April 8, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives" | |
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling baptizes Eden Yuna, the daughter of the Revs. Daniel Cho and Hyemin Na, during worship at Wesley Theological Seminary on April 2. See a video of the service. The bishop starts preaching at the 23:00 minute mark, and the baptism is at 47:55. (We sincerely request that you not post or share this photo.) | |
During the 50 days of Easter, the Council of Bishops invites United Methodists "to join in the glorious chorus of joy, celebration, and anticipation of a resurrected life and a resurrected church." As Dr. Lawrence Stookey has written, “The Resurrection is the manifestation of a new kind and quality of life, which we have no words to describe. ... It is the sublime, mysterious gift of God, which we are to experience as both astounding and transforming.” See the Eastertide message.
A book signing for the Rev. George DeFord’s new book “Oh, My Child, My Child: The Dilemma of Clergy Confronting Personal Grief,” will be held April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Metropolitan UMC in Indian Head. The book is a memoir and exploration of the clergy confronting the trauma of the loss of loved ones.
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Flora and Faith: The National Wildlife Federation’s Sacred Grounds program is helping churches like St. Mark’s UMC in Laurel and Jones Memorial UMC in Washington, D.C., increase native plant gardens. This will help wildlife flourish and encourage community connection. See the story from Faith and Leadership.
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Symposium offers hope and mental health resources for youth | |
The BWC’s Young People’s Ministry will hold a Mental Health Symposium on May 18 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center in Fulton. The symposium, with speaker Lauren Jenkins, will provide youth and young adults ages 13 - 35 with a space to raise awareness about mental health and suicide, have meaningful discussions on the power of resilience and faith, and explore the importance of hope and connection through creative expressive activities. Register. | |
Positive Intelligence training to be offered | |
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Your mind is your best friend. But it can also be your worst enemy. If you’d like to learn how to better align your actions with your values, then Positive Intelligence (PQ) is for you. When you go through the seven-week PQ program, you will:
- Learn what's behind your unhelpful, automatic reactions.
- Develop the mental fitness to neutralize those reactions.
- Grow in your ability to function as a non-anxious presence.
The Center for Vital Leadership is offering two free information sessions. If you’d like to learn more, join Rod Miller and Jack Shitama on Wednesday, April 17, at 10:00 a.m. or Thursday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. to learn about PQ and how you can participate. Register for the info session by clicking your desired day and time.
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Churches asked to offer aid after bridge collapse: BWC churches are assisting Maryland officials to provide items to support the 136 foreign nationals residing on the seven ships stuck in the Port of Baltimore following the collapse of the Key Bridge. See the list of requested items and how you can help. | |
Project Transformation DC is hosting its Annual Partners in Transformation Pancake Breakfast on April 13 at Emory Fellowship UMC in Washington, D.C. from 10 a.m. to noon. The breakfast is a fundraiser for their summer camps.
| Delicious Camp Fundraiser: West River Center and Chef David Jannsen will host their second Grazing on Maryland fundraiser dinner on April 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the center, at 5100 Chalk Point Road in West River. Join them for a casual evening raising funds for scholarships for the summer camp. Learn more about the farmers, watermen and artisans whose food will be featured. Buy tickets. | |
The Seeds of Security Annual Golf Tournament, which raises funds to assist domestic violence victims, will be held on Monday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Course in Columbia, Md. One option for those who want to support this important ministry of healing is to sponsor a hole during the tournament for $250. Individuals, groups, and churches can sponsor a hole and display a signature banner at the hole. Learn more.
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The 240th session of the BWC Annual Conference will be held Wednesday, May 29, through Friday, May 31, at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore.
A Pre-Conference Briefing will be held online on Saturday, May 11.
On May 29 at 6:30 p.m., as part of the Annual Conference, 1,000 United Methodists will attend the Orioles - Boston Red Sox game at Camden Yards, next to the Hilton Hotel. Clergy and Lay Members to Annual Conference should note their intent to attend the game when they register. Tickets are free. After registration closes on May 8, the tickets will go on sale to guests and others for $22 each. If you have already registered for the conference but didn’t reserve your ticket, contact ac2024@bwcumc.org
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General Conference, the global gathering of The United Methodist Church, will meet April 23 - May 3 in Charlotte, N.C. Learn more.
The Rev. Erica Robinson-Johnson, chief administrative officer of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences, has been nominated by the Council of Bishops as a candidate for the denomination's Judicial Council.
The Love Your Neighbor Coalition, led by its president, Mittie Quinn of Dumbarton UMC in Georgetown, will offer a number of special witness, fellowship and worship opportunities at General Conference.
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling will preach during worship on April 25. The General Conference plenary and worship services will be live-streamed.
The Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling Methodists are hosting a Prayer Vigil for General Conference on April 20. Fellowship will start at 10 a.m., and the vigil will begin at 10:30 a.m., at Severna Park UMC.
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Restructuring plan creates opportunities for churches | |
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In response to changing cultural and church landscapes, the Baltimore-Washington Conference is embarking on a restructuring plan to renew connectionalism, more deeply engage churches with their communities, and ignite a spirit of vitality and discipleship.
Learn more at:
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Additional Disicpleship Opportunities | |
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Youth Mental Health & First Aid: The United Methodist Board of Childcare will offer free Youth Mental Health First Aid training at Eastport UMC in Annapolis. Young people today face unique challenges that can impact their mental well-being. By equipping ourselves with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to these challenges, we can create a more supportive and understanding community for our youth. This eight-hour course will be held April 14 and 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. RSVP by March 31 by completing this registration form.
Applications are now open for the 2024 Peace with Justice Grants. Applicants must show their commitment to Social Justice Advocacy, including advocacy for voting rights, immigration reform, gun violence prevention legislation reforms, human trafficking, and other justice-related concerns. Learn more and apply.
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Call for Guest Preachers: Barratt’s Chapel UMC in Frederica, Del., is inviting local churches to collaborate with them by designing and leading worship at the historic Barratt’s Chapel this summer. The open dates are June 27, July 11, and July 25. Contact Rev. Sally Stewart at 302-245-4259 for more details and information or to sign up.
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Level Up is a video series that provides lessons in church leadership using best-selling secular writings by the Rev. Jack Shitama of the Center for Vital Leadership. This week, he explores "three ways a shutdown routine increases work-life balance." | |
Learn more about 100% of churches at 100% vitality.
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Submissions?
Melissa Lauber, Director of Communications
11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759
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