Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Sixteen churches celebrated completing the Catalyst Initiative and moving with innovation and vision toward greater vitality. We celebrate their joyful, creative and faithful discipleship. Read the story.

On Sunday, Calvary UMC in Mt. Airy dedicated their Diaper Depot and HUB. This is the first feminine-hygiene-focused HUB in the Conference. The ministry is named after Helen Simpson who first attended church at three months old and remained a faithful member until her death at the age of 104. The ribbon was cut by her son, Dave.

We pray for Bishop Easterling and the BWC Cabinet as they make clergy appointments and for all of the clergy and churches who will be experiencing a change of appointment this year. See the appointment list.

The National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry of The United Methodist Church, in partnership with the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and Board of Church and Society, will host a bilingual webinar on May 31 about new state regulations planned in Texas and Florida that will potentially impact churches serving immigrant communities. The webinar, at noon, can be viewed via ResourceUMC.org and Recursos Metodistas Unidos, ResourceUMC.org’s Spanish language platform. Read the press release in English and Spanish.

Level Up is a video series that provides lessons in church leadership from the Rev. Jack Shitama from the Center of Vital Leadership. This week, Shitama explores "What Makes a Level 5 Leader?"

Annual Conference parking is limited: Members and visitors to the Annual Conference Session May 31 - June 3 are advised that the parking at the Hilton Hotel in Baltimore is extremely limited. All attendees are strongly urged to take Uber or Lyft, use the light rail, or find another place to park using a service like Spot Hero.

Celebrating young people: The voices, ideas and thoughts of our young people will be the focus of the Annual Conference session on Saturday morning, June 3. Young people and youth leaders throughout the conference are encouraged to attend. We will be celebrating previous confirmands and those newly confirmed. Please use this form to submit church names and young people's names to be displayed on screens so that they might be celebrated. If you have any questions, contact Cheryl Cook.

Learn more about the Annual Conference session.

Aiding Migrants: Capitol Hill UMC and other United Methodists continue to respond to the buses of migrants that the governors of Texas and Arizona are sending to Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill UMC is coordinating volunteers to provide hospitality and gather and sort needed supplies. The BWC is raising funds to purchase necessary personal items.

Donate Now:

Last week, the number of churches officially requesting to disaffiliate at the Annual Conference session became 23. Twenty-three churches are now on the ballot. See a new FAQ on disaffiliation.

We pray for those involved in the disaffiliation process. The Beginning Again Guide is a resource for United Methodists who want to stay in the UMC after their church disaffiliates. Several "Lighthouse Congregations" now serve people who want to remain United Methodist. They include:

To find a Lighthouse Congregation or to learn more about remaining United Methodist, contact Rev. Bill Brown.

Celebrating History: Strawbridge Shrine, near New Windsor, celebrates its annual Colonial Days on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family-friendly event features skill demonstrations, music and tours of the shrine where Methodism began in America in 1760. The Shrine needs temporary tour guides to help during Colonial Days. They will provide a script that you can read to the visitors. Contact Helen at ledug2001@yahoo.com.

Step Out: Discerning A Call to Ministry Are you wondering if God has huge plans for your life? Join us for the Step Out: Discerning A Call to Ministry event on June 24 at Wesley Freedom UMC in Sykesville from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Step Out is a day of worship, breakout sessions, and personal reflection. Pastors and youth leaders are encouraged to accompany participants as their “support team.” Learn more and register.

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

See the church classified ads, now online.