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April 7, 2025 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

Prayers of the People

Members of the IGNITE Squad at Frostburg State University reunited as part of an effort to prepare relief supplies for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. On April 5, those gathered packed 259 health kits and 80 flood buckets.

The Rev. Dr. Clark Aist of Cheltenham, a retired Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died on April 5. A memorial service is being planned for a future date.

We pray for Christie Latona and her family at the death of her father, Dr. Larry D. Shinn. Latona is the director of Connectional Ministries for the BWC and chief program officer for the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area. A service honoring Dr. Shinn's life will take place at Berea College in June. See a tribute page.

Members and guests at Community UMC in Crofton heard about the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s ministry of “love in action” on UMCOR Sunday. Jim Cox, UMCOR’s executive director, was among the guest speakers and said the relief agency “is needed now, more than ever.” After worship, the congregation assembled and packed 100 cleaning and hygiene kits. Read the story.

“God always takes us to revival,” Bishop LaTrelle Easterling preached recently.“"When in doubt, know it’s always about hope.” Her words led to a rediscovery of sanctuary. Read a commentary by Melissa Lauber.

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

BWC undergoes significant staffing changes

The Baltimore-Washington Conference is undergoing several staffing changes.

• Deb Albrecht, currently serving in the Episcopal Office, will retire on Aug. 31. Deb has worn many hats in her 17 years at the BWC Mission Center, and currently oversees the arrangements for not one, but two, annual conference sessions across the Area. We are grateful for Deb's tenacious work ethic and her devotion to the values of the UMC.

• Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications, retires June 30 after working for the BWC since 1991. For 30+ years, she has been a primary storyteller of the conference, and, as director, has helped equip churches and leaders with the tools they need through vital communications. We celebrate Melissa's creativity and passion for contributing to the mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world.

As the BWC prepares to restructure to create vital change, there will be several staff changes in the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area beginning July 1.

• Rev. Bill Brown's ministry of innovative evangelism continues, with the new title of "Director of Congregational Excellence." Bill will continue to equip churches across the BWC/PDC Area with oversight of the four new Vitality Specialists who are being hired.  

• Sophie Amer will assume the role of Executive Assistant to the Episcopal Office beginning July 1, 2025. Sophie has served as District Administrator for several Superintendents since 2018 and currently supports the Central Maryland and Greater Washington Districts.

• Tonia Bennett will begin serving a new position, Administrative Services Coordinator, on July 1. In this role, she will work with the new Central Administration team to streamline and support the administrative responsibilities of district staff, agencies, and local churches. Tonia currently serves as District Administrator for the Cumberland-Hagerstown District and has been with the BWC for 27 years in a variety of roles.

• Christine Taylor will be working as the new Manager of Central Administration, overseeing district and conference work. Christine is currently serving as the administrator of the Baltimore Metropolitan District and leads A.I.M., the Baltimore-Washington Conference Chapter of Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure (PAUMCS).

• Cheryl Cook will serve as the Area Event and Project Manager, overseeing and providing leadership and administrative support to significant events and initiatives. Cheryl currently works as the Discipleship Ministries Manager and shepherds the BWC's Young People's Ministries.

Two additional Area staff positions will be added. A Coordinator of Hispanic/Latinx and Multicultural Ministries and a Young People's Coordinator are expected to be hired in the future. Applications are now being accepted for the Young People's Coordinator. Learn more and apply.

Please join us in holding all of these people in prayer as they move into new areas of mission and ministry.

New and Featured Ministries

"Live From Wespath" will air on Wednesday, April 30, at noon. This virtual four-hour event features information and insights from Wespath about the new Compass clergy retirement plan, investments, and benefits. Your registration allows you to participate in the entire event; simply drop in for the segments that interest you or receive a link approximately three to five business days after the event to view at your convenience. Learn more and register.

Early bird registration for the Annual Conference Session, which is $149, closes tomorrow, April 8. The conference will be held May 13-15 at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore. For those staying at the hotel, discount parking is available. Prior to check checking out, guests will need to enter the 60 percent coupon code under "Have a discount code?" Then, hit "Apply" and then complete checkout. Reserve parking at LAZ Parking - Hilton Baltimore Garage.

If you'd like to volunteer to assist with the conference worship services, please contact the Rev. Will Green. Learn more.

The BWC United Women in Faith are in need of financial auditors, with or without CPA licenses. Contact President Kim Walker at 443-534-1549 or kwalker@bwcumc.org.

You're invited to the third annual Grazing on Maryland dinner fundraiser at the West River Center on April 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. Proceeds from the dinner will go toward the camp scholarship fund. Come out to the beautiful West River Center at 5100 Chalk Point Road in West River and enjoy an evening of local flavors, including a pig roast, live oyster bar, wonderful local salads/field greens, and great desserts. There will be live music and a silent auction, too. Tickets must be purchased in advance at $85 per plate.

Learn more about Critical Race Theory: 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. Learn more and register.

Camp Open House: Camp Manidokan at 1600 Harpers Ferry Road in Knoxville, is hosting an open house on Sunday, April 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. There will also be an opportunity to meet Manidokan’s new director Theresa Eggleston.

A Deacon Exploration Session will be held May 17 from 10 a.m. to noon on Zoom. This webinar about the history and ministry of the deacon is open to ministry candidates, seminarians, persons discerning clergy orders, and SPRC chairs (or church leaders). Click here to register for the webinar. Questions about the webinar can be sent to Rev. Dr. Leo Yates, the chair of the Order of Deacons.

Mark your Calendars: Coming This Summer

Washington Conference Pilgrimage Bus Trip: On June 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Conference’s annual Pilgrimage Bus Trip will explore the former racially segregated old Washington Conference as we wrestle with questions about race, justice, and equality. This year’s trip focuses on Baltimore sites. Free parking is available at Lovely Lane UMC at 2200 St. Paul St. in Baltimore, where the day will begin and end. The cost is $50 (scholarships are available), which includes the bus, lunch catered by a Black-owned catering company, admission to all sites, interpretation, and a lesson on pilgrimage theology. Full participants can earn 0.6 CEUs.Learn more and register.

The Seeds of Security Charity Golf Tournament will be held at a new location this year, Renditions Golf Club, in Anne Arundel County, on Monday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seeds of Security supports the Area’s ministries with survivors of intimate partner violence and develops safe havens for them. There are a number of opportunities for sponsoring support, including sponsoring a hole for $250. Register to play. For information, contact the Rev. Stacey Cole Wilson.

See a listing of more discipleship ministries and local church events

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

See church classified ads

Camp Manidokan, near Harper's Ferry, is in need of a Health Coordinator. This person would need to be either an EMT or a nurse within the state of Maryland. Duties would include collecting camper medications at check-in, distributing medication throughout the week, and returning medication to guardians at checkout. Learn more and apply online. If you have any questions, contact the Program Director, Jarrett Snider.