October 16, 2023 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

Silver Spring UMC is "keeping their eye on what God is doing." In an initiative to align their actions with their beliefs, the church is undertaking a bold plan to build affordable housing on their church property. The goal, they say, "is to build, in bricks and mortar, who it is we say we are as the body of Jesus Christ," Read the story.

Missionaries from Tanzania, the Rev. Umba Kalangwa and Ngoy M. Klangwa, visited the BWC Mission Center on March 11 as part of their itineration. The couple is working to provide assistance to students and disadvantaged women and to build a United Methodist presence in Tanzania. During their time in this area, they met with Emory Beacon of Light at Emory UMC, with the Rev. LaTaska Nelson; the Heal the Sick program at Wesley Theological Seminary, National and Bethesda UMCs and the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill. Learn more about and support Umba and learn more about and support Ngoy.

Hispanic Heritage Month ended yesterday with a cultural celebration of dancing, food, and fellowship at Epworth UMC. Read a story about the observance and Hispanic/Latino ministry in the BWC.

Confirmands at LaPlata UMC recently rededicated the peace poles they erected. The poles proclaim "May Peace Prevail" to create a sacred space in the community. Read the story.

The Rev. Ken Brown, a retired Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died Oct. 3. A Service of Resurrection and Celebraton will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. at Severna Park UMC, 731 Benfield Road in Severna Park.

A BWC Ministries Grants & Awards Information Session will be held tonight at 7 p.m. Join the Baltimore-Washington Conference's Advocacy and Action Board to learn about BWC Ministries grants and awards. This interactive workshop will allow participants to learn what funding is available, who offers funding, what qualifies for funding, how to apply for funding and get answers to any other grant-related questions. Register.

The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement will host a Movement Café on Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. to learn why United Methodist churches across the country are going solar. Get inspired and learn more in the October UM Creation Justice Movement newsletter.

Churches are encouraged to submit their Congregational Pathways Intent to Apply forms before the deadline, which has been extended to Nov. 1. The Pathways are initiatives that help churches discover their next faithful step in becoming more vital. The form is available in Arena. Learn more.

Registration Extended: Diverse Church by Design, a cross-racial and cross-cultural leadership program that offers a biblically-based approach to diversity and inclusion, will help churches create God's Beloved Community where justice, equity and love prevails. Learn more and register by Oct. 25.

Young People's Ministry Training: Join other youth, children and family ministry staff and volunteers for a day of training and reflection on Nov. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.at the West River Center. Workshops will be led by Chris Sasser, author, podcast host, and pastor of Family Ministries for Port City Community Church in Wilmington, N.C. The morning focus will be on recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers. The afternoon will be about Intergenerational worship and ministry practices – creating ways to bring generations together for shared ministry. There will also be worship, small group work, lunch, and time for reflection. Registration, which closes Friday, Oct. 27, is $30 for church staff and $20 for volunteers.

The Fresh Expressions Academy launches on Nov.4 and lasts for 12 months. The Academy will combine presentations, coaching, peer-to-peer discussions, immersion experiences, and an online group to facilitate the cultivation of Fresh Expressions. It is designed to equip clergy & laity to innovate and take risks to engage people who are not yet part of a faith community. See a video invitation from Rev. Michael Beck. Register.

Do you feel called to equip people to take on leadership roles in your church? The Training Tuesday webinar, on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., will feature the Rev. Ken Willard teaching on creating a new leadership pathway.  Leadership development in the local church, like discipleship, must be an intentional process. Wherever your ministry finds itself today, now is the time to take a step in growing the leaders of tomorrow. Learn more and register.

Innovators Internship: The Wesley Innovation Hub at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington is participating in a pilot cohort of young adults by offering paid Ministry Innovator Internships. College graduates under the age of 29 can serve as ministry innovators who learn fresh ways to meet other adults, research how to best build and facilitate community, and lead change. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31. Apply for the internship. Watch this video to learn more.

The BWC’s first children’s retreat will be held Friday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 12, at West River Camp in Churchton. The retreat is aimed at 1st through 5th graders. Churches may bring a group with chaperones, and families can attend as a unit. There will be crafts, games, fellowship, camp activities, and worship. The cost is $120/child and $130/adult. Learn more and register.

Deacon Information Session: An online exploration session for those wishing to learn what it means to be a United Methodist deacon will take place Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. Attendees will learn about the history deacons and the role they play in the church, today. To learn more about the session, contact the Rev. Leo Yates. Register.

A Legislative Advocacy Training Day will be held Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mission Center in Fulton and online via Zoom. Register.

Local Church events:

The 240th Anniversary celebration of Stone Chapel UMC in New Windsor will be held Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will be a guest speaker.

National UMC and WesleyNexus present the second annual Weaver lecture on science and religion on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. at National UMC in Washington, D.C. The lecture will feature Dr. Catherine Keller, on “Earth Matters: Generation, Motivation, Eco-civilization."

Mt. Olive UMC in Mt. Airy will hold a Country Breakfast, served buffet style, on Nov. 4 from 7 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10.

Glen Mar UMC in Ellicott City will host the 7th annual Jewels for Hope on Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This fundraising event will feature thousands of pieces of gently worn jewelry and scarves for sale. All proceeds benefit HopeWorks, Howard County’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center.

Westminster UMC will host a "Night in Bethlehem," a dramatic Christmas event, on Friday, December 8, and Saturday, December 9, 2023. Tours are scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Lessons in Leadership

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. This week, Shitama explores how "The Best Leaders Demand 95 Percent Effort."

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