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We pray for the family and loved ones of the Rev. James P. Archibald, Jr., a retired Elder in the BWC, who died Oct. 15.

General Secretary Susan Henry Crowe will retire from the General Board of Church and Society at the end of 2022, after eight years in the role. “Rev. Dr. Henry-Crowe has significantly improved and expanded the impact of UMC and our Social Principles all over the world,” said Bishop Sally Dyck, GBCS Board President and UMC Ecumenical Officer of the Council of Bishops. “She has led the agency to center its priorities for matters of justice and peace.”

Meredith Petty has accepted the position of Director at Manidokan Camp & Retreat Center and begins this ministry on Dec. 5. She comes to the BWC from Camp Alta Mons, a United Methodist camp in the Virginia Annual Conference.

The Rev. Harold Recinos’ new book, The Days You Bring, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in poetry. The winner in the category will be announced next spring. Recinos, an Elder in the BWC, is a professor at Perkins School of Theology.

In the first Next Level Speaker Series, held last week, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and author Tod Bolsinger helped church leaders explore ideas about creating vital leaders. See the story.

Chase Felder served as a 2022 IDEA intern in the BWC. This summer, hosted by Journey UMC, she taught ASL to community members. She has continued offering ASL classes this fall online. This beautiful video encourages us to be open to how God can help us to help ourselves become more resilient. When we struggle it’s healthy and important to acknowledge our many emotions including sadness, grief, frustration and even rage. We don’t want to get stuck there. Smiling is one resource we have to help us become more resilient. When we cannot smile it’s important to talk with a friend, trusted colleague or mental health professional. Today take a moment and smile if you can. 

To learn more about the IDEA internship contact Rev. Neal Christie.

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. Learn more and submit your intent to apply.

Deepening Discipleship: The Elements of an Intentional Discipleship Pathway/Process, will be the theme of this week’s Training Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. How does this mission translate into the local church? This session will teach you the elements of an Intentional Discipleship Pathway and Process, rooted in the United Methodist Rule of Discipleship. Learn more and register.

The United Campus Ministries at Frostburg State University invites you to a time of fellowship and devotion as they celebrate 45 years of ecumenical campus ministry, and welcome the Rev. Trey Daniel, the university’s Protestant chaplain, on Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. at Frostburg UMC. RSVP by Nov. 7.

Save the Date: Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will meet for a conversation with pastors who serve in rural settings on Dec. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Otterbein UMC in Hagerstown.

United Methodist Legislative Advocacy Days, to advocate for legislative priorities, have been announced. See a flyer for sharing

Bivocational benefits: As church size declines, more pastors pursue second (and even third) careers for economic or personal reasons. In this article from Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, researchers and practitioners share guidance on how to make it work, advising that letting go of the stigma can be the first step. See the story, which contains insights from the Rev. Rochelle S. Andrews of Pleasant Grove UMC in Ijamsville.

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 with a proven ministry idea in one of these ministries. Learn more and apply.

Mount Olive UMC in Randallstown received an Urban Tree Planting Grant and will be planting 20 trees on church grounds on Oct. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. Holes will be dug and volunteers will fill in the dirt around the trees. This is a great project for families with young children. Contact the church to volunteer at 410-922-2853. Increasing the tree canopy is important to our environment. Learn more about the Chesapeake Bay Trust program.

Journey UMC will host a hybrid three-month Navigating Grief & Suicide Series. The dates are Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon; Nov. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m.; and Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. A meal will be served an hour before each session. For more information, contact the church office at 301-894-8622.

Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant UMC will hold its second annual Warren G. Crutchfield Memorial Scholarship 5k run/1 mile fun walk on Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. at Montgomery County Public School Board, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The event fee is $25 for adults, $15 for those ages 12-18 and free for those under 12. 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.

Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.

See the church classified ads, now online.