offer the robes and stoles to interested clergy in the BWC. Contact him at chasmo1971@gmail.com.

Community UMC also has ten 21-foot golden oak wood pews, with jade green upholstered seats in good condition, available to anyone willing to pick them up. Contact Carol Moore.

Discipleship Ministries Calendar

We celebrate last weekend's IGNITE youth event in Wildwood when the youth of Greater New Jersey gathered. And, we encourage all BWC youth groups to register today for IGNITE in Ocean City March 7-9. Earlybird registration closes Oct. 30. Learn more.

More Discipleship Opportunities

On Fire … or Burned Out? Clergy Renewal Day - Nov 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Calvary UMC in Annapolis

During this day of renewal and self-care, led by physician-theologian Dr. Pat Fosarelli, pastors will learn the difference between good stress and bad stress, how bad stresses affect people physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and what they can do to address their reaction to stress. In addition to the presentations, there will be time for solitude, prayer, and conversations with others experiencing similar challenges. Register by Nov. 13.

Trauma-Informed Youth Ministry: The Baltimore Metropolitan District and St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute are holding a transformative workshop series on trauma-informed care and intergenerational engagement in youth ministry on Nov. 9 at the seminary in Baltimore. From 9 a.m. to noon, the focus will be on Intergenerational Engagement in Youth Ministry with Jeff Anderson and Pat Fosarelli. From 1 to 4 p.m., the theme will be Trauma-Informed Care For Young People and their Families with Deborah G. Haskins and Pat Fosarelli. Register.

'A Future-Ready Church:' Adelle Banks and Asbury UMC in Washington, D.C. will host an in-person and live-streamed book launch and panel discussion on Bank’s new book: Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders on Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. at the church. Watch online.

Native American Day: Spiritual leaders in Pen-Del share that Native American Day will be celebrated on Nov. 2 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro. Learn more.

Health Care offerings: The Maryland Episcopal Public Policy Network (MEPPN), in partnership with the Baltimore-Washington Conference, Peninsula-Delaware Conference, the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and Healthcare for All Maryland, will host a virtual town hall on Oct.16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. that will provide an overview of the accessible health care programs that are now available in Maryland. Register.

Strawbridge Shrine in New Windsor is encouraging confirmation classes, youth groups and other small groups to visit where Robert Strawbridge began the Methodist Movement in America in 1760. Tours are free and led by a period-dressed guide through the log buildings. For information or to schedule a tour, contact the curator at Tours@Strawbridgeshrine.org or call 443-289-0191. The Shrine is also raising funds by selling brass Christmas ornaments. Learn more.

In Memoriam: A service for the Rev. Nancy Webb, a retired Elder in the BWC who died on Sept,16, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. at Grace UMC in Baltimore. Clergy who wish to process are invited to arrive by 12:30 p.m. and wear white albs. A group of clergywomen will sing at the service. If you are interested in joining them, please contact the Rev. Deb. Scott and arrive at 11:30 a.m.

See a listing of more discipleship ministries and and local church events

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