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October 7, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

Youth gather at a bonfire at West River as a prelude to IGNITE, a new kind of youth conference that will be held March 7-9 in Ocean City. Learn more and register.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel, which killed a thousand people in one day, and the subsequent bombardment of Gaza. An ecumenical service of lament, led by Churches for Middle East Peace, will be held today at the chapel in the Methodist Building on Capitol Hill and on Zoom from 2 to 3 p.m. Register.

In addition, Nonviolence International is hosting three virtual gatherings on Oct. 6, 7 and 8, creating a unified ritual space to process grief, confront the systems of oppression that perpetuate immeasurable suffering, and reframe the crisis in Israel and Palestine by fostering a shared vision of reconciliation, justice, and collective actions to bring about peace. Learn more and register.

On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene came ashore, bringing devastation in its path as it traveled through the southeastern United States. Since then, the United Methodist connection has been hard at work caring for those affected by this powerful storm.

• See a video on the Hurricane Helene UMC Response
• Download a bulletin insert on hurricane relief
• Give to The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMOR) UMCOR
• Build UMCOR Kits – View this short video on how to assemble a kit
• Assemble Hygiene Kits – Assembly video

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

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.

Celebrating a new day in ministry: On Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. at Severna Park UMC, the people of the new Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area will join in a worship celebration, lifting up our shared ministries and our vision for the next four years as we grow together in faith and vitality. We'll also welcome back Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, who was assigned to serve as the Area's episcopal leader. The celebration service will be held at Severna Park UMC at 731 Benfield Road in Severna Park, Md.

Laity Sunday

United Methodists will celebrate Laity Sunday on Oct. 20 with the theme, “Rise Up and Retain the Spirit’s Good and Beautiful Things.” The corresponding Scripture passage is 2 Timothy 1:14, which in The Message reads, "Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.”

BWC Lay Leader Amelia Duroska encourages lay people throughout the BWC to create and share messages of how faith has illuminated your life and the lives of others and how God’s grace accompanies you on your journey.

Duroska also thanked the laypeople of the BWC for their skilled servant leadership. "Our Conference is blessed by your gifts, commitment, and especially your faith."

BWC offers innovation grants to local churches

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.

Missional innovation grants recognize that discipleship often has the most impact when it is done at a local church level, with people living out their faith assisting people in their communities. The conference seeks to support these efforts by enabling creative and vital expressions of God’s love as it inspires and enables discipleship.

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.

New and Featured Ministries

Season six of Training Tuesday, an online learning experience for United Methodists, kicks off Oct. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. During the webinars, United Methodists will engage with subject matter experts and discover new ways of being and doing church. The first session will feature the Rev. Michael Beck, the denomination's director of Fresh Expressions, who will explore how new forms of the church can reach our changing culture and bring about transformation in your congregation and community. Register.

Meaningful Conversations: Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will speak with Joel Goza, author of Rebirth of a Nation, on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. at Busboys and Poets at 2021 14th St., NW, in Washington, D.C. They will discuss how to dismantle the deep-seated myths that perpetuate white supremacy. Learn more and register.

A Diverse Church by Design: Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural (CRCC) Leadership Certificate Program is a biblically-based practical and contextual approach to advancing multicultural ministry in the 21st century with cultural humility. Click here to learn more and register for the upcoming orientation on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

Fall Day Away for Clergy: The Board of Ordained Ministry's Culture of Call Committee is hosting a Day Away for Clergy on Oct. 17 at Camp Manidokan near Harper's Ferry. The day will include time for fellowship, relaxation, renewal, and optional art, hiking, and zip-line experiences. It can also be extended for an overnight stay. Learn more and register.

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".

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.

Discipleship Ministries Calendar

More Discipleship Opportunities

Methodist Heritage Presentation: David Worthington, the United Methodist Global Ambassador of Methodist Heritage Sites, will speak at Foundry UMC in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. and at the Log Meeting House at Strawbridge Shrine in New Windsor on Oct. 10 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. His presentation is entitled “Wisdom from the Past, Hope for the Future; A Story of Methodist Heritage.”

Addressing Domestic Violence: The BWC and Seeds of Security will be a sponsor at the Interrupting Violence Together Interfaith Solutions Forum on Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 9705 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. Register.

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.

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.

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

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