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December 9, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

Members of Grace UMC in Baltimore celebrated Advent and prepared for the coming of Christ during worship yesterday.

What gives us the courage and the strength to engage in acts of peacemaking? The discipline of prayer, wrote Bishop LaTrelle Easterling in her Advent message. "Our life of prayer, worship, fasting, meditating and praising God should so transform us that God’s character becomes our character; God’s love becomes our love; God’s peace becomes our peace." Read her message on the Peace of Advent.

Once Upon a Temple is a poetic presentation by the Rev. Wanda Duckett, superintendent of the Baltimore-Metropolitan District, about three congregations who bravely embraced new notions of their relationships with property and the opportunities of a faithful and courageous approach to legacy. It was first shared at the National Association of Annual Conference Treasurers. Read the Missional Action story.

How do we integrate our love for the Earth with a commitment to justice for all people? The Rev. Dr. Stacey Cole Wilson explored this question at a celebration of the BWC's recently commissioned Earthkeepers. Read her remarks.

Many churches are still processing the momentous events of the 2024 General Conference and what its decisions may mean for their ministry. United Methodist Communications has put together a presentation that breaks down what did and didn’t change at General Conference and how it will impact local ministries. Read the story.

Get ready to IGNITE this Advent Season

Get ready for the IGNITE Youth Conference this March in Ocean City by singing along with our custom IGNITE playlist on Spotify.

The playlist features the IGNITE artists: North Point Worship, Angie Rose, and DJ El Vow, who will be creating a weekend filled with music, energy, and inspiration.

IGNITE will also feature a special opportunity for young adults in the BWC and Pen-Del. The IGNITE Squad will draw together more than 60 young adults for leadership, service, and fellowship. Learn more and join the Squad. Questions? Contact the Revs. Chelsea Spires or Elijah Ferebee.

Learn more about IGNITE at IGNITEforYouth.com.

Clear opening profiles of chuches now available

As Bishop Easterling and the Cabinet begin to make clergy appointments, which will go into effect on July 1, 2025, a list of clear openings for church profiles will be posted online on Monday mornings, beginning today. 

A Clear Opening church is one that will receive a new pastor this year due to the retirement, death, or appointment of their current pastor to another mission field. Interested clergy are invited to review these openings and apply for an appointment to one or more of the congregations using the application form in the sidebar of the Clear Opening webpage. The applications are used as an additional resource in the traditional appointment process. See the clear opening list for the BWC.

New and Featured Ministries

Your Mission Shares at Work: As the year draws to a close, churches throughout the BWC are encouraged to live out their connectional covenant by paying 100 percent of their mission shares. This connectional giving allows us to do remarkable ministry together. See a list of 100 Ways Your Mission Shares Transform Lives. Learn, at a glance, how we are faithful stewards of each dollar we receive.

Every dollar counts: For every $100 put in the offering plate, $11 is spent beyond the local church. $4.80 goes toward BWC ministries, $3.10 goes toward BWC operations and finances, $2.20 supports General Church ministries, 85 cents goes toward BWC administration and communications, and 5 cents goes toward BWC debt reduction. Learn more.

Resolutions to be considered at the 2025 session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference are due Feb. 14 to Kevin Silberzahn, the BWC Secretary. Learn more. The session will be held May 13-15 at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore.

The next Training Tuesday webinar will be on Dec. 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The conversation will center on "Leadership and Church Administration: Mastering Meeting Dynamics" with Teresa Holder, Professor of Communications and Head of the Department of Communications at Meredith College. She will explore the planning, structuring, and leading of effective meetings. Learn more and register.

It’s Statistical Report Season. On Dec. 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., there will be a Training Tuesday session to help local church leaders better navigate the AC Stats system. Whether you’re new to the system or want to learn about some of the updates and best practices, you can ensure a smooth reporting experience by taking this webinar with Dave Schoeller and John Gauthier. Register.

The next cohort of A Diverse Church by Design will start on Jan. 18, 2025, at 9 a.m. This proven online program is a biblically-based experimental approach to diversity and inclusion that develops ways to create God's Beloved Community where justice, equal opportunity, and love can embrace all. Learn more. Register by Dec. 31.

Retracing the Steps of Freedom Immersion: St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore invites you to "Retrace the Steps of Freedom" as they journey to Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma, Alabama, from April 6–11, 2025. This immersive academic experience led by Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, is part of our Spring 2025 course, "The Preaching and Public Theology of Martin Luther King, Jr." Auditors, visiting students, and lifelong learners are all welcome. Fill out this short form to receive detailed information about the trip sent directly to your email, or contact Galen at gzook@stmarys.edu for more information.

The BWC Hispanic-Latino Ministries Committee invites you to join them for a plenary meeting on Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Together, we will learn more about the conference's restructuring plan and explore how we can mobilize to support and meet the needs of our immigrant siblings. Register.

El Comité de Ministerios Hispano-Latinos lo invita a unirsenos para nuestra reunión plenaria el 14 de diciembre, de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. por Zoom. Juntos, aprenderemos más sobre el plan de reestructuración de la conferencia y exploraremos cómo podemos movilizarnos para apoyar y cumplir las necesidades de nuestros hermanxs inmigrantes. Regístrese aquí para asistir.

See a listing of more discipleship ministries and local church events

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