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A memorial service for the Rev. Lamar Kopp will be held at Salem UMC of Hebbville, 7509 Windsor Mill Road in Windsor Mill on Saturday, April 29, at 2 p.m.

We join Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and the people of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference in prayer as they share their grief and concerns over a fire on March 30 that destroyed the computer center at the Higher Pedagogical Institute of Wembo-Nyama in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pen-Del has an active partnership with the Central Congo Episcopal Area. Learn more.

Members of the BWC's Council on Finance and Administration recently created the proposed 2024 conference budget. Learn more about how faith influences finances and how churches make a vital difference with their stewardship.

We pray for Bishop Easterling, the Cabinet, and the pastors and congregations of the BWC as clergy appointments are made.

In response to your requests, the BWC is introducing a new information resource to help you tell our connectional story to the people in your faith community. The Bulletin is a monthly, ready-to-reproduce insert designed for your church bulletin and newsletter. The short articles and artwork are available online to post on your church website or social media.

A new issue will be posted on the 15th of each month for use the following month. The content will connect United Methodists with our shared movement toward vitality and will feature a message from Bishop Easterling. See and download The Bulletin.

In Isaiah 6:8, God asks, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" And the prophet answers, "Here I am. Send me." The BWC seeks to discover people whom God might be calling to use their gifts to serve and lead in district and conference ministries so that "more transformed lives, transform lives."

Learn more about opportunities to live out your discipleship. The deadline for submitting a Leadership Interest Form is May 10.

Level Up, a new video series premiering today, provides lessons in church leadership from the Rev. Jack Shitama of the Center of Vital Leadership. In these short videos, church leaders will discover some of the best and most influential principles in today’s secular writing about leadership. Learn from experts about how to transform yourself and the world. This week, Shitama explores the differences between leaders and managers. A new video will premiere each Monday for the next five weeks.

Another resource to help church leaders grow is Mission-Shaped Church, a weekly blog by the Revs. Bill Brown and Lauren Harris, who lead the BWC's innovative evangelism ministries.

Register today for the Annual Conference and PreConference Sessions: The BWC's Annual Session will be held May 31 - June 1 at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore. A late-fee to register for the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference goes into effect after April 26. Registration closes May 17. There will be no on-site registration. See some of the workshops being offered on May 31 and learn about how you can volunteer at the session.

A Pre-Conference Briefing Session for members to learn more about the items and issues they'll be called to vote on will be held online on May 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Register for the Pre-Conference Briefing.

At this year’s Annual Conference Session, there will be a time to gather and center the voices, ideas and thoughts of our young people. On June 3, there will be a celebration for confirmands and their families. Please use this form to submit church names and young people's names that we will place on the screen so that they might be celebrated. There will also be opportunities for individuals or youth groups to showcase their gifts and talents with the Annual Conference. If you are a young person (or work with young people) who would like to share/lead on Saturday, fill out this form. If you have any questions, contact Cheryl Cook.

Embark on a Pilgrimage: You’re invited to take a sacred journey of discovery and faith as part of the BWC’s Pilgrimage Week, May 1 - 6. To culminate the week, a Social Justice Pilgrimage will kick off on May 6 at 8:30 a.m. It will start at the Mission Center in Fulton and explore five historical sites in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. The featured sites include The Methodist Building, Mt. Zion UMC and the Mt. Zion/Female Union Band Cemetery in Georgetown, Sharp Street Memorial UMC, and Old Otterbein UMC in Baltimore. The tour costs $75 and includes lessons on pilgrimage, informative tours of each site, opportunities for spiritual reflection and lunch. Learn more and register. For more information, contact the Rev. Bonnie McCubbin.

Scholarship: Trinity UMC is offering a scholarship that honors Rev. Lynn Arthur Brown to benefit a candidate for the ordained ministry from the Washington East District. The scholarship is based on neither financial need nor merit. The selection will be by random drawing. If there are no applicants from Washington East, the scholarship may be awarded to any qualifying candidate from the Baltimore-Washington Conference. The scholarship is designed to assist with costs for tuition, housing, or books for the Master of Divinity degree.

Assisting migrants with personal needs: As migrants continue to arrive in Washington, DC, we ask you to support our new neighbors. Donate now to help purchase much-needed undergarments for children and adults.

Donate Now:

Celebrating History: Strawbridge Shrine, near New Windsor, celebrates its annual Colonial Days on June 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. This free, family-friendly event features skill demonstrations, music and tours of the shrine where Methodism began in America in 1760.

Introducing the Brave Conversation Resourcers: The Baltimore-Washington Conference and The People's Supper are excited to introduce the Brave Conversation Resourcers, a group of people trained to help congregations across the conference have brave conversations that contextually advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and antiracism. These individuals have facilitation experience, are culturally aware, emotionally intelligent, a non-anxious presence in times of trouble, and are good listeners. Resourcers are now available for the conference to enlist to walk alongside the congregations who need their support. To learn more about the Brave Conversations Resourcers and request their facilitation services in your congregation, click here.

Out of the Ashes: On Thursday, April 20, at noon, Discipleship Ministries will host a national online Service of Lament in a Season of Disaffiliation. Learn more and register.

Are you thriving or surviving? Dr. Tammy Smith will lead a time of worship, Bible study and motivation at Epworth UMC in Gaithersburg to assist people in stepping into freedom, healing and joy. The event will be held Friday, April 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spanish translation and childcare are available. Learn more and register.

Shoe Drive: On April 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nottingham-Myers UMC in Upper Marlboro will celebrate Earth Day by collecting your gently worn and new shoes to give them a second life. Drop off your shoes at this drive-through event.

Community Fair: Hughes UMC in Wheaton is hosting a large community fair on May 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to connect people in Montgomery County with services, including housing, utilities, education assistance, emergency services, English classes, health screenings, an eye clinic, clothing closet and much more.

First UMC in Hyattsville is involved with several events that they invite the community to:

The Baltimore-Washington Conference is hiring: The BWC seeks a Business Data Analyst to work at its office in Fulton. Camp Manidokan near Harper’s Ferry is hiring a program director, and the BWC’s Camping and Retreat Ministries is seeking to hire for several positions to work at summer camp. Learn more.

Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.

See the church classified ads, now online.