October 2, 2023 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

PLEASE NOTE: Arena, the BWC's database system, is down. We are continuing to remedy the situation and the issues are expected to be fixed soon. The deadline for church conference forms has been extended to Oct. 5. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Prayers of the People

Youth from Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg were inspired by a baptism at Camp Mandidokan and asked their pastor, the Rev. Jenny Smith, if they could have a river baptism. On World Communion Sunday, six new members gathered at the Patapsco River and joined the body of Christ. See the story.

Betsy Harris-Dotson, a member who has served in ministry for more than 50 years at Mt. Zion UMC in Pasadena, was recently honored with the Fannie Lou Hamer Award, a program organized through the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Anne Arundel County. According to the Capital Gazette, Harris-Dotson labored to expand voting and civil rights in her home state of Mississippi. Her friends hail her as “one of those unsung heroes who quietly will go about her business, but yet is always there to help.”

Adam Manasra lives in Wadi Foquin, a community of about 1,300 people, five miles from the Palestinian city of Bethlehem in the Occupied West Bank. Recently, he shared his story and that of his village with the people of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and government leaders in D.C. The Rev. Neal Christie has the story.

Church Planters Discernment Academy begins Oct. 9

A new, cutting-edge Discernment Academy for Church Planters in the BWC will be held online weekly Oct. 9 through Dec. 5.

Anyone who thinks they may be experiencing a call to create a new faith expression is encouraged to attend. Read a story about the Academy. Register.

"When we aim for love, innovation follows," says the Rev. Kenda Creasy Dean who will be Bishop LaTrelle Easterling's guest in a bold conversation at the Next Level Speaker Series on Oct. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., online and at Wyoming UMC in Dover, Delaware.

You can register for the in-person experience, attend virtually, or purchase a copy of the event to enjoy at your convenience. Registration closes on Friday, Oct. 6, for in-person attendees and on Oct. 13 for those choosing the virtual or video options.

Discerning a call to the episcopacy

This month is a time of discernment for Elders considering a call to the episcopacy. The BWC's General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegation will meet with the candidates wishing to serve as bishops in The United Methodist Church in January.

To be considered for an endorsement by the delegation, candidates must submit a statement of call, a biographical statement and other information by Nov. 30. Learn more.

Take the trip of a lifetime by joining Bishop LaTrelle Easterling on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the Society for Biblical Studies, departing on Jan. 29. The spiritual guide will be the Rev. Dr. Mary Elizabeth Moore, the dean emerita of Boston University's School of Theology. Clergy going on the trip will receive 8 CEUs. Learn more about the journey.

The next episode of Training Tuesday will air on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. This episode, Hope and Healing in the Midst of Conflict, is designed to equip members of the SPRC/PPRC to navigate those moments of conflict. The webinar will examine some of the best practices for dealing with conflict transformation with the Revs. Neal Christie, Tina Blake and Ann LaPrade. Learn more and register.

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, join the BWC for a vibrant celebration at Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg on Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. Experience an array of festivities, Latin American cuisine, captivating music, dance performances, and more. ¡Te esperamos!

A BWC Ministries Grants & Awards Information Session will be held Oct. 16 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 answers to any other grant-related questions. Register.

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 at the West River Center. We will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end by 4 p.m. 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 workshop will be on recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers. The afternoon workshop will focus on Intergenerational worship and ministry practices – creating ways to bring generations together for shared ministry. In addition to workshops, there will 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.

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. The training is for Baltimore-Washington Conference and Peninsula-Delaware Conference members to learn the importance of United Methodists participating in legislative advocacy and the basics you need to know before taking part in this justice-centered ministry. Register.

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 during this fun-packed weekend. The cost is $120/child and $130/adult. Learn more and register.

The Gender, Race, and Ministry study, a two-year effort by the BWC’s Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM), explores how race and gender impact people's experience of ministry. Read a story about the findings. BOOM will host an online conversation about the study, which will include time for questions and discussion, on Oct. 5 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Register now.

Congregational Pathways Intent to Apply forms are now available. The Pathways are initiatives that help churches discover their next faithful step in becoming more vital. Churches should submit their Intent to Apply form before Oct.18. The form is available in Arena. Learn more at www.pdcbwc.org/vitality-pathways.html.

The American Psychological Association is hosting a summit on Psychology for the People: Healing from Trauma, Grief, and Oppression on Oct. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. APA President, Dr. Thema Bryant, will bring together community members and inspirational speakers to provide opportunities and tangible resources to help communities heal. The event will be held in Washington D.C. and be Metro-accessible and will be shared when you RSVP. Register.

Local Church Events:

• Good Hope Union UMC in Silver Spring will hold a Homecoming Concert -- Service of Celebration through Music with guest choirs and singers on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.

• Community Grief Workshop: St. Paul’s UMC in Kensington will host a Community Grief Workshop on Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Octagon at the corner of Armory Avenue and Mitchell Street. There is no charge for this workshop, but registration is required.

• An open-air, pop-up flea market will be held at the Garden at Mt. Washington Aldersgate UMC in Baltimore on Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• National UMC in Washington, D.C., is hosting its eighth annual Silence the Violence concert to support the TraRon Center on Oct. 14 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Learn more.

• Salem UMC in Brookeville will hold its annual Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.

• Mt. Olive UMC in Mt. Airy will host a homemade country breakfast on Nov. 4 from 7 to 11 a.m.

• Eastport UMC in Annapolis will be hosting two performances of the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival on Nov. 5 and 11. Learn more and get tickets.

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 Agile Are You? And How Design Thinking Can Help."

See church classified ads now online.

Something a little different: A church is closing and is selling two Octave Malmark Handbells with cases. Contact Homeretta Ayala.