e-connection 11|13|2023

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Nov. 13, 2023 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

A Celebration of the Life of the Rev. Donald S. Stewart, Jr., a retired Elder in the BWC, will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. at Friendship United Methodist Church at 22 West Friendship Road in Friendship. Following the service, friends are invited to visit during a luncheon in the fellowship hall. For those unable to attend in-person, the service may be viewed on Friendship UMC's You Tube Channel, Friendship United Methodist Church - YouTube. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the PMD Alliance and/or The Parkinson's Foundation.

The United Methodist Council of Bishops, meeting in Lake Junaluska, issued a statement calling for peace in the Holy Land, last week.

Members of the BWC and Pen-Del Annual Conferences recently attended a meeting of the United Methodist Deaf Caucus in Texas. Rev. Leo Yates has the story.

The Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, senior pastor of Epworth Chapel UMC in Baltimore, has published a new book, Redeeming the Dream: Essays and Other Writings on Martin Luther King, Jr ; and Social Justice.

Politically Preaching: Why Politics are Local to the Black Church, a new book by the Rev. Kevin Slayton, pastor of Northwood-Appold UMC in Baltimore, with a forward by the Rev. Marvin A. McMickle, has just been released.

More than 20 United Methodists in the Peninsula-Delaware and Baltimore-Washington Conferences recently gathered for the affiliation's inaugural Fresh Expressions Academy. Over the course of the year, they will be creating faith communities with unchurched people in their daily spaces and rhythms of life. The gathering featured a workshop with the Rev. Michael Adam Beck. See the story.

Clergy with children can share experiences with COSROW

The BWC's Committee on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW) will hold Zoom listening sessions for clergy parents on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. The purpose of these sessions is to hear from clergy about their experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, fostering and raising children within the local church. The committee hopes to create training opportunities for local congregations and, if needed, draft legislation to support clergy parents. Sign up for the event. If you are unable to attend a session but would like to share your experiences or concerns confidentially with COSROW, email co-chair the Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton.

New and Featured

Tiger H.U.B. is the BWC's new Towson University student ministry. They will hold the first Tiger H.U.B. event on Nov. 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m at Raisin’ Canes in Towson. All TU students are invited to join for fellowship, a free meal and to learn more about getting involved in Tiger H.U.B. For more information, contact Pastor Bee Myers, the Towson University Tiger H.U.B. Campus Coordinator.

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. Speakers will include Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, Karen Herren from Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence, Maryland State Delegate Bonnie L. Cullison, and many more. Register.

Grief Share: Surviving the Holidays -- Davidsonville UMC is working with Kalas Funeral Home, at 2973 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater, to provide the encouragement, support and valuable tools needed to help survive grief and sadness during the holiday season. The event, which is free, will be on Nov. 19 at 2 pm. Learn more and register. This ministry is part of Davidsonville's work with the BWC's Catalyst Initiative, a congregational vitality pathway.

Violence in the Deaf Community: On Dec. 17 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church of the Deaf, the Deaf Shalom Zone will welcome Deaf Dawn to help participants learn to recognize elder abuse, financial abuse and domestic violence within the Deaf Community. Deaf populations are 25 percent more likely to experience domestic violence compared to the hearing population, area church leaders report. Deaf Dawn is a trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, and transformative justice-based agency.

The Rev. Leo Yates will lead a workshop on "Signing for the Holidays" via Zoom on Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. For more information or to request an accommodation, contact lyates@bwcumc.org. Register.

The United Methodist Church has released the 2022 State of the Church Report. This offering centers around how the people of The United Methodist Church have dug deeper into our Wesleyan roots to reclaim, revive and renew our identity as United Methodists. See a video version.

VIM trip to Zimbabwe: Charlie Moore and the ZIM VIM team at Community UMC in Crofton is recruiting 16 members to join them on their next mission journey to Zimbabwe. The next planning meeting is Dec. 15. Contact Charlie Moore at 410-703-3557 to further explore your potential interest. In addition, the team is raising $120,000 toward funding four initiatives. If you wish to contribute, make your tax-deductible check payable to “CUMC” with ZIM VIM 2024 in the memo section and mail it to: Community United Methodist Church, c/o ZIM VIM, 1690 Riedel Road, Crofton, MD 21114. You can also make your gift online by going to https://onrealm.org/cumccrofton/-/form/give/now and scroll down to make a designated gift to “Zimbabwe VIM Fund." Learn more about this extensive and exciting ministry.

More Discipleship Opportunities

On Nov. 14, Training Tuesday will focus on Budgeting as a Response to Vision. This webinar will explore how to assemble a project budget from scratch for a new ministry within the church. It builds a good understanding of the vision as the project budget becomes a roadmap for anticipated expenditures and income. Learn more and register.

On Nov. 28, Training Tuesday will explore "Toward Better Meetings: Crafting meaningful Discussions, Decisions and Change." Tired of going to meetings where you accomplish nothing and repeat the same conversations? Time is valuable and meeting just to meet is not what anyone wants. The church council has a vital responsibility to steward the vision and mission of the local church. This Training Tuesday will provide some helpful resources to make the best use of your time and resources as a council (or any church leadership team). Recommended especially for chairs of committees and anyone who is a regular part of church meetings. Learn more and register.

Those Elders who are sensing a call to the episcopacy are invited to begin the process to be considered as a nominee from the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Before Nov. 30, candidates should send a statement of call, biographical information and responses to the essential qualities list from the delegation to the Rev. Ianther Mills at delegation@bwcumc.org. Learn more.

The BWC Clergywomen's Christmas lunch will be held Dec. 4 at the Morningside Inn in Frederick. For more information, contact the Rev. Debbie Scott.

Local Church Activities:

Calvary UMC in Annapolis is hosting a retreat for youth groups at West River Jan. 19 - 21. Intended for young people in grades 5 - 12, youth groups should register together. Meals, lodging, large and small group sessions, music, fellowship and worship are included. The cost is $140/person or $120 for early registration. Reach out to youthdirector@calumc.com with questions or to register.

Queen’s Chapel UMC in Beltsville will celebrate the 62nd anniversary of its Male Chorus on Nov. 18 at 4 pm.

Memorial First India UMC, at 9226 Colesville Road in Silver Spring, will hold a Thanksgiving Sale on Nov. 18 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Good Hope Union UMC in Silver Spring will host a fundraising gala on Nov. 18 from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets include dinner, entertainment and dancing. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund and the retirement of the mortgage.

The United Methodist Men of Pikeside UMC in Martinsburg, W.Va. will host a take-out meatloaf dinner on Dec. 1 starting at 4 p.m. Each dinner is $8, Pre-ordering is highly recommended by calling the church office 304-263-4633.

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

Lovely Lane UMC in Baltimore is hosting a Share the Warmth event with a one-man performance about the birth of Jesus, music and poetry on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. Admission is a new or gently used hat, scarf or mittens or a love offering to share with Manna House.

Lanham UMC in Lanham will host a Christmas Concert, featuring the Moye’ Ensemble of the DMV and Koinonia choir with special guests, on Dec. 16 at 3 p.m.