March 3, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | |
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I need You, God.
To call me out, firmly in truth.
To cause me to face my stuff. All of it.
To press me to go deeper, so deep that I’m elevated to higher.
To wrestle with me until my best presents itself.
To hold me accountable. No wiggle room.
To remind me that the endgame is worth the trip.
To encourage me to stay steady and focused.
Transform my being.
With every step, make me more faithful,
more in the image of You that You see in me.
Draw me closer to Your heart that our beats are one. In sync and strong.
I need You, God, this Lent, and always. Amen.
(See a fuller version of this Lenten prayer.)
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We pray for the more than a thousand youth and their leaders from the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area who will gather in Ocean City March 7-9 for the IGNITE youth conference.
The Rev. Dr. Hallie Lawson Reeves, a retired Elder who served as a pastor at Peter and Coopers UMCs in Calvert County, died last week at her home in Fort Washington. Funeral arrangements are pending.
We pray for Bishop Easterling and the Cabinet, along with pastors and churches experiencing changes in pastoral appointments. See the appointment list. See a list of Clear Opening church profiles.
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The Rev. Arlester Brown was recently honored by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, for his service during World War II in Normandy. See a 2024 DC News Now story, with a video, about Brown, who landed in Normandy just days after D-Day.
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Your voice is needed to defend the Trust Clause | |
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Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and others from the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area have testified in legislative hearings opposing Senate Bill 0586 and HB 1182, which both seek to repeal the provisions on The United Methodist Trust Clause from state law. Last week, at a hearing before the House of Delegates Economics Matters Committee, some delegates shared the fact that United Methodists who are suing the Baltimore-Washington Conference in an attempt to leave the denomination without following the Trust Clause or others who have already left the UMC have been very vocal about this proposed legislation.
As the committee pursues its work, United Methodists are asked to voice their opposition to HB1182. A sample letter and contact information are at the bottom of this email.
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United Methodists support diversity, equity, inclusion | |
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Throughout the nation, DEI programs and initiatives are under attack. The Baltimore-Washington Conference has long been committed to upholding the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These core principles are not only grounded in our lived experience as the Body of Christ, but they are also deeply embedded in the theological teachings of Scripture, our United Methodist traditions and the broader Christian call to justice. The pursuit of equity, diversity, and inclusion is integral to living out the Gospel’s radical message of love, unity, and justice for all people, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, or social status. See our Call to Prayer and Action.
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New and Featured Ministries | |
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Lovely Lane UMC in Baltimore, the Mother Church of Methodism, is home to plaques that honor the pioneers of the denomination. They are now seeking to create and install a plaque that honors Harry Hosier, who frequently traveled with Methoism’s first bishop Francis Asbury. Hosier was described by contemporaries as “the greatest preacher in America.”
To donate online, select "Restoration," which will direct you to PayPal. In the "In Honor of" box, please enter "Harry Hosier." To donate via mail, make checks payable to Lovely Lane UMC (2200 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218) and put "Harry Hosier" in the memo field.
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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.
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A Federal Legislative Advocacy Day will take place on March 26 at Capitol Hill UMC. The event is an opportunity for United Methodists to meet their representatives and advocate for United Methodist values. And, a D.C. Legislative Advocacy Day will be held April 30 at Asbury UMC in Washington.
See a story on the Maryland Legislative Advocacy Day and the legislation United Methodists are addressing.
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists in each annual conference for exceptional evangelism ministry. The BWC recognizes one clergy member, layperson, and youth at the Annual Conference session. The deadline for nominations is April 1. Learn more and see the application forms.
You're invited to the third annual Grazing on Maryland dinner fundraiser at the West River Center 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! Live music and silent auction too. Tickets must be purchased in advance at $85 per plate.
Bridging Visions: Prophetic Voices, Pastoral Hearts, a national event honoring the ministry and legacy of Rev. Dr. William Bobby McClain, will be held April 10-12 at Colesville UMC in Silver Spring. The event will feature preaching, teaching, and fellowship that builds on McClain’s legacy as a theologian and civil rights leader. Learn more and register.
The Global Young People’s Convocation will be held this year July 7-11 in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more and pre-register.
Children in Ukraine in the Midst of War: Chris Mead is available to speak at churches about children in Ukraine in the midst of war. As the Director of the Ukraine-USA Pen Pal Program and producer of the upcoming documentary Soldiers of Learning, he brings first-hand insights into the resilience of Ukrainian students and teachers striving to continue education amid conflict. To learn more or make a booking, contact Chris Mead.
Registration is now open for the 2025 Session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference on May 13-15 in Baltimore. Learn more. Register.
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Discipleship Opportunities | |
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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.
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The BWC’s 2025 Immigration Border Immersion is a transformative experience open to 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 23-27. The cost, which includes airfare, is $1,480. To learn more about scholarships for young adults, contact Christine Taylor.
The Potter's Hand: Emmanuel UMC in Scaggsville will host a Lenten Prayer Breakfast focused on the Stations of the Cross on Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The theme is Towards Resurrection & The Potter's Hand. During the prayer breakfast, participants will engage in clay work to explore how their personal journeys are intricately connected to God’s master plan. A time of reflection and creative expression will follow. RSVP to judydavies@eumclaurel.org.
Protecting Medicaid: Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps ensure that low-income residents can get health insurance. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution, which if fully enacted, would result in hundreds of billions of dollars of cuts to this critical program. Leaders in Maryland are saying if this happens, they may need to change eligibility for Maryland Medicaid. Low-income families, children, and seniors in Maryland depend on Medicaid to ensure that they can get the health care they need. Health Care for All is asking United Methodists to contact their representatives in the Maryland General Assembly and urge them to do everything they can to fully fund Medicaid in Maryland and protect our health care.
Protecting cemeteries: Several bills regarding cemeteries are coming up for hearings before the Maryland General Assembly. United Methodists are asked to consider writing letters of support or testifying in person to support critically needed protections. Learn more.
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.
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.
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Voicing Support for the Trust Clause | |
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Sample text for an email supporting the Trust Clause
(Please feel free to make this text your own and send it to your Maryland legislators.)
I am writing to express my strong opposition to House Bill 1182, which seeks to repeal the trust clause that ensures the assets of local Methodist churches are held in trust for The United Methodist Church. As a member of [Local Church Name], I have seen firsthand the profound positive impact that the trust clause has had on our congregation and the broader ministry we serve. [Share some of those examples here.]
For our local church, the trust clause is not just a legal formality; it is an essential part of our identity and mission. It has allowed us to focus on what matters most — serving our community and advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ — without having to worry about the division of our property or assets, should challenges arise. The trust clause assures that our church’s resources are committed to the shared work of The United Methodist Church, creating a sense of security and unity within our congregation.
Beyond the practical benefits of security, the trust clause has allowed us to participate in the broader mission of The United Methodist Church, knowing that our resources are contributing to a greater good. Whether it is providing aid during times of natural disaster, supporting global ministries, or working toward social justice causes, our local church has always been able to rely on the larger structure of the Church. The trust clause has helped us to be more than just a local congregation; it has allowed us to be part of a global movement, working together with our Methodist brothers and sisters around the world.
If House Bill 1182 passes, local churches like ours could be at risk of losing this sense of security and connection. The trust clause ensures that we are not isolated, but rather, part of something much larger than ourselves. Without it, the unity of the Church and our ability to act as one body with shared resources and goals would be significantly weakened.
As someone who has witnessed the tangible benefits of the trust clause in our local ministry, I urge you to consider the real and immediate impact that the repeal of this provision could have on churches like ours. For us, it is not just about policy; it is about maintaining a stable foundation from which we can continue to serve our neighbors, support those in need, and carry out the work God has called us to do.
I respectfully ask that you oppose HB 1182 and stand in support of local churches like ours that benefit from the trust and unity the current provision provides.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for your service to our community. I appreciate your consideration and your leadership.
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Submissions?
Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
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