November 28, 2022 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" |
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World AIDS Day is Dec. 1. On Saturday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m., Salem UMC, at 3405 Gough St. in Baltimore, will host a World AIDS Day candlelight vigil and reception, providing opportunities for reflection, celebration and rejuvenation. We pray for God's healing presence in the lives of millions of people living with the disease and for their loved ones.
The Rev. Bruce C. Thompson, a retired Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died Nov. 17. A memorial service is planned for early next year. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Cheryl Thompson, at 119 Lovers Lane, Felton, DE 19943.
Advent is a time of expectation. The General Board of Religion and Race is offering a unique Advent study: God’s Unimaginable Surprises. It lifts up the dual themes of surprise and anti-oppression using the text of passages from Isaiah contextualized into our contemporary longings for God. Each week includes sermon starters and a children’s sermonette. Learn more.
Bishop Peggy Johnson, a daughter of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, has been named to serve as the presiding bishop of the New England Annual Conference. Read the story.
Last week, tragedies in Colorado Springs and Chesapeake, Va., were among the 609 mass shootings reported in the United States this year; of those, 21 or more involved five or more fatalities. Learn more about how you can address gun violence, urge congress to pass the assault weapons ban, and improve gun safety. |
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On Nov. 18, Mount Hope UMC in Sunderland and Pastor Ken White recognized the congregants and their family members who are or have served in the military. |
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United Methodists invited to join in Creation Care |
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The BWC's Creation Care Action and Advocacy Team leads the Conference’s efforts to make the study of and care for creation a priority for congregations.
For study, the Creation Care team recommends Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action, published by the United Women in Faith. The team also encourages United Methodists to attend the Maryland Legislative Advocacy Day on Feb. 9 and National Advocacy Day on March 29.
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Rural pastors to join in conversation with the bishop |
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Meeting with rural pastors: Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will meet for a conversation with pastors who serve in rural settings on Dec. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Otterbein UMC in Hagerstown. If you are unable to attend in person, you can participate via Zoom. For Zoom invitation information, contact communcations@bwcumc.org.
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Discipleship Opportunities |
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The BWC’s immigration ministry is holding a drive to collect winter coats and sweaters in adult sizes small, medium and large for migrants new to the US. Items may be dropped off at the Mission Center, 11711 E. Marketplace in Fulton, on Dec. 7 and 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. All items must be new or gently used. See a video about this mission opportunity. |
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On Nov. 29, Training Tuesday will focus on the fourth pillar of vitality: Multiply Your Impact: Measure What Matters. Drawing on design principles, session participants will learn how to define meaningful ministry outcomes, use simple tools to measure progress, and reflect on opportunities for improvement. Participants will leave with a framework for applying the ideas shared within their own contexts. The presenter is Naomi Annandale, the Executive Director of Research and Strategic Evaluation of the denomination’s Discipleship Ministries. Register.
The Annapolis District UMM will host a potato drop on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 7 to 9 a.m. at Eastport UMC. Learn more. Churches may reserve their potatoes at UMMrsvp.org.
Winter Youth Retreat: The youth groups of Annapolis District churches are invited to participate in a Winter Youth Retreat at West River UMC hosted by Calvary UMC in Annapolis. The retreat will be held Jan. 13-15, and will be an opportunity to provide a place to celebrate Christ’s love with other youth in the area to build a stronger community of faith. The cost per participant is $165 and includes lodging for your group and meals. Each church is responsible for providing appropriate adult chaperone coverage for your youth. For more information or to register, contact Joe Gryder.
Ministry in Action: The Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation, a ministry partner of the Baltimore-Washington Conference has a signature initiative, Black Women Thriving East of the River. Learn more about this exciting philanthropic effort in this video.
2022 Faith & Fact Cards: United Methodism is a faith of social action. Learn more about the issues facing our culture, some facts, what the Bible says about them, and action steps that can be taken to address these issues. See Church and Society’s Faith & Facts cards.
Journey UMC will host its last Grief & Suicide workshop on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. at its Temple Hills Campus at 1901 Iverson Street in Temple Hills. Breakfast will be provided. The church will also host Friday Night with Santa on Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. and a Christmas Concert on Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. For more information, call the church office at 301-894-8622.
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Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.
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Submissions?
Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
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