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Feb. 17, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

United Methodists have joined with other Christian denominations and Jewish bodies in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The religious groups are seeking a reversal of the Trump administration’s policy that allows ICE agents to carry out raids in houses of worship. See the UMNS story.

We pray for Bishop Easterling, the Cabinet, and pastors and churches experiencing changes in pastoral appointments. See the appointment list. See a list of Clear Opening church profiles.

Five more days to register for IGNITE youth conference

IGNITE, a youth conference for the young people of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area, will be held March 7-9 at the Convention Center in Ocean City. Learn more. Registration closes Feb. 21. Register today.

A Refutation offers transformative look at health care

A Refutation, a unique theatrical experience, will be held at Ebenezer UMC, at 400 D. St., SE, in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m.

A Refutation presents dramatic readings by acclaimed actors of excerpts from conflicting historical accounts of Philadelphia's 1793 yellow fever epidemic as a catalyst for guided audience discussion about health inequities in America today. The performers include Chad Coleman (The Walking Dead, The Wire), Brian F. O'Byrne (Conclave, Million Dollar Baby), Michael Potts (The Wire, The Piano Lesson), and Peter Marks (former chief theater critic for The Washington Post).

The evening is presented by Theater of War Productions, in collaboration with the Greenwall Foundation and the D.C. Public Library and Ebenezer UMC. Free in-person tickets and Zoom registration are available at arefutationebenezer.eventbrite.com

New and Featured Ministries

New podcast for kids: The Rev. Katie O'Hern Hamilton, senior pastor of the Greater Brunswick Charge, is launching a new podcast, This Little Light of Mine, for kids and their grown-ups. New episodes will air every Wednesday, beginning March 5. Listen to the Season 1 trailer on Apple Podcast or on Spotify.

Webinar shares information about regionalization: The Council of Bishops, Connectional Table and other leaders are presenting a webinar at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, on the significance of worldwide regionalization for The United Methodist Church. The regionalization package of amendments, approved last year by the General Conference, will be among the amendments to the church’s constitution up for a vote this year at annual conferences. Learn more. Register. See a UMNS story on the constitutional amendments.

Applications for Congregational Development Grants are now available.  All materials must be uploaded by April 1. Do you have an innovative and exciting idea or a plan for a new ministry that will help your congregation go to the “next level?" Or are you developing a way to reach new people who are not yet a part of any church? The BWC's Congregational Development Grants can assist you in launching your new ministry initiative, congregational renewal project, or leader development ministry. Learn more and apply.

Discipleship Opportunities

The BWC’s 2025 Maryland Legislative Advocacy Day will be Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Asbury UMC in Annapolis. The event is an opportunity for United Methodists to meet their representatives and advocate for United Methodist values. Learn more and register. A Federal Legislative Advocacy Day will be on March 26 at Capitol Hill UMC, and a D.C. Legislative Advocacy Day will be held April 30 at Asbury UMC in Washington.

The third annual Taste of Maryland Dinner fundraiser at the West River Center will be held on April 13.  Proceeds from the dinner will go toward the camp scholarship fund. Come out to the beautiful West River Center and enjoy an evening of local flavors, including a pig roast, live oyster bar, wonderful local salads/field greens and great desserts. Tickets are $85/plate. Additional details coming soon.

The BWC’s 2025 Immigration Border Immersion is a transformative experience open for clergy and lay people, especially young adults, seeking to learn more about migration. Participants will have the opportunity to listen to God through the voice of the immigrant and be part of the change as they implement and take action in their local communities. The trip to San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, is April 23 to 27. The cost, which includes airfare, is $1,480. To learn more about scholarships for young adults, contact Christine Taylor. 

Strengthening the Black Church: The Peninsula-Delaware Conference will hold a State of the Black Church gathering with an intergenerational panel on March 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Whatcoat UMC in Dover. Learn more.  Register.

The Network of Biblical Storytellers will hold their international conference Aug. 6-8 at the Maritime Center in Linthicum. The theme of the event is “Searching for Peace in Troubling Times: The Abiding Wisdom of 2 Kings 5-6." The keynote speaker is Tavis West. Learn more and register.

Mustard Seed Grants: United Methodist churches in the U.S. can help immigrants, migrants and refugees living in their local communities. UMCOR’s Mustard Seed Migration Grant program provides congregations with up to $2,000 for a one-time, community-based service project. The application process is open and up to 100 churches will be awarded a grant. Learn more.

Fresh Expressions is a Spirit-led, distinctly Wesleyan movement that focuses on cultivating new Christian communities that resonate with today’s world. The Peninsula-Delaware Conference invites everyone to attend viewing parties of the Fresh Expressions National Gathering on Feb. 27 to March 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free gatherings will be held at:

• Community Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 Racetrack Road in Berlin, MD
• Christ Church, 401 High St. in Chestertown, MD
• Newark UMC, 69 East Main Street in Newark, DE

Or you may register to watch from home directly from Discipleship Ministries for a fee of $65.

Save the Date: The BWC’s United Women in Faith will host a Critical Race Theory Workshop on April 26 at 1 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton. Registration opens soon.

See a listing of more discipleship ministries and local church events

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