June 10, 2024 | "Transformed Lives Transform Lives"

tPrayers of the People

The BWC's affiliate partners in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, met for Annual Conference in Ocean City on June 6-8 and took time for celebration and fellowship with a bonfire on the beach.

The Rev. George “Edward” Grove, a retired Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died on June 4. A visitation will be held on June 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on June 15 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Trinity UMC, at 220 W. Martin St. in Martinsburg, W.Va. A Memorial Service will be held June 15 at 11 a.m. at Trinity UMC. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Marybeth Grove, at 108 Foreman Road East, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

Lee DeLong, wife of the Rev. Ed DeLong, a retired Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died yesterday after a long illness. Condolences may be sent to Rev. Delong at 719 Maiden Choice Lane HR 135, Catonsville, MD 21228,

The Northeastern College of Bishops, whose president is Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, has issued a statement on issues coming out of the recent General Conference session. The bishops address disaffiliation, same-gender marriage, regionalization and creating a future with hope. See the statement.

We celebrate that the Rev. Leo Yates has been named as the chairperson of the Order of Deacons for the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware conferences for the next quadrennium.

The BWC-Methodist Federation for Social Action recently awarded the 2024 God's Foolish One awards to Mike and Sherie Koob for their commitment to environmental justice and the Rev. Eugene Matthews for his lifelong commitment to feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and working on behalf of youth. See a video.

We pray for the pastors and congregations that will be experiencing changes in appointments on July 1. Bishop Easterling and the Cabinet have announced a few new appointments. See the list.

Discipleship Opportunities

Is God calling you to use your gifts and talents in ways that will bless our Conference ministry? The Baltimore-Washington Conference invites nominations and applications from all persons across the Conference as a part of our process to ensure excellence while achieving inclusiveness in geography, race, gender, culture, and congregational size. How are you being called to participate? Learn more about opportunities.

A.I.M. (Administrators in Ministry) is excited to announce, Walking by Faith, an in-person meeting on Thursday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mission Center in Fulton. All administrators in the UMC connectional structure are invited to participate. The plenary speaker is Rev. Denise Norfleet-Walker, pastor of St. Paul Praise and Worship Center and Elderslie-St. Andrews UMCs in Baltimore. The cost is $35 for A.I.M. members and $60 for non-A.I.M. members. Learn more and register.

Step Out: Are you wondering if God has huge plans in store for your life? Are you ready to Step Out and see where God is calling you? At the Step Out event, on June 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wesley Freedom UMC in Sykesville, you'll hear from church leaders and have the opportunity to ask questions about all the ways you could serve God. Learn more and register.

Ignite Your Leadership Journey with SCD 2024: The School of Congregational Development is returning to Chicago this summer as SEE//CREATE//DISCIPLE (SCD) Aug. 4-7 at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, IL. Learn more and register. Contact Rev. Bill Brown, Director of Innovative Evangelism if you have questions. Scholarships available.

A Vigil for Our Nation & World: Silver Spring UMC is working to identify congregations, which may want to join in a hybrid Vigil for our Nation and World on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. In anticipation of a potentially emotional and challenging election cycle, they will gather for worship and prayer to be reminded of God's abiding presence, purpose, and power for us and the world. Interested congregations can email The Rev. Will Ed Green for more information. 

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