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November 18, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

The BWC issued a number of congregational development grants to several local churches. This year, micro-grants were given to The Gathering for its Recovery Dinner Church, Simpson-Hamline UMC in D.C. for its Community Parenting Group, and Hampden UMC in Baltimore for Messy Church. Grants were also given for New Fresh Expressions to the Zimbabwe Fellowship Renewal and Solomons Misson Center. Frostburg Initiative received a grant for its strategic growth initiative.

UMCOR Packing Event at Frostburg University

In an unprecedented event, neighbors and friends are invited to pack 100 cleaning buckets and 250 hygiene kits to support survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton at Frostburg University on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Register for this Conference-wide event on Eventbrite. All are welcome! Contribute materials by visiting the Amazon list by Nov. 30. All questions should be directed to Disaster Response or Frostburg Campus Minister, Rev. Elijah Ferebee.

New and Featured Ministries

The denomination’s EarthKeepers ministry trains and supports United Methodists to address environmental concerns. On Nov. 19 at 8 p.m., four Earthkeepers from the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be commissioned: Rev. Andre Briscoe, Katherine Martin, Elizabeth Stemley, and Clorie Tildon. See the commissioning livestreamed.

Green Team Initiative Sign-Up: The Baltimore-Washington Creation Care is launching a Church Green Team Initiative — a new effort aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship within church communities. All interested congregations are invited to sign up. Meeting dates and other ways to be involved will be emailed to those who sign up. To learn more about the initiative, visit the BWC Creation Care Website. For more information, contact Sharee Wharton.

Men's Hour of Prayer: The United Methodist Men of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference invites you to join them in an hour of prayer on Nov. 19 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. via Zoom. Join via Zoom: Meeting ID - 879 8411 4963; Passcode: 471674. To learn more, contact Yvonne Jackson.

Step into Methodist history: The Strawbridge Shrine in New Windsor will hold its annual Advent worship with a service of traditional lessons and carols at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. The historic log meeting house dates back to 1760. There is limited seating and guests with reservations will be seated first. Guests are invited to dress warmly, as it was cold in 1760. Reserve your seats.

Grow and Serve: The Peninsula-Delaware Conference and Strengthening the Black Church will hold Gather to Grow, Scatter to Serve 2024 on Dec. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Centennial UMC, at 44 E. Mt. Vernon St. in Smyrna, Delaware. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Gary C. Miller, pastor of Pocomoke City Charge, and the guest speaker will be the Rev. Rich Walton, pastor of Woodside UMC. Register.

Plan to attend the next Training Tuesdays webinars from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 "Living Well: A Holistic Approach to a Balanced Life"

Living Well is a holistic approach to living based on Christ’s command to “love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” This Training Tuesday is for clergy and laity who are seeking to discover a new way to live out their Christian life. Learn more and register.

Dec. 10 "Leadership and Church Administration: Mastering Meeting Dynamics"

Teresa Holder, Professor of Communications and Head of the Department of Communications at Meredith College will lead an exploration of planning, structuring, and leading effective meetings. Learn more and register.

More Discipleship Opportunities

New ministry forming: If you want to learn how the 12 steps of recovery, the Bible, and even the theology of John Wesley can be studied together, you’ll want to join a new small group opportunity beginning Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The year-long Recovery Bible Study is being led by Deaconesses Kathy Loomis, the author of the curriculum, and Colleen Moskov. The 75-minute, bi-weekly confidential study is open to everyone. Learn more. To express interest in joining, contact Loomis at kathy.loomis@belongchurch.org.

Strengthening the Black Church 21 will host an online Lunch and Learn at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21 that focuses on how artificial Intelligence can help reimagine, repurpose, and revitalize your congregation.

Join in a fun spiritual practice. Plan to participate in the denomination’s Advent Photo-a-Day 2024.

See a listing of more discipleship ministries and local church events

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